Phil Pringle reiterates the importance of being planted in God’s House, where dreams are birthed and visions fulfilled.
 |
| CN PHOTO: Jason Lee |
As part of CHC’s continuing efforts to improve on its structure, governance and accountability, A.R. Bernard of Christian Cultural Center and Phil Pringle of Christian City Church are now members of the church’s advisory committee, which is in the process of being formed.
Bernard will be chairman of the advisory committee. A former Wall Street banker, Bernard oversees the 33,000-member Christian Cultural Center in New York. He is the president of the Council of Churches of the city of New York, and sits on the New York City Economic Development Corporation Board. He is also a member of the Debt Reduction Task Force for the U.S. Senate Budget Committee.
Pringle is the senior minister of Christian City Church in Oxford Falls, Sydney, and oversees more than 250 Christian City Churches worldwide. In 2000, he was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia for extraordinary services to the community.
While Pringle consults on day-to-day matters, Bernard’s role is to oversee the governance and structure of the church.
The news was met with resounding applause and excitement from church-goers as it heralds the start of an exciting future for CHC in which it will be moving on to the next level of ministry and influence.
Before Pringle’s first sermon at CHC in his official capacity as advisory pastor, the air was thick with anticipation. He spoke about how instrumental CHC is in kingdom building and expansion, and that throughout its history, the Church of Jesus Christ has always been the “gate of heaven” and “home to God” on earth. Over the centuries, many have tried to destroy the Church, but it has proven to be unshakeable and indestructible. God has created a place for each and every believer in His house to serve Him, and it is also when the believer is planted in God’s house that he can discover his destiny and birth his dreams.
Pringle shared the story of Jonathan and David in the Bible to reiterate the importance of humility in serving God. Although Jonathan was supposed to be the next in line to the throne, he recognized that this was not God’s will and abdicated the throne in favor of his friend, David. His humility and genuine friendship with David enabled God’s will to be fulfilled and David to live out his destiny. Pringle stated that while some might find it difficult to play second fiddle, there are individuals who very often are more effective being second in command than first. Ultimately, added Pringle, it is about following God’s plan for one’s life and what is needed to further His kingdom.
Pringle also emphasized the importance for Christians not to be misplaced, displaced or replaced in the ministry. Being misplaced refers to wandering about aimlessly in life, and being in the wrong place at the wrong time. The house of God is where a Christian gets his vision for life, hence, Christians cannot afford to wander from God’s house, said Pringle.
When Christians are not properly equipped for ministry, they might temporarily be replaced in favor of others who are better prepared at that point. However, there is a need to ensure that this replacement is not permanent. Pringle cited the example from the Bible of Barnabas’ faith in John Mark, thus ensuring that Mark would fulfill his destiny to become useful for God’s ministry.
Throughout the service, Pringle’s trademark candor and humor had the crowd engaged. Ryan Tan, 26, student, said, “I really benefited from Pastor Phil’s message today—he covered so many important themes, all the while capturing the crowd’s attention with his wit. He is such a blessing to us!”
“We have to love the house of God and not be misplaced, displaced or replaced for whatever reason. This is where our destinies and dreams are fulfilled!” said Calvin Ho, 37, an IT business development manager.
As advisory pastor to CHC, Pringle will be coming to CHC once or twice a month. He will be assisting CHC’s pastoral ministry in the planning, organizing, initiating, promoting, coordinating and reviewing of the worship, religious education and mission activities within the church.
In His Role
Phil Pringle has already begun functioning in his role as advisory pastor to City Harvest Church since he arrived in Singapore last weekend. Aside from preaching in all four weekend services, he prayed with the music department before each service, exhorting the musicians and singers as “the Levites who lead God’s people into His presence.”
That evening, Pringle also sat down with the church management board over dinner for the purpose of discipleship and to set the direction for the months ahead.
On Tuesday morning, Pringle met with all the staff members of CHC and shared with them from the Word of God on the importance of encouragement, appreciation, recognition, connection and value. The advisory pastor then toured the church’s corporate office, speaking to the staff and getting to know the various departments in the office.
Joining Pringle on this trip was his wife, Christine. Meetings were set up for her and some of the female staff, as well as the pastors’ wives, for fellowship and discipleship.
