There are so many things, for example, human bodies, institutions, organisations, schools are all systems. So, what is a system? There are three parts in a system, which includes 1) the elements that make it up, 2) the connection of the elements, and 3) the function that brings it out. Put it simply, a system is elements + connections = functions.
Take an example. The elements that make up a furniture are the woods. When we connect the woods, its become a furniture. A furniture functions so that people can live comfortably. It’s all about elements, connections and functions. A system is elements + connections = functions.
Take another example. A company is made up of shareholders, management, employees, etc. What connects these elements are the company’s mission, goals, philosophy, principles, products and so on. The function of these connections is the profitability of the company, its growth, and the economic development of the country.
Similarly in a university system, the elements are professors, students, management, etc. What connects these elements are the university’s curriculum, the various studies, the degrees awarded, and so on. The function of these connections is to train people in various fields.
The church is also a system in which the constituent elements are the members, the pastors, and so on. What connects these elements are God’s mission and God’s teaching. The functions of these connections is to increase the number of disciples of Christ and to spread the gospel to the nations.
The most important thing in a system is the connection of the elements. Without the connection of the elements, the system cannot function. Without the connection of the elements, the elements themselves, standing alone, have no functional value. For example, if the woods are not connected, then they are woods and do not provide value or function. Only woods that are connected can be furniture, providing value and function.
In the church, members and pastors can be replaced, but God’s mission and God’s teaching cannot be replaced. As long as the connection of the elements (God’s mission and God’s teaching) still exists, then it does not matter if the elements of the church (members and pastors) are changed, even several times, the church still exists and functions. As long as the mission and the teaching of God still exist, the church will continue to exist, even the pastors or the church members have changed thousand times.
Therefore, the focus of the church should be on God’s mission and God’s teaching, not on members or pastors. We should recognise that it is not the members or pastors who make the church exist, but the mission and teaching of God that make the church exist.
This is very easy to understand and let me give you an example. I graduated from university in 1990. The students, professors, and staff during my time are no longer at that university, but the university still exists. The university doesn’t cease to exist just because I graduated or my professors left. The university exists because of its recognized courses, its academic standards, its research, and the degrees it awards.
The same goes for churches. If St Peter’s Church Ipoh is to survive beyond a thousand years, then God’s mission and God’s teachings must be passed on. It must not only be passed on, but it must continue to grow and become the mother of all churches. To be the mother of all churches means to plant new churches and to continue.
Discipleship training emphasizes in God’s mission and God’s teaching (the connection of the elements of the system). As members or pastors (system elements), we must be willingly connected so that we can function. Otherwise we are just scattered sand, even though valuable but not functional, what a waste.
Is there value in a pile of bricks? Of course it does! But it doesn’t fulfill the function that bricks should have. The only way for the bricks to function and provide value is to connect them to build a house. Are you ready to be connected through the teaching of God, and function as the salt and the light of the world?