methodist message Vol 117 No 2 • February 2015
inside
this issue...
Jubilee Day of Prayer One day, one place, 50,000 in prayer page 2
The Methodist Church in Singapore
ISSN 0129-6868 MCI (P) 116/12/2014
message.methodist.org.sg
DVD review A Tale of Two Esthers
Bishop Emeritus Dr Robert Solomon Thin places
page 4
page 7
COMING UP
Jubilee Day of Prayer “One day, one place, 50,000 in prayer.”
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or 2015, Singapore’s Jubilee year, the annual Global Day of Prayer (GDOP) has been designated as Jubilee Day of Prayer (JDOP), jointly organised by the National Council of Churches of Singapore (NCCS) and the Evangelical Fellowship of Singapore (EFOS). It will be held on 5 July at the revamped National Stadium in our new iconic Sports Hub. This is “A Premier, Historic Christian Event; A Once-in-a-Lifetime Prayer Meeting”. The Anglicans, Assemblies of God, Baptists, Brethren churches, Evangelical Free Church of Singapore, Lutherans, Methodists and Presbyterians are strongly supportive and will be participating in JDOP. This special prayer celebration has been made possible by the full support of partners like NCCS, Singapore Baptist Convention, Indian Christian Network, National Prayer Alliance, LoveSingapore and the Festival of Praise. Over the past nine years, EFOS has been privileged to coordinate and lead in the GDOP in Singapore. We have been blessed by and are truly grateful for the support of many churches and leaders from the Methodist denomination. Some, as anchor churches, have been instrumental in organising previous centralised gatherings (e.g. at the National Stadium, Indoor Stadium, and Expo). We are glad to have had the opportunity to work with the Rev Malcolm Tan (then Pastor-in-Charge of Barker Road Methodist Church) in 2011, and thank the Lord for the many Methodist churches like Bedok, Fairfield, Kum Yan, Living Hope, Paya Lebar, Pentecost, and Toa Payoh which served as anchor churches, and many others for their financial support. We are especially grateful to the Lord that Bishop Dr Wee Boon Hup has agreed to chair this year’s Steering Committee.
Sunday 5 July 2015 • 4.14 p.m. Singapore Sports Hub 1 Stadium Drive Jointly organised by the National Council of Churches of Singapore and the Evangelical Fellowship of Singapore
City@Prayer meetings for JDOP are being held at St. Andrew’s Cathedral on the first Friday of each month, from 1–2 p.m. Do join us! n Please take note of the following meetings for all pastors, pastoral and full-time staff: VISION I MEETING: 11 Feb 2015, Wed , 3.30 p.m. – St. Andrew’s Cathedral VISION II MEETING: 20 May 2015, Wed , 3.30 p.m. – St. Andrew’s Cathedral
Ms Susan Ding is the new Editor of Methodist Message (MM). She and the MM team wish all readers a blessed Lunar New Year.
methodist message
The official monthly publication of The Methodist Church in Singapore. Published material does not necessarily reflect the official view of The Methodist Church. All Scripture quoted is based on the New International Version, unless otherwise stated. Our address
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Let us have your views
Editorial Board Adviser and Publisher Bishop Dr Wee Boon Hup, Chairman, Council on Communications Editor Ms Susan Ding Assistant Editor Ms Grace Toh Sub-editor Ms Tan-Ngooi Chiu Ai Editorial Executive Ms Chia Hui Jun
Have something to say or share? Email us at newmm@methodist.org.sg and if appropriate, your contribution could be published.
BISHOP’S MESSAGE
The Year of the Lord’s Favour Bishop Dr Wee Boon Hup was elected Bishop of The Methodist Church in Singapore in 2012. He has been a Methodist pastor for 30 years.
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n anticipation of this year of Jubilee for Singapore, much has already been written about what it all means from the Christian perspective. Here is a personal view.
Jubilee is essentially a celebration of God’s favour; the Bible calls it “the year of the Lord’s favour”. If we have been able to last 50 years, it is only because God has been merciful and gracious: gracious in the sense that He had intervened in events so that they turned out for our good when we did not deserve it, and merciful in the sense that when we actually deserved the worst, He withheld judgment, thus sparing us. After 50 years, some are looking again at our nation’s past, attempting to give it a different perspective. Others look upon this as rewriting history. What may have been overlooked is that God’s grace and mercy have been upon our nation. We are all familiar with this song: There was a time when people said That Singapore won’t make it, but we did There was a time when troubles seemed too much For us to take, but we did We build a nation, strong and free, reaching out together For peace and harmony
As Christians, it cannot be that we conceive all that we have on this tiny island came about solely on the basis that we made it – as if God had been absent from this land, until one day He showed up when the Western missionaries arrived. That would make all that has happened simply an accident of history, or out of pure human effort. Singapore did not come about only by virtue of a few great men and the contribution of the pioneer generation. There was the invisible hand of God orchestrating the resources available here. He was here long before the missionaries came. In fact it was because He
was here that He saw the urgency of calling people like Thoburn and Oldham to come. There was, and is, the fine interplay of human free will and the grace of God weaving His plans and purposes for the people on this corner of the earth He created. The Lord of Heaven and Earth has not dusted off His hands and left us to a Godless fate. He continues to be at work in our midst. While we as a church preach the gospel to all, believing the best that God has for humanity is to be found in Jesus Christ, His concern for all is always there. Regardless of whether one believes in Jesus, God seeks that there be justice, righteousness, peace, love and joy for all people. His ultimate goal remains that we “may have and enjoy life and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows)” (John 10:10, Amplified Bible). So it must be as we move into the future, post-Jubilee. There will be changes in the way we live and organise ourselves. It must however not be conceived and undertaken as a God-less venture. He was here long before many of us came into existence. He will still be here long after we are gone. While there will be celebrations of Jubilee in a ‘secular’ manner, as Christians, those can never be the only way for us. Jubilee has a spiritual content. Join in the celebrations of both kinds. But let our presence in the midst of them be the means whereby the favour of God upon us in the past, present and future is honoured as well. n Picture by Kjersti/Bigstock.com
METHODIST MESSAGE • FEB 2015
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DVD REVIEW
Tales for such a time as this A review on A Tale of Two Esthers
Andrea Low works in communications and loves writing, watercolour painting and road trips.
