Duty today

I'm on duty today. Supposed to be Justin. Well, all the while, it was me, and we swooped duty... So Justin couldn't do duty today, it is my responsibility to do.
Yeah.

Anyway, yesterday, met up with Liwen. So who is Liwen? She was my former cg member, and yeah, erhem *coughs*... I used to like her. But I realised that well, it's not important at all. It's the friendship that should remain. We were never close at all when we were in the same cellgroup. But well, it was sad that she left church for her own reasons. I don't wish to argue with it. We were talking over dinner at Soup Spoon @ Raffles City. And came upon a subject about her experience in church and after church. The people from City Harvest.

After she left, she asked our cgl if they'll be still in contact with each other and meet from time to time. Cgl said "yes". But she made empty promises. And apparently, i'm the only one from that same cg who still keep in contact with her. I realised the importance of friendship through this. And I'm not hitting criticsm on my CHC, the church that i attend. I experience this before after countless of backsliding.

Here's the problem and weakness many realised. Upon arriving to CHC as a new friend, you feel welcome in a sense that you never felt so much love before. However, after a month or so, you're an 'old' friend , and members will begin looking for new friends. That was how she felt and i can understand it. After leaving church, I'm the only one that still contacts her... Don't get the wrong idea, mind you. This is so wrong. And also, i was told before not to always invite the same group of people. The backsliders. Why? Are you all afraid that when they come back, they'll leave again? Target 'newbies' as their chances of staying is quite high? Aren't we supposed to save those who do not have God in their life? And shouldn't backsliders be considered as one of those in the category?

Here I am, arguing about what people experience. And took me awhile to realise that this is how i experienced it with many cgs i've been before. Yeah, people say, it's not about the members in the cell group, but for God. If that is the case, what's the point of having a cellgroup? Of course to learn from one another, but it seems like now, it's like, "Who Wants to Have Higher Authority". Everyone wants to be the boss. Their attitude changes. They have no respect for others as a friend, but by trying to feel like they are more spiritual, therefore they are placed higher among the cg members. I feel that a cellgroup is not just about this. Love one another. Yes, that happens. For some. The rest are just people who wants to rise up and start directing 'friends'.

Coming from CHC, I don't feel that it's right to be biased to say that it's a perfect church and EVERYONE should look up to us. No. Like people, nothing is perfect. We don't have a perfect church. Weaknesses are there and visible to others. It's also something to ponder about to change. Mix with the people not from CHC. Understand why they're avoiding the church. And just because it's the church i attend, doesn't mean i'll argue over their opinion. Everyone is entitled to theirs, and at times, it's logical. That you realised that you're one of them. I don't force people to come to church. CHC members declare that they don't as well... But i still see it. I set a target of 10 friends to bring. I tried, I asked once, and when i get the answer 'NO', live with it. Of course, you'll hear members say that, "Last time, i kept on saying 'no', now, look at where i am. City Harvest." That's their issue. Not everyone has the same thinking.

Sorry, i felt i have to point this out. I don't want others or my friends to think that because i'm from CHC, they have to avoid me. Why? Afraid i might be that typical chc member that persistently call and call and call... We need to think not for ourselves, but the people of the world. Just ask yourself these questions, "Why are people avoiding CHC and going to other churches instead?"