When we talk about Prefect of Discipline Office, people has a stigma that it is a place of chaos, punishment, headache and frustration. It seems this office always connotes negative things; it seems there is nothing positive about this office. This is the same picture and news I received during my first day in office as the head of the school's student affairs.
Both office on Prefect and Guidance is under my office. It seems we have big work to do because of too many negative perception about the Prefect of Discipline Office which also house my office.
The first challenge is to correct the image of our office. I believe the role of the Prefect of Discipline should be a culture shaper; shaping the students using the different disciplines as presented by the core values of the school. The core values of the school is popularly known as HEIRS. Harmony, Excellence, Integrity, Resilience and Stewardship.
I praise God that in a month's time, students have started to see some change of perception about our office. A group of high school students came yesterday and was asking us, "How come this office seems to be very happy?" They commented that in all of the offices, our office seems very friendly and happy. They felt strongly about this. They themselves, were sharing that they never thought the Office of the Prefect of Discipline would be such a wonderful place to go.
My staff and I were so much blessed upon hearing such comments from the students. Now, we know that the office can promote and shape the culture among students. May God continue to bless and help us in touching the lives of these students that they may come to know Jesus and lived up to the core values we hope to impress upon our graduates...
We just need to continue inspiring people... for the glory of God.
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Inspiring People
When we talk about Prefect of Discipline Office, people has a stigma that it is a place of chaos, punishment, headache and frustration. It seems this office always connotes negative things; it seems there is nothing positive about this office. This is the same picture and news I received during my first day in office as the head of the school's student affairs.
Both office on Prefect and Guidance is under my office. It seems we have big work to do because of too many negative perception about the Prefect of Discipline Office which also house my office.
The first challenge is to correct the image of our office. I believe the role of the Prefect of Discipline should be a culture shaper; shaping the students using the different disciplines as presented by the core values of the school. The core values of the school is popularly known as HEIRS. Harmony, Excellence, Integrity, Resilience and Stewardship.
I praise God that in a month's time, students have started to see some change of perception about our office. A group of high school students came yesterday and was asking us, "How come this office seems to be very happy?" They commented that in all of the offices, our office seems very friendly and happy. They felt strongly about this. They themselves, were sharing that they never thought the Office of the Prefect of Discipline would be such a wonderful place to go.
My staff and I were so much blessed upon hearing such comments from the students. Now, we know that the office can promote and shape the culture among students. May God continue to bless and help us in touching the lives of these students that they may come to know Jesus and lived up to the core values we hope to impress upon our graduates...
We just need to continue inspiring people... for the glory of God.
Both office on Prefect and Guidance is under my office. It seems we have big work to do because of too many negative perception about the Prefect of Discipline Office which also house my office.
The first challenge is to correct the image of our office. I believe the role of the Prefect of Discipline should be a culture shaper; shaping the students using the different disciplines as presented by the core values of the school. The core values of the school is popularly known as HEIRS. Harmony, Excellence, Integrity, Resilience and Stewardship.
I praise God that in a month's time, students have started to see some change of perception about our office. A group of high school students came yesterday and was asking us, "How come this office seems to be very happy?" They commented that in all of the offices, our office seems very friendly and happy. They felt strongly about this. They themselves, were sharing that they never thought the Office of the Prefect of Discipline would be such a wonderful place to go.
My staff and I were so much blessed upon hearing such comments from the students. Now, we know that the office can promote and shape the culture among students. May God continue to bless and help us in touching the lives of these students that they may come to know Jesus and lived up to the core values we hope to impress upon our graduates...
We just need to continue inspiring people... for the glory of God.
Monday, November 2, 2009
Letting Go Eases Pain
Discipling hundreds of young people for the past decade allowed me to experience how to be a teacher as well as a friend and dad. It is true that a teacher is the second parent of the student. True dedication in the teaching ministry allows you to move from the initial teaching of a particular subject to a much broader picture of molding lives.
I have been very fulfilled in touching lives of those I was able to minister. Some are very very successful, though some are struggling. You cannot really chart their life for they are the one who makes their decision in life. The only thing we can do is really equip them and bring out the best in them. Time is limited because they cannot be with you always. The good thing is, when they are in distress and need, they always come to you and sought for your help. Some are now even my kumpare and kumare. Some even insisted that either their first child or their first male child be my godson or goddaughter. It really felt fulfilling and blessed.
Since it has been like these with all of them, I cannot say that I am not attach to them emotionally since I really treat them as my spiritual children and wanting the best for each one of them. Maybe, this is the reason why I am still single because I already have too many children around. Great people usually do not have children because they already have enough around them. Some a whole group of people, and for some a whole country.