“…And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” Esther 4:14
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ust like the Esther we have come to know in the Bible, A Tale of Two Esthers portrays the challenges two Singaporean women face in their lives. Through God’s amazing touch comes together a beautifully-woven testimony of triumph over challenges, and purpose through tragedy. Ms Esther Mok is one of the two Esthers featured in this DVD collection. Many may remember her as the individual who inadvertently brought SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) into Singapore over a decade ago. Her account is conveyed first-hand in this film, giving viewers a rare opportunity to witness how the episode unfolded – how Esther Mok caught the virus, and how it spread to her family and friends, and then to the nation. The emotion portrayed is raw, real and moving. As put by a doctor featured in the film, SARS is a virus that transcends social class, age and race. Esther Mok’s account reminds me that while many at the time were labelling Esther as the ‘superspreader’ of SARS, this could have happened to any one of us while we were travelling overseas. God chose to use Esther in a mighty and powerful way to overcome this tragedy and change lives for the better. Esther Mok’s tale shows how the crucial decision between giving in to anger and bitterness or drawing close to God can make a difference in how one overcomes tragedy. A very different journey was taken by Ms Esther Tan, one of the members of Singapore’s all-woman Mount Everest climbing team. Though physically unfit and regarded by those she knew as a “girly” girl, Esther Tan surprised them all by signing up to climb Mount Everest. Her story is a testimony of how one can be stretched by God beyond their apparent human capabilities to overcome a seemingly unsurmountable challenge, demonstrating God’s strength in a way that words cannot express. Her journey spanned five years, from intensive training which included scaling 30 levels of HDB stairs daily after work, to training six times a week. Not only was this physically demanding, it also meant sacrifice – socially, mentally and financially. Esther Tan’s faith grew through the journey, with God as her constant help and refuge. One of the verses which encouraged her on this path is Psalm 121:1-2 – “I lift up my eyes to the mountains – where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.” Aptly chosen, when Esther
A Tale of Two Esthers has a running time of 88 minutes and can be purchased from Cru Singapore’s Media Ministry or all major Christian bookstores in Singapore. To contact Media Ministry, visit www.media.cru.org.sg, call 6356-8336 (showroom), or call 6356-6063 (warehouse). Tan finally overcame the ‘death zone’ and scaled Mount Everest, God’s fulfilment of His promise was conveyed through the awe and wonder of His creation and His faithfulness to her throughout the whole process. I highly recommend picking up a copy of A Tale of Two Esthers, suitable for viewing with your family and friends. If you want to take a break from your small group curriculum, this DVD is a great option as it comes with a conversation booklet suitable for small group discussions. Another plus point is that the stories are of Singaporeans and are very relatable to a local audience. Indeed the accounts of two Esthers show that our God is both a powerful and yet personal God. In Him, there is no dream too big, no tragedy too great that can prevent His glory from being magnified! n
DVD cover graphic courtesy of Cru Singapore’s Media Ministry
SAYS THE CAC PRESIDENT
Our hiding place – God The Rev Dr Chong Chin Chung was re-elected President of the Chinese Annual Conference (CAC) in 2012 for the quadrennium. He has been a Methodist pastor for 30 years and has been a guest lecturer at Trinity Theological College since 1996.
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s I began writing this short message, it was already the third day since AirAsia QZ8501 disappeared while on a flight from Surabaya to Singapore with 162 passengers on board. We now know that the plane has crashed into the sea and there were no survivors. It is the third tragedy involving a Malaysian aircraft in 2014. This is a heartbreaking tragedy, another of the seemingly relentless disasters and natural calamities that have claimed countless lives. Such sudden losses of family members, relatives and friends bring immense sorrow and grief. The lost ones had been adorable children, doting parents, and wonderful friends and colleagues. What I would like to say is that we should not take for granted the good
“You are my hiding place; You will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance.” Psalms 32:7
times we have. Yet we cannot help asking: “Why would God allow suffering?”, “Why can’t our omnipotent God eliminate suffering?”, “Why doesn’t God protect the good and not let them suffer?” and “Why is there suffering?” These are often questions that we ask when unexpected calamities occur. But when times are good and life goes on as per normal, we are more concerned about enjoying life to the full. I would like to recommend reading a booklet, ‘Why Would A Good God Allow Suffering?’, first published in 1988 and now in its eighth print. The author, Kurt DeHaan, explained in his book that suffering serves to alert and guide us, mould us and unite us. When I read the booklet again, I was struck by the following message: we cannot deny the positive effect of pain no matter how much we dislike the feeling of pain. It alerts us to the parts of our body that need our attention. The sensation of pain, however, is only a symptom, an alarm. It informs you that a certain part of your body is in crisis. The real problem lies in what is causing the pain. Indeed suffering in the world serves as a warning for us. We often become arrogant and apathetic even though our achievements may be meagre, and we tend to grow complacent when we are used to peaceful sunny days, only to be rudely awakened from the slumber when misfortune strikes. It is only when we are hit that we realise how frail and fragile life is. This is the moment of reckoning when we may become more willing to learn and be guided. No one, not even our Lord Jesus Christ, can avoid suffering. Sin has already entered this world and we are witnessing the inexorable descent of this world towards its corrupt and depraved end. Hence, many happenings today can no longer be explained according to God’s original purpose of creation. In other words, we will not find answers in this life to questions such as “Why do the innocent have to suffer?” Whether or not we are experiencing suffering, however, as Christians we can pray to the Lord as shown to us in Psalm 32:7: “You are my hiding place; You will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance.” Jesus Christ has also taught us to pray: “Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.” In the brand new year ahead, we may not know what to expect but we believe in our God who has been guiding and leading us all the way. He is still our all-loving God who keeps His covenant. We are convinced that our Great Shepherd Jesus Christ is with us always even if we may find ourselves facing death. Wishing one and all a New Year full of new blessings and new hope! n Background picture by l i g h t p o e t/Bigstock.com
METHODIST MESSAGE • FEB 2015
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YOU & YOUR FAMILY
To split or not to split? Benny Bong has been a family and marital therapist for more than 30 years, and is a certified work-life consultant. He was the first recipient of the AWARE Hero Award in 2011 and is a member of Kampong Kapor Methodist Church.
It’s not my role to judge the merits of their reasons but I do wonder if the vows “for better or for worse” are now understood as “for as long as I can tolerate you” or “until it’s no longer good”.
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he young couple’s question was as stark as could be: “Mr Bong, do you think we got chance or not?” Sitting in my office, they were looking for an answer to whether they could salvage their marriage or should throw in the towel. Their fairytale romance and two-year marriage had run into some disagreements and conflicts. When the couple voiced their intent to split, the husband’s mother suggested consulting a marriage counsellor. Both were graduate professionals in their early thirties; they appeared well-matched in presentation and personality. I observed them interacting congenially about their problems: they were agreeable when accused by the other of their faults, and even exchanged playful banter and light humour without any sarcasm. Their muted laughter stood in marked contrast to the heated words and cold glares of most other couples when they first undergo counselling. Thus was my dilemma. While not wanting to dismiss their issues and disappointment with each other as trivial, these paled in comparison to complaints of abuse or infidelity. I had to muster as much empathy as I could. But the question about their future together kept popping up. Then, from the depths of I know not where, my response emerged. I told them that in more than 25 years of counselling couples, I had come across some horrendous stories of marriages. My prognosis, which I kept to myself, of these couples’ marital recovery was bleak. Yet, some of these couples found it in themselves to carry on, to accept, and even to be reconciled. On the other hand, there were couples whose issues looked not too intractable. They shared with me good reasons which gave hope of their being able to overcome their difficulties. Yet, some of these couples decided to end their marriages. I went on to say that I had learned that the severity of their problems was no predictor of which couples persevered and stayed married and which did not. A key factor was how willing and determined they both were to work on their issues. So the answer lay not with anyone else but with themselves. Picture by imtmphoto/Bigstock.com
Hearing this, the couple looked crestfallen. I wondered if they had hoped for a verdict that their marriage was a lost cause. Or, if marital counselling was just a last stop before moving on to divorce. Let me be clear here that, unlike what I could see of this young couple, there are marriages which are so destructive that they practically corrode those within with a mix of toxic emotions and actions. The emotional and spiritual bonds have long died. The spouses, and children too, are hurt and lingering damage is done. Such marriages aside, some clients have told me in recent years that they want a divorce because they “have drifted apart”, that “it’s time to move on”, that after many years of being married they have discovered that “our personalities just clash”. There are also those who say “it’s time to cut our losses while we are still young”. It’s not my role to judge the merits of their reasons but I do wonder if the vows “for better or for worse” are now understood as “for as long as I can tolerate you” or “until it’s no longer good”. For my young couple – as well as those considering marriage and those already married – there is no easy answer. It all hinges on how committed they are to not only staying together but also working on their marital relationship in their lives together. n
HOME
Thin places Bishop Emeritus Dr Robert Solomon was Bishop of The Methodist Church in Singapore from 2000 to 2012. Currently retired, he now keeps busy with an active itinerant ministry speaking and teaching in Singapore and overseas.
