Diakonia 2025-1 Secretary’s Desk

DIAKONIA 2025 VOLUME 1

From the Secretary’s Desk

Pray for the Trustees who each are elders in their home assembly and often have responsibilities beyond their own assemblies. CBSM continues to work towards serving the assemblies better. Our goal is to enable and encourage brethren to work together in unity by facilitating communication and cooperation. This often challenging since we all have our differences but we have the same Lord, same Mission and the same Gospel. We are grateful to the assemblies who have prayed and contributed to the running of CBSM. We shall endeavor to serve the assemblies more effectively.

ALC 2025 (Assemblies Leadership Conference)

One of the key events organized by CBSM is the ALC, held every 2 years. The objective of the conference is to bring the assemblies together to learn, partner, network and encourage. 2025 is the year of ALC. We’re privileged to have Andrew Cowell of GLO Australia to be our Keynote speaker on the theme, “Radical Discipleship”. The conference will be held in Ipoh’s 1969 Business Suite on 14th – 17th Sept (Sunday night through to Wednesday morning). Do block your calendar and prepare to attend this “Radical Conference”.

At the conference, we will also be electing the trustees for the next term, i.e. 2026-2027. Pray that the Lord will move the hearts of the brothers/elders to take up this role for the edification of the assemblies in Malaysia. Nomination forms will be made available to elders.

e-Invoicing

Our attempt at Government Recognition has been a slow arduous process. We are now embroiled in e-Invoicing. We are thankful for some other denominations who had organized briefing/seminar by knowledgeable brothers and sisters. Having attended the briefings, CBSM although not the experts, will share of the gleanings from the briefings.

Some key items that we need to take note:

  1. 1. Each assembly must apply for TIN (Taxpayer Identification Number). (Individuals will already have the number, namely the Income Tax File number.) The easiest and recommended method is to use NECF membership certificate to apply for the TIN, which means assemblies have to join NECF as members. We were told that with NECF membership, getting a TIN is pretty much automatic. https://mytax.hasil.gov.my/
  2. There are basically 2 broad categories for e-Invoicing.

    a. Outgoing monies: For purchases (including utilities and services), we need only to give suppliers our TIN and name of assembly and a few relevant details. There is also a process to pay individuals for services such as cleaners, gardeners, etc. Honorariums and gifts to individuals and organizations will need to be e-invoiced. (recipients of gifts may have to declare as income, yet to be fully understood and clarified).

    b. Incoming monies: When receiving monetary gifts, we will need to create e-invoices. There are a few scenarios, such as weekly offerings, marked gifts, gifts from overseas. The procedures are clearly described and straightforward. Assemblies receiving gifts for use of halls, badminton courts, etc., will need to be e-invoiced. These may be considered church income depending on classification.
  3. Each assembly will need to create an account in MyInvois to key in all individual and grouped invoices. The procedures are available at the MyInvois Portal – https://myinvois.hasil.gov.my/content/.
  4. More information is available at LHDN website: ttps://www.hasil.gov.my/en/e-invoice/

Each assembly will need to create an account in MyInvois to key in all individual and grouped invoices. The procedures are available at the MyInvois Portal;  https://myinvois.hasil.gov.my/content/

More information is available at LHDN website: https://www.hasil.gov.my/en/e-invoice/

Youth Rally

Following a successful Youth Rally on 10th August 2024 at PJGH, a Youth Rally is being planned to be held in Ipoh for the northern assemblies, notwithstanding that all assemblies are also invited. See separate article.

Church Revitalization

  1. Church Planting: Phase One of the Church-Planting effort and training is launch of Spiritual Maturity Course. This aims to prepare individuals to be mature spiritually, ready to plant churches or assist in church planting. We are thankful to the Lord for some 50 brethren who have signed up and are currently attending the course. Phase 2 will be a more specific Church Planting Training.
  2. Diakonia Training Institute (DTI): CBSM has engaged with ACCS (Australian College of Christian Studies) to offer Accredited courses for Diploma and Degree in Theology. The lectures will be conducted in Malaysia and will provide Theological training for all who would like a formal training for more effective ministry, especially those considering “full-time” ministry. See separate article.
  3. Workers Trust Fund: A joint Trust Fund between the CBSM and CASM (Chinese Assemblies Secretariat Malaysia) has been set up to assist assemblies needing financial aid to support their ministry workers. Contact CBSM for more information.
  4. CBSM continues to reach out to smaller assemblies who need assistance.