2007 Ministry Report

 

Introduction

 

We give thanks to God for His faithfulness and abiding grace over the past year. The ministries of SFEFC that He has enabled are briefly reported here, contributed by the following:

·        Caring Department: Nora Chung 

·        Family & Fellowship Department: Bill Huang

·        Worship Department: Shirley Yip

·        Youth Department: Pastor Stephen Mak

·        Christian Education Department: Kenny Wong

·        Evangelism Department: Pastor Stephen Mak

Just as last year, Mr. Eric Hom serving as Secretary of the Ministry Committee assisted me in compiling this report. Debbie Sum was the primary translator.

Whilst the departmental activities are detailed in their respective sections, it is appropriate to reflect on key aspects and be thankful to God for His blessings.

·        We continued with the ministry started in 2006 to serve the youths in Middle School and High School. We made efforts to bring them into the life of our church by focusing our reception of them in the noon worship service. We also brought members of our church to the lives of the youths. More details will be available in the relevant section later on. 

·        The year of 2007 being the 20th Anniversary of SFEFC, various ministry departments participated in the different activities such as evangelistic meetings and revival meetings where one of our founders, Rev. Wing So, was the speaker.

·        We partnered with other churches to bring in Rev. Lun from Hong Kong to conduct a training seminar on worship.

·        We brought the church together in fellowship through many creative and participatory events. For example, we had an enjoyable Chinese New Year Celebration spearheaded by the Evergreen Fellowship, and supported by other fellowships. In October, we had a record attendance in our church-wide picnic with over 200 people enjoying the outing, in a sunny day after days of torrential rain.

·        A year ago in 2006, we had over 300 people in Gold Mountain Restaurant for a good free Thanksgiving Luncheon. The expenses were all paid for by some willing contributors. We made another milestone in 2007. Everybody in SFEFC contributed through offering, sales of items, or volunteering on a fun and boisterous Fund Raising Day, so that in the end we raised more than enough funds for 480 people enjoying the Thanksgiving Luncheon in the same restaurant.

·        Out of a deeply founded sense of mission to serve our community, we organized English classes for new immigrants in 2007, firstly taught by our sister Mary Yang, and later continued with the able leadership of Nora Chung and Doris Ma.

 

Significant Ministry Activities by Others outside the Ministry Committee

·        The English congregation continued to work with the parents in our church to help their children to build a godly habit of worship, and of learning the things of the Lord through Sunday School and Friday night fellowships. Their joint efforts are to be applauded.

·        The Children Ministry led by Elite Kwong made a record breaking contribution of over 50 boxes of gifts to the Christmas Shoe Box program benefiting less privileged children in the world. 

·        The year 2007 was the year we celebrated our 20th Anniversary. The Committee headed by Fanny Cheng executed their planning and brought about a series of celebratory events, culminating in a joint service held in St. Mary attended by close to 500 old and new acquaintances giving thanks to God for His years of blessings. Rev. So called us to renew our covenant with God, just as in the days of Nehemiah and Ezra. 

·        Under the able leadership of the 2007 Summer Retreat Organizing Committee of Joni Wu, we brought in Rev. Philip Yeung of the Hong Kong CGST who took the attendees through a series of Biblical expositions, enriching those present with a deeper appreciation of the power of God’s Word. 

·        The new ministry VITA that was started in 2006, continued in 2007 to provide free tax filing service to our needy neighbors. Many brothers and sisters from various fellowships joined hand in this meaningful ministry that serves the earthly needs of our community and at the same time provide an opportunity for sharing the Gospel. About 50 individuals were assisted.

·        The calling for a Senior Pastor remained unanswered in 2007. The calling for an English Pastor was pursued vigorously throughout the year and an applicant was progressing in the process. In the meantime, it was decided that a pastoral associate who could train and build up younger people in their prime with a special expertise in worship should be called. So far, no applicant responded.

·        A significant milestone was reached in the year when the Congregation voted in November to accept the amendments to the By Law that would simplify the organizing structure by flattening it into a single executive board in 2008. This simplified structure was intended to enable a direct focus on ministries and to build up the Body of Christ along a simple process. A number of other amendments were also approved providing more transparency and clarity to the way matters would be handled in the church.

