Christian Fellowship Retreat
I had to miss church service today due to the CF leaders retreat from 1-6pm. I was rather disappointed yesterday that I had to miss service but well, even though JC went to church instead, I still had to go because I promised the madams and Jon that I would be there because that's what we agreed upon a few months ago. I was like quite sad on Twitter yesterday night haha and this morning, I received a tweet from Tricia saying "awww ): we'll miss youuuu." I don't think that she's the kind who issues such statements so frivolously as though she's issuing summons like how most people do, so I accept that =D
haha and well, honestly, I think it's a bit silly to be going "I miss you" even though we've only not met for 1 week and we've just got to know each other 2 or 3 months ago only, but you know what, I MISS THEM... And Beatrice has been so caring and loving too, like smsing me after reading my tweet to encourage me and said she would talk to me again after her A's. I really really appreciate that =)
And that is why, I was quite sian when I couldn't go to church today. And I was so so SO sleepy when I was on my way to school and my eyes made me feel quite uncomfortable. But while I was taking the bus from the mrt station to school, I decided to pray about today's retreat, with that kind of "it better be good and not make me regret that I'm here instead of being in church on a Saturday afternoon" mentality. After praying, I didn't feel any much better but I really hoped that my body was reacting the wrong way towards the whole thing because I really wanted to have no regrets.
I walked into the CF room and I just started stoning on the sofa while Gideon was playing with his iTouch and Justin was playing the electric guitar.
Let's just skip the details and do a summary. haha
Praise the Lord that I enjoyed myself so so so much today! Thank God for Pastor Glenn, I really learnt a lot from him as we went through the activities and sharing. At the end, I was praying that God would allow me to learn from this man again, I got a feeling that I will have this opportunity again and may God be the one who put it within me =)
What he taught us wasn't the technicalities or skillsets towards being a leader, how to lead your people etc like how a lot of other trainers teach you to manage your people, your organisation by doing this and that. No! In fact, there were minimal teachings.
We started off with a round of introduction, not just for him and his team but for everyone of us as well because we had our year 4s there and we don't, or at least I don't, interact with them on a normal daily/weekly basis as we do with our fellow year 6s (yes, by faith, WE HAVE PROMOTED!). When asked about my unique quality, I told them about my potential to sleep with my eyes opened and I told them what happened between Bernice and I when that happened. haha
Oh yes, before I continue, I guess I would make it easier for myself by naming everyone who was there. Pastor Glenn had his niece and this guy with him. That guy was so cool! haha He told us that his unique quality was being able to observe someone for 10 seconds and then imitate the person. We tried it out on one of the year 4s and apparently it was so good that those who knew him beforehand started laughing and nodding their heads like mad (especially madam hahaha XD). Madam Wendy was there yes. Then the year 4s, we started off with having Kenneth and Justin. Halfway through one of the games, Keith and Ian came in to join us. From the beginning till now, I still think that Keith is a cool guy, like literally cool. Cool but not cold, praise God for him! To thank God for someone is something that I have learnt yesterday while I was with the other church people during the event. Last but not least, of course there's us the year 6s. All 4 of us were there - Jon, Vanessa, Gideon and I.
The first activity he had us to do was to articulate why we are in CF through drawing. We did some sharing with one another. The purpose of the activity was to get us to understand each other's reason(s) for being in CF... because just as we know and others don't, CF is not a CCA, neither are we any society or whatever, it's purely voluntary and there is a reason why each of us was there.
Then it was to build the tallest strawhouse within 5 minutes and we were in 2 groups. haha I was in the same group as Jon and Justin, lol we lost... We did an evaluation after that and came to a conclusion that foundation is very important because looking at what we've done and what Gid's group had done, we could see that theirs had a really broad base and they spent a reallyyyyy long time on it, so long that pastor Glenn got worried for them halfway through. Pastor Glenn did a sharing on Matthew 7:24-29. The gist of it was that on the surface 2 houses may look the same, but what you cannot see is what they are built upon. When we have a strong foundation (ie, building on Christ our solid rock), we stand tall and the opposite applies. Therefore, he highlighted the importance of what we base our leadership on because that would be what God is more concerned about what we base it on. It is not our capabilities, our talents, our strengths that we should base our leadership on, but on the Word of God. He made this statement, "storms of life surfaces what we are made of." And because obedience is better than sacrifice (as said somewhere in the old testament), it is important that we love one another just as Jesus loves us, and just as the bible has said.
