As do Rev. Stephen Tong after consulting him, I believe it is the good will of the Holy Spirit for our church that Rev. David Chen's continuation at CCGCLI was rejected by church vote. Rev. David Chen has once too often told me if I leave, he'll leave too. Be it joking or not, he's not taking his position as a pastor seriously, toying with the work of the Holy Spirit is no laughing matter.
I shall leave CCGCLI by the end of March. It is by John's request. Since Paul told Timothy to count the elders that rule well worthy of double honor, I agreed John's term: my extension of serving through the end of March. Although our church has no elder structure, I have my own interpretation of the function of each observed individual.
I have stopped considering whether or not to continue attending CCGCLI on occasions after March because I believe there is a lesson to be taught here. John's dependence on majority, democracy and mutual support instead of theocratic doctrine has caused him to believe that pastoral position can be simply discharged by any majority body.
I view this a serious offense against God. However, I do not see that I have the authority to rebuke him except advising him on several occasions.
If they found no replacement in my absence, it is better to close down the activity than to force others to serve. A church that doesn't preach is a dead church. My preaching ministry cannot work here because of location and time, hence the focus in the city. If John cannot understand this, he'll have to learn.
A church doesn't need someone like me; on the contrary, someone like me needs a church.
[@more@]