[Lead Like Jesus] Singles Leaders Retreat 2017 PART 2

Part one:  Singles Leaders Retreat 2017  PART 1

Sunday, April 30

I woke up 5 minutes before my alarm went off at 5. I washed my face and immediately went up to the rooftop to spendtime with God. I put on a long-sleeved shirt and a jacket, but the morning wind could still make me shiver. At 6 o'clock dawn began to break. Its rays falling on the peak of Mount Salak slowly descended to light up the whole land. The mist began to thin and the sound of birds started to be heard. I witnessed all of that while I prayed and had my quiet time. I was grateful to be able to start the day well.

The view from the rooftop in the morning

At 6:30 I went downstairs for devo with the group. Brother Niko led the devo taken from the book of John 10. We discussed a leader who serves as a shepherd. I was pierced by verse 2 which says “...he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.” Do we really call the people we disciple by name before leading them? Do we understand their needs clearly? I felt that I often focus on growth and targets, but pay less attention to the needs of each person I disciple.

DO WE REALLY CALL THE PEOPLE WE DISCIPLE BY NAME BEFORE LEADING THEM? DO WE UNDERSTAND THEIR NEEDS CLEARLY?

After devo we went upstairs for breakfast. We were served yellow rice, eggs, and crackers. In my opinion it was not very varied but filling enough. After eating I had about 1 hour to spendtime, before returning to the hall for music practice. I had spendtime with Brother Steven and Erubun in the room. We talked about a life partner and how to be a leader for one's partner. Even though right now I am still in campus ministry, there is nothing wrong with learning about this (after all soon I will move to the singleministry). After a short spendtime I went up to the hall again to practice music for Sunday worship.

I was assigned to lead 5 songs for the Sunday worship of this Lead Like Jesus retreat. We practiced for 1 and a half hours before the service began. The Sunday service began by singing 3 songs, and the congregation was very enthusiastic when we sang the song Bersuka. After that we took communion led by a leader couple from Bandung who shared their conversion story. The communion accompaniment was led by Sister Regina, who was joining the leaders retreat for the first time. After communion we listened to the sermon delivered by Pastor Muksin.

The Sunday service lesson was delivered by Pastor Muksin

The title of Pastor Muksin's sermon at this Lead Like Jesus retreat was "I Am The Good Shepherd". Like our devo material this morning, Bro Muksin talked about John 10. He began with the point "A good shepherd will sacrifice for his sheep." After explaining why we must first sacrifice for the people we disciple before giving expectations, Pastor Muksin continued his lesson to the second point, "A good shepherd will love his sheep." In this point I was touched by Pastor Muksin's words: "If we want to love them, we must not judge them". Pastor Muksin also reminded us that before becoming a good shepherd we must become a good sheep. The lesson closed with the point "A good shepherd will unite his sheep." This speaks about a leader's influence on the people around him.

"IF WE WANT TO LOVE THEM WE MUST NOT JUDGE THEM"

After the service we had lunch. Since I was still full, I only took the fish and soup that were provided. Because the service ran late, we started eating at 13:30. This caused spendtime slot 3 to be removed from the schedule. After eating we were immediately asked to gather with our groups and get ready to play games. 

The games we played were quite fun and required the participation of all group members. We had to take group selfie photos with varied instructions such as a selfie with the committee chair, selfie while dancing, and a selfie in front of a tree. After taking the photos we had to upload them to Instagram with a certain hashtag and a self-written pantun as the caption. I only joined this games session for 45 minutes because I had to practice for the praise & worship later that night.

one of the game instructions, "Take a selfie with your group in front of the LEAD backdrop"

After PW practice I went to the room to shower and rest for a while. But when I arrived in the room, I found Brother Niko and Ivan were having spendtime. In the end I gave up my intention to rest and joined spendtime with them. Not long after, Brother Billy came into the room. He had just arrived at this retreat because his schedule was quite busy. In the end the four of us shared stories with one another. Bro Niko shared how God helped his marriage. Bro Billy talked about challenges at work. And Bro Ivan shared about how his family relationship changed since he lived as a disciple. I was encouraged hearing the stories of my brothers, how God has shaped and changed their lives.

The time showed 6 in the evening and the four of us headed to the hall for dinner. After eating I took the opportunity to invite Brother Steven and Sister Elise to the rooftop. We planned to pray in the morning on the rooftop the next day. At 19:30 Lesson 4 began.

Lesson 4 Lead Like Jesus was delivered by my former campus leader and former discipler, Pastor Rico. Even though Bang Rico now leads the Bekasi congregation, we still maintain a fairly close relationship. The lesson delivered by Pastor Rico was titled "I Am The Truth and The Light". He talked about the life of a leader who follows in Jesus' footsteps (way), digs deeply into the Word (truth), and lives out the Word (Life). One thing that inspired me was when Pastor Rico took time to explain how he learned and tried to imitate the good things found in his disciplers and also the members of his group. This inspired me to learn even more from the lives of my disciplers and friends. Pastor Rico also gave time to his wife Ria to share about what they are doing in building the congregation in Bekasi.

Lesson by Pastor Rico

After the lesson we went straight on to the next event, namely Praise And Worship. In this activity we alternated singing 3 songs and then prayed in small groups of 3-4 people. Praise And Worship lasted for about 2 hours. The last 3 songs were led by Bro Michael, a member of the song ministry who had just been appointed as a Worship Leader. Bro Michael led songs arranged in a dangdut. The leaders also enthusiastically sang and danced together. The atmosphere was very lively! At 22.30 the event ended. I went downstairs to eat with several brothers and then slept.

The atmosphere during the praise and worship session

Monday 30 April

Like yesterday, I woke up at 5 and immediately went up to the rooftop where I had my quiet time and prayed. Around 5:30 Elise and Bro Steven came to me, apparently having woken up late. We prayed and then took time to enjoy the bright morning view. After taking a few photos, we went downstairs to meet our respective groups.

Brother Steven was taking photos of the view. (The mountain behind is Mount Salak)

I met with my group and we held a devo that discussed John 15, Jesus as the vine. We exchanged stories and opinions about how a leader will continue to be refined and grow, just like a vine branch that bears fruit will keep being pruned. After devo we had breakfast in the hall.

I spent breakfast time spendtime with my friend who had already entered the singles ministry ahead of me,, Gery. We talked about the differences between campus ministry and singles ministry. We encouraged each other and shared stories until the committee told all participants to start packing. I went to the room to pack and took about 30 minutes to lie down. At 10:00 I hurried back to the hall for the final lesson at this retreat .

The lesson was delivered by Pastor Franky with the title "I Am the True Vine". Pastor Franky began the lesson by discussing the process of knowing God that starts from fear, moves to respect, and finally love. From John 15 he reminded us to walk the path Jesus walked (walk like Jesus walked). As a leader we must love the Word of God before we love the people around us. Pastor Franky closed the lesson by challenging the brothers to love the sisters sincerely and with full purity.

After the lesson ended, Andre and Vincent as the committee chairs went up to the stage to close the retreat Lead Like Jesus. The event was closed by announcing the winners of the games and taking a group photo. I went home by riding in TJ's car. The journey home seemed covered by a sense of satisfaction and enthusiasm because of the retreat I attended. I am grateful because this retreat Lead Like Jesus taught me many things about leadership. One thing I will do is this: I will try to be 100% open to my leader and my group about my sins and weaknesses. I cannot wait to grow into a better leader. To lead like Jesus. (RCW)

Group photo after the closing of the Lead Like Jesus retreat