A n e w s l e tter o f The N a viga to rs S in ga po re M C I (P ) 047/03/2020
JAN 2021
DAVE DAWSON :
The Man who started Disciplemaking in Singapore Dave
Dave with Ministry Leaders, 1970s. Image Credit: Anonymous
By Yap Kim Meng
O
n 25 November 2020, Dave Dawson was promoted to glory and joined his peers like Roy Robertson, Warren Myers, Jim Chew,Walt Henrichsen, LeRoy Eims, Joe Simmons... the amazing generation of Navigators who advanced the Gospel of Jesus in Asia-Pacific with single-mindedness for the glory of God. In the 1950-60s, upon seeing the urgent needs, Dawson Trotman and Lorne Sanny sent these young men out to reach this region and beyond for Christ. These pioneers left a legacy that changed the church in Asia-Pacific forever. For many of us in Singapore, Dave Dawson was our spiritual father. The Navigator work in Singapore is probably Dave’s greatest legacy. Indeed he is a larger-than-life personality as we recall his multifaceted ministries that had significance for posterity.
Dave pioneered the disciplemaking movement in Singapore from 1968-1981. He was known as Mr. Great Commission as Matthew 28:18-20 was his focused theme whenever he rose to preach at Navigator rallies and conferences. Thousands heard his passionate appeal to “GO and make disciples!” We remember fondly how he used to lead us in singing ‘Blessed Assurance’ with his powerful vocals. Together with his leadership team, they anchored the yearly Navigator conferences with thousands in attendance. Many church leaders including Rev Edmund Chan and Rev (Dr) Wee Boon Hup accrued their awareness of the Great Commission from those days. Today, intentional disciplemaking is the order of the day for churches not only in Singapore but in Asia, for which we have Dave to be thankful for. The Latin phrase ‘Carpe Diem’ (Seize the Day) would aptly describe Dave. With a clear vision, he was quick to seize every opportunity for the advancement of the Kingdom. He started the NavTeens to reach high-school students, strengthened the tertiary ministries, and initiated the military, professional, and church ministries. Not one to take no for an answer, Dave challenged young labourers to come on board to fulltime service and sent his staff for overseas missions to Indonesia, Taiwan, Japan, Philippines and Malaysia. He laid the spiritual foundations for future generations. Dave displayed uncanny wisdom when he pioneered ‘Equipping the Saints (ETS)’ with churches in Singapore in the mid-1970s. He wanted to see God’s work advance into the nations by bringing the Great Commission into churches through church pastors and leaders. He then developed a workable plan and programme to reach thousands of people. Today, ETS is in 85 countries and translated into 45 languages. What a lasting legacy Dave Dawson had left us. We are forever indebted to Dave and Mary Dawson for their sacrificial love when they heeded the call to go to Singapore in 1968. Jesus now receives His inheritance with pride and joy, “You have done well, my son!” [Story of Dave Dawsons’ time in Singapore: https://tinyurl.com/y2dowbhl]
THE MAKINGS OF A GODLY LEADER
By Wong Kim Tok, Dr. Neo Boon Siong & Thomas Chua
“A
great leader in a Biblical context would be a servant of God who responds to God’s call and accomplishes what God had called him to do.The result is groundbreaking progress, advancements or breakthroughs for the Kingdom of God –– for the growth or well-being of the people of God or the growth and expansion of the Gospel. With God’s help, he might have to overcome many challenges and obstacles which might overwhelm the average leader. This requires him to be sensitive to God’s leading and direction and at the same time provide vision and direction to those whom he is called to lead. A typical example would be Moses. But greatness is relative to the calling––the God-given capacities and the size of the leader’s God-given task. A campus ministry leader could be a great leader as much as one called to lead a ministry involving continents.
Wong Kim Tok, Former National Director, 1990-1998
Greatness is not necessarily seen in tasks accomplished. It could also be seen in the non-tangible but powerful impact of a leader’s spirituality, faith, character, passion for God etc. About 1000 years after he had died, King David was singled out by God as “a man after my own heart; he will do everything I want him to do” (Acts 13:22). The kingdom he established was whittled down over time but he was remembered for generations, even till today.” – Wong Kim Tok.
