Methodist Message: Feb 2025

Page 1


Editorial Board

Adviser and Publisher

Dr Anthony Goh

Chairperson, Council on Communications

Communications Manager

Lynn Tan

Managing Editor

Alvin Tay

Editor

Lianne Ong

Communications Executive

Kathrynn Koh

Sub-editors

Lucy Cheng

Janice Khoo

Tan Chiu Ai

Elliot Soh

Proofreaders

Kenneth Lee

Christabel Tan

Methodist Message is 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 English Standard Version unless otherwise stated.

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CONTENTS

/ Bishop’s Message /

/ News /

3 MCS 140th Anniversary celebrations

6 Rev Ho Chee Sin, a three-term Bishop, conferred the title of Bishop Emeritus

/ Feature /

7 What the GC WSCS women are made of: Sugar and spice, and everything nice?

11 World Vision Singapore: A commitment to support learning needs of children in out-of-home care

/ Opinion /

13 Soundings: Whatever happened to sin?

/ Outreach /

16 Where are we going in global missions?

19 "I marvel at how God creates such beautiful souls who endure excruciating pain without letting resentment take hold"

/ Relationships /

22 You & Your Family: When honouring one parent upsets the other 25 At The Well

/ Worship /

30 Saying sorry to God

/ People /

33 Songwriting for the soul's sojourn

ON THE COVER

Cover art features Methodist pioneers and historically significant Methodist buildings in Singapore. Illustrated by Minnow's Mum.

The pursuit of scriptural holiness

Bishop Philip Lim was elected Bishop of The Methodist Church in Singapore in 2024. Previously, he served as a missionary in Cambodia under the Methodist Missions Society (MMS), and as Executive Director of MMS from 2012 to 2018.

Scriptural holiness is a teaching prevalent among Methodist churches. John Wesley believed that the unique design of Methodist preachers (and by extension, all Methodists), is "to reform the nation, and in particular the Church, to spread scriptural holiness over the land".1

To pursue scriptural holiness is to live our lives according to Scripture; to continually be purified and consecrated by the reading of Scripture. It is not an easy call to take up. As disciples of Christ, we must "deny [ourselves] and take up [our] cross and follow [him]" (Matthew 16:24).

1 Peter 1:16 (NIV) encourages us in this pursuit of holiness: "Be holy, because I am holy." Holiness has already been set in our hearts. As we are made in the image of God, it is an intrinsic desire.

To this end, we need to first know the standard of holiness that we have been called to. That standard can only be found in the one true God, and we learn it through reading Scripture. There is simply no other standard we can follow, not anything set

by man or in this world. To do so would be to fall short of what God has called us to be. And as Jesus is the way, the truth and the life, the only way we can reach that standard is through his grace and sacrifice.

Hebrews 10:24-25 encourages us to pursue holiness together, "And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near."

The journey to scriptural holiness is easier to walk when we are in a community of believers. As one of the tenets of scriptural holiness is love for the Church, we are, in turn, called to be a loving and safe community for our fellow brothers and sisters in our own pursuit of scriptural holiness.

So, in our pursuit of scriptural holiness, we should first read the Scripture to know the Way of Holiness, and then cover ourselves in the blood of the Lamb to walk the Way of Holiness, together.

1 John Wesley, 'Minutes of the Conference of June 28, 1763', The Works of John Wesley, vol. 10, ed. Henry D. Rack, (Nashville: Abingdon Press, 2011), p. 845.

The MCS 140 logo commemorates 140 years of Methodism in Singapore.

• The three windows represent the light that shines from our three Annual Conferences as we worship our Triune God.

The cross above all symbolises that Christ is above all.

• The line before The Methodist Church in Singapore signifies our progress in the past 140 years.

The Red symbolises the fire of the Holy Spirit.

• The Blue represents the royal priesthood of believers.

Bishop James M Thoburn
Sophia Blackmore

MCS kicks off 140th Anniversary celebrations this month

The Methodist Church in Singapore (MCS) will be celebrating its 140th Anniversary this year with several events and initiatives. "MCS 140" will be launched on 16 February 2025 as part of Wesley Methodist Church's Anniversary Service. Bishop Philip Lim sent out an official letter to the Methodist community to announce the special events and initiatives in the year, highlighting Methodist Welfare Services' lead in this endeavour. More information about these activities and others that are in the pipeline will be shared in due course. We reproduce Bishop's letter in full on page 5.

