God's Preparing the church for 2009

Dear VNC pastors:

Do we have the Bien Ban Hoi Dong 2008 available yet? Is it going to be posted on our website here?

Looking back over the past few Dai Hoi Lien Huu Tin Lanh Giam Ly, I noticed the following themes, Conference dates and locations:

2009 - Serving God Together - Cung Nhau Phuc Vu Chua, at Pomona, CA, June 24-27, 2009.

2008 - Focus on Jesus - Nhin Xem Chua, at Linda Vista, CA, June 26-29, 2008.

2007 - Empowering Lay Ministry -at Living Faith UMC, Lewisville, Dallas area, July 5-8, 2007.

2006 - Equipped to Serve - Trang Bi Phuc Vu, at Good Shepherd UMC, Westminster, CA, June 30 - July 03, 2006.

2005 - Theo Duoi Muc Dich, at Wesley UMC, San Diego, CA, July 13-17, 2005.

Then the Holy Spirit impressed upon my heart to share some of these questions that I have been pondering.

I sense that God's Spirit is getting the Church ready so that He can empower us to be where He wants us to be and to do exactly what He wants us to do; just like Jesus did, has done exactly what He has seen the Father does and said what the Father wants Him to say.

To the beloved church, God's Spirit is saying in my heart to share as we prepare for 2009:

What is God's clear and inspiring vision for the church?

We did many things, but what have we really done or accomplished in the name of Jesus?

Have we put enough emphasis on the ministry to the youth and young adults? Who have been called into the preparation for the ordained ministry? What is the next generation church leaders look like?

What have we been equipping God's church with? How much have we grown in the Word, in our faith with God?

How have we healed the sick in the name of Jesus; How have we cleansed leprosy? How have we been casting out demons? How has our preaching been confirmed with the demonstration of the Holy Spirit and His Power?

Do we have a statistic of how many new souls, believers the Lord has been adding in our midst? Have we fed the hungry, clothed the naked, comforted the distraught, visited the prisoners, set the captive free...? Have we walked humbly before the Lord seeking Him with all of our hearts?
Do we have God's blueprint, or are we following God's strategies to plant or start new churches?

How are our members or churches suffering for the sake of the Gospel?

What are God's goals for the church? We have put a lot of emphasis on church structure, denominational structure, but how has the life of God's Spirit moved freely in His church?

Where are we heading? What will the VNC, the church head toward or be like in 5 years?

What are we willing to give up so that God's Spirit can teach us new things or grant us new vision?

I have shared the things that God's Spirit has impressed upon my heart with respect and humility, speaking the truth in love; fear not for the Lord is with thee.

Pastor Linh