 

Ministry Statistics

·        This report continues to provide statistics within the context of the previous year. Although the figures show that there has been a slight continued upward creep above 200 in Chinese worship attendance, it is still too small to be considered as any meaningful increase. On the other hand, a careful consideration of where the increase and decrease came from would reveal that while on the one hand, we are gaining in youths and the more matured, on the other hand we are losing those who are young and in their prime. The small number of the baptized also points to a lack of faith that takes root in new converts. An encouraging point not seen from the statistics is that many who joined the church during 2007 had gone through life threatening moments in their lives and had found love and support in our brothers and sisters. This suggests that God is still working through us, ministering to the needy and the hurt. Again, our continued reliance upon the Lord in prayers is necessary.

·        The statistics of prayer meetings may not show the emerging picture. There are increasingly more brothers and sisters making an effort to come before the Throne prior to worshipping the King on Sunday at the 9 am prayer meeting.    

 

 

□       Average Sunday Worship Adult Attendance: 207 people (200 in 2005) in Chinese, 34  (36) in English

□       Total number of Newcomers (newcomer card collected): 129 people (58)

□       Average number of Sunday School Classes on offer per quarter: 3 (3)

□       Average Adult Sunday School attendances per quarter: 33 people (28)

□       Number of people baptized: 6 people (12)

□       Number of members transferred: 9 people (4)

□      Average weekly number of people at prayer meetings: 13 people (10)

□       Total number of people committed to Christ through evangelistic meetings: 16 people (9)

□       Number of Summer Retreat Attendees (full and part-time): 74 people (43 Chinese, 31 English) (116)

 

Personnel

·        We were blessed with several sisters who ably took up the responsibilities of the vacant Children Director after Iris Chan resigned. We were also blessed with the addition of the new Children Director Elite Kwong during 2007.

·        Mr. Arthur Ng took over from Fanny Cheng as the Office Administrator in February 2007 and has since ably kept the office in great shape. We were also grateful for the part-time assistance of Debbie Sum in the office.

·        6 New members via baptism: Sum Suet, Nelson Wong; Wai Man Chiu, Tze Lan Choy, Stanley Lee Fong, Bernice Leong Lee, 9 new members via transfer: David Luk Cheuk-Tim, Kathryn Hong Fung-Wa, Tina Tsang, Sok In Chang, Siu Har Choi, Fernando Kwan, Shui Jiao Liang, Yu Ling Qiu, Lai Chun Seto.

 

Looking forward in 2008  

·        Our return to the basics began in 2007 when we urged the congregations to “Love the Lord and Serve Him.” We will build on this fundamental in 2008 by again stressing the simple process that would build us up as a people who would honor God above all else and would love our neighbors. We will encourage one another to engage in this process of growth: Honor the Lord, Build Fellowship, Love One Another, Serve the Community. 

·        God is ever-present. As we learn to honor Him above all else, we will learn to worship Him in 756 Union Street, as if it were His holy sanctuary. We will grasp what worship is about and we will attend in His presence. We will both teach and learn from one another the Biblical truths of worship, through sermons, Bible studies, training sessions, reading and meditation.

·        God is all-powerful. In 2007 we witnessed how He saved people’s lives from dangers and turned tragedies into blessings. We are confident that those people amongst us are powerful reminders of God’s power of raising from the dead. We will continue to prepare ourselves as vessels ready to be used in turning yet more lives towards praising His goodness. We will not stop communicating Christian love to those around us.

·        God is all-knowing. Perhaps we have failed in certain areas which are of great importance to some of us who have decided to leave us. God knows all our hearts, and He knows our weaknesses just as well. It would be easy to simply declare that it won’t happen again. But God knows better than that. We will focus on building strong fellowships so that we are more sensitive to unspoken needs. We will love in deeds, not just in words, beginning from the household of God. The all-knowing God sees our deepest thoughts and if we keep our hearts pure, He will be delighted.

·        God is timely. We have experienced His provision of a Children Ministry Director. He will not fail us in our other pastoral needs. We will continue to engage in prayers regularly to seek His timing. We will, at the same time, work harder in equipping ourselves so that when God’s servants appear, we will be a church ready to do God’s will.