Tamil Methodist Church, Short Street
Former Methodist Headquarters, 23B Coleman Street
Telok Ayer Chinese Methodist Church Wesley Methodist Church
Methodist Episcopal Church on Coleman Street, the first Methodist church in Singapore

7 January 2025

Dear Pastors and Leaders, Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

As we begin a new year, I am filled with gratitude as we celebrate 140 years of Methodism in Singapore, in conjunction with our nation's 60th Anniversary of independence. As we reflect on God's faithfulness to The Methodist Church in Singapore (MCS), let us remember how our Church was built. Our founders established MCS because they loved God and loved the community around them, in accordance with Jesus' command to "Love God by loving our neighbour" (Mark 12:28-34). This commandment will continue to be our theme for the new quadrennium, with a focus on loving God as the basis of scriptural holiness.

We will officially launch MCS 140 on 16 February 2025 as part of an Anniversary Service at Wesley Methodist Church, and I encourage all Methodists to come together that day to celebrate the occasion.

This year, MCS will also continue to do our part to serve and build our nation through our social concerns arm, Methodist Welfare Services (MWS). We want to rally Methodist church members to contribute 1.4 million hours (about 35 hours a person) to serve the community in any area of social concern in 2025 and beyond. These hours are not limited to MWS centres and local church programmes. MWS will create a digital platform for pledging hours and use Artificial Intelligence to match volunteer opportunities to interests and preferences. Ultimately, this will be a platform for Methodists to come together with friends and family to do good for those in need.

In addition, we aim to raise $1.4 million to bless 1,000 families and individuals, especially distressed families, the chronically sick and homeless, disadvantaged children and youth including those with special needs. As part of fund-raising efforts, we will present "The Healing Nation" Christian Concert on 1 November 2025 at Star Performing Arts Centre, showcasing collaborations between our churches, agencies, schools, beneficiaries and Christian artistes. This concert will be another occasion to commemorate MCS 140 as we come together for a time of worship and celebration.

We will share details of all these events in due course.

I seek your support to rally your church and community as we come together to do good in this significant year for MCS and Singapore. May we demonstrate our love for God by loving our neighbours, just as our founders did 140 years ago.

Together in Christ,

Lianne Ong is the Editor of Methodist Message / Photo courtesy of Kampong Kapor Methodist Church

Rev Ho Chee Sin, a three-term Bishop, conferred the title of Bishop Emeritus

At the 13th Session of the General Conference that took place on 5 December 2024, delegates voted unanimously to confer the title of Bishop Emeritus on Rev Ho Chee Sin.

Rev Ho Chee Sin, a retired Methodist pastor, served as Bishop for three terms from 1984 to 1996. During his first two terms, he concurrently served as President of the Trinity Annual Conference.

Prior to the 13th Session of the General Conference, the title of Bishop Emeritus was conferred on former Bishops only at the end of their Episcopal term if they were retiring, as stipulated by the Book of Discipline (BOD). When Rev Ho ended his term as Bishop in 1996, he chose not to retire but remain in active service. The General Conference at that time recorded a note of thanks but could not confer the title of Bishop Emeritus then. It also could not confer the title later, according to the provisions of the BOD.

Rev Ho Chee Sin during the Watchnight Service in 2023 at Kampong Kapor Methodist Church

During the September 2024 session of the 13th General Conference, delegates had approved a petition for the amendment of ¶575 in the Book of Discipline to allow the conferring of the title "Bishop Emeritus" on a Bishop who had completed the Episcopal term and retired later, by action of the General Conference. The house subsequently voted on whether to confer the title on Rev Ho Chee Sin.

Then-Bishop Dr Gordon Wong said in his letter to Rev Ho on the conferment of the title, "We trust that this belated recognition of your steadfast service over three terms from 1984 to 1996 will be as satisfying to you as it has been a joy to us."

Rev Ho, who is 89, is attached to Kampong Kapor Methodist Church and continues to worship there with his wife, Phaik Cheng.