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ome places are rich with spiritual memory and meaning, and they seem to be conducive for reflection and prayer. For instance, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem (marking sites where the Lord Jesus was crucified and raised from death) and the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem have connections with the original events in the life of Jesus, and have a continuous history of worship and remembering. There are other places with similar spiritual significance. The ancient Celtic Christians called such places “thin places” – “thin” because they believed that in these places the distance between heaven and earth is reduced, and one can sense God more easily. One can argue that such places are depicted in the Bible. The burning bush that Moses saw seemed to bristle with divine energy (Exod 3). It was in the vicinity of the “mountain of God” where God spoke to Moses and gave His people the Law (Exod 19). Moses seemed to have a good knowledge of such ‘thin places’ where he could commune with God – on the mountain and in the Tent of Meeting (Exod 33:7-11). Later God instructed His people to build a temple for Him, only in the place He chose, where His holy Name could reside (Deut 12:5). Jerusalem became the holy city where the temple of the living God was situated. It was a thin place. But lest we get carried away with the idea of thin places and end up with superstitious spiritualism, the Bible carries a narrative that revolutionises the concept of thin places. Israel had become presumptuous about the temple in Jerusalem (Jer 7:1-11). A thin place does not operate automatically. Where there was sinful disobedience and unfaithful presumptuousness, God moved away from the temple (Ezek 10:18-19). The people had a misplaced faith in the temple – which was finally allowed by God to be destroyed. Eventually, Jesus taught that the kingdom of God is within us (Lk 17:21) – our hearts must become the new thin places. An old thin place is of no use if our hearts remain uncircumcised and thick. Paul takes up this idea and refers to the relocation of the temple into the hearts of believers. We are the temple of God, both individually (1 Cor 6:19) and corporately (1 Cor 3:16). The individual believer’s heart and the church, which is a gathering of believers, are the new thin places. There the distance between heaven and earth is narrowed and God communicates in a special way. Sadly, this is often not realised, for the believer’s heart can grow thick with unbelief and modern idolatries. In the Parable
There are other places with similar spiritual significance. The ancient Celtic Christians called such places “thin places”. of the Sower and the Soils (Mt 13:1-23), Jesus referred to the superficial heart where growth is stunted and faith withers. He also referred to the heart crowded with the thorns of worldly wealth and worries that make the heart impervious to divine whispers and warnings. The church can also lose its ‘thinness’ – when it loses its focus and turns its attention to wealth, power, influence, comfort, and entertainment. In such places, spiritual deafness and blindness predominate. Moses probably passed by the burning bush countless times before, but one day he saw something that others failed to see. Elizabeth Browning’s poem depicts this aptly: Earth’s crammed with heaven, and every common bush afire with God; but only he who sees, takes off his shoes – the rest sit around it and pluck blackberries It is possible to be near the things of God and yet fail to recognise God. Jesus continues to ask us: “Do you still not see or understand? Are your hearts hardened? Do you have eyes but fail to see, and ears but fail to hear?” (Mk 8:17-18) Whether a place functions as a thin place depends on the faith and faithfulness of the believer and the community of believers. One day, the distance between heaven and earth will disappear when the new heaven and earth will be united in Christ (Rev 21). This thinnest place will be everywhere. Meanwhile, as we wait for that day, may our hearts and churches be thin places, where God communicates freely with His people and His people respond readily to Him. n Picture by paul prescott/Bigstock.com
METHODIST MESSAGE • FEB 2015
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CARTOONIST RECRUITMENT Do you have a flair for words? Do you love to develop your ideas and express them through sketches to amuse or entertain readers?
You can become MM’s next cartoonist! Email us at newmm@methodist.org.sg
WELFARE SERVICES
Enjoying vitality at Charis ACE Wee Kit Lei is Assistant Manager (Communications & Fundraising) at Methodist Welfare Services.
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he doors of Charis Activity Centre for Elders (Charis ACE) were officially opened on 29 Nov 2014 by Member of Parliament for Marine Parade GRC (MacPherson Division), Ms Tin Pei Ling, and Bishop of The Methodist Church in Singapore, the Rev Dr Wee Boon Hup. Located at Geylang East Block 125, Charis ACE is a joint community outreach of Methodist Welfare Services and Charis Methodist Church. It serves as a one-stop social, recreational, wellness and referral hub to lower-middle and middle-income seniors living in the neighbourhood. The centre fills a gap in catering to this group of seniors. Apart from providing a place for the elderly to converge, and engage in activities that promote social, emotional and physical wellness, Charis ACE also provides opportunities for elderly to volunteer and give back to the community. A special feature of the centre is “Empowering Elders to Help Elders”, which aims to reaffirm seniors as contributing members of society. Charis ACE will encourage members to make home visits and befriend other elderly people who are alone at home, who have been recently discharged from hospitals, or have to visit polyclinics regularly. The members will be trained to make home visits in twos or in threes as volunteer health befrienders. Initially, they will be supervised
To DONATE u please contact us at fr@mws.org.sg To VOLUNTEER u at Charis ACE, please contact us at MelissaGoh@ charis.mws.org.sg
“We recognise that many elderly and retirees remain capable to serve as useful members of society. We only need to restore the seniors’ confidence by bringing them together and showing them ways in which they can volunteer and serve other members of society.” by a health care worker. Subsequently, they will visit elderly residents on their own with occasional support from a health worker. Having started operations since March 2014, Charis ACE has served more than 130 seniors to date. The seniors come in for workshops to pick up new skills and hobbies, morning exercises that keep them active, as well as go on volunteering trips to help others in need together. Professor Lionel Lee, Chairman of Charis ACE Centre Governance Committee, said: “We recognise that many elderly and retirees remain capable to serve as useful members of society. We only need to restore the seniors’ confidence by bringing them together and showing them ways in which they can volunteer and serve other members of society.” Said Ms Tin Pei Ling: “It’s essential for elderly to stay active and connected with the community to enjoy a better quality of life. Charis ACE also plays an important role in providing healthy activities and services for elderly from the lower-middle and middleincome groups.” n
Unveiling the plaque during the official opening of Charis ACE are: (L-R) The Rev Dr Daniel Koh, ViceChairman of Methodist Welfare Services (MWS); Mrs Jenny Bong, Group Executive Director of MWS; the Rev Dr Wee Boon Hup, Bishop of The Methodist Church in Singapore; Ms Tin Pei Ling, Member of Parliament for Marine Parade GRC (MacPherson Division); Professor Lionel Lee, Chairman of Charis ACE Centre Governance Committee, and Mr Teo Khoon Seng, Centre Manager of Charis ACE.
