Dear SBC Graduates,

I could be stereotyping. I might be outdated. I most likely am over the hill. But please, give me some old-fashioned servants of God.

I agree with Thomas Friedman that The World is Flat and Jim Collins that we need to move From Good to Great. While Jack Welch expounds on Winning and church growth experts churn out more techniques and how-to seminars, I still want my “old-fashioned” ministers of the Gospel!

Yes, you are exposed to the amazing power of information technology. All that you need are at your fingertips. A quick browse on the internet will take you to the latest development, images, and happenings around the world. Your problem is information overload to the point of indigestion and confusion. You have more duplication, less creativity. You have less time to understand, much less to reflect or analyze.

Yes, it is a globalized world. There will be more choices for you to consider for your future ministry. “The world is my field” is at its truest sense today! But will you be able to have the staying power and long-term commitment for a lasting ministry? Can the people count on you to be there for them when the going gets tough?

Yes, modern transportation will take you anywhere at an increasingly affordable price. But do you know where you are going? I mean, are you at the right place where God wants you to be? Does it matter? Do you care if it is God’s will or do you care more about your paycheck and comfort?

Yes, it matters today to dress smart, think big, and talk positive. Image is everything and look is more important than substance.

Strategic planning and vision casting do make a difference in setting a clear path. Leadership and management do make things less complicated and causes change for the better. But is the Holy Spirit consulted? Are you becoming orators without conviction, preachers who are too relevant to be challenging in your message?

Like the rain forests in the Amazon delta giving way to development and expansion, the “old-fashioned” servants are diminishing at an alarming rate! Rare today are servants who whine less and do more, who clean up their own mess and own their responsibilities, who focus less on finding excuses and more on solving problems, who don’t mind the work but mind being abandoned by God.

They are not calculative; so expect them to be poor in mathematics. They have every intention to stay in the ministry for the long haul; so expect them to be, shall I say, not very efficient.

They stress faithfulness above success, fearing God above fearing man, integrity above attention, character above competence. So expect them to spend long hours in God’s Word and prayer.

How I miss those “old-fashioned” servants of God! As you move on, carry and develop some of the “old-fashioned” ways. It will not tarnish your image. It will only add value to your ministry. (Add value? I thought we are talking about being “old-fashioned”!)

Your “old-fashioned” principal,

Dr Albert Ting