This article was first published on the Methodist Message website on 6 January 2025.

Kathrynn Koh is the Communications Executive

IWSCS and Kathrynn Koh

Communications Department and is a member of Wesley Methodist Church. / Photos courtesy of

What the GC WSCS women are made of: Sugar and spice, and everything nice?

had mixed feelings, of anticipation and slight apprehension, when I was assigned to cover the General Conference Women's Society of Christian Service (GC WSCS) 13th Session Quadrennial General Meeting (QGM) held at the Double Tree Hilton in Johor Bahru from 30 November to 2 December 2024. I had always been a little intimidated by the WSCS women in our churches. These larger-than-life women who seem to flawlessly manage work, family and ministry were gathered to fellowship, review the work in the past quadrennium and elect office holders at the General Conference level for the 2024–2028 term.

Aside from the GC WSCS delegates, observers from some local chapters were present, bringing the total to 82 in attendance at this meeting. Other QGM guests included two representatives from the East Asia Area of the World Federation of Methodist and Uniting Church Women, Mrs Mary Devadason, President, and Mrs Margaret Chan, Secretary, as well as Ms Evelyn Sim, Malaysia's General Conference Methodist Women (GCMW) President.

The WSCS is affiliated to the World Federation of Methodist and Uniting Church Women (WFMUCW) and Singapore belongs to the East Asia Area (EAA). In Singapore, the origins of the WSCS date back to the middle of the 19th century when women missionaries were sent by the Methodist Church in the USA to start schools and develop education for girls and women in Asia. It was only in 1968, when a woman delegate was elected to each Annual Conference, and the Book of Discipline was amended to include the WSCS President of each Conference as a member of the General Conference Executive Council, that the present WSCS structure took shape.

The GC WSCS comprises the Chinese Annual Conference (CAC) WSCS, Emmanuel Tamil Annual Conference (ETAC) WSCS and Trinity Annual Conference (TRAC) WSCS and provides a platform for women to be equipped in the areas of leadership and servanthood for the general ministry of the Church. The four main pillars of the WSCS Ministries are centred on Discipleship & Nurture, Missions, Outreach & Social Concerns and Witness & Evangelism. There are currently 38 local WSCS chapters across the Methodist churches in Singapore. The purpose of the WSCS is "To Know Christ and to Make Him Known".

The invited speaker, then-Bishop (now Bishop Emeritus) Dr Gordon Wong wove his daily sharing around the theme for the new quadrennium: Changing Times, Unchanging Peace. He exhorted those present to exhibit God's peace within themselves, their families and the body of Christ, despite the suffering we may have to endure. In so doing, we fulfil God's call to be peacemakers whose security is built on him. This was even more relevant considering the current state of the world where wars, natural calamities, violence and unrest plague many nations and peoples.

Some may think of this as another boring church event, but I beg to differ. In reality, the energy and enthusiasm of these sisters-in-Christ opened my eyes to their devotion and ministry. Their reports for each Annual Conference covered a range of activities including the new chapter established at Living Hope Methodist Church in September 2024, responses to financial appeals on WSCS Sundays and Call to Prayer and Self-Denial Week, ongoing leadership development, missions and outreach efforts among others, all of which were glowing testaments to the prayers and efforts of these faithful women. Ms Sim, who is serving her second term as President of GCMW, was impressed by the various collaborations undertaken by the Singapore team. Despite Malaysia being

geographically larger and more diversified, she was inspired to leverage the influence of this sisterhood and hopes to be able to collaborate with the GC WSCS of The Methodist Church in Singapore in future.

From the listed agenda items of electing new leaders to worship and listening to the devotional messages, the women were disciplined, wise and mindful of their work in the Lord. Yet, when it came to mealtimes and fellowship, they were able to fully enjoy the company of friends and ministry coworkers amidst the convivial atmosphere.

In the closing activities of each day— the Fellowship Night and the Ministry Night—the light from the worshippers' countenances shone through the praises, as much as the deep sharing of ministry milestones and challenges inspired and encouraged. As the outgoing President, Dr (Mrs) Teo Li Bee remarked, "My journey in WSCS has been a fulfilling one … all the ladies have shaped me as much as God has transformed and refined me." 2024 marked her 50th year with the WSCS and Dr (Mrs) Teo, who served her full term of two quadrennia, was succeeded by Mrs Gnanamany Philip.

