Let People Not Only Hear the Gospel, but See It
EFCCA uses different approaches to connect with people who would not normally come to church. Gospel ministries include Alpha, From Doubt to Faith, Evangelism Explosion and community service. English classes and services for older people begin with practical needs and build relationships with the community.
The evening congregation is another example. It began as a way to spread attendance during the pandemic. Its timing later proved suitable for recent Chinese migrants who work during the day on Sundays, while dinner and a Chinese-language Alpha course helped it become an important point of contact for migrants and people exploring faith.
Pastor Dong particularly emphasises that the church must not only let people “hear the gospel”, but also enable them to “see the gospel”. Alpha includes teaching, but participants also spend time eating, socialising and travelling together, allowing those exploring faith to observe how Christians love one another, handle differences and live out their faith.
The Gospel Does Not Change; Its Expression Must Respond to Context
Technology, convenience and material prosperity lead many people to feel that they can solve most problems themselves, making it harder to sense a need for God. Recent migrants, by contrast, may experience pressure involving language, immigration status, finances, loneliness and adjustment, which can make human limitations more visible.
The church therefore cannot rely on one evangelistic method. A successful professional, a person facing hardship, an international student, a recent migrant family and a second-generation New Zealander may each require a different starting point and form of communication.
Pastor Dong’s principle is: “Method is not the most important thing, but that does not mean methods are useless.” The gospel itself does not change, but its expression must be contextual. Mature pastors can choose approaches suited to different people. New believers and ordinary members still need basic preparation and at least one gospel tool they can use in practice.
Small Groups, Discipleship and Mission Form One Pathway
Looking back at recent development, Pastor Dong summarises the church’s continuing priorities in three areas: becoming a small-group church, practising discipleship, and pursuing mission and church planting.
These are not unrelated plans. Small groups provide an environment for relationships and mutual pastoral care. Discipleship forms lives through honest relationships and service. People whose lives have been changed then go out to bless others, form new communities and take responsibility for the Great Commission.
The church has used a memorable pastoral expression to connect the three: “Discipleship equals mission and church planting, which equals taking up the Great Commission.” This is not a precise theological definition, but a reminder that life change is not the endpoint. Those who receive grace are also called to become a blessing to others.
Intergenerational Partnership Is More Than Adding Youth Activities
Around the age of 60, Pastor Dong began to think more deliberately about succession. He had once assumed that succession primarily meant finding a new senior pastor. He later came to see that simply transferring responsibility from one individual to another still carries substantial risk.
Healthier succession means the age profile of the whole leadership team and congregation gradually becomes younger; the next generation participates and takes responsibility in every ministry; and the team has the capacity to lead collectively. Even if there is no dominant senior pastor during a period of transition, the church can continue its pastoral care, operations and development.
“Intergenerational partnership” therefore does not mean organising more youth activities. It means mature generations willingly share space, experience, authority and responsibility, while younger generations accept accompaniment, formation and responsibility.
The Opportunities and Risks of the Next Five Years
Pastor Dong believes that the greatest opportunity—and the greatest challenge—over the next five years is becoming younger and achieving intergenerational succession.
The church plans to develop a bilingual, cross-cultural service in the hope of connecting with more second-generation people, young migrants, young families and people from other cultural backgrounds. It will also provide young co-workers with more leadership and practical experience.
He also acknowledges that recognising the importance of ministry among young people does not mean the church already has all the experience and answers. It still needs to identify and develop several younger pastors and leaders who can minister effectively to younger generations. If the transition cannot continue, the average age of both the congregation and core leadership may keep increasing and affect long-term succession.
As EFCCA enters its next stage, it will continue to uphold small groups, discipleship, mission and church planting, and intergenerational partnership. These are not anniversary slogans. Through structural change, investment of resources, leadership development and repeated acts of genuine empowerment, they must gradually become the church’s way of life.
Interview highlight | Succession is not simply finding one person to replace another. It is preparing the whole church, so that generation after generation can continue carrying the mission.
Continuing Forward after Thirty Years
The thirtieth anniversary is a time to remember grace and a starting point for receiving the calling afresh.
From four families to today’s church of multiple congregations, locations and generations, EFCCA’s growth does not belong to one pastor or one generation of leaders. It comes from many people responding faithfully in different seasons, and reminds the church today that grace is received not only to be preserved, but also to be passed on.
When mature generations are willing to accompany others and let go, and younger generations are willing to take responsibility and grow; when small groups continue developing disciples and disciples continue participating in mission and church planting, the thirty-year story will not end in commemoration. It will become the beginning of the next chapter.