Recap of Members' Meeting (14 Sep 2025)
We held our Members’ Meeting on 14 September 2025. We had our Weekender participants join us at this Meeting, so the room felt a little fuller! As a church, we welcomed new members, heard of updates about some of our members and learnt about other updates in our church life.
Introduction and Opening Prayer
We held our Members’ Meeting on 14 September. Unlike the previous meetings, this was the first time we held it on Level 2! We thank the members for their understanding, as it meant fewer parking available in our building that morning. Various members also came together to set up the space and to help iron out some initial hiccups.
At this meeting, we were also joined by our Weekender participants. Elder Toshi opened the meeting with prayer before introducing Pastor Jeremy, who spoke on membership matters.
Membership Matters
Pastor Jeremy began by taking and answering some questions that members might have about this process of voting to receive and remove members. Check out the FAQ below:
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Biblical congregationalism is democratic in the sense that members of the church vote on important matters of the church.
However, it is different from a democracy where people have the complete freedom to cast their votes based on their preferences or personal interpretations of the information at hand.
In the church, members are regenerate Christians who are committed to living under the rule and authority of God’s Word. Thus, members are not free to cast votes based on their preferences alone. Instead, Christians are to be prayerful about every vote and guided by Scripture. The Bible, and not our experiences or wisdom is to be the most important factor in deciding how we vote on church matters.
The Scriptures also teach us about God’s authority over His church that is administered through the elders He has given. Therefore, members are to take the leadership of the elders seriously by listening to their counsel and engaging them graciously when there are differences. When the elders are recommending an action contrary to Scripture, members are to pushback.
When the elders are being faithful in applying Scripture, members should be affirming. In areas where Scripture gives more leeway, members can engage elders but ultimately express faith in God and submission to His authority by going with the recommendation of the elders.
It is important that we do not vote “no” simply for the sake of keeping our elders in check or humble. We are Christians who have covenanted together to please God and follow His leading even when it goes against our personal preference.
Thus, church members vote in accordance with the Scriptures and under the guidance of biblically qualified elders.
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Let us look at the process of calling new elders. The elders begin the task by affirming a biblical understanding of the role and qualifications of an elder and propose names. The elders evaluate candidates and arrive at a unanimous decision on those qualified and suitable.
The elders then invite these candidates to serve as an elder associate where they will get to observe elder meetings for close to a year. The elders would also check in with their spouse to see if they are supportive and have a robust discussion.
Unanimity among the elders is required before making a recommendation to the church.
The elders then present their nominations to the church and remind members of the biblical role and qualifications of church elders. Members are given opportunities to get to know the candidates, hear their testimony and convictions and ask questions.
If there are no unresolved objections or concerns over several weeks, the elders put forward the motion to call the candidate as an elder at a member meeting and the members are then given an opportunity to express their affirmation via voting slips.
Through the process there is clear leading from the elders and involvement with the congregation.
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Firstly, what is your reason for abstaining?
If you lack knowledge to make a vote, consider speaking to an elder and ask questions. You can even raise your hand to ask questions during a members meeting.
If you believe that the elders are recommending something unwise, it is also important to raise it and speak with the elders. Our elders will table the motion if you have a good reason for them to do so.
If you have spoken with the elders and still disagree, then vote no.
The point of congregationalism is that every church member is to be prayerful in making decisions according to the Scriptures and if you are led by the Scriptures and the Spirit to vote no, then do so. We should not feel embarrassed to vote no if that is how the Lord has led you through His Word and Spirit.
Members coming in
With that, Pastor Jeremy also introduced two who are seeking to join GBC as members. The elders who did their elder chat introduced them to the members by sharing their conversion and subsequent growth in the faith, and why they are recommending them to the members for the church’s affirmation. The members could also ask any questions before they affirmed each candidate by a show of hands. At this Meeting, we welcomed Jane Lee by transfer, and Ryan Tan, pending his baptism.
The church affirmed these new members, and together, everyone recited the Members’ Covenant as a reminder of our commitment to one another as members of this local church. One practical way that we can live out our membership is to know and pray for one another. All members can request for a copy of the Membership Directory (as well as all subsequent updates) from here, or access this link via the “For Members” page on our website.
Members going out
Next, Pastor Jeremy also shared about members who were seeking to transfer their membership. These members also shared a letter and some encouragement to GBC members. Members also had a chance to ask any questions before affirming their transfers.
Other membership matters
The elders also shared about non-attending members. These members have not been attending service for a while and the elders have also tried to reach out and not received any reply. The elders are sharing with the members so that as a community, we can reach out to them if we know them, and all of us can keep them in prayer.
They also shared about a member who has turned away. This is not the first time that this has been shared, and the elders updated about their efforts to reach out up to now, and why they are sharing this with the members now. There was also a time for members to ask questions. They also shared how those who know this member can continue to reach out, hold out the gospel and pray that God will draw the person to Himself.