In some, the fire of servitude was rekindled. In others, like myself, it sparked a deeper appreciation of how

(far left)
Some of the ladies dressed in their international costumes on Fellowship Night (left)
Naomi James worships at Tamil Methodist Church (Short Street) and serves as VicePresident of their Methodist Youth Fellowship

this sisterhood needs the support of its local church to continue its good work. Ms Naomi James, who volunteered at the QGM as an assistant secretary, is in her early 20s and was among the youngest attendees. "I learnt that many ladies had been serving in the WSCS since the time they were around my age. As they recollected and shared about their early years in the WSCS, their passion and excitement were very evident. It made my short conversations with them very memorable as I admired their joy for serving," she shared. Ms James was a WSCS-sponsored attendee at this year's Asian Young Women's Leadership Development Program (AYWLDP) held in Cambodia. "If the WSCS could partner with the Methodist Youth Fellowship (or equivalent in churches), it would create more opportunities for young girls to learn and experience what it would be like to be a part of WSCS in the future, and could possibly encourage young women to join the WSCS as they transition into young adults," she added.

As another long-time WSCS member said as we closed the QGM and were preparing to return to Singapore, "This ministry exists because as women, we do share, pray and fellowship in a different way when we are among just women." And I'd have to agree with the nursery rhyme—girls or women, we are sugar and spice, and everything nice.

Dr (Mrs) Teo Li Bee

Immediate past President, GC WSCS (2016 – 2024)

Dr (Mrs) Teo started serving in the WSCS in 1974 and 2024 marked her jubilee year in this ministry. She recalls that she first joined the WSCS when she was expecting her son, and she has been active since, including serving as the TRAC WSCS President from 2004 to 2008. Through each season of her ministry in the WSCS, Dr (Mrs) Teo acknowledged the support and grace she has received from her husband and children, and the sisterly love within the WSCS, including the staff, and also God's providence and guidance throughout this journey.

Mrs Gnanamany Philip

New President, GC WSCS (2024 – 2028)

The installation of the newly elected GC WSCS executive committee took place on 11 January 2025, during the annual GC WSCS Thanksgiving Service at Kum Yan Methodist Church.

Scan the QR code to see the list of office bearers for the 13th Quadrennium.

This article was first published on the Methodist Message website on 8 January 2025.

Mrs Philip first joined the local WSCS in 1990 and quickly took on various roles throughout her WSCS journey at all three conference levels, spanning Governance, Missions, Worship & Music, and Archives. Within GC WSCS, she was actively involved in different capacities including Discipleship & Nurture Coordinator, Advisor and Vice President. Mrs Philip balances her service in GC WSCS with her work as a Master Teacher with the Ministry of Education. She is married to Rev Philip Abraham, the immediate past ETAC President.

Dr (Mrs) Teo Li Bee (right) and Mrs Gnanamany Philip (left)

Alex (in blue) attending the literacy session with Sujatha, his educational therapist

World Vision Singapore: A commitment to support learning needs of children in out-of-home care

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

~ Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)

Twelve-year-old Alex (not his real name) has faced significant challenges throughout his life. Diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and dyslexia, he struggled in school, found it difficult to focus in class and was failing English. His difficulties were compounded by very difficult family circumstances. Overwhelmed and disheartened, Alex's journey was marked by obstacles beyond his control. Due to his family circumstances, he was placed in Chen Su Lan Methodist Children's Home (CSLMCH), a home that was established in 1968 for needy and disadvantaged children.

A transformation rooted in belief

In 2023, Alex's life began to change when he enrolled in a learning support programme for vulnerable children, supported by World Vision Singapore in partnership with the Dyslexia Association of Singapore (DAS). Through this initiative, Alex received the individualised support he needed. The DAS Main Literacy Programme, designed to build critical literacy skills in a nurturing environment, became a lifeline for him.

Guided by a dedicated DAS educational therapist, Alex began to rediscover his ability to learn. With encouragement and tailored instruction, his confidence grew.

"I feel more confident in class now," Alex shared. "I like spelling and want to get better at it. The lessons have been so helpful to me."

