MALAYSIA- In the midst of secularism and post-modernism, Christian youths are facing more challenges than before. Chinese Methodist leaders thus urged them to stay awake and not to be tempted, and to reconfirm their self-identity in order to make a difference to the world.
In a three-day series of seminars at the 15th Chinese Annual Conference (CAC) Methodist Youth Convention, the CAC chairman addressed in details about the major problems of the world today. First of all, he said the rise of post-modernism has shaken the absoluteness of truth. The truth defined by post-modernism is the collective conclusion of different opinions; therefore it is objective and makes people blind to the absolute biblical teachings on certain values.
Secondly, as individualism is being emphasized, people build walls between themselves, generational gaps and relationship problem between opposite sex are resulted.
Speaking of the use of internet, the leader commented that this powerful channel of information has rapidly changed the values of the world and people. He especially drew attention to the crisis of internet pornography, which has poisoned many young people’s mind.
Even though time and environment changed, the longing for love deep inside the hearts of men will never change, according to the chairman. The Church, as the household of God with Christ Jesus as the head, all the bodies should unite together in His love. The chairman suggested the Church to never let go of the basic principle, which is to build a community of love based on the teaching of the Bible and to serve, embrace, forgive, teach, pray, and encourage one another. Unless the prefect model is formed, a youth fellowship can truly grow quality-wise and quantity-wise.
It is a high time to explore new method of evangelism that may be effective to gain the post-modern people, the chairman said. Cell groups, house churches, seminars, or worship gatherings are some of the examples.
"God uses the right person to fulfill His plan at the right period. However, the one who God has chosen must be willing to serve first," the chairman told the audience. Concerning the quality that a good leader must possess, he said the relationship with God is the top priority. A leader is not someone who works with any ways, but he should allow the Holy Spirit to work through him. Through prayers, the leader should receive vision, define the goals and set strategies to fulfill them. Everyone can become a leader, but just the character makes a difference. A leader must therefore raise his leadership skills and personal ability.
"As God called Jeremiah, as the Methodist youths, we should even pray more diligently to know the trend of this era," said the chairman. "God is never satisfied; he continues his work in all generations. Everyone must rise up for Him and face the challenge."
[Editor's Note: Dorcas Lim contributed reporting from Malaysia for this article.]