Actually the phrase "obedience is better than sacrifice" was being brought out the 2nd time today and yesterday was the first. I had this feeling when it was first brought up, then it was on my mind and today it came again. Shall elaborate on that in another post.
Then he shared with us his Philosphy of Life/Ministry which comprises of 3 Vs in a triangular shape: Vision at the top, Values on the bottom left and Vehicles on the bottom right. They are interlinked, they can't do without one another. haha I'm quite lazy to elaborate on this, so I shall explain to whoever's interested.
Oh yea, there was a break in between like before the sharing on Matthew 7:24. I was standing there eating food and Pastor Glenn came over and talked to me, to ask me about my church and all. haha I suck, I have no idea who's the senior pastor, the statistics of my church >.< It was nice talking to him though =)
We had a ball throwing game. Basically we were just numbered off and we ran to random parts of the room and then recited our number again so that everyone could remember. We had different balls - ascending (1,2,3,...), descending (9,8,7,...), odd (1,3,5,...), even (2,4,6,) and 2 random ones (5,1,2,..). We started off with 2 balls, then 4, then eventually 6. It was during this time that Keith and Ian reached and joined us halfway through the games. Our best record was obtained when we had 6 different balls to pass on, it was 18 seconds, for 9 people.
We had an evaluation after that. I learnt soooo much from it.
1. The different balls that we held on to was in a way representative of our different roles and different responsibilities.
2. I was 5 and Vanessa was 6. Halfway through I just called her Ching! haha it's easier to call her Ching la I guess. There were a lot of times when we each had a ball in our hand, particularly the ascending and descending ball, and we had to throw to each other la. It just kept happening and we realised that that always happened. At the end of it, Ching came over and gave me a hi 5. Great partnership ^_^ When we sat down to evaluate on the learning points in the game, attention was first put on the both of us because a lot of people realised what happened during the game. Pastor Glenn was saying that he saw how we were waiting for one another to pass the ball at the start and it was really slow, then we sped things up, then we decided to throw together but balls dropped everywhere and finally towards the end, he described it to be a beautiful magical fountain =) From this, we learnt that in a team we need to get used to the way each of us work at the start, and then we try to coordinate, we get used to it and there, great teamwork comes from it eventually! This requires love for one another, that we will be patient to work things out together.
3. At the start, there wasn't any communication and the whole room was just silent. haha too focused maybe? But later Pastor Glenn encouraged us to communicate with each other. It is so important. I know that for myself, we need to shout each other's name to get the person's attention. Sometimes it might be me shouting across the room so that I could pass the ball on. Sometimes it might be someone else shouting my name when I felt confused because there were really a lot of balls. So in this way, we are actually helping each other out by communicating with one another.
4. Some people may have different needs, like for Jon, he injured his right hand and he's a leftie also, so the person who passed to him had to know that and make sure they pass it to him on his right. Some people require a different way of throwing in order for them to catch. We adjust according to these. This shows that we need to be gracious as we work with one another, to make the necessary adjustments.
5. It was Keith or Ian who pointed out that there was an existing system in place. Before they came, we sort of built up a system or a plan along the way (although it really seemed like we were just doing it). So when they came, it didn't affect us much. That applies for like an additional ball also, it didn't affect us much. This shows that we need a system to be put in place so that we accomodate new things easily without affecting the overall performance.
6. It was also either Keith or Ian who mentioned that newcomers who joined in felt disorientated. Through this, we see the need of being sensitive to new people. For example, calling our their names when we need to pass to them or they have to pass to us, or to do the numbering a few more times for them? Actually I feel that these are not just applicable to team leadership, but it applies to every Christian. For example, a cell setting? Being sensitive to the needs of newcomers is important so that they don't feel out of place.