His educational therapist, Sujatha, reflected on Alex's progress with pride: "It is heart-warming to see how Alex has overcome his challenges like a true champion. He has always been an eager and determined learner. I am confident that with perseverance, he can conquer many more mountains."

Through consistent effort and the support of those who believed in him, Alex went through a profound transformation in his attitude towards learning, and achieved what once seemed impossible. From

failing his English assessments, he rose to score an impressive 83 marks in his midyear exam in 2024.

James Goh, Alex's caseworker at CSLMCH, also remarked on the change: "Alex is now able to sustain longer periods of learning and is highly motivated to improve. His progress is truly inspiring."

A testimony of God's grace Alex's journey of resilience and determination is a testament to the power of faith, support and the transformative love of God working through his people. It reflects World Vision's commitment to ensuring every child can experience Jesus' promise of abundant life in John 10:10 (NIV): "I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full."

Benjamin Tan, CEO of World Vision Singapore, shared his heart for this mission: "As a global Christian humanitarian organisation, World Vision recognises that children in out-of-home settings are among the most vulnerable in any country. Many of them carry deep wounds from abuse, abandonment and neglect. When such challenges are further compounded with special learning needs as in Alex's case, it becomes a profound hindrance to education, and further erodes self-esteem."

He continued, "In partnership with CSLMCH and DAS, World Vision Singapore has committed to supporting Singaporean children with special learning needs in out-

of-home care, on their journey of learning and healing in 2025. We firmly believe that education is a powerful enabler for all children to build brighter futures. Through God's grace, we are working to provide them with the tools and support they need to thrive, reflecting his love and promise revealed in Psalm 147:3, to restore and uplift the broken-hearted."

Empowered

for the future

World Vision Singapore, in collaboration with agencies in the out-of-home care sector and specialised learning support providers, advocates for vulnerable children. By raising funds to cover the cost of learning programmes and needs assessments where necessary, World Vision ensures these children have the resources to overcome their barriers to learning.

As Alex continues to navigate his educational path with newfound confidence and determination, his story stands as a powerful reminder of the transformative power of support and advocacy in empowering severely disadvantaged children with special learning needs. With each milestone he conquers and every challenge he overcomes, Alex embodies the resilience and tenacity that define his journey towards personal growth and triumph, inspiring all those around him to believe in the boundless potential that lies within every child.

"Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it." ~Proverbs 22:6

A tripartite partnership between World Vision Singapore, CSLMCH and DAS to support, empower and equip vulnerable children in Singapore

Dr Roland Chia is Chew Hock Hin Professor of Christian Doctrine at Trinity Theological College and Theological and Research Advisor at the Ethos Institute for Public Christianity.

It is said that the birth of the modern and postmodern era has resulted in the demise of many concepts and ideals that were once cherished. While this phenomenon is witnessed in many aspects of culture, it is arguably most discernible in the realm of morality.

Ideas such as moral absolutism, sexual purity and chastity which were treasured and valued in the past are now abandoned because they are simply regarded by enlightened moderns as antiquated, outmoded and passé.

From the Christian perspective, the concept that has most fallen out of favour in our time is sin. Accompanying the disappearance of the notion of sin is perhaps something even more minacious and dangerous—the loss of all sense of sin.

Several developments in our time may have contributed to this phenomenon.

The first is the determinism that is associated with the extrapolations that some scientists make concerning the human person, based on recent discoveries in genetics. For example,

Whatever happened to sin ?

Francis Crick, in his 1994 book The Astonishing Hypothesis made this quite remarkable claim:

'You', your joys and your sorrows, your memories and your ambitions, your sense of personal identity and free will, are in fact no more than the behaviour of a vast assembly of nerve cells and their associated molecules. As Lewis Carroll might have phrased it: "You're nothing but a pack of neurons." This hypothesis is so alien to the ideas of most people alive today that it can truly be called astonishing.1

This statement is philosophically reductionistic and naïve. But it is nonetheless powerful and compelling to the general public simply because it is made by a renowned molecular biologist, biophysicist, neuroscientist and Nobel Prize winner, who together with James Watson discovered the double-helix structure of DNA.

If scientists such as Crick have abolished sin (by first eliminating free will) through their reductionism and determinism, others have done so by their unbridled libertarianism.

