IFGF Facing New Normal
After the initial meeting between all IFGF Pastors and Ps. Jimmy Oentoro (President of IFGF Global) was held 2 months ago, a second online meeting was held from 3-5 June 2020. Just as organisations around the world need to readjust their policies due to Covid-19, churches are also required to make preparation and new policies to face the New Normal. This meeting was held for 3 days to cater for different time zones. The first meeting was on Wednesday, 3 June with all IFGF Indonesia and East Asia pastors (129 pastors), the second meeting was on Thursday, 4 June with all USA, Canada and Oceania pastors (40 pastors) and the third meeting was on Friday, 5 June with all Region 6 (Pakistan, India, UAE, Nepal), Europe and Ecuador pastors (38 pastors). A total of 207 pastors joined this special meeting.
In his insightful message, Ps. Jimmy discussed how IFGF leaders and churches can prepare for the “New Normal Life” that is slowly implemented, how we can do our usual activities in a slightly different way. We are not rushing to start Sunday Services in our church buildings or automatically following the general consensus, but the health and safety of our leaders and congregations is our priority above our church programs and activities. In fact, our churches have never been closed even in this period but now God has brought us to refocus on the Discipleship Culture that we have started 7 years ago.
What does it mean to have a New Normal Life Church? Here are the characteristics: 24/7 (all day and all week), not contained by walls, not dependent on 1 person (senior pastor or leader), well connected, spiritual openness, accountable, disciples and discipleship, anytime and anywhere, a royal priesthood, genuine maturity, across denomination, be healthy and be the light and the salt of the world. All these require changes in our paradigm and habits (Luke 5:37-38). This what caused significant growth in the quantity and quality of the early church as written in Acts 2.
Small is BIG! So very often that small things are unseen while those little things are actually the ones that give big impact. Just like how iCare and iGrow classes may seem small in numbers, but when both have become a culture and consistently implemented by lFGF churches around the world, they will bring great impact to the growth of IFGF churches. This will produce a strong church that stands the test of time.
Ps. Jimmy Oentoro encouraged iCare Leaders and Core Team to start having fellowships in their homes with their iCare members and visitors. iCare could gather in small groups to worship together in online Super Sunday services while following strict health protocol.
Finally, in this New Normal Life let us continue to grow in Him.
