FRUITS OF THE FIXED TEAMS AND ASSISTANT WORSHIP LEADERS PROGRAM

4 HEAVENLY KINGS

Back in the early 90's, the 4 heavenly kings were in reference to Andy Lau, Jacky Cheung, Leon Lai and Aaron Kwok.  These were Hong Kong's singing superstars.   For PCC, since moving to Wisma Praise City, our 4 heavenly kings or main service worship leaders were brother Kok Yen, Joshua Lim and Timothy.  The 4th the king was rotated among Pastor Julian (2004), Bernard Lee (2008) and Pastor Ben, see pictures below.  Over the 7 or so years (2002 - 2009) we had 4 permanent main worship leaders.  Of course I never considered myself as a worship leader because of poor singing skills but that is a story for another day. 

NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK

Today, through Team L, we have churned out Jim Abigo, Tony Ng, Judy Chua, Debby Ayeni, Jennifer Ifeoma and Obi Hamilton.  That's 2010 - 2012, a total of 3 years! Other teams also raised up new batch of worship leaders.  From Team A Pastor Ben trained Justina Abigo.  From Team B Tim.L raised Joseph Olayemi.  From Team C, Kok Yen raised Gan Teng. That's 9 new worship leaders in 3 years!  I have to give thanks to God for the inflow of talents into the church.  I also praise God for the 'old horses' who dedicated themselves to raising the new kids on the block (pictures below). I was especially blessed by Jennifer's worship leading session in the 2nd service last sunday, hence this article :)

SORRY, SAY WHAT?!

At the beginning of 2010, the then Central Working Committee, abolished the musicians and singers schedule in favour of a fixed team. The CWC also abolished the traditional idea of a worship leader and backup singers.  The role of the backup singers was upgraded to that of a team of psalmists.  The mindset was changed to a collective group of worship singers who would share and bear responsibility to the sunday worship.  We are now reaping the fruits of that policy change.

WELL DONE EVERYONE!

Thank you everyone, big or small, who contributed to a more cohesive unit of worship singers.  Thank you new ones who DARE to step out and lead.  Thanks to God for helping us.  I would like to remind the current batch of worship leaders in Team Peace, Joy and Love that you are to nurture, train and raise up 2 assistant worship leaders by year end. Click here to be reminded! Continue this good and productive process going.  

Gloria In Excelsis Deo!

Tim.L

Servant of All

   

THANK YOU FOR A SUCCESSFUL CHRISTMAS TALK SHOW

It's been sometime since I posted but this is THE last one for 2011. I want to thank and congratulate all who have taken part in the Christmas talk show 'Meet The King Live!'. I would have to say that in terms of technical ie lights/sound/projector, etc this is THE BEST showing thus far. It is even better than those sound and lights rented at IYC or other out of church events. This is a marked improvement over the lousy Heidi Popp Easter outing.

Note: Lousy as in technical problems present through out the presentations

WHY?

We had a crazy slave driver in yours truly :) On the outside we had 3 official practice (11,18 & 22). So what? We had that in previous years when there were drama teams. The secret lies in the commitment and sacrifice of the technical teams. We had at least 3 other un-official practices with the technical teams. Of course the slave driver was cracking the whip.

I DO conclude that without the co-operation of Douglas (lighting), Jedidiah (stage manager), Jon & Stanley (sound), Mei Peng & Claristan (projectionists), Ben Ngh (camera crew), the ENTIRE show would have gone down the drain. Once again thank you and sorry for any hurt or misunderstanding if any. Please forgive me and know that it was all done to the glory of God. That includes the shouting, sarcastic remarks, pressure and stress poured on you by me.

Note: Glory to God as in the entire process of getting this production to a good standard and bringing the best of out the presentations and message.

I should also mention the numerous un-official practices with Obi, Sek Hoe & Justina. Once at Sek Hoe's house over great coffee, 3 saturdays and lots of email and phone calls. I would also say that the number 2 man in this show is none other than Obi Hamilton (script writer & director) who was literally at my beck and call. Again my gratitude and thanks.