As this member no longer holds to the Christian faith, the elders recommended that the church remove the member from membership, and members voted on this. The elders reminded the church that our desire in this process is redemptive and restorative. is to see them return to the faith and be a part of a gospel-believing church. They also led the church in prayer at the end of this section, and encouraged the church to continue reaching out to these members.
Due to the sensitive nature of this matter, we will not be publishing the names here. Members, if you have any questions, please speak with any of the elders.
Ministry Updates
Weekender
Pastor Eugene interviewed Greg, one of the Weekender participants.
Next, Pastor Eugene shared about the Weekender that concluded that Sunday. He invited two participants to share about their experience. First up was Greg from International Church of Mont Kiara. He shared how he was encouraged by GBC’s generosity and how the staff and lay elders opened up their lives to the participants. He attended the Weekender with 5 other men and they could also spend time together and shared about what stood out for them. They resolved to be faithful elders and deacons, He shared that we can pray for their faithfulness, especially in ministry. Pray that their elders will be be faithful to equip and train and raise up more, even as they trust God to provide elders as gifts to the church.
Pastor Eugene with Bora, another Weekender participant.
Next, Bora from Redemption in Christ Church shared his experience at the Weekender. Through observing the church, he saw firsthand how intentional and personal we are in raising leaders and was reminded to be patient in the church that he is serving at, for changes take time. He requested prayer for him and the other leaders as they seek to make changes and also continue to trust in the Lord in the process. We can also pray for strength in ministry, that he will not be project but people-driven. He also requested for prayers as his family adjusts to some transitions.
Hearing their sharing and having the Weekender participants present at our worship service was an encouragement to us. Many members took the opportunity to get to know them and extend hospitality to them. We pray that their time with us was encouraging and refreshing, they they will be strengthened to serve and love their local churches upon their return.
We had a chance to hear from Ryan, and how we can be keeping him and the family in prayer in the next month as they prepare to move.
Update from Ryan
Our new pastor, Ryan, was also present for the Weekender and to settle some administrative and logistics matters ahead of their move. Pastor Eugene also invited him up to share how the church can be praying for him and the family. He shared his excitement at joining us soon (next month!). While they are excited to come and be a part of our local body for the sake of the gospel, they are also saying their farewells to family and their local church. We can pray for this time with friends and family to be a sweet and encouraging one.
Children’s Ministry
Our Children’s Ministry shared how God has blessed us such that we now have 150 children under 12. This also means that the ministry needs more volunteers. The Children’s Ministry is planning for 2026 and needs 14 volunteers for the nursery and Sunday School. If you are available, or interested to find out more, do contact Siew Ting, our Ministry Worker for Children’s Ministry.
Hospitality
Pastor Jeremy also shared about two new initiatives to make GBC more hospitable. There is a new First Impressions Team. We recognise that worshippers who are new to GBC may have issues with parking, thus, this team, as its name suggests will focus on the first impressions of the church from the ground floor. They are looking for more members to help. If you are interested to find out more or available, please contact contact Nicholas Chuan (nicholaschuantz@gmail.com).
We are also making name tags available for all worshippers! This is to help us to get to know each other better. Request your name tags here: www.tinyurl.com/gbcnametag.
Missions
Elder Jonathan with our partner from BCBC.
Elder Jonathan invited one of our missions partners, Bangkok City Baptist Church (BCBC), to share an update. Danny from BCBC was present for the Weekender and he updated GBC about the two translation projects that we supported financially. He also shared how he is thankful for this close relationship that GBC shares with BCBC. We are also thankful for this partnership with BCBC which allowed us to send our member there for a short stint previously. Currently, they are looking to train up more translators, and this is something we can be praying for.
Finance Update
Elder Beh provided an update about our finances for the first half of 2025. Some key points to note are:
While our expenses are $190K below what is budgeted so far we expect expenses to increase in the second half due to onboarding of our new pastor, and more ministry expenses during second half of the year.
Our giving is at $310K below budget resulting in a operational shortfall of $120K in our actual giving against our expenses.
This was presented so that members are aware of the current financials of the church. We thank God for the members’ faithfulness in giving, and as a church we continue to trust God to provide. If you have more questions, feel free to speak to the elders.
Looking Ahead
We will be continuing our sermon series in the gospel of John. If you would like to listen to the series, you can do so here.
We will also be holding the following EQUIP series in September and October, and we encourage members to save the dates and plan to be there:
Mental Health (21 Sep)
Marriage Panel (28 Sep)
Ageing (5 Oct)
Evangelism (19 & 26 Oct)
There will also be an upcoming men’s seminar on 25 October, titled “Man’s Pursuit of Sexual Purity”. Our ladies will also be holding their Women of Grace event — “Side by Side” on 1 November. Do find out more and sign up if you are available!
Closing Prayer and Lunch
Elder Thian Chye closed the meeting with prayer, and encouraged members to continue praying for these various programmes and needs. Many members also stayed around to have lunch together with other members, as well as our Weekender participants. Meals are a great way to get to know others, and we are thankful for the opportunity to do so as a church body.