The other side of this is when they commit mistakes, it breaks once heart. Especially with this post modern generation who are treats everything as relative truth. Because the youth in this generation are frequent offenders, I felt frustrated and affects me emotionally. Now, it is more evident for me to feel how parents are frustrated with their kids because I myself gets frustrated with them.
With the recent learning experience, though I know it is my role to educate and remind them when they fall, it has affected me with frustrations and emotional instability, maybe because I have really treated them as my real children. Well, they are not really my children, who cares? Yah, I know God cares. I should care. But with their constant offense, knowing what they should not do, and kept on doing it. I really felt bad and felt all time and effort for these past years have gone to waste.
The best solution I can think of is to let go. They are old enough, I have done my share to love, care and educate. I believe I have brought out the best in each one of them. It is time for me to move on and touch other young people's life. Their destiny lies in their own hands and head. I cannot control their destiny, how they will live their life and what would be its end result will always be up to their doing. By letting go, it eases the pain seeing them do foolish stuffs in life. Maybe that is part of their learning experience. Now, I even understand more how God has been frustrated with me.
I have done my share well, I suppose. The recent incident has caused me one sleepless night of sadness and frustration, I wanted to shout and scold the person, but what the heck, he will do it again and insist on his decision. So, why bother?
Let go and ease the pain... now, I can sleep well without the heavy load of making sure they are on God's track. God is in control and takes care of His children. His grace I pray would just be bountiful in their lives.
I have been very fulfilled in touching lives of those I was able to minister. Some are very very successful, though some are struggling. You cannot really chart their life for they are the one who makes their decision in life. The only thing we can do is really equip them and bring out the best in them. Time is limited because they cannot be with you always. The good thing is, when they are in distress and need, they always come to you and sought for your help. Some are now even my kumpare and kumare. Some even insisted that either their first child or their first male child be my godson or goddaughter. It really felt fulfilling and blessed.
Since it has been like these with all of them, I cannot say that I am not attach to them emotionally since I really treat them as my spiritual children and wanting the best for each one of them. Maybe, this is the reason why I am still single because I already have too many children around. Great people usually do not have children because they already have enough around them. Some a whole group of people, and for some a whole country.
The other side of this is when they commit mistakes, it breaks once heart. Especially with this post modern generation who are treats everything as relative truth. Because the youth in this generation are frequent offenders, I felt frustrated and affects me emotionally. Now, it is more evident for me to feel how parents are frustrated with their kids because I myself gets frustrated with them.
With the recent learning experience, though I know it is my role to educate and remind them when they fall, it has affected me with frustrations and emotional instability, maybe because I have really treated them as my real children. Well, they are not really my children, who cares? Yah, I know God cares. I should care. But with their constant offense, knowing what they should not do, and kept on doing it. I really felt bad and felt all time and effort for these past years have gone to waste.
The best solution I can think of is to let go. They are old enough, I have done my share to love, care and educate. I believe I have brought out the best in each one of them. It is time for me to move on and touch other young people's life. Their destiny lies in their own hands and head. I cannot control their destiny, how they will live their life and what would be its end result will always be up to their doing. By letting go, it eases the pain seeing them do foolish stuffs in life. Maybe that is part of their learning experience. Now, I even understand more how God has been frustrated with me.
I have done my share well, I suppose. The recent incident has caused me one sleepless night of sadness and frustration, I wanted to shout and scold the person, but what the heck, he will do it again and insist on his decision. So, why bother?
Let go and ease the pain... now, I can sleep well without the heavy load of making sure they are on God's track. God is in control and takes care of His children. His grace I pray would just be bountiful in their lives.
Saturday, October 31, 2009
First Two Weeks at Makati Hope
It was a wonderful experience being back to an old workplace to serve God once again. Many things has changed though, but one thing has been constant - the school is of academic excellence. All these years, this has been constant with the school. I am blessed to be back and saw wonderful opportunities where I can serve God hoping to win more soul for Christ.
I spent most of my time trying to catch up and learn more about the school after being detach for 15 long years. I was all smile from day one, visiting kids. I think I have spent more time with pre-school and elementary students but not with high school students. I hope this week, I can catch up with them. There are still so many things to learn, I hope God will keep my mind open and make me more teachable.
I was reading a book on "The First 90 Days: Critical Success Strategies for New Leaders At All Levels" by Michael Watkins. This book was introduced by my friend when I was in Singapore. It talked about four kinds of Strategies you can do for your new job. Start-up, Turnaround, Re-alignment or Continuing Success. It seems in my present situation is the last one - Continuing Success. According to the book, this is the most difficult thing, because this is something you cannot measure nor define. The challenge is how to continue the success and bring the workplace to another level. Wow, this is indeed a new and big challenge for me who can be categorized to be good with start-ups and turnarounds.... God is indeed good because with this new work place, He has installed for me a new challenge of learning experience with much humility and reliance on Him in order to honor and glorify Him.
