Dear HCMC,
The tragic mid-air collision between an American Airlines passenger plane and a Black Hawk military helicopter, which recently occurred in Washington D.C. on 29 January 2025, cast the spotlight on the critical role played by the air traffic controller. A crucial factor that emerged from the accident investigation was that a single air traffic controller was left to handle the air traffic of planes and helicopters flying over the airspace, when two people would typically be assigned for such duties. From my personal experience in the Air Force, I cannot emphasise more the absolutely indispensable—yet often unseen—role played by controllers in almost all air operations.
The work of air traffic controlling occurs behind-the-scenes. Our vision is naturally drawn to the aircraft soaring spectacularly through the air. Sometimes, it is the noise the aircraft makes that draws our attention. Yet, while all this is happening before us, controllers are working tirelessly behind the tinted glass of airport control towers or other unseen control centres.
This is an apt illustration of church ministry. Our attention is often drawn to what is happening in the foreground: people serving on stage during our Sunday worship services, the preacher giving a sermon, or the teacher leading a Bible study, or the leader praying on behalf of everyone, and so on.
Yet, the bulk of church ministry happens in the background. Every Sunday, teams of people help in many ways before and after each service. During the service, the fact that we see things on the screen and hear the people on stage is testament to the good work of the “controllers” in the AV room, our in-house “control tower”. Or consider the many committees covering all aspects of church life, from worship and discipleship to finance and property management. Many, many brothers and sisters serve tirelessly behind the scenes to sustain all aspects of our body life as a church.
And just like air traffic controllers tend to be out of the limelight and receive less recognition than pilots, sometimes this could be the case for people serving behind-the-scenes in church as well. Or there is only more “recognition” when things go wrong. Does this describe you? Do you feel that your church ministry often goes unnoticed?
My dear brothers and sisters, let me take this opportunity to affirm the excellent work that you are putting in, lovingly, faithfully, responsibly, and uncomplainingly, to contribute to the life of our church. Thank you for giving of yourself to be a blessing to others and to this whole community. I hope that you are being appreciated for what you do, by others in our community. And above all, be assured that God sees and knows your faithful labours.
In the words of Hebrews 6:10-11 – “God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them. We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, so that what you hope for may be fully realised.”
Indeed, I trust that even if the ministry we do is thankless, it is not pointless. For through the work we do unto the Lord and His Kingdom, our hope of salvation will be fully realised. We are partakers of God’s redemption of the world. May it be that the more we serve, the more the grace of God is made real to us and to those around us.
To all our unseen heroes serving faithfully in the background, I salute you! In this coming year, may the Lord bless you and establish the work of your hands.
Rev Timothy