Photo courtesy of Methodist Welfare Services METHODIST MESSAGE • FEB 2015
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CHURCH PROFILE
Kum Yan MC:
Thanksgiving and love for people of all ages The Rev Herman Kan is Pastor-in-Charge of Kum Yan Methodist Church.
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um Yan Methodist Church (Kum Yan) – translated as “thanksgiving” in English – has been teaching and leading our members to live out a life of love, harmony and unity within the community so that the Lord may “[bestow] His blessing, even life forevermore” (Ps 133:3) upon us. In the past 36 years, the church has grown from one Cantonese congregation to six congregations of different ages and language groups, with a total of 1,000 worshippers who worship the Lord as one in love, harmony and unity. From the ministries the church is now focusing on and thriving in, we can see that God is growing Kum Yan to move toward making disciples of all age groups in a loving environment, conducive to them becoming mature ambassadors of Jesus to bless lives wherever God places them, locally and globally. The ministries which excite us most are: u Alpha Courses run in both English and Mandarin. We have just completed our 10th Alpha Run in November 2014. Many have come to know the Lord through Alpha. In 2015, we intend to hold two Alpha runs, trusting that the Lord would grant us extra favour in this Year of Jubilee.
v The Children’s Church consisting of over 60 children from six to 12 years of age led by our excellent children’s pastor. Together with a group of committed adults, they devote time and effort to train up our little ones in the way of the Lord, so that when they are old they will not depart from it. w Members of our Youth and Young Adult Congregation continuing to be trained, mature in the Lord and become disciples of Jesus Christ. Over 200 youths are divided into four ‘tiers’: the Junior Youth Connection, 13-16 years of age; the Teens, 17-20 years of age; the Youth; and the Young Working Adults. We adopt a multi-tier-mentoring system to nurture the youths and to develop them within the respective tiers. Each tier is led by mature members of a higher tier who are slightly older. The Youth Pastor and the youth ministry staff mentor and oversee the leaders of the four tiers. x Community outreach to elderly residents in the Crawford Street area by members of our Cantonese congregation, and collaborating with YMCA in the 'MY Manna' Project to deliver groceries and necessities to needy families in the Woodlands region. This latter initiative by our Woodlands congregation has led to other congregations joining in the work. As Kum Yan looks forward to its 97th anniversary this year, I recall the time when I first came to the church as a theological student in 1990. By God’s grace He led me, first becoming a pastor here and now its Pastor-in-Charge since 2011.
We continue our series of profiling local churches from our three Annual Conferences of The Methodist Church in Singapore. As we come to have a better understanding of each other’s history and ministry, we may discover more opportunities to forge cross-church partnerships and collaborations.
Kum Yan Methodist Church (Chinese Annual Conference) 1 Queen Street, Singapore 188534 Sunday Services: 9 a.m. (English), 9 a.m. (Mandarin), 10.30 a.m. (Junior Youth), 11 a.m. (Cantonese), 1.30 p.m. (Youth), 11 a.m. (Woodlands) Contact: 6337-6196 or www.kumyan.org.sg With technological advancements and the use of social media, much change has occurred in the world, in culture and in society. This has made it more difficult for the Church to respond to the diverse needs of the people. It is an increasing challenge to help our people keep their focus on Jesus alone, to have faith in God in spite of countering voices and shifting boundary markers. As a church we are committed to our Vision of being a caring community, a lighthouse and home in the city; bringing hope and purpose through a life-changing relationship with Jesus Christ to all peoples of all ages. We are privileged to be the venue of the daily Morning Prayer convened by the leadership of the LoveSingapore network of churches since 1 July 2012. We believe Kum Yan’s destiny is tied to the destiny of our nation, the divine calling that God has upon Singapore, and we can do no less than follow where the Spirit of God is leading us. n
PRAY for Kum Yan MC u as it continues to reach out to people of all ages.
The Cantonese Opera Group (颂韵福音粤曲班) at the church’s 20th anniversary celebration on 6 Sep 2014.
Photos courtesy of Kum Yan Methodist Church
MCS 130
Celebrating 130 years of service – and counting
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ubilee! That triggers celebration, liberation, debt cancellation, and much more. The celebration is a culmination of a recollection of the past 50 years of God’s favour and blessings, and an anticipation of more yet to come. The liberation is not just from sin, but from bondage of all sorts. Financial freedom gets a special mention in the Bible. For The Methodist Church in Singapore (MCS), our nation’s Jubilee coincides with our own 130th anniversary. Our theme is ‘Moving Forward in Service’. The MCS from its early beginnings has been involved in service to the various people that were already here and those who came to make this island our home. From founding schools and homes for girls and boys, helping those suffering from opium addiction, and establishing churches that provided ministry and community to immigrants from India, China, and Indonesia, we are inextricable from the nation that we now call Singapore. Jubilee looks to the future too. As we have demonstrated the love of God through the many services that we have rendered to people in the past, we seek to do more of the same. Methodist Welfare Services will launch a programme to help some people we know to ‘Get Out Of Debt’ (‘GOOD’), a theme definitely relevant to our biblical understanding of Jubilee. Aldersgate SG 2015 will be an opportunity to plumb deeper into our Wesleyan roots. The theme this year will be ‘Seeking the Welfare of our City’. It has been said by some that the 17th century revivals (in which the Methodists were in the forefront) prevented England from experiencing a bloody revolution similar to what France endured. Though this claim has been disputed by others, the ministry of John and Charles Wesley nevertheless left a significant imprint in British society. We will have three speakers instead of our regular one to address the welfare of our city from the perspective of their countries: Bishop Emeritus Dr Robert Solomon (whom we
For The Methodist Church in Singapore (MCS), our nation’s Jubilee coincides with our own 130th anniversary. Our theme is ‘Moving Forward in Service’. all know), the Rev Asiri Perera (President-designate of the Methodist Church, Sri Lanka) and Mr Anthony Row (General Conference Secretary of the Methodist Church in Malaysia). We will round up the celebration with a Celebration of Praise and Thanksgiving in November. The above are only events organised at the MCS level. I have heard that local churches as well as Annual Conferences and agencies are planning celebrations at their levels. I invite you to come join in our own Methodist celebrations, even as you participate in other SG50 events organised by other civic organisations. Let our presence as salt and light make Singapore’s Jubilee a joyous celebration of our past as well as a faith-filled anticipation of our hopeful future. Shalom. n
The Rev Dr Wee Boon Hup Bishop The Methodist Church in Singapore
METHODIST MESSAGE • FEB 2015
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MCS 130 C
Pull this out and display it in a prominent place to
For each month, we have included a ‘Methodists in Action’ sugges If all 45,000 Methodists in Singapore lived out these acts of
For more details on MCS 130 eve
JANUARY
FEBRUARY a 22 Feb – MCS 130 launch video a ‘Our Unsung Heroes’ trailer released a Share His Blessings: Visit the lonely, share food and fellowship Notes
MAY
JUNE
a ‘Our Unsung Heroes’ videos 3 and 4 released a 21-23 May – Aldersgate SG 2015 Convention a 24 May – Aldersgate Unity Sunday a Heart 2 Heart: Build relationships with pre-believer friends, relatives, etc
a Who is My Neighbour?: Catch up with neighbours – offer help, spend time, etc Notes
Notes
SEPTEMBER
OCTOBER
a ‘Our Unsung Heroes’ videos 7 and 8 released a Appreciating Teachers: Thank those who taught, mentored or encouraged you
a Source of Encouragement: Speak encouraging words and not harsh words
Notes
Notes
CALENDAR
o remind yourself of these events throughout 2015!
