Even though it is not a registered or a formal organisation, I, as the initiator of this ministry and “resident” preacher, will assume some authority and be responsible for the group.
All are welcome including children of all ages.
I assume this authority only when I am the host or bringing people with me. I will assume the right to forbid people from coming for the peace and safety of the group. It can be due to bad behaviour, causing harm, hurt or confusion, harassing others in the group. There is grace and forgiveness, at the same time it will be on a case by case basis to assess the severity of it.
Proper Attire
Within your means, please dress up to show that you respect/fear God who is your object of worship and accord Him with the dignity He deserves.
For ladies, please dress modestly so that you do not have to frequently adjust yourself to prevent exposure of your chest or thigh. A rule of thumb is if that if you have to constantly adjust your positions or posture, it means that you need to change your wardrobe. This is not to accidentally draw attention to yourself in a community where Christ should be the centre of attention.
Authority to Preach Whatever God Has for Me (and to you through me)
Your conscience must be bound by the word of God, nothing less and certainly not to me. With that, my duty as the “resident preacher” is to preach the word and lead you to God’s words by rightly interpreting it. I do not take this lightly as I will be held accountable for what I teach. “My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation” (Jas 3:1). Matthew 18:2–6 says, “And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me. But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.” Jesus used a little child to illustrate someone who has a child-like faith and does not question what the teacher teaches. If the teacher causes such ones (metaphoric little children) to learn wrong things and sin against God, Jesus warns that it is better for such teachers to be drowned (irrecoverably) in the sea or die by drowning (which is a terrible experience) than to cause the gullible ones to learn bad things and sin against God. While I do not claim to know every doctrine or all doctrines accurately, I will not consciously knowingly teach you an erroneous view to mislead you. [for context, watch from here].
I am willing to stand corrected publicly if it can (in a private and separate occasion) be proven from the Scriptures with sound hermeneutics that what I taught is wrong. If God enlighten me with corrections, I will update my teachings with the corrected view the next time I teach it or am asked about it. There are also non-negotiable doctrines which I hold to as they are crystallised in the midst of controversy in the history of the church by many of God’s servant-theologians. I do not follow traditions blindly.
Respect for the Host(s)
We thank God for those who can / will open their premise for worship services. Please respect the hosts by behaving decently in their premises. The host has the right to decide whether all should be masked up or not.
We will submit to the prevailing measures of what gathering size is permitted legally. It is currently at 5 unique visitors per day. For instance, if the host has a household of 4 members with 5 visitors (including me, the preacher), we can have 9 worshippers (almost half the size of smaller churches).
Tithes and Offerings
We do not collect tithes and offerings. If you want to give your tithes or offerings, please give to the church in which you are a member of or to missionaries you know. There is no cost incurred in running this ministry (in a relative sense). I am not paid to conduct worship or to preach. Available pianists are not paid to play. Hosts are not paid to open their place. They serve God sacrificially by lending the use of their space to conduct worship services. God will bless them in return!
Sacraments
The Lord’s Supper can be arranged. Ordained ministers may be invited to conduct it. As for baptism, you will be recommended to a church to be baptised.
If you are agreeable with the rules and are interested to attend, please join the telegram announcement channel for instructions and I will get in touch with you. Available slots will be posted there.