CATALYSE - INTERVIEW WITH PASTOR DENIS LU

There are 6 strategic priorities for the next five years. In total, there are 16 initiatives to implement key projects for these priorities.

Today we hear Ps Denis Lu’s CATALYSE story. Ps Denis is currently the Senior Pastor of Hope Kuching and also overseeing Hope churches and centres in Sarawak, Sabah and Labuan in Malaysia. He is the CATALYSE Champion for the fully-functioning five-fold ministry and leadership priority.

1. Write from the perspective of a CATALYSE champion

Greetings HIM family! I am excited to highlight for you one of our strategic priorities in CATALYSE, that which relates to the development of a fully-functioning five-fold ministry of equipping the saints as well a fully-functioning leadership!

One of our core values is that we are leadership developers. We believe that every Christ follower has the potential to be a leader, God-appointed and spiritually gifted to make a difference for people building and church planting.

Over the years, we have seen a diversity of leadership base being developed that has enriched our movement. At the same time we realise that our leaders are developing at different pace and levels in terms of experience, skills, knowledge, maturity and the degree of release in the area of their gifting.

John Maxwell puts it this way, "Everything rises and falls on leadership!" I couldn't agree more! We need great spiritual and great practical leadership in our churches across the globe. That is why we long to see our churches become equipping bases both for fivefold ministries and leadership in general. This will happen when we have fully-functioning five-fold ministry and leadership.

2. What do you hope to see at the end of 2015?

Ultimately, our five-year goal is to develop, multiply and release leaders into ministries of their gifting. We are resolute in identifying and closing the leadership gaps so that we will move into a fully-functioning mode. As such, we have identified three major areas with existing gaps that need to be narrowed and closed:

1. Developing the five-fold leadership,
2. Re-tooling of current leaders for growth, and
3. The intentional nurture of the next generation leadership for a sustainable future.

3. Explain a little about the Priority of From Developing to Fully-Functioning Five-Fold Ministry and Leadership

• Five-fold leadership.

Historically, our movement have developed strengths in both the pastoral and the teaching ministries. This was the result of our strong and continual emphasis on our care group system as well as our commitment to expository preaching and to teaching. Our care group structure is the natural nurturing ground that develops shepherds and pastors, while our systematic approach in expository preaching and teaching laid a strong base in the Word of God. A reading into Ephesians 4:11-13 immediately identifies the other three areas which require our immediate and continued attention: the apostolic, the prophetic, and the evangelistic pillars. We will be intentional to develop these three ministry functions so that our movement can become complete and able to mature the Body of Christ. We will set aside the years 2011 till 2015 to develop HIM into a fully-functioning five-fold movement.

• Re-tooling of current leaders for growth.

This is especially targeted at leaders who have reached a plateau in their leadership or those who face significant ministry challenges. We desire to equip current leaders to grow in skills, spirit, strategy, structure, systems and in leading people. We will intentionally guide leaders into the area of their strengths so that they can be effective in their ministries. For some, it may warrant a change in pathways. In the next five years, the goal is for leaders who may or may not be struggling to be able to approach ministry from a fresh new perspective, be refreshed in their spirit and be equipped with tools to help them grow beyond where they are now.

• The intentional nurture of the next generation leadership for a sustainable future.

The apostle Paul saw the potential in Timothy and intentionally mentored Timothy. In the same grain, we want to open up avenues for potential Timothys to grow. In addition, we also want to target the Pauls (current leaders) and equip them in the importance of nurturing younger ones and to create conducive conditions at the local church so that the Timothys can thrive and grow.

4. How do you feel about CATALYSE?

I am actually excited by the broad and bold strokes to outline and spearhead a focused forward momentum for HIM. It actually takes more than the SPT team to see CATALYSE become a reality. We definitely need God's leading, of which, I am certain that He is! We also need all pastors and leaders to get on-board, to understand that this is an investment of our time and lives in order to get HIM back into an effective global movement that can accelerate soul winning, disciple-making, and church planting in these last days!

5. How can we (HIM) pray for and support CATALYSE

Please keep CATALYSE in prayer, asking God to guide us in the entire process. Keep reading for updates in the Advance Newsletter in the coming issues!



CATALYSE SPT


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