stion – a small action that you can take to bless those around you. f service monthly, what might be the impact on our nation?
ents, please refer to the next page.
MARCH
APRIL
a ‘Our Unsung Heroes’ videos 1 and 2 released a 28 Mar – MethodistWalk 2015 a Sacrificial Acts: Fasting, saving money and donating for others
a Being There: Be present for someone in good and bad times Notes
Notes
JULY
AUGUST
a ‘Our Unsung Heroes’ videos 5 and 6 released a Prayer & Intercession: Pray for our nation, someone in need, or prebelievers
a 15 Aug – Wheels for GOOD fundraising event a Loving Singapore: Do a good deed to 10 strangers Notes
Notes
NOVEMBER
DECEMBER
a ‘Our Unsung Heroes’ videos 9 and 10 released a 28 Nov – Celebration of Praise and Thanksgiving a Show, don’t tell: Teach your children to serve – minister as a family
a Joy to the World: Host a Christmas party for the less privileged
Notes
Notes
MCS 130
What’s happening Launch of MCS 130
Aldersgate SG 2015
Our year-long celebrations of the 130 anniversary of The Methodist Church in Singapore (MCS) will be launched via a video message from our Bishop Dr Wee Boon Hup, screened in most of our 46 local Methodist churches on 22 Feb 2015. th
‘Methodists in Action’ What would be the impact on our nation if all 45,000 of our Methodists were to live out a small act of service to the community every month? Pull out the centre spread calendar in this issue and display it in a prominent place to remind you of each month’s ‘Methodists in Action’ suggestion. Reminders will also be disseminated to the local churches and through our monthly Methodist Message (MM). Let’s act together and ‘Move Forward In Service’! ‘Our Unsung Heroes’ video project In August 2014, a general call was sent out to uncover the ‘unsung heroes’ in the Methodist community in Singapore – people who serve quietly, faithfully and without any expectation of reward or recognition. A total of 71 nominations were received, and out of these, 10 were selected for a special video series titled ‘Our Unsung Heroes’, to encourage all Methodists to step out and serve with their unique gifts and opportunities. The trailer for this video project will be released on 22 Feb 2015, and subsequently we will release two short video clips at a time in March, May, July, September and November. Look out for these clips being screened in your local churches and online! MethodistWalk 2015
The Aldersgate SG 2015 Convention will have special speakers from Singapore, Sri Lanka and Malaysia giving their respective countries’ perspective and experiences of ‘Seeking the Welfare of Our City’, which is this year’s Aldersgate SG theme. The lectures will be held at Faith Methodist Church at 7.45 p.m. on 21 and 22 May, and 2.30 p.m. on 23 May, immediately followed by a panel discussion with the three special speakers. Instead of the usual Aldersgate Service held in one venue, this year the Service will be decentralised to 46 local Methodist churches, which will screen a videotaped sermon by Bishop Dr Wee at their Sunday services on 24 May 2015. A speciallydesigned bulletin cover will also be distributed to the churches for their use on this Aldersgate Unity Sunday. Next month’s issue of MM will carry more details about Aldersgate SG 2015, and posters and flyers will be distributed soon. ‘Getting Out Of Debt’ – ‘GOOD’ In line with the biblical basis of Jubilee, Methodist Welfare Services (MWS) aims to help 850 families clear an average of $2,000 of chronic debt. Donate to help raise $1.7 million for this cause, and sign up to be a ‘GOOD’ advocate in your local church. MWS will be holding a big “carnival on wheels” with the Wheels for GOOD fundraising event on 15 Aug 2015, where participants will be encouraged to use wheels of all sorts: strollers, bicycles, roller-skates, wheelchairs, etc. For more information and to donate, visit www.mws.org.sg Celebration of Praise and Thanksgiving
The 7th MethodistWalk organised by the Methodist Schools’ Foundation (MSF) will be held on 28 Mar 2015, 8-10.30 a.m. at Anglo-Chinese School (Independent). Through this year’s event, the MSF aims to raise $1.5 million to support our Methodist schools in their upgrading, building, purchase of teaching aids, and other programme needs. The MethodistWalk 2015 will culminate in a big ‘Picnic on the Turf ’ with snacks, refreshments, and entertainment. The MSF hopes for at least 1,200 participants from our Methodist churches, in addition to the students participating from Methodist schools. Sign up for the MethodistWalk 2015 with your local church today!
The yearly Aldersgate Praise Festival organised by the Methodist School of Music has been moved to the end of the year in 2015 to give praise and thanks to God for 130 years of His blessing and guidance, and to simultaneously thank all who have generously contributed their time, effort and finances to serving the Singapore community through our MCS 130 events. Come join us at the Celebration of Praise and Thanksgiving on 28 Nov 2015 at Paya Lebar Methodist Church! n Further updates about MCS 130 will be featured at www. methodist.org.sg and in upcoming issues of MM.
MISSIONS
1st Phnom Penh BB Company comes of age Benjamin Lee currently serves as the Principal of Methodist School of Cambodia. He is in Cambodia with his wife and four children. They worship at their home church at Covenant Evangelical Free Church (Woodlands) in Singapore.