The next game was about getting a lame, a blind and a normal person across an "acid river" (across the room) with the use of 3 pieces of paper. So you lay the paper, step on them and then pick one up and moved on. Our team (Jon, Gid and I) finished the first when the rest were at the starting point. haha the 2 of them did a great job! I was the blind man and Jon was the lame man (he had to hop around with one leg).
1. We could get there first because there was some sort of a strategy at the start, which was to place Jon in front because Jon has the smallest stride (cos he's the lame man) so he has to decide on how far the next piece of paper should go, I was in the middle because Gideon had to watch where I was and guide me. That's one difference between the other 2 groups and us. So yea, strategise.
2. For myself, being blind really sucks. I totally had no clue as to what was happening and all I knew was that I felt like I was trapped between the 2 of them. I just listened to what Gid said and tried to feel for Jon's leg as I took each step forward. Oh by the way, haha the blindfold that Pastor Glenn used was good stuff okay, really cannot see one. He gave us a mask and told us to put it on until it covers our nose so that we couldn't see. So yea, I was fully reliant on Gid and Jon. What they did was being sensitive to those with shortcomings. Like, for Gid, he told me very patiently where to place my foot, and Jon told me to feel around for his leg and then step on the piece of paper (so his leg will be where the paper was). This was an example of Ephesians 4:16, especially the part on "as each part does its work". Pastor Glenn did a little sharing through this and he used a watch as an analogy. Gathering parts of a watch will not make it work, but we have to fit them together. Likewise, a ministry is not about gathering of people, but about fitting people in.
3. Justin pointed something out which I had never seen that way. He said that being lame allowed another the person to fit on one piece of paper because there's more space with only one leg on the paper. This is like utilising someone's weakness as though it is a strength, and in fact, we shouldn't even look at it as a weakness. And this also teach us not to judge too quickly but to turn people's flaws into their strengths.
All these activities really taught us a lot about team leadership. As I was sharing, of course we could point those things out easily while we have fun, but when we really start to work together and clashes happen here and there, it's gonna be hard to see or even to apply the things that we have learnt. Just like well... GO >.< (glad that it's resolved though)
Pastor Glenn then showed us a video at the end by TED talks. 3 minutes, but yes, power-packed! Don't believe, you watch it for yourself.
The video spoke much and we learnt somet hings from the video. haha watch it for yourself, I'm getting a bit lazy to type out everything already. So yea, we ended off with that.
At the back of my mind, I was thinking that actually I could learn so much is because everyone there was being really opened to share about what they have observed and all. Or rather, they were not shy la. I remember when we had cell in secondary school, our whole cell was really quiet and haha Abigail was very pek cek with that. But yea, we were shy la... But I'm glad that this time round, everyone was so willing to share. If not for their opinions and their willingness to discuss each time we go back to our circle, it wouldn't have been so fruitful. So thank God for that =)
Before we ended the retreat, we paired up to pray that God will seal it in. Oh yea, of course we prayed at the start for God to speak too, and yes He did =) I paired up with Kenneth Yon and when we turned to look at each other. I saw him hesitating for a moment, and then he said something like, you know actually before this, I thought you are those very scary, those very serious kind, like those will scold very easily one. I was like wow! hahaha thanks for bringing me back to reality. I'm seriously thankful for that because some people have been "deluding" me by telling me that I look friendly and so I thought I lost that serious and scary look =( Well, that's why at the start of every friendship, I would really be hoping that these people can give me a chance to let them know who I am. It's not about putting up a show, but to give us ourselves some time to know who we are, and yes to know who I am. Ask my friends who have been with me for years, ask them how different I am from the start when they knew me. I'm definitely not the best person to make friends with, but well, whether I can be friends with you, it's your call, but give ourselves some time alright? =)
Thank God for such a wonderful day. Well, I saw the tweets by those who are in ACLG. Seems like I really missed out quite a bit =( But ah well, shall look at it positively that at least I've had a fruitful day too. It's not that they can be substituted for by one another, but it's more like a since it has already happened, since we can't turn back time and since I can't be there in both events, why not be happy for what I've done and to appreciate what God has blessed me with?