There are others working behind the scenes that contributed. Johnny Ong & team for blocking out the sunlight by pasting black paper on the windows, Valerie for getting the santarinas and gifts, Jennifer for critical projector switching, and Jon for the confetti's.

Lastly, the various presenters Youth Xtreme, International Choir, African drama, Chinese choir, Praise Princesses & Hip Hop boys.

SO WHERE IS THIS ALL GOING?

Many were caught by surprise at the expectations and standard this Christmas talk show was setting. Why the shouting, pressures & push? I think PCC creative members have been resting on the laurels for far too long. Too many lacklustre performances becomes a hardened habit over the years. Seriously I don't think anyone would buy a RM10 ticket for our performances. If our performances are not worth RM10, why bother to give it to God as a service? I believe PCC members are good for a RM50 ticket. Jacky Cheung would be worth RM250. So if we are worth RM50, then let's start giving & reaching for our best as an OFFERING to God. After all we are presenting to make His Glad Tidings known.

This will be the standard for PCC in the coming years. No more nonsense technical faults because the tech crew was not aware of the program. With a committed and dedicated tech crew, the lacklustre performances will also have to buck up to at least a RM50 ticket.

If you guys are still with me and game, I already have a game plan for Easter! So say whatever you want to say as comments below but before that enjoy this video clip below. Have a great 2012 and the best is yet to come!

Final note: No vulgar words were uttered in the entire production. That should be the model for both young and old who serve God through their talents

Really this will be my final statement for 2011:

Special thanks to everyone who participated. Thank you for your sacrifices, patience in taking criticms, understanding for the long hours and teamwork as brothers and sisters in the same family, the family of God. Everyone deserved to be praised! All played a part in spreading the cheer and glad tidings of Christmas. Glory in Excelsis Deo!

Tim.L 31st December 2011

Rainbow Home Ex-Resident

Recognize that face? No, not the one of the right..... that's me! The guy on the left. Yep, you got it! That's Daniel who spent a few years at Rainbow home. His ambition was to be a "taiko", that's coloquail for a gangster. Today, he's a "consultant" at an Optical shop earning a honest living.

The Bible exhorts us to do good at all times to all people. That's what the Rainbow Home has been doing, come rain or shine since it's inception. Not everyone will "graduate" and turn out how we want them to be. But the beacon still shines irregardless whether some turn bad while others find Jesus and make something out of their lives.

Let us continue doing good!

CHIA YEW/ADD PETROL!

The caption below is taken from The Star Online:

ACCORDING to sociologist Robert Bellah, “we should not underestimate the significance of the small group of people who have a new vision of a just and gentle world. The quality of a culture may be changed when 2% of its people have a new vision.”

The article is about fighting corruption. However the same can be said of any revival. It only takes a spark.... to get the fire going (source: SU scripture in song).

To those who have made it a point to be counted, to be early and prepared for practices/services, to have prayed for the ministry of music, I salute you. For those who made an effort to support the work of the Central Working Committee, I salute you. It may just be a handful, but to Jesus that's not a problem. After all Jesus took only 12(13) apostles to spread Christianity throughout the then known world.

I encourage you to Chia Yew, and again I say to you Chia Yew!
note: Chia Yew is translated as add gas/petrol to the fire

Thank God for Brothers Like These

Thanks to Lud, Adriel & Amiel Leong & Adriel Quek for packing away the Christmas tree and clearing the music room.

Have a look here before the room was cleared.


After




The Left Changing Room is officially the Music Room now. Please do not defile it.

WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS

At the 1st Quarter Meeting, there were complains that the worship leaders were the cause of inefficient practices. The reason was the late songlists. Well, I am a worship leader and I felt challenged. Let's have a look at the worship leaders:


Kingba - full time university student with loads of exams. Lives in Semenyih and travels far to church









This is me..... the ever bee zee guy who is PCC toilet leakage checker, Music Director aka Servant of All, GM for GSUS, van driver, sound engineer, music educator, construction worker, yahoogroup administrator, blogger, father, computer problem solver, etc, etc. In a nutshell very Bee Zee man!








Kok Yen - superman who teaches drums on saturdays, conduct drummer for Christs, father of 2, involved in Family ministry committee, recordings, etc. I would rate him the man with a good heart!











