Seven months ago, 19 members of our church Session gathered together at a member’s home for a planning and alignment meeting. It began with the Word of God in order to understand the Lord’s direction for us. From Psalm 133:1 we understood how God delights to see His people dwelling in unity. Ephesians 4:3 instructed us that God’s people must endeavour to keep the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace. We saw how this was done so well by the early church in Acts 2:42-47, and we were exhorted from 1 Timothy 4:12 to set the example for the congregation.

After much discussion, we adopted the shared vision of building a warm church which is ‘United in Christ’s love, actively ministering to one another.’ Some obstacles and enablers to its accomplishment were identified, and the majority felt that one of the main roles of the Session is to inspire and carry out this vision and model standards of excellence. The Lord’s help was sought in prayer at the close of the meeting.

Two months later, the WARM programme was officially launched in Life Church on Sunday, 17 September 2006. Since then we have been trying our best to sustain the vision of a warm church through various initiatives such as the use of WARM name cards, fellowship gatherings, and this monthly WARM edition of the church weekly. Despite having many heavy commitments in the other ministries of the church, Session members continue to give their full support to the WARM programme. Some of them have articulated their thoughts and opinions on it below. May we read them to be encouraged to keep pursuing the vision together!

—CS

I thank God for the initiative taken by Woh Weng and Siew Kiang and their son Mark who have such a caring and loving concern for members of the Body of Christ in our Church. Having been members of long standing, they must have observed that we don’t seem to know one another as we should. Perhaps because of the size of the Congregation, it is difficult to get to know one another; but this should not serve as an excuse for us if we really want to be a Christ-centred Church, where the love of Christ is not only seen in us but also through us in our daily walk. It is by His love constrained that we love one another and others and even those who are not members of the household of God (Galatians 6:9-10). This love will be the proof that we are the followers of Christ (John 13: 34-35).

Let us show fervent love (1 Peter 1 :22), the love of Christ in every possible way we can, so that Life Church will not only be full of life but also full of love, to God’s glory and honour! Together with the help of Christ we will be able to do it. Let us manifest the love of Christ by our actions (1 John 3:18).

The WARM Programme has succeeded in many ways in creating the awareness that as a church family, every member needs to know one another and also our visitors too. Instead of just the usual "Hi and Bye!" the WARM cards allow me to jot down some details of the person I got to know and quite often including his/her spouse’s and children’s names/age. I will try and remember the names and call them when I see them in church.

The WARM cards have officially made it an acceptable thing for members to enquire of one another (Philippians 2:4 – "Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others."). So let us all not be shy about it but reach out one to another. Besides the WARM cards, the Sunday Fellowship Lunch on every 3rd Sunday and the once a month Family Worship are also avenues for members and visitors to interact and know one another. I hope that through the WARM Programme and the other initiatives of the church, more Lifers and visitors will come forward to fellowship and to serve and ultimately be integrated into the church to the glory of God.

The WARM programme is a great catalyst to help church members get to know each other, mutually support and edify one another. It will help steer us all towards greater involvement in the activities of the members and the church. This is one area that many feel our Church can improve on. This started really well in the last church camp, and was carried on in various forms in the monthly family meetings, and especially memorable was the one held at the facilitators’ (Siew Kiang and Woh Weng) place – Great fellowship and tremendous atmosphere.

Oftentimes, it is not always possible to replicate the same outcome as in the Church camp or in the monthly Family worship, let us keep this programme in mind, as a great avenue to continue the objectives of being WARM, and to the Lord’s commandment of loving your neighbour as yourself.

Since the WARM Programme started, I have exchanged a few cards with brethren that were unfamiliar to me. On occasions that I was giving out the visitor package and when they were first time visitors, I would pass them my WARM card with my contact and brief description of myself. Every time a card was exchanged or given, I could see a warm smile coming from the other person.

My opinion is that this a good first line of getting to know people. However, to sustain and go deeper, we have to reach out more to those who are really isolated so that they can enjoy fellowship with like-minded brethren and grow.

Understanding the WARM programme is easy yet trying. Many brethren have written in encouraging letters, notes and even testimonies of the WARM programme. We can see brethren exchanging the WARM cards, church leaders announcing, prompting and reminding the congregation of this simple and powerful tool of communication.

We all know that a deeper and enriched relationship one with another requires the Lord’s leading. To develop such a relationship, we can tap on WARM. It is actually an avenue, which can open doors to newfound relationships or connect past fond memories.

Why then is it easy to understand yet trying? I would use the 3P analogy.

Purpose – It was meant for all in the Church to benefit, knowing one another in a different way. It is a ministry tool for all to use. It sets the mindset of Oneness in Christ, with forbearance, love, care and encouragement one with another. This is the easy part.

Possession – Do we all know that the ‘WARM programme needs me’ concept? Do you know that all of us need to take possession of it? It belongs to you, and only you can make it work. Now that you have something good in your possession, will you be willing to share with those around you? This is becoming trying, but challenging (as some have not taken possession of it yet).

Practice – Culture sets us behind. Shaking hands after worship is somewhat uncomfortable for some reserved brethren. This old school of thought needs time to change. Now that we all know WARM is a ministry tool, all the more we should not let our tools be left to idle and rust. You may not be actively exchanging the WARM cards, but you can use those cards to help you remember or understand other brethren more dearly. That seems somewhat trying, as practice makes perfect, so it will be for the journey of WARM.

Let us set aside our worries, scepticism and negative comments. Check yourselves – when will you ever stretch out your hand and heart with a WARM handshake and a WARM greeting extending the love of God to your fellow brethren? As the saying goes, are we, A Part or Apart, one from another?

• Ideas for Openers for the WARM Programme: Share your creative ideas on how to carry on a conversation with fellow brethren in church after exchanging WARM name cards. You can write them in the form that is inserted in this weekly and submit them at a box in the front of the church by 9 April. The ideas will be compiled into a booklet which will be launched at the Church Camp.

Note: If you would like to share a testimony or suggestions about the WARM programme that can be an encouragement to others, please send it to cseet@lifebpc.com.