The grass is always greener on the other side? Well, I don't care whether it is, but I know that this side of the grass is what God has blessed me with and yes I have definitely enjoyed myself on this pasture =)
Praise the Lord for everything!
haha and well, honestly, I think it's a bit silly to be going "I miss you" even though we've only not met for 1 week and we've just got to know each other 2 or 3 months ago only, but you know what, I MISS THEM... And Beatrice has been so caring and loving too, like smsing me after reading my tweet to encourage me and said she would talk to me again after her A's. I really really appreciate that =)
And that is why, I was quite sian when I couldn't go to church today. And I was so so SO sleepy when I was on my way to school and my eyes made me feel quite uncomfortable. But while I was taking the bus from the mrt station to school, I decided to pray about today's retreat, with that kind of "it better be good and not make me regret that I'm here instead of being in church on a Saturday afternoon" mentality. After praying, I didn't feel any much better but I really hoped that my body was reacting the wrong way towards the whole thing because I really wanted to have no regrets.
I walked into the CF room and I just started stoning on the sofa while Gideon was playing with his iTouch and Justin was playing the electric guitar.
Let's just skip the details and do a summary. haha
Praise the Lord that I enjoyed myself so so so much today! Thank God for Pastor Glenn, I really learnt a lot from him as we went through the activities and sharing. At the end, I was praying that God would allow me to learn from this man again, I got a feeling that I will have this opportunity again and may God be the one who put it within me =)
What he taught us wasn't the technicalities or skillsets towards being a leader, how to lead your people etc like how a lot of other trainers teach you to manage your people, your organisation by doing this and that. No! In fact, there were minimal teachings.
We started off with a round of introduction, not just for him and his team but for everyone of us as well because we had our year 4s there and we don't, or at least I don't, interact with them on a normal daily/weekly basis as we do with our fellow year 6s (yes, by faith, WE HAVE PROMOTED!). When asked about my unique quality, I told them about my potential to sleep with my eyes opened and I told them what happened between Bernice and I when that happened. haha
Oh yes, before I continue, I guess I would make it easier for myself by naming everyone who was there. Pastor Glenn had his niece and this guy with him. That guy was so cool! haha He told us that his unique quality was being able to observe someone for 10 seconds and then imitate the person. We tried it out on one of the year 4s and apparently it was so good that those who knew him beforehand started laughing and nodding their heads like mad (especially madam hahaha XD). Madam Wendy was there yes. Then the year 4s, we started off with having Kenneth and Justin. Halfway through one of the games, Keith and Ian came in to join us. From the beginning till now, I still think that Keith is a cool guy, like literally cool. Cool but not cold, praise God for him! To thank God for someone is something that I have learnt yesterday while I was with the other church people during the event. Last but not least, of course there's us the year 6s. All 4 of us were there - Jon, Vanessa, Gideon and I.
The first activity he had us to do was to articulate why we are in CF through drawing. We did some sharing with one another. The purpose of the activity was to get us to understand each other's reason(s) for being in CF... because just as we know and others don't, CF is not a CCA, neither are we any society or whatever, it's purely voluntary and there is a reason why each of us was there.
Then it was to build the tallest strawhouse within 5 minutes and we were in 2 groups. haha I was in the same group as Jon and Justin, lol we lost... We did an evaluation after that and came to a conclusion that foundation is very important because looking at what we've done and what Gid's group had done, we could see that theirs had a really broad base and they spent a reallyyyyy long time on it, so long that pastor Glenn got worried for them halfway through. Pastor Glenn did a sharing on Matthew 7:24-29. The gist of it was that on the surface 2 houses may look the same, but what you cannot see is what they are built upon. When we have a strong foundation (ie, building on Christ our solid rock), we stand tall and the opposite applies. Therefore, he highlighted the importance of what we base our leadership on because that would be what God is more concerned about what we base it on. It is not our capabilities, our talents, our strengths that we should base our leadership on, but on the Word of God. He made this statement, "storms of life surfaces what we are made of." And because obedience is better than sacrifice (as said somewhere in the old testament), it is important that we love one another just as Jesus loves us, and just as the bible has said.