I pray that God would continue to bless the works of my hands that God would always be glorified with my life. To God be All the Glory!!!
I spent most of my time trying to catch up and learn more about the school after being detach for 15 long years. I was all smile from day one, visiting kids. I think I have spent more time with pre-school and elementary students but not with high school students. I hope this week, I can catch up with them. There are still so many things to learn, I hope God will keep my mind open and make me more teachable.
I was reading a book on "The First 90 Days: Critical Success Strategies for New Leaders At All Levels" by Michael Watkins. This book was introduced by my friend when I was in Singapore. It talked about four kinds of Strategies you can do for your new job. Start-up, Turnaround, Re-alignment or Continuing Success. It seems in my present situation is the last one - Continuing Success. According to the book, this is the most difficult thing, because this is something you cannot measure nor define. The challenge is how to continue the success and bring the workplace to another level. Wow, this is indeed a new and big challenge for me who can be categorized to be good with start-ups and turnarounds.... God is indeed good because with this new work place, He has installed for me a new challenge of learning experience with much humility and reliance on Him in order to honor and glorify Him.
I pray that God would continue to bless the works of my hands that God would always be glorified with my life. To God be All the Glory!!!
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Bowing Out of UECP
Today would be may last day as a fulltime pastor of UECP. It has been nine long years serving here as a fulltime pastor. And of course a full pledge member since November 1, 1987. It has been wonderful serving the Lord for these past years. I was able to gain a lot of wonderful experiences that has mold me to who I am today.
God has been gracious for the past years as I go through many challenges and learning opportunities. My church family has been very supportive and of course God's grace has been bountiful. God has answered my prayers again and again especially my prayers before I left BSOP that He would bless the works of my hands. And at the same time fulfill my task to minister among the new generation of Filipino-Chinese youth.
It has been very fulfilling especially my target of having at least one youth going to fulltime seminary training every year has been answered. We even have some years with two to three youth going to fulltime ministry. These are all amazing blessing that in one way or another I was able to contribute, especially to the formation of our young people and church.
Today is just another ordinary day in the office. I was in my cubicle the whole time, trying to use it every single minute before I bow out of service here. I even had lunch - Maki Mi of Ha Yuan... walang mga ganito sa Makati hehehe...
Many were asking, hindi ba daw ako nalulungkot? Well, why should I? Maybe I would be sad if my ministry in UECP are all in waste. But they are not. God has allowed me to see again and again, my work is done here and my spiritual children would continue the work I would be leaving behind. This is the best legacy I believe I can contribute to the history of UECP. What more can I ask? I leave my mother church as a fulltime pastor but not as her member. Though serving in another ministry area, it does not mean that I am cutting ties with my roots.
Well, I am very happy indeed for my church because I find myself a contributor, strategist, educator, worker, model, influencer, leader that has brought out the best in every individual member I have ministered.
No, teary eyes but all joy... joy and peace that comes from the Lord.
Now, off to my next assignment and journey. I believe this new challenge will complete my knowledge and expertise in ministering to young people across social status. It will further enhance my capabilities to lead God's ministry in the future and of course, continually be fruitful in proclaiming the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.
I know this will be a big adjustment for me but God is with me, as always!!! To God be the Glory!
May the good Lord continue to bless the works of my hands that His glory be filled in me that I may glorify Him in return until I meet my Creator face to face - with only one hope that He would say, "Come at my table and eat, my good and faithful servant!"
65 mins to go... I am outta here!!! Mabuhay at ating Panginoon! Mabuhay po tayogng lahat!!!
God has been gracious for the past years as I go through many challenges and learning opportunities. My church family has been very supportive and of course God's grace has been bountiful. God has answered my prayers again and again especially my prayers before I left BSOP that He would bless the works of my hands. And at the same time fulfill my task to minister among the new generation of Filipino-Chinese youth.
It has been very fulfilling especially my target of having at least one youth going to fulltime seminary training every year has been answered. We even have some years with two to three youth going to fulltime ministry. These are all amazing blessing that in one way or another I was able to contribute, especially to the formation of our young people and church.
Today is just another ordinary day in the office. I was in my cubicle the whole time, trying to use it every single minute before I bow out of service here. I even had lunch - Maki Mi of Ha Yuan... walang mga ganito sa Makati hehehe...
