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Ang Lingkod Ng Panginoon : When one's a company
Singlehood is one of the most demanding stages on a person's life. Singles life is transitory. And yet, it is during this stage that people make two of the most important and life-changing decisions: state of life and career. Their lives revolve on three key issues such as career, state of life, and social life.
Singles are also the most "resourced" people in the world, in that they have a lot of resources waiting to be tapped, and it is given that they usually do not to handle a lot of responsibilities. But also need the right motivation, since many of these resources will no longer be available once they get married. Singles are no longer children. They are adults already, and should be treated as such, especially when it comes to decision-making. As singles, they should not rely on other people to decide for them nor allow their lives to be directed by other people. To allow otherwise would take away their sense of initiative, particularly the joy of taking responsibility for their own lives and decisions. When singles take direct responsibility for themselves, they become more active.
The needs and concerns of every single varies a lot according to age range, sex, family upbringing and other such factors. For example: a single woman in her late 40s would have more pronounced needs for security and stability while a single woman in her early 20s would be more concerned about her social life and career. From the pressure of getting a good job, involving in a relationship or opportunities for socializing, singles face a lot of challenges. Thus they would need understanding and sensitivity. With these issues, they should be guided to make wiser decisions. And in order to address these needs, singles communities were formed. One community that addresses singles needs is the Ang Lingkod ng Panginoon , Servant of the Lord. The Ang Lingkod ng Panginoon or simply called Lingkod is a movement of single professionals and working people dedicated to winning other singles to give their full commitment to Jesus Christ and other Christians. Other than this mission, the members also strive to live a lifestyle reflective of Christian values, especially in the workplace. Its vision is for singles to live a full Christian life. Lingkod hopes to achieve this by focusing on four areas: (1) having a personal relationship with the Lord; (2) living as a community through committed relationships as brothers and sisters; (3) living in the power of the Holy Spirit; and (4) being able to evangelize. The life of Lingkod members revolves around a five-fold mission: conversion, community, culture, character and commission. Their way of life has to adapt these five-fold missions.
Every Lingkod branch is headed by a branch leader (BL, brother) and a branch woman leader (BWL, sister) to shepherd the activities. These leaders are voted by the whole community through secret ballots and prayers. The BL initiates empowerment to male members in support to the sisters. The BWL in support to the male members are also empowered in their specific roles as sisters. Both leaders see to it that the community grows in all aspects. Lingkod also seeks to address two primary concerns of single people: career and state of life. The members are given guidance in these areas to help them make good decisions as they submit to the will of God. The help and guidance given is founded on Lingkod's spirituality of being Christ-centered, Catholic and charismatic. Lingkod has its main group in Greenhills, San Juan in Metro Manila, with branches and affiliates in major cities and provinces all over the Philippines. Regular activities for all the branches include weekly prayer meetings and action group meetings. It also conducts a National Leaders Training Conference (NLTC) annually wherein its branches, affiliates and assisted groups come together for a time of prayer, training and fellowship BIRTH OF LINGKOD It was in the mid-70s, when renewal communities were being established in many places around the world. One group established in the Philippines in 1975 is Ligaya, through the help of The Word of God Community, which is based in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
In an effort to bring the Gospel message to other sectors of society, Ligaya established several renewal communities and evangelistic movements. One movement was the Christ's Youth in Action, which was established in 1980. CYA is an evangelistic movement fitted for the youth in university environments.
After some time, the group saw the need for a new name to establish their own identity. They sought the Lord and received a word that their name be " Ang Lingkod ng Panginoon " (or The Servant of the Lord} — a title of Jesus from the book of Isaiah. TEACHING AND FORMATION PROGRAM Lingkod offers various teaching courses for the formation of its members. A required course for committed members given over a two-year period and those intended for some members for specific service/ministry in the group. In some activities, the male and female members are separated from each other. Like households for males and females, where they will live in a house for two weeks. The household is a venue where the members get to know more their brothers/sisters. There are prepared talks and activities depending on the needs of the group.
Lingkod also seeks the help of the religious for spiritual direction and teachings, such as retreats, recollections, confessions and talks. There are also ministries, in which members are encouraged to be actively involved. These include both services for the internal life of Lingkod as well as those that have to do with benefiting others. Some of these are the music ministry, teaching ministry and the intercessory ministry. The members of each ministry meet regularly as agreed. Some of the ministries meet when needed. Only the Music and Intercessory ministries meet weekly since their services are needed in the weekly prayer meeting. The weekly prayer meeting is held simultaneous with all other branches, which is every Friday. In Iloilo City, Lingkod holds its prayer meeting at West Visayas Medical Center chapel every Friday at 7:00 pm. Then there is also the weekly Action Group meetings. A Unit, which is a group of action groups under a Unit Leader, meets once a month. Other ministries conduct its meetings and regular get-togethers at least once every quarter. WAY OF LIFE Communities and movements have a certain way of life different from the others. Lingkod's way of life is focus on Christ. Guided by its vision-mission statements, Lingkod members aim to live in the fullness of life in Christ, experiencing and living it out to others.
With this fullness of life in Christ, Lingkod members go about their lives with a daily prayer, a daily mass (if possible) and practice of virtues to attain this vision. Lingkod lives in a spirit of brotherhood and sisterhood to each other. It is a family united in Christ, where one supports each other regardless of race or color. An example would be a visit to another branch, during which a member receives a treatment that of a family. The branch would have fellowship with the brother or a sister who visits. Each member is also expected to do his/her role. Both brothers and sisters observe the right attitude in dealing with the opposite sex as regards courtship, relationship, family and social life. ‘Grace of speech‘ and the virtue of humility are also observed. The Lingkod way of life is also known for “supporting each other.” A common teaching every member knows by heart is the slogan: “If everything fails, protect your relationship.” This teaching is imbibed in every member, thus making harmonious relationships with all its members from all the branches. Lingkod is open to all single professionals regardless of religion and race. If you're single and you want to meet friends contact LINGKOD at 09205144630 and 09173028109 for more information. |
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