Actually the phrase "obedience is better than sacrifice" was being brought out the 2nd time today and yesterday was the first. I had this feeling when it was first brought up, then it was on my mind and today it came again. Shall elaborate on that in another post.
Then he shared with us his Philosphy of Life/Ministry which comprises of 3 Vs in a triangular shape: Vision at the top, Values on the bottom left and Vehicles on the bottom right. They are interlinked, they can't do without one another. haha I'm quite lazy to elaborate on this, so I shall explain to whoever's interested.
Oh yea, there was a break in between like before the sharing on Matthew 7:24. I was standing there eating food and Pastor Glenn came over and talked to me, to ask me about my church and all. haha I suck, I have no idea who's the senior pastor, the statistics of my church >.< It was nice talking to him though =)
We had a ball throwing game. Basically we were just numbered off and we ran to random parts of the room and then recited our number again so that everyone could remember. We had different balls - ascending (1,2,3,...), descending (9,8,7,...), odd (1,3,5,...), even (2,4,6,) and 2 random ones (5,1,2,..). We started off with 2 balls, then 4, then eventually 6. It was during this time that Keith and Ian reached and joined us halfway through the games. Our best record was obtained when we had 6 different balls to pass on, it was 18 seconds, for 9 people.
We had an evaluation after that. I learnt soooo much from it.
1. The different balls that we held on to was in a way representative of our different roles and different responsibilities.
2. I was 5 and Vanessa was 6. Halfway through I just called her Ching! haha it's easier to call her Ching la I guess. There were a lot of times when we each had a ball in our hand, particularly the ascending and descending ball, and we had to throw to each other la. It just kept happening and we realised that that always happened. At the end of it, Ching came over and gave me a hi 5. Great partnership ^_^ When we sat down to evaluate on the learning points in the game, attention was first put on the both of us because a lot of people realised what happened during the game. Pastor Glenn was saying that he saw how we were waiting for one another to pass the ball at the start and it was really slow, then we sped things up, then we decided to throw together but balls dropped everywhere and finally towards the end, he described it to be a beautiful magical fountain =) From this, we learnt that in a team we need to get used to the way each of us work at the start, and then we try to coordinate, we get used to it and there, great teamwork comes from it eventually! This requires love for one another, that we will be patient to work things out together.
3. At the start, there wasn't any communication and the whole room was just silent. haha too focused maybe? But later Pastor Glenn encouraged us to communicate with each other. It is so important. I know that for myself, we need to shout each other's name to get the person's attention. Sometimes it might be me shouting across the room so that I could pass the ball on. Sometimes it might be someone else shouting my name when I felt confused because there were really a lot of balls. So in this way, we are actually helping each other out by communicating with one another.
4. Some people may have different needs, like for Jon, he injured his right hand and he's a leftie also, so the person who passed to him had to know that and make sure they pass it to him on his right. Some people require a different way of throwing in order for them to catch. We adjust according to these. This shows that we need to be gracious as we work with one another, to make the necessary adjustments.
5. It was Keith or Ian who pointed out that there was an existing system in place. Before they came, we sort of built up a system or a plan along the way (although it really seemed like we were just doing it). So when they came, it didn't affect us much. That applies for like an additional ball also, it didn't affect us much. This shows that we need a system to be put in place so that we accomodate new things easily without affecting the overall performance.
6. It was also either Keith or Ian who mentioned that newcomers who joined in felt disorientated. Through this, we see the need of being sensitive to new people. For example, calling our their names when we need to pass to them or they have to pass to us, or to do the numbering a few more times for them? Actually I feel that these are not just applicable to team leadership, but it applies to every Christian. For example, a cell setting? Being sensitive to the needs of newcomers is important so that they don't feel out of place.
The next game was about getting a lame, a blind and a normal person across an "acid river" (across the room) with the use of 3 pieces of paper. So you lay the paper, step on them and then pick one up and moved on. Our team (Jon, Gid and I) finished the first when the rest were at the starting point. haha the 2 of them did a great job! I was the blind man and Jon was the lame man (he had to hop around with one leg).
