Goodbye Village Church of Lincolnshire

I have putting off this entry for a long time. Partly because it’s hard to say good-bye to this family of mine for the last 2 years; and partly because I know this blog will be for me a personal closure to this season. Even though I’ve done it many times, I still don’t like saying good-byes. I’m hoping I don’t ever have to get used to doing it.

The church family in Village Church of Lincolnshire (VCL) is one that I have always dreamed of having. She is such a restful, healing, and loving place. I know that I am forever changed because of my time there.

In honor of VCL’s mandate to “leave her fingerprints” on all who pass through, I’ll share the 7 “fingerprints” that VCL has left on me –

1. To paint with the colors that you have. God gives us what we need to have to honor Him in our situation- be content and creative with what He has given, and not bemoan what you lack. By all means, ask Him! But till He gives, paint with the colors that He has given.

2. It is possible for a church to be a restful and safe place, for God’s people in this messy world. I am not sure what it is that VCL does that makes it so- perhaps it is an outflow of who Pastor Lee is. But coming out of a hectic ministry life in Singapore, where church equals to who can I talk to and encourage today? How can I serve the Body better? What do I have to do next? I am thankful for the rest stop that God has given.

3. Yearning for heaven. As an outflow of her being a restful and safe place, it makes me look forward to the final place of rest that we all will have one day. The place where the lamb can lie with the lion, the place where there are no more tears. Pastor Lee says many times that he desires to make us all Home-sick. He sure has done that for me!

4. God’s shepherds are still at work, and Pastor Lee is one of them! The image of a shepherd is one that drives my “sheep-dog” ministry. I love shepherds who shepherd. Be not mistaken, God gives different gifts to different pastors, and they all serve the church differently. But, I love shepherds the most.
After Chen Mushi (PPC), Pastor Lee is the second person who comes to mind when I think of a shepherding pastor. But he is the first shepherd on earth who knows my name. I will never forget the first time Pastor Lee called my name in the foyer the second Sunday we met. I was moved beyond words. I am truly thankful for shepherding pastor who knows me.

5. Remember names! It is obvious from the account in #4 above why. I never knew the importance of knowing one’s name till then. I will try my best to remember names for ministry in the future. No excuse!

6. Persevering till the end. The many saints with white hair and walking sticks are living encouragements. Just looking at them, I wonder about the walk that they had with Jesus, I wonder about the battles they have fought, I wonder what they have given up to be holding on to their faith to the end, I wonder if I will be the same. My heart fills up when I see them on the pews- their presence speaks for them and their faith. I love these old saints. It is an honor to be worshipping alongside them.

7. “Church management”: a loving relationship between the pastoral team and elders board, and leaders who listen. I am impressed by the way VCL navigated through the dialogue whether or not to hire a woman as a pastoral staff in the past few months. It was difficult, and of course there are many differing opinions. But at the end of the day, I think the process was open and honest, the leaders were humble to seek out the congregation’s voice, and the church was courageous to take on the contentious topic. All the Annual Meetings were so God-honoring and encouraging! Very different from the “fiery” ones that I’m used to in Singapore :p The leaders in VCL have provided for me a godly role model of how wise leaders work together.

I did not dare believe such a community existed, but now I do! Thank you VCL for the fingerprints that you have left on me. I hope that we'll get to be together again some day, but till then I will always hold you in my heart fondly wherever I go and serve next. Praise be to God!