·        Ultimately, God is the one who causes growth. We are indeed sorry to see strong young people leave us. However, we are also hopeful in God raising His favored people to step up. We have already been encouraged to see more of YAF, Evergreen, Family of Grace, and Join Joy coming up and serving one another. We are also encouraged to see more of us attend the Sunday morning prayer meeting before worship to humble ourselves before Him. We will continue to depend on Him to make us grow as persons and as a Body.

 

(By Pastor Raymond)

Caring Department

 Department Head: Nora Chung 

Committee Members: Christine Chee, Mary Liang, Pei Qi Sun 

 

Main Duties

·        To provide a warm welcome to the newcomers and to link them with appropriate groups such as EBS, fellowship or Bible study groups

·        To provide training/workshops for caring team members

·        To organize functions including Baptismal services, and newcomers’ luncheons

·        To organize visitations to newcomers and church members

 

Events and Highlights

·        Provided support for 2 Baptismal services in Easter and Thanksgiving.

·        Organized 4 newcomer luncheons, providing opportunities for the newcomers to get to know our church members and ministries, and to share their struggles.

Looking forward in 2008

·        As a result of the formation of the new Executive Board under the amended By Law, this section is still under planning within the new Fellowship & Caring Committee at press time.

 

Christian Education Department 

 Department Head: Kenny Wong

Committee Members: Eric Kwong, Simon Lee

 

Main Duties

·        To cultivate people by building Biblical literacy, character and leadership

·        To facilitate a learning culture by promoting training and learning through different sources

·        To promote praying culture through private and corporate prayer meetings

 

Events & Highlights

·        There were about 24 participants in the 2007 Bible Reading Program.

·        4 Book club gatherings were organized with an average attendance of 6, up from 4 last years.

·        We conducted 3 classes on average for each Sunday school quarter. Two EBS classes in June and in October and a Path-to-Growth class in May were conducted. Sunday Scholl attendance still reflects a low motivation in Sunday learning.

·        A Hermeneutics seminar by Rev. Johann Yuek-Hon Lai was held in January 5-6 of 2007. Around 26 brothers and sisters attended the seminar.

·        Rev. Lawrence Chan led about 30 people in a seminar on Christian Education Sunday August 26 to introduce a Bible Teaching course in the coming year. This was an effort to promote spiritual education.

·        We tried a pilot program of opening more homes for prayer meeting in Daly City/Sunset location with a goal to getting more families participating in group praying. There was one home opened in November.

·        Coordinated two revival meetings for the 20th anniversary in September. There were 86 attendances on average for each meeting.

 

Looking forward in 2008

·        Continue the fundamental of reading Bible and spiritual books. Cultivate that as a habit.

·        Develop more Sunday school teachers through the Bible Teaching class from January to March.

·        Focus on regular Sunday school classes but will also look for other sources for further learning, along the 2008 simple process of growth.

·        Continue to conduct running EBS and Path-to-Growth classes for new believers.

·        Invite more families to open their homes for prayer meeting.

 

 

Evangelism Department

Department Head: Pastor Stephen Mak

Committee Members: Adeline Chan, Daniel Ho, Pollyana Leung

 

Main Duties

The Evangelism department promotes and organizes evangelism activities so that brothers and sisters will make disciples for Jesus Christ. Chinese school and Student Center (afternoon tutorial service) are also part of the Evangelism department.

 

Events & Highlights

·        Two evangelistic meetings and one Gospel Sunday were held in the 20th anniversary celebration; 15 people accepted Christ.

·        Formed partnership with SOBEM and handed out about 600 SOBEM program DVDs to congregation and newcomers.

·        Since August 07, Elite Kwong became our Student Center Director; over 30 students have enrolled in the 07-08 school year.

·        46 students attended the Chinese school and there were 5-7 youth volunteers weekly.

·        Gradually integrated the outreach services to the regular activities of the church: about 40 students and 5 parents attended church picnic in October; about 20 students and 30 parents/family members attended the Thanksgiving luncheon.

 

Looking forward in 2008

·        Organize a major evangelistic event and a Christmas musical in 2008.

·        Make use of SOBEM DVD for pre-evangelistic work.