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he 1st Phnom Penh Company of The Boys’ Brigade (BB) in Cambodia came of age on 30 Nov 2014, when they were presented with the State and Company Colours (flags) and put on their BB uniforms. This milestone was reached through the work of faithful volunteers from Cambodia and Singapore, including many Methodists. The BB movement in Cambodia started in 2003 with the BB Learning Centre (BBLC) in Puok Commune in Siem Reap, Cambodia, an initiative from The Boys’ Brigade in Singapore to provide youth development. It was from this learning centre that the idea was mooted of establishing the first BB Company in the Methodist School of Cambodia (MSC), Phnom Penh. An ex-principal of MSC decided to bring the movement to the school. He started the 1st Company in 2010 together with five volunteer teachers. After the initial few weeks, assistance was provided through the efforts of Mr Chou Fang Soong, Chairman of the Methodist Missions Society and at that time the Local Church Executive Committee Chairman of Bedok Methodist Church, who gathered the necessary expertise to assist in the planning and running of BB activities at MSC. Several key persons were also
involved in the setting up of the 1st BB Company in Phnom Penh, including The Boys’ Brigade HQ in Singapore. The impetus of establishing a BB Company in MSC is to complement the quality education provided by the school with a meaningful opportunity to develop the students’ leadership and team skills in a spiritual environment, in line with the object of The Boys’ Brigade, which is “The advancement of Christ’s kingdom among Boys and the promotion of habits of Obedience, Reverence, Discipline, Self-respect and all that tends towards a true Christian manliness.” The motto of The Boys’ Brigade is “Sure & Stedfast”, taken from Hebrews 6:19 (KJV), “Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast”. Since the first official enrolment service in June 2010, the 1st Phnom Penh Company has been running every week on Saturdays with help from youth volunteers of the Community Outreach Services Youth hostel. Through these four years of running the programme, it has seen many boys being groomed and challenged. This is a great opportunity to share the gospel and some have come to Christ through this ministry. In line with developing leaders for the future, courses were also conducted to train potential officers to lead in the Company. Over the last four years, many boys have benefitted from the work put in by volunteers from Singapore who have assisted in the administration, logistics and training programmes.
The 1st Phnom Penh Company has much gratitude for the pioneer volunteers from Singapore who have been a source of encouragement and inspiration to the Company. With their continued support and participation, we look forward to the coming years, to groom and develop our boys to become leaders with sound character and a strong foundation in Christian manliness to achieve the object of the BB. n
PRAY for the 1st Phnom Penh Company that: u The boys will have an encounter with God whenever they participate in BB activities. u The boys will grow to be men of God. u God will raise up leaders from within the BB. u The officers and teachers involved will see the urgency to disciple the boys. u God will bring in more people to help in the BB in Cambodia. Photos courtesy of Methodist Missions Society
METHODIST MESSAGE • FEB 2015
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HYMNS & SONGS
The song of Simeon Judith Mosomos is Acting Director of Worship and Church Music at the Methodist School of Music, and a member of Kampong Kapor Methodist Church.
My Master, See, the Time Has Come (UMH 226) My Master, see the time has come to give your servant leave to go in peace, long waited for, your promise now fulfilled. For I have seen salvation, Lord. Now may the whole world see that light which is your Israel’s boast enlightening every land. Words: Luke 2:29-32 Music: Wyeth’s Repository of Sacred Music, Part Second, 1813
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ho was this man, Simeon? What is his song about and why should we sing it? Simeon was a righteous and devout servant of the Lord who lived at the time when Jesus was born. He was eagerly waiting for the coming of the Messiah to rescue Israel. It was revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die until he saw the Messiah (Luke 2:25-26). It was customary for the Jews to present their firstborn male child in the temple and offer a sacrifice. This is in accordance with the law as instructed in Leviticus 12:2-8. Being dutiful parents, Mary and Joseph went to the temple, presented Jesus to the Lord and offered a sacrifice. Prompted by the Holy Spirit, Simeon went to the temple. There he saw Joseph, Mary and Jesus. He took baby Jesus in his arms and sang… “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.” (Luke 2:28-32) Simeon proclaimed he was ready to go. At last the promise made by the Spirit is fulfilled not only for Simeon but for the nation. It was a long wait for the Jews.
In the Church Calendar, 2 Feb, the 40th day of the nativity, commemorates the presentation of Jesus in the temple.1 In the liturgical tradition, this hymn is sung in the evening as part of the evening prayer. It is a sung prayer for peace as worshippers seek to rest for the night. While we do not observe this day or the practice of evening prayer, consider having this hymn as a sending-off hymn. In the words of Emily Brink, “When we sing it at the end of a worship service, we are singing about the salvation we have seen revealed in Word and Sacrament during that service. When we receive the grace of God, we can depart from our liturgical worship in peace to take up our lives of daily worship. In these few lines, we look back in gratitude to a promise fulfilled and look forward in peace and serenity to whatever future holds. This moment of singing unites us with the promises of God past, present, and future.”2 There are many settings of this song. You can find different settings in various hymnals. For choirs who want a more challenging composition of this text, you may explore www.sheetmusicplus, www. morningstarmusic.com or www. hymnary.org n Background picture by STILLFX/ Bigstock.com
aurence Hull Stookey. Calendar: Christ’s Time for the Church (Nashville: L Abingdon Press, 1996), 118-119. 2 Emily Brink, “Hymn Interpretation ‘Song of Simeon’.” The Hymn Vol.55, No.4 (2004): 40-41. 1
METHODIST MESSAGE • FEB 2015
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SOUNDINGS
Social egg freezing Dr Roland Chia is Chew Hock Hin Professor of Christian Doctrine at Trinity Theological College. He is also the Theological and Research Advisor of ETHOS Institute for Public Christianity (http://ethosinstitute.sg). He worships at the Fairfield Preaching Point in Woodlands.
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n October 2014, Apple and Facebook made the headlines by announcing that they would pay the expenses of women employees who wished to freeze their eggs. This unprecedented move has revived debate on the ethical issues surrounding this particular use of assisted reproductive technology, as well as its possible social ramifications and consequences. Mature oocyte cryopreservation or vitrification (egg freezing) is a technique that has been used for the past decade to preserve the reproductive potential of women. In many countries, including Singapore, this technique is used only for medical reasons. For example, it is used on young women undergoing cancer treatment so that they may have a chance to start a family after their recovery. The procedure is risky. The fertility medication prescribed to the woman in order to procure enough eggs for freezing can produce nasty side effects like Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS). In extreme cases, this condition can cause kidney failure, blood clots and even death. Although the procedure is risky and the success rate unpredictable, the medical use of this technique raises fewer ethical concerns as long as strict protocols and guidelines are in place and observed. However, in recent years, a worrying trend is emerging in the West where women take advantage of this technology to delay childbearing so that they may advance their careers. Others see elective egg freezing as a form of self-determination, an exercise of their right to decide when to have children. Still others argue in favour of social egg freezing on grounds
that such a policy would narrow the inequalities among women with respect to their reproductive decisions. Social egg freezing is also attractive for countries with low or declining total fertility rates (TFR), like Singapore. In 2010, births per female in Singapore dropped to an alltime low of 1.15. Fertility of women under 30 years also fell significantly, while that of women above 30 rose slightly, suggesting that women are delaying childbearing. Many commentators, however, have warned that social egg freezing should not be seen as a panacea that guarantees women the opportunities to have a family later in life because current success rate is dismal. But even if the technique is perfected, serious ethical issues remain. Among the many issues raised by Christian ethicists in relation to social egg freezing is the use of assisted reproductive technology for nonmedical reasons. Generally speaking, performing risky medical procedures on healthy people is always ethically problematic. The retrieval and freezing of the eggs of healthy and fertile women is a highly questionable practice from the standpoint of Christian ethics. But social egg freezing also raises broader issues such as the medicalisation and commercialisation of women’s bodies. The business side of this trend has also caused ethicists to worry about what has been described as the expanding “consumerist imperialism in medicine”. This may
result in the diversion of talents and energies from the strictly ‘medical’ aspects to the more lucrative ‘consumerist’ interests. Finally, the attraction to social egg freezing may be symptomatic of certain cultural sensibilities and attitudes that would in fact compromise social flourishing. As some commentators have rightly pointed out, beneath the apparently noble rhetoric that heroically champions the autonomy and rights of the contemporary woman, elective egg freezing can be said to be motivated by the woman’s desire to put her interests above those of her children. By choosing to have children in their 40s and 50s using this technique, women are not giving their children the healthiest and best start in life. In addition, these children are destined to bear the heavy responsibility of taking care of their geriatric parents when they themselves are just starting their careers and families. The disturbing social ramifications of the distorted priorities that undergird this trend simply cannot be ignored. Thus, to allow social egg freezing is not simply to endorse the use of a reproductive technology. It is to sanction a mindset, a way of envisioning ourselves in relation to others, especially our children. As the National Council of Churches of Singapore notes in its January 2013 statement on social egg freezing: “Allowing elective egg freezing will be perceived as signalling our acquiescence to the very trends that should be subjected to serious critique, resisted and challenged.” n
“Soundings” is a series of essays that, like the waves of a sonogram, explore issues in society, culture and the church in light of the Gospel and Christian understanding. Picture by ktsdesign/Bigstock.com METHODIST MESSAGE • FEB 2015
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UNITY IN SPIRIT – LCCS
Restoring Relationships, Pre Connecting Communities Ms Kek Seow Ling is Clinical Director at Lutheran Community Care Services.
