What do pastors and leaders do?

This morning (Tuesday, March 31, 2026), I had the joy and privilege of joining in the Petaling Jaya North Pastor’s Fellowship. It was hosted by Gospel Avenue Church, pastored by Pas Stephen Tang. Gospel Avenue used to be Full Gospel Assembly, Sungai Buloh, a fast-growing suburb of Kuala Lumpur, the capital city of Malaysia.

The discussion was ably led by Pas Stanley Lim, a veteran church leader and theologian. He had prepared notes consisting of the ethical points that interact with this topic of how mega churches deal with church planting, and the inevitably issue of sheep stealing. This issue arose because in recent weeks it had come to the knowledge of these pastors in this fellowship of a mega church that was moving right into the neighborhood of another mega church.

Some of the reservations included practical issues such as parking problems. Of more interest to the group of pastors were the ethical considerations and the proper attitude towards churches setting up “shop” close to one another.

One of the more senior and respected church leaders in the fellowship was invited to give his thoughts about this matter. I think his response was spot on. He spoke of how the church he had planted was quickly joined in the same location as another. And then he shared about how he received a visit from pastors/leaders from another church that also wanted to set up a church plant, right in front of his. His take was quite reflective of the gospel of Christ – grace! He said he welcomed any new church plant in that area where his church had begun. He mentioned about how there are way too many people-referring to the population-to be reached by just one or a few churches. He welcomed the addition of churches to the area.

He was saying essentially that the gospel needed to be sounded out. The gospel required more voices and hearts to share the glorious, good news of Christ’s redemption of all peoples. That this wasn’t the time to feel threatened by new congregations coming into the area. That is was rather the time to work well with one another with a kingdom mindset.

His sharing resonated well with all the pastors present. It was an encouraging time to hearing the wisdom and counsel of God on this matter from these pastors. I know I was blessed and encouraged by the sharing.

Finally, every congregation makes up the body of Christ, with Christ as its Head. He will sustain and grow every congregation surrendered to His Lordship and serving Him faithfully in the gospel vineyard. The gospel is the power of God for salvation. The Lion of the Tribe of Judah still fights for His lambs. He is the Lamb slain before the foundations of the world were laid. As Easter draws near this weekend, this fellowship was a good reminder of our unity in Christ, secured by His body broken for our sins, and blood shed for its remission. And the glorious expectation that the gift of the gospel, the mighty Spirit of God and of Christ, dwells within us (Rom 8:11). He will accomplish the will of the Father in and through His Body, the Bride of Christ.