In the 2015 Diocesan Synod, it was agreed that the Diocese should multiply into 3 dioceses, hopefully by 2020. What are the reasons for this change? How will it be carried out? How will it affect St Mary’s Cathedral?
Joanne Liaw had the privilege of consulting Archbishop Ng Moon Hing for his perspective on
this. Here is what he shared with us.
Introduction
Evangelism is the top priority of many Christians. This is rightly so, as Jesus has commissioned us to “go and make disciples of all nations”. However, church planting provides sustainability for evangelism in the long run. New believers, after being evangelised, are gathered in the church for worship and nurturing and are equipped to “go and make more disciples”. “Church” is the plural of “Disciples”. The Diocese is the gathering of churches in the same region.
Multiplication of Dioceses
(A) What are the reasons for it?
In 1970, the Diocese had about 37 churches. Today it has 145 churches. The main reasons for
the multiplication of our present Diocese are evangelism, church planting and decentralisation.
The objectives are:
- Speeding up church planting efforts – getting ready for God’s great revival in this land.
- Reaching the unreached – bringing the Gospel to neglected areas.
- A smaller region of focus – enhancing participation of members in mission and evangelism.
- Enhancing accessibility – creating opportunities to reach new catchment areas situated at the far ends of the Diocese.
- Increasing efficiency in management – ensuring an optimum capacity for growth.
- Reducing bureaucracy – minimising the size of the Diocese for efficiency.
- Decentralisation – avoiding the spirit of complacency and stagnation.
- Inculcating a positive spirit for new goals and adventures.
- Creative usage of funds – cutting unnecessary travelling expenses to central headquarters for meetings and training and employing the funds for better usage such as evangelism and church planting
(B) How will it be carried out?
Area Dioceses (i.e. regional ministerial areas) will be created in 2017 as stepping stones to actual dioceses. The three new dioceses are:
- Northern Peninsular – Perlis, Kedah, Penang and Perak
- Central & Eastern Peninsular – Wilayah 1 (i.e. Kuala Lumpur), Kelantan, Terengganu and Pahang
- Southern Peninsular – Wilayah 2 (i.e. Putra Jaya), Selangor, Negeri Sembilan, Melaka and Johor
(C) How will it affect St Mary’s Cathedral?
When the actual multiplication happens, all the churches, including St Mary’s Cathedral, in the present Diocese will not be affected in terms of ministry, worship or training. However, they will be realigned to new dioceses, new bishops, new diocesan offices and new administrative procedures.
Concluding Prayer
Gracious God, to You we commit our plans
Guide us, as we go forth, with Your hand
To this dark world, let us bring Your Light
The Light that pierces the darkest of nights