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utheran Community Care Services Ltd (LCCS) was established in 2002 to serve families, children and youths-at-risk of dropping out of school. It is a strong advocate for the use of restorative practices in its programme design and interventions. LCCS is an affiliated partner of the International Institute for Restorative Practices (IIRP) to provide RP training. RP reflects God’s heartbeat for reconciliation through the redemptive act of our Lord Jesus Christ. With this sacrificial act, we received the forgiveness of sins and holistic healing for emotional and spiritual restoration. Through faith in Christ, we are God’s new creation, living victorious lives without condemnation. This propels LCCS to spread the message of forgiveness and healing to empower the community to lead fulfilling lives. Unforgiveness breeds bitterness, resulting in anger issues, self-condemnation, self-harm behaviours, and broken relationships. Forgiveness effects healing, restoration and wholeness. In RP, the focus is on restoring relationships through listening to everyone’s perspectives in a non-judging manner, fostering empathy, instilling responsibility and accountability. The stories below attest to the favourable outcomes of RP: A Primary School girl felt embroiled in her parents’ conflict. The LCCS Caseworker arranged for a restorative circle for the family to enable the girl to voice her struggles to cope with her parents’ divorce. After the circle, the child felt relieved that she was not responsible for the divorce. Her parents made plans on the provision of love and support for her. Consequently, she experienced healing through restoration of her well-being and progressed in her studies. A Secondary School student with special needs felt humiliated as he was bullied by his classmate and his parents were upset. The LCCS Caseworkers convened a restorative circle involving the victim and the offender, their parents, siblings, peers and teachers to resolve the issue. They took turns to talk about their perspectives of the bullying and how they were affected. To make
LCCS staff at a recent staff gathering.
things right, the offender apologised to the victim and declared that he would look out for him in school. The parents of both parties felt relieved and established a relationship. The offender’s parent gave the victim a hug and the circle ended with a friendly picture of the boys. The boys became friends. LCCS believes that all children are blessings from God and should receive love, care and protection. As an agency accredited by the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF), our Adoption Service focuses on the child’s best interest through playing the key role of ensuring that prospective adoptive parents are ready and suitable to adopt a child through preadoption briefings, home study assessments and adoption disclosure counselling. We equip them with the knowledge of restorative parenting style for their parenting journey. It is important that the child feels secure
Methodist Message seeks to raise awareness of the spectrum of needs, healthcare and social welfare services that are available in Singapore run by various Christian faith-based organisations. In this issue, we feature the Lutheran Community Care Services.
q Participants at LCCS’ Restorative Practice Conference 2014.
Photos courtesy of Lutheran Community Care Services
eserving Families and u Teenagers taking part in a connectivity activity for relationship building.
(Ephesians 1:7; 2 Cor 5:17) through reconciliation with his or her past and building positive attachment with his or her forever (adoptive) parents. Adoption provides the opportunity for the child to live life anew, a life of optimism and hope that the child may not experience in his or her family of origin in view of their unfavourable circumstances. We Christians have experienced God’s love and mercy and are able to live abundant lives and have a future hope. Through RP, LCCS translates the love of God to His creation that none feels condemned; the community be given the opportunity to make things right and restore relationships. Despite these good works not being adequately funded, LCCS has been consistently advocating and advancing the cause of RP in the schools and community because of our biblical conviction. LCCS has witnessed the impact of RP in achieving significant breakthrough in our work with children, youth, couples and families. We beseech the Christian community to help us to advance our good work and to make a positive impact on the lives of God’s creation through restoring and building relationships so that individuals, couples and families can lead victorious lives. n
LCCS conducts holiday programmes for schools.
For further enquiries on our work, please email us at admin@lccs.org.sg or contact us at 6441-3906. *LCCS is an IPC Charity, all donations are entitled to 2.5 times tax deductible relief. Cheques are payable to “Lutheran Community Care Services Ltd”. Address: 450 Macpherson Road Singapore 368170. Alternatively, you may donate to us via the SG Gives donation portal (www.sggives.org).
CCIS 2014
Bishop: Take the true meaning of Christmas with you Grace Toh is the Assistant Editor of Methodist Message and has been a member of Kampong Kapor Methodist Church for most of her life.
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oday is only the first day of Christmas,” said Bishop Dr Wee Boon Hup, referring to the Christmas season. “Take the true meaning of Christmas with you for the rest of the season.” The Bishop was thanking the audience on behalf of the Celebrate Christmas in Singapore (CCIS) 2014 organisers, at the CCIS concert held 25 Dec 2014 along a closed-off section of Orchard Road between Paragon
and Ngee Ann City. He was doing so in his capacity as Bishop of The Methodist Church in Singapore, and Chairperson of the National Council of Churches of Singapore. He had earlier thanked Ms Denise Phua, a Member of Parliament for Moulmein-Kallang GRC and Mayor of the Central Singapore District, for gracing the occasion as Guest of Honour. In her opening remarks at the concert, Ms Phua had noted that the yearly CCIS was a “Christmas party for everybody”, and that Christmas holds a special and deep meaning for Christians, as it emphasises love, especially unconditional love. She said, “May we learn to love beyond just ourselves and our families… to not just point out what’s wrong, but take action to help others.” She also expressed her hope “that we can all learn to love our neighbours as ourselves, unconditionally.”
