The BPCIS Retreat
By Ps Dev Menon
Psalm 145:4 One generation shall commend your works to another, and shall declare your mighty acts.
This year’s retreat, involving leaders from 15 churches, was entitled “Cherishing Heritage, Cultivating Legacy”. It centered around Psalm 145, with the desire that the works of God continue to be declared from one generation to another.
There were 3 plenary sessions – one on the past, one on the present, and one on the future – given by various BP Pastors from across the generations.
In the session on the past, the older leaders reminded us that the denomination was founded on 3 values: (1) a life of simplicity, (2) a love for Scripture, and (3) a passion for souls. However there were unintended side-effects, including an unhealthy view of full-time ministry, a narrow view of the Bible, and the lack of support for fellow churches.
In the session on the present, we were reminded that it was only because of God’s kindness that we have come so far and that should deeply humble us. There was the repeated emphasis of the need to work together and support one another – as equal partners in God’s kingdom. While this is happening in terms of retreats, pastors 321s, and ordination councils– more should be done, such as setting up an Endowment Fund (in process) to ensure all staff are paid adequately (regardless of church size) and having combined training – so that the leadership pipeline never runs dry. They spoke of “Team BPCIS” rather than individual churches.
For the final session on the future, the newest pastors shared that it was important to keep the ‘everlasting kingdom’ in view (as emphasized by Psalm 145), especially in such an unstable and ungodly world. With that hope in mind, the younger generation longed for (1) more faithful preaching, (2) a desire for holiness and once again (3) the need for a spirit of collaboration.
Overall, my personal sentiment is that there is a deep longing for more partnership… to be significantly more involved in each other’s churches, to ensure that kingdom work and growth continue across the denomination – ultimately so that the proclamation of God’s mighty works will continue all across the nation and beyond.
I believe it is time for our denomination to take the next step.