·        Reach out to the students and parents of Chinese School and Student Center through church functions like evangelistic event, picnic and Thanksgiving luncheon.

·        Continue to work with Worship department to assimilate the youths into the noon service.

·        Provide personal evangelism training in Sunday school or fellowship group.

 

 

Family & Fellowship Department

Department Head: Bill Huang

Committee Members: Lydia Tsung, Jane Wu 

 

Main Duties

The Family & Fellowship department acts as a liaison between all the fellowships, Bible study groups and couples’ groups. It organizes church-wide functions such as picnics, seminars and assists in the setting up of new fellowships or small groups.

 

Events and Highlights:

·        The church picnic in October was very well attended by over 200 people. At least 5 fellowships and groups were involved in the preparation. Through this activity the inter-connection and cooperation between groups were improved.

·        There was Chinese New Year Adult fellowship and Youth fellowship joint celebration activity in church in February. It had set up a successful example of joint fellowship activity between groups.

·        The Finance Seminar hosted by YAF had over 60 people attended. FOG, J&J and HH were among the fellowships participated in this event in April.

·        Throughout the year fellowships and small groups as units have been more and more involved in church activities.

·        The fellowship and small groups registry has been compiled.

·        An attendance tracking system has been set up for all fellowships and small groups.

 

Looking forward in 2008

·        As a result of the formation of the new Executive Board under the amended By Law, this section is still under planning within the new Fellowship & Caring Committee at press time.

Worship Department

Department Head: Shirley Yip

Committee Members: Peter Cheung, Irene Kwan, Anna Wu (since May), Carmen Chan (to March), Edwin Cheung (to March)

 

Main Duties

·        To plan and coordinate worship services

·        To promote a worshipping atmosphere during services

·        To provide support and training to ministry helpers

·        To build up and promote music ministry

 

Events and Highlights:

·        In addition to the regular Sunday services, we planned and organized special services such as Good Friday, Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas.

·        We implemented new format and style during the 11:30 worship service to help assimilate a group of youths into corporate worship.

·        We changed the worship format of the 11:30 worship service to allow for Scripture reading and to improve the transitions during the service.

·        We organized a joint church worship conference focusing on music ministry in April, a training seminar for MC/song-leader in February, and a workshop for new Scripture readers in October.

·        In a department-wide gathering for worship helpers in June attended by over 30 people, we updated them on the work of the department as well as provided an opportunity for fellowship and sharing. We also organized a gathering for music ministry leaders in October.

 

Looking forward in 2008

·        Add Scripture Reading during the 10:00 worship service.

·        Continue to review the new format and style implemented during the 11:30 worship service.

·        Organize a department-wide training session to introduce the concept of “simple church” to all worship helpers.

·        Continue to recruit new helpers and provide training for new and existing helpers. In particular, we will provide more training to music ministry helpers on technical aspect and encourage them to attend outside conferences such as BASS and CM2008.

Youth Department

Department Head: Pastor Stephen Mak

Committee Members: Lydia Tsung, Vivian Mak, Edward Zhao.

 

Main Duties

Reaching out to middle school and high school students, bring non-believers to Christ and build up believers to be disciples of Jesus Christ

 

Events & Highlights

·        A new fellowship, Goodness Youth Fellowship, was established in January with 39 youths on the roster. The Fellowship met every Sunday from 1:00pm to 2:30pm. Weekly attendance ranged from 10-25 youths.

·        Joined major church activities such as Chinese New Year celebration in February, Youth Sunday in April, church picnic in October, and Thanksgiving luncheon in November.

·        Over 100 students have attended noon service in 2007, though many of them only visited a few times. About 10-15 students more regularly return.

·        Organized a Gospel Camp in August for 20 youths.

·        Three youths accepted Christ on the 20th Anniversary Gospel Sunday.

 

Looking forward in 2008

·        Form small Bible study groups in Goodness Youth Fellowship for evangelism and teaching.

·        Recruit more youth workers and Bible study leaders.

·        Continue outreach through fellowship activities and special events like camping.

·        Coordinate with the Worship department in the noon service to assimilate students to Sunday worship.

·        Coordinate with other church events to assimilate the youth into the church family.