Artistes from various countries had been performing outside Wisma Atria and Tong Building since 18 Dec 2014. They came from Brazil, Indonesia, Korea, the Philippines, Sri Lanka and the USA. Local artistes and groups included groups from five local Methodist churches: Ang Mo Kio Tamil, Barker Road, Hakka, Telok Ayer Chinese and Telugu. Noted Bishop Dr Wee to the audience, “I pray that you have been touched by the performances and presentations… take what has touched you to share with others wherever you go, and be a blessing to all those around you.” n
Photo by Peter Lim METHODIST MESSAGE • FEB 2015
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POEMS
Renewal Of The Mind I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. Romans 12:1-2 Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus‌ Philippians 2:4-5
Leong Kwok Thye is a member of Kampong Kapor Methodist Church.
Lord, help us by Your mercies, To present our living bodies, A holy and acceptable sacrifice, As our reasonable service. Grant us a renewed mind To leave our worldly ways behind; And accept, prove and fulfill Your good and perfect will. In a world of self and greed, That ignores those in need; Teach us to think as Jesus thinks; To love people and not things. Make us channels of blessing To those who are lost and suffering; That as our selfishness cease, We may have Your perfect peace.
Background picture by paul prescott/Bigstock.com
February ATTENDING BRMC’S MANDARIN EVANGELISTIC WORSHIP SERVICE
11 Feb (Wednesday), 7.30 p.m.
Barker Road Methodist Church, 48 Barker Road, Level 4 Sanctuary Bring your pre-believing friends or family to listen to the renowned Taiwan Aborigine Choir praise and testify to God with their voices. Also known as the Christian Mountain Children’s Home Choir, they have performed all over the world, including Norway and North America. Organised by Barker Road Methodist Church. For more info, visit www.brmc.org.sg
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SIGNING UP FOR ‘NAVIGATING YOUR FINANCES GOD’S WAY’ COURSE
25 Feb – 29 Apr (Wednesdays), 7.30 p.m. – 9.15 p.m. 7 Armenian Street, Bible House, Level 4, Seminar Room 1 & 2
Learn God’s perspective of managing money and possessions in this small group study catered to people of all ages, economic levels and cultural backgrounds. There will also be a Trainer Workshop on Saturday, 9 May 2015 (9 a.m. to 5p.m.) which is only opened to registrants for ‘Navigating Your Finances God’s Way’, who are interested in becoming trainers. Organised by Sower Institute for Biblical Discipleship with Compass - finances God’s Way. Register by 20 Feb, Fees: $100 (Trainer Workshop), $120 (Navigating Your Finances God’s Way). For more info, visit www.bible.org.sg/compass, email sowerinstitute@bible.org.sg or call Yoong Kwek Chau at 6304-3761.
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REGISTERING FOR ‘A NATIONAL SPOTLIGHT ON THE CHRISTIAN CHILDREN MINISTRY’
12 – 13 Mar (Thursday – Friday); 13 Mar, 7 p.m. – 9 p.m. (Talk) Changi Village Hotel (for Retreat), 1 Netheravon Rd; St Andrew’s Cathedral, 11 St. Andrew’s Road (For Talk) Pastors and heads of children ministries, Sunday school superintendents and children ministry workers can attend a special Retreat for Children Ministry Leaders with two closed-door sessions with guest speakers Mark Griffiths and Bill Wilson. All participants will receive a copy of Mark Griffiths’ book One Generation from Extinction. A free talk on ‘Children Faith Formation’ will be open to the public on 13 Mar. Jointly organised by Scripture Union, Child Evangelism Fellowship and Singapore Centre for Global Missions. Register by 28 Feb. Fee: $350 (Single), $250 per person (Twin), register by 22 Feb; $380 (Single), $280 (Twin), after 22 Feb. For more info, visit www.scgm.org.sg, email admin@scgm.org.sg or call 6339-8950.
MAR
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METHODIST MESSAGE • FEB 2015
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THINK
The message of sexual wholeness Ben KC Lee is married to Dinah and they are parents to a pair of 18-year-old twins. Ben started out as an accountant and is now a bi-vocational minister. He has served as church planter and pastor for over 20 years. Ben currently serves as Head of Sexual Wholeness with Focus on the Family.
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any of us are familiar with the Second, the man alone is incomplete. teaching of sexual purity God says that this is “not good”. and the emphasis Thus begins the quest to satisfy on external rules. God this God-instilled hunger for who created sex can wholeness. When Adam become the God who met Eve, he exclaims, says “Don’t”. In such “At last, I am whole! teaching, there is She is the complement an emphasis on the of myself!” Sexual sexual ethic, often at wholeness is a vision the expense of the of sexual relationships value of relationships. governed by a lifelong A spouse may have covenant where we find never cheated, not even our greatest freedom and emotionally, but can relate joy. It is the delightful, blissmechanically instead of filled peace that comes from lovingly. being sexually complete. Such teaching also gives the Wholeness speaks to a state idea that good Christians ‘don’t’ of being complete with nothing until the wedding night, when all missing, broken, fragmented; all Sexual wholeness is also of a sudden those good Christians things together and functioning as should. But sexuality isn’t an onthey were designed; all the pieces sexual integrity. The Latin root off switch. in their place; all parts working of the word “integrity” means Maintaining sexual purity at 100 per cent. We were created “soundness” and “wholeness”. by God to create; to contribute; goes beyond moralism. Singles must rise above “What can I get and to be whole. To be whole, we Sexual integrity is expressing away with and still be a virgin?” must be willing to address areas Instead, we must ask, “What sexuality throughout life in a true, in our life that need attention, and must I do to become what I was excellent, honest and pure way. change what must be changed to intended to be?” For this reason, see growth and health. it’s helpful to understand the Third, sexual wholeness is also message of sexual wholeness. sexual integrity. The Latin root of the word “integrity” means Genesis 2 speaks of a twofold meaning of sexual “soundness” and “wholeness”. Sexual integrity is expressing wholeness. First, Genesis 2:7 articulates a holistic sexuality throughout life in a true, excellent, honest and pure way. view of man. The human being is a sexual being This is thinking and behaving sexually in ways that honour and and his or her sexuality is manifested in every are fully integrated with our best and healthiest core values. This aspect of human existence. For instance, a celibate is living out our sexuality in God-respecting, self-respecting, and single lady is sexual. She thinks like a woman, prays others-respecting ways. as a woman, reacts as a woman and commits as a God’s purpose is for His children to be sexually whole. His woman. To be human is to live as a sexual person. idea is for this process to begin the day the child is born to Wholeness is about the whole person – spirit, whole and empowered parents. These Word-based and Spiritsoul, body and social; living in a healthy and led parents are active role models and discerning mentors. They positive way. When God created humankind, God model and teach a complete theology based on God’s design declared it to be very good. Health is the ultimate for sexuality. Such children grow into sexually whole adults design of God. Health in its fullest and most who marry into a covenant filled with the delights of intimate complete sense is wholeness. Scripture expresses communion. this with the word shalom. This encompasses Our challenge is to embody, teach and uphold God’s vision of every aspect of health whether physical, emotional sexual wholeness. n or spiritual, both for the individual and of the Picture by Friday/Bigstock.com community.