1. We could get there first because there was some sort of a strategy at the start, which was to place Jon in front because Jon has the smallest stride (cos he's the lame man) so he has to decide on how far the next piece of paper should go, I was in the middle because Gideon had to watch where I was and guide me. That's one difference between the other 2 groups and us. So yea, strategise.
2. For myself, being blind really sucks. I totally had no clue as to what was happening and all I knew was that I felt like I was trapped between the 2 of them. I just listened to what Gid said and tried to feel for Jon's leg as I took each step forward. Oh by the way, haha the blindfold that Pastor Glenn used was good stuff okay, really cannot see one. He gave us a mask and told us to put it on until it covers our nose so that we couldn't see. So yea, I was fully reliant on Gid and Jon. What they did was being sensitive to those with shortcomings. Like, for Gid, he told me very patiently where to place my foot, and Jon told me to feel around for his leg and then step on the piece of paper (so his leg will be where the paper was). This was an example of Ephesians 4:16, especially the part on "as each part does its work". Pastor Glenn did a little sharing through this and he used a watch as an analogy. Gathering parts of a watch will not make it work, but we have to fit them together. Likewise, a ministry is not about gathering of people, but about fitting people in.
3. Justin pointed something out which I had never seen that way. He said that being lame allowed another the person to fit on one piece of paper because there's more space with only one leg on the paper. This is like utilising someone's weakness as though it is a strength, and in fact, we shouldn't even look at it as a weakness. And this also teach us not to judge too quickly but to turn people's flaws into their strengths.
All these activities really taught us a lot about team leadership. As I was sharing, of course we could point those things out easily while we have fun, but when we really start to work together and clashes happen here and there, it's gonna be hard to see or even to apply the things that we have learnt. Just like well... GO >.< (glad that it's resolved though)
Pastor Glenn then showed us a video at the end by TED talks. 3 minutes, but yes, power-packed! Don't believe, you watch it for yourself.
The video spoke much and we learnt somet hings from the video. haha watch it for yourself, I'm getting a bit lazy to type out everything already. So yea, we ended off with that.
At the back of my mind, I was thinking that actually I could learn so much is because everyone there was being really opened to share about what they have observed and all. Or rather, they were not shy la. I remember when we had cell in secondary school, our whole cell was really quiet and haha Abigail was very pek cek with that. But yea, we were shy la... But I'm glad that this time round, everyone was so willing to share. If not for their opinions and their willingness to discuss each time we go back to our circle, it wouldn't have been so fruitful. So thank God for that =)
Before we ended the retreat, we paired up to pray that God will seal it in. Oh yea, of course we prayed at the start for God to speak too, and yes He did =) I paired up with Kenneth Yon and when we turned to look at each other. I saw him hesitating for a moment, and then he said something like, you know actually before this, I thought you are those very scary, those very serious kind, like those will scold very easily one. I was like wow! hahaha thanks for bringing me back to reality. I'm seriously thankful for that because some people have been "deluding" me by telling me that I look friendly and so I thought I lost that serious and scary look =( Well, that's why at the start of every friendship, I would really be hoping that these people can give me a chance to let them know who I am. It's not about putting up a show, but to give us ourselves some time to know who we are, and yes to know who I am. Ask my friends who have been with me for years, ask them how different I am from the start when they knew me. I'm definitely not the best person to make friends with, but well, whether I can be friends with you, it's your call, but give ourselves some time alright? =)
Thank God for such a wonderful day. Well, I saw the tweets by those who are in ACLG. Seems like I really missed out quite a bit =( But ah well, shall look at it positively that at least I've had a fruitful day too. It's not that they can be substituted for by one another, but it's more like a since it has already happened, since we can't turn back time and since I can't be there in both events, why not be happy for what I've done and to appreciate what God has blessed me with?
The grass is always greener on the other side? Well, I don't care whether it is, but I know that this side of the grass is what God has blessed me with and yes I have definitely enjoyed myself on this pasture =)
Praise the Lord for everything!