Pastor Ben, a very experienced working man who has chosen to plough the harvest field together with PCC pastoral team. PA to the senior pastor, heading many departments in the church and a passionate man for Jesus.




What about the pictures?
The reason their faces are here is because since that meeting, the worship leaders have got their act together and churned out the songlists early. In February, they even beat the dateline of 1 week earlier. Pastor Ben and myself have given it 2 weeks ahead of schedule. Now what do you say about that?


The bucket is now out of our hands and into YOURS!!! You now have the youtube links, lyrics, yada yada. If the practices turn out bad, it is not the worship leaders fault anymore. The tables are turned. It is now our turn to challenge you, the singers and musicians, to self practice and get the songs nailed on time. :p

FYI, come March, we are armed with a checklist evaluation to fill and we are eagerly awaiting :)

Our prayers as worship leaders is that you will pick up the pace from here and TOGETHER, WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS!

Go! Gimras Go!

If there was an employee of the month in the Creative Dept, I would say that Gimras would be it. From a late comer and sometimes not turning up, she has been consistently on time and is taking more and more responsibility. That's the way to go Gimras! I pray your life in God will grow even more this year. Keep up the good works.


note: Words were supposed to be filled up by Pastor Jasmine who is sick. We are still awaiting the award winnig write up.

Did you see the mountains tremble?

No I did not, but.... I DID see the flashing lights done by the movingheads. Good to see we are using the lighting systems again after we lost our last 'light man' 2 years ago.

Chronology
Pastor sent me an sms on Friday to have flashing lights this Casual Sunday. I called Jon and this were his exact words, "Don't worry. Consider it done. Just say the word and I'll execute it!" And those lights did get the mood celebrative on sunday. Great job guys.

That's the way uh, huh, uh, huh I like it!
Yes, I enjoy working with this kind of team. As for the rest of the song or it's meaning, just erase it These are not only guys who "tai chek kong" but also quick in execution. Thank you Jon.

note: Pastor we love you and would try our best to please.

Jon, you were the man on Casual Sunday. You were playing drums and managed to get someone else to man the movingheads.

The Power of Excitement - The Answer

A Revival!

Yes, a revival has happened. It has happened to Worship Today Blog. After 2 years of hiatus, the writer has risen again! I'm speculating that because of the excitement generated by PCC Creative Ministry Blog, the Yahoogroup and over 90 e-mails and messages that sprung up in January 2010, a revival has taken place!

Enthusiasm - a contagious thing

It's because you the Creative members are excited. Now think what it would be like if all of you begin to get excited and contribute? I will not be suprised a church revival is on the way!! So let's get excited, pray, co-operate and give our very best to the Lord this year and together, WE WILL DECLARE HIS NAME!

For part one of The Power of Excitement, click here.

NO Procrastination!

4 true stories

• We had a dual monitor VGA card on trial recently. The purpose was we didn't want to show the projectionist typing in lyrics/searching for files on the main projector. I got news it was installed on monday and I came to test it on wednesday. By sunday Mei Peng was already training the other 3 projectionist. I didn't have to push her. She did this on her own initiative. In fact I didn't know about the training till I saw it on sunday.

• We had our 1st Quarter Meeting on the 9th. Benny was our scribist (ha ha secretary). 2 days later, on the 11th, the draft minutes were out.

• Lud posted a comment,

"This is what I mean by being excellent.. Immediate set-up for (editor: from) the moment we discuss. Hats off to you Tim."

We had talked about a net communication in terms of mailing list and our own webpage on a sunday, Dce 13. By monday, Dec 14, I started our first pages as a trial run.

• Joanne had a breakdown in the chinese service on sunday. Immediately after service, she contacted auntie Hilda who IMMEDIATELY relayed the information to me. Three days later on a wednesday we had someone look into it.

YOU INSPIRE ME!
Mei Peng, Benny, Joanne, ....... your actions INSPIRE ME! We are thankful for this kind of attitude and ownership to the ministry. I know you must have received a lot of pat in the back in the past, so much so you may not feel anything now but..... my praises come from a sincere heart, thank you for a great attitude! I pray everyone in the church may be infected by this!