SERVANT LEADERS’ CHECKLIST He must guard his walk with God and not allow the exigencies or burdens of leadership to distract him from his primary call to know and obey God. This might be an application from Acts 3:13, 26; 4:27,30 which refer to Jesus as God’s ‘Son-Servant’ (likewise to David—Acts 4:25). He must be able to see the big picture and provide leadership for the whole group. He must know the condition of the flock (Proverbs 27:23). This knowledge provides a basis for developmental plans to grow the flock towards maturity and fullness of God’s grace. He has to achieve the corporate goals with and through a Leadership Team who support him and also complement him. He should also listen to valid input from the rest of the staff. Plan to build up the next generation of leaders. Find a safe friendship with a small group of friends preferably outside of the organisation who can provide a safe place to share personal struggles. Hopefully the internal mentor(s) are not too far away to give input when needed.
STEWARD LEADERSHIP
“T
he concept of steward leadership started from our first mission given by God in Genesis 1. God’s first instruction to Man was to “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.”–Genesis 1:28. When God put Adam in the garden, his mission was to work on it and keep it. Steward leadership
refers to a specific role of God’s servants. In essence, a steward leader is a servant of God who has been assigned with certain tasks and entrusted with resources. Throughout the Old Testament, there were many examples of the role of steward leaders. For example, Joseph was elevated by Pharaoh to rule and make decisions as second in command alongside him (Genesis 41). Joseph’s task was to warn Pharaoh of the upcoming seven years of famine so that they could prepare and collect grain in the seven years of abundance. Joseph clearly demonstrated that it was God who appointed him to save the nation of Israel. Other examples included Solomon, whom God was pleased with when he asked God for a wise and discerning heart to govern his people, and God blessed him for that. Jesus illustrated the role of stewardship in a couple of parables. In the parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14-30), three servants were entrusted with the master’s property––5, 2 and 1 talents according to their ability. Stewards are appointed by God, as the master, for three primary purposes: to achieve His mission (make known his mysteries to the world); administer His household (give them their portion of food at the proper time); and to account for His property (invest wisely His entrusted resources––possessions, talents). Stewards are accountable for being faithful and the reward for doing a great job is greater responsibilities.
Dr. Neo Boon Siong, Board of Governance–Chairman
The role of a steward leader in an organisation is to Energize––provide strategic direction for the organisation so that there is a greater sense of mission and vision; Empower––to appoint, equip, encourage and evaluate ministry leaders so as to strengthen the ministry; and Enable––to manage and account for resources across the organisation in order to sustain it for a period of time.” – Dr. Neo Boon Siong
GOD’S CHOICE, NOT OURS
“G
od appoints leaders for a time and a season. In the Old Testament, we saw how Joshua took over Moses to lead Israel. The Lord said to Moses, “You shall not cross the Jordan.” (Deuteronomy 31:2). Hence Moses summoned Joshua to go with the Israelites into the promised land. At 120 years old, Moses’ “eye was undimmed and his vigor unabated” (Deut 34:7). There was no reason for Moses to stop leading. It was probably not the best time for Moses to leave, but it was God’s time––God’s time for the beginning of a Joshua leadership. This tells us that it is the Lord who appoints the new leader and it is the same God who determines the time and season of a leader. No one is indispensable for the work and ministry of God. It also tells us that the Lord must be our focus in a leadership transition. It’s all about God––His kingdom, His business, His leading, His direction and His will. It should never be about our own preference or what we want. As God appoints, we as His servants are His instruments and vessels. 2 Timothy 2:21 says, “Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself… he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work.” (ESV). Like servants to the master, servants of God should be focused on increasing Jesus and decreasing themselves (John 3:30). We are not called to receive glory for ourselves, not for honour or fame but to increase Jesus (“I do not receive glory from people. I receive not glory from men. I crave no human honour, I look for no mortal fame.”– John 5:41).