Many were asking, hindi ba daw ako nalulungkot? Well, why should I? Maybe I would be sad if my ministry in UECP are all in waste. But they are not. God has allowed me to see again and again, my work is done here and my spiritual children would continue the work I would be leaving behind. This is the best legacy I believe I can contribute to the history of UECP. What more can I ask? I leave my mother church as a fulltime pastor but not as her member. Though serving in another ministry area, it does not mean that I am cutting ties with my roots.
Well, I am very happy indeed for my church because I find myself a contributor, strategist, educator, worker, model, influencer, leader that has brought out the best in every individual member I have ministered.
No, teary eyes but all joy... joy and peace that comes from the Lord.
Now, off to my next assignment and journey. I believe this new challenge will complete my knowledge and expertise in ministering to young people across social status. It will further enhance my capabilities to lead God's ministry in the future and of course, continually be fruitful in proclaiming the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.
I know this will be a big adjustment for me but God is with me, as always!!! To God be the Glory!
May the good Lord continue to bless the works of my hands that His glory be filled in me that I may glorify Him in return until I meet my Creator face to face - with only one hope that He would say, "Come at my table and eat, my good and faithful servant!"
65 mins to go... I am outta here!!! Mabuhay at ating Panginoon! Mabuhay po tayogng lahat!!!
Monday, October 12, 2009
Surprise But Not Surprised
Yesterday, some of our youth has prepared a surprise farewell for me at the youth hub. Well, I have known the plan from the day they started planning it. It was one Sunday, they gathered at the Youth Hub to talk about this. Every time I am in UECP on Sundays, my usual routine was to go through every room where the Children Ministries hold classes. One is to visit them and make myself visible and another is to really visit my godchildren. So, there it was, when I passed by Youth Hub and they were gathered in a circle, seeing different representative from my groups. So, sensing their scheme, I intentionally joined them and everybody was stunned and don't know how to go about the discussion. So, I finally left but knew something was cooking up.
It was yesterday when I receive an SMS from Michaelson that was not intended for me, asking how to bring me in on Sunday since I was so convinced that we meet at MOA instead. hehehehe
I praise God for the generosity of such wonderful friends. The whole program went well and saw youth from different generations or batch came to bless me as I journey to a new ministry at Makati Hope Christian School. Though not all was present but the big majority was there. I was blessed and satisfied for seeing every single person in that room. Indeed, they were a blessing to me, not only me a blessing to them.
The consistent message given by each individual was that I was able to bring out the best in them. It just goes to say my consistency as an individual fulfilling my God given direction of "Equipping God's People for Every Good Work." Again, I was satisfied and full of contentment.
My personal insight was that the best legacy I can really leave behind is that these people whom I was able to help and bring out their best are also able to bring out the best in each person they were able to ministered with. In return, God continues to use YWC in bringing out the best in every youth entrusted to our care.
To God be all the glory
It was yesterday when I receive an SMS from Michaelson that was not intended for me, asking how to bring me in on Sunday since I was so convinced that we meet at MOA instead. hehehehe
I praise God for the generosity of such wonderful friends. The whole program went well and saw youth from different generations or batch came to bless me as I journey to a new ministry at Makati Hope Christian School. Though not all was present but the big majority was there. I was blessed and satisfied for seeing every single person in that room. Indeed, they were a blessing to me, not only me a blessing to them.
The consistent message given by each individual was that I was able to bring out the best in them. It just goes to say my consistency as an individual fulfilling my God given direction of "Equipping God's People for Every Good Work." Again, I was satisfied and full of contentment.
My personal insight was that the best legacy I can really leave behind is that these people whom I was able to help and bring out their best are also able to bring out the best in each person they were able to ministered with. In return, God continues to use YWC in bringing out the best in every youth entrusted to our care.
To God be all the glory
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Satisfied
Today, I start to pack up my table. I started cleaning one drawer at a time until, my top table. For the past years, my table has been full of pictures who I believe I was able to minister for quite some time. As I took one picture at a time, I was able to say small prayers for them and of course there was a gush of emotions but I was very satisfied seeing each one of them blessed and successful.
Satisfaction comes from God. And only God alone where we can find contentment in life. As I see each individual youth grew in faithfulness and commitment with our Lord, there was no doubt that God has blessed the works of my hand.
Yes the best and true legacy we can leave behind was able to help make life better for those God has entrusted to our care even just for a little while.
God is incredibly awesome, seeing us through in every step of the way. Praise His Name!
Satisfaction comes from God. And only God alone where we can find contentment in life. As I see each individual youth grew in faithfulness and commitment with our Lord, there was no doubt that God has blessed the works of my hand.
Yes the best and true legacy we can leave behind was able to help make life better for those God has entrusted to our care even just for a little while.
God is incredibly awesome, seeing us through in every step of the way. Praise His Name!
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