Thomas Chua, Former National Director, 2001-2009
God calls for His people to exercise faith in a leadership change. As the appointed leader, God calls the leader to be strong and courageous, and not fear (“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”– Deut 31:6). As I recount the time when I was appointed as National Director for The Singapore Navigators, one of the passages that challenged me to press on in faith was Hebrews 10:38––“but my righteous one shall live by faith, and if he shrinks back, my soul has no pleasure in him” (ESV). As a young staff at that time, this was the verse that motivated and kept me excited about my faith. Meanwhile, people are called to trust God in a leadership change by submitting to the appointed leader. In the Old Testament, we saw how the Israelites submitted to Joshua, their new leader (“All that you have commanded us we will do, and wherever you send us we will go. Just as we obeyed Moses in all things, so we will obey you...” – Joshua 1:16-17). They trusted God with the change in leadership and were ready to submit to their new leader. In the past, when we (the leadership team) had issues with submission, Dave Dawson often referred us to a verse in 2 Corinthians 8:5 (“And they exceeded our expectations: They gave themselves first of all to the Lord, and then by the will of God also to us.”). Oftentimes as people submit themselves to the Lord, the Lord leads them to submit to the leader. As the Lord leads us in the coming days in appointing His new leader, we need to submit to the Lord and to the new leader. My encouragement to us all is Daniel 11:32b: “...but the people that know their God shall be strong, and do exploits” (ASV). As servants of God, let us not shrink back but to step out in faith and do exploits for God and for His kingdom. Amen!” – Thomas Chua
FROM THE NATIONAL DIRECTOR
A LEADER WITH NO REPUTATION
After his 5-year term as President of Eastern Seminary, Scott Rodin put up an Yap Kim Meng article in 2002 titled ‘Becoming a Leader of No Reputation’. The article was cited in the Journal of Religious Leadership and has been a top draw for those searching on the topic of leadership ever since. The title was inspired from Philippians 2:7 (KJV) ‘He [Christ] made himself of no reputation’, which was more powerfully said than ‘low reputation’. I borrowed several factors cited by Scott for my LEADERSHIP HAND with the 5 fingers featuring key lessons from David vs Goliath in 1 Samuel 17 (5 As–– Anointed vs Appointed, Awfully Small, Always Trusting, Awesome God, Audience of One). ANOINTED vs APPOINTED God sent Samuel to pick David as the next King of Israel. He was only 8 years’ old then and the youngest in the family who looked after the sheep. After being ‘anointed’ by Samuel, it took 15 years before David was finally appointed as King. God anoints before he appoints. AWFULLY SMALL Throughout history, God looked to the least, the weakest and the sinful to give great leadership at historic times. Similarly, God picked David, the youngest in his family. Leaders find it hard to stay humble as there is a constant temptation to have more, but Jesus dismissed that completely. Instead, he demonstrated that our time on earth is to obey God and to do His will.
www.navigators.org.sg @SingaporeNavigators The Navigators Singapore, 117 Lor K, Telok Kurau, Singapore 425758 Tel: (65) 6344 4133 Email: admin@navigators.org.sg The calling of The Navigators is to advance the gospel of Jesus and His Kingdom into the nations through spiritual generations of labourers living and discipling among the lost. Views expressed in published articles are those of the individual writers and may not necessarily be the views of The Navigators Singapore. All Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version® Copyright © 1984, unless otherwise stated.
National Director: Yap Kim Meng Editor, Designer: Chelsia Chan Printer: Seng Lee Press © 2020 by The Navigators Singapore
ALWAYS TRUSTING David learned to trust God in seemingly impossible situations. David trusted God to deliver him from Goliath the giant. With just a single sling shot, Goliath fell to the ground and was defeated and killed by David. We can learn from David’s example that God can be trusted to deliver us from harm at all times. AWESOME GOD David was convicted that leadership is a miracle of God’s use of his people for His glorious work. He knew that he could not have led the people in his own strength or by his own clever ways. Instead, he seeked to honour and exalt God through all that he does. AUDIENCE OF ONE Seek to please only God rather than seeking after Man’s approval or reputation. The 5As force us to relook at leadership in a different light ––A leader of no reputation, where Christ has set the example. The story of David and Goliath illustrates it well.
PRAYER PULSE Wise Decisions in Perilous Times Pray for the Singapore authorities to make wise decisions for the nation regarding the issue of vaccines and in coping with the pandemic (1 Timothy 2:1-2).
Incoming National Director Pray for the Lord’s guidance as the Singapore Navigators pray and choose a new National Director on March15-16 2021 while the Asia-Pacific Navigators Leadership help guide and lead in the process.