The motto of contemporary society, which reverberates in every area of life, is "Be true to yourself".

Modern libertarianism is fuelled by individualism and self-expression. It is a philosophy and a way of life that upholds human freedom and autonomy as supreme virtues, and which condemns any external interference, especially from religion.

"Be true to yourself" signals the emergence of what is called the "authenticity paradigm", which is presented as the cultural ideal. The central dogma associated with this paradigm is that moral justification is located in the self and not in some extraneous authority.

Thus, any action that proceeds from one's self conception is consistent with one's desires and expresses one's true self is not only morally permissible, but also laudable. The authenticity paradigm is undergirded by a moral relativism which eschews any objective moral standards to which everyone must conform.

The third development is the most subtle, and it has to do with the change in our vocabulary. A slew of words has been used in place of the word "sin" today, partly because of secularism and partly because the word has lost its appeal.

What was in the past considered to be sin based on the clear teaching of the Bible is now described as a "mistake", a "flaw" or a "bad decision". Each of these substitutes diminishes the "sinfulness of sin", to borrow an expression from the seventeenth century Puritan theologian Ralph Venning.

To describe sin as a mistake is to make it appear unintentional. To say that it is a flaw (imperfection) is to suggest that it is merely a defect in one's character and not a moral

failure. And to equate sin with a bad decision is to reduce it to bad judgement, and not a transgression against God.

Regrettably, this cultural shift away from the traditional concept of sin is evident not only in secular society. It is also sadly present in the Church.

In 2007, Jerry Bridges notes in his book Respectable Sins that Christian communities in America are downplaying sins such as pride, jealousy and gossip, while strongly condemning sexual sins. 2

That was in 2007. Today, it is not uncommon to find that some churches in the US have redefined sexual morality to accommodate the larger culture by normalising cohabitation, premarital sex and same-sex relations.

Some churches today have such a distorted understanding of the love of God that it consequently results in the downplaying of the gravity of sin and the need for repentance.

AW Tozer wrote about this so presciently over six decades ago:

The vague and tenuous hope that God is too kind to punish the ungodly has become the opiate for the consciences of millions. It hushes their fears and allows them to practice all pleasant forms of iniquity while death draws every day nearer and the command to repent goes unregarded. 3

So, what is it that caused our culture, our society and even our churches to dismiss and downplay the biblical concept of sin to such an extent that it becomes inconsequential?

It is (to borrow from Venning again) the sinfulness of sin!

1 Francis Crick, The Astonishing Hypothesis: The Scientific Search for the Soul (Charles Scribner’s Sons, 1994), 3.

2 Jerry Bridges, Respectable Sins: Confronting the Sins We Tolerate (Navpress, 2007).

3 AW Tozer, The Knowledge of the Holy (HarperOne, 1961), 105.

Outreach

Rev Erick Tan is the Director of the Centre for Missions Analysis, Reconstruction, and Development, Methodist Missions Society.

Where are we going in global missions?

At Wesley's death on 2 March 1791, Methodism had grown to 294 preachers and 71,668 members in Great Britain, 19 missionaries and 5,300 members on mission stations and 198 preachers and 43,265 members in America.1 Numbers like that would impress even 21st century church leaders but surprisingly, just two years before that, John Wesley articulated a crisis in the Methodist movement of spreading scriptural holiness globally, in his sermon, Sermon 116: Causes of the Inefficacy of Christianity , preached in Dublin on 2 July 1789.

Several times throughout the sermon, he implored his listeners, "Why has Christianity done so little good in the world?" His conclusion: it is imperative that the practice of Christian discipline must accompany Christian doctrine

He said, "Among them that hear and receive the whole Christian doctrine, and that have Christian discipline added thereto, in the most essential parts of it? Plainly, because we have forgot, or at least not duly attended to, those solemn words of our Lord, 'If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.'" The very root of Christian discipline is the practice of self-denial and rejection of self-indulgence.

In the same impassioned sermon, he brought up again his own practice of the three rules—earn all you can, save all you can and give all you can, on which he had expounded at length in another of his sermons, Sermon 50: Use of Money —to encourage his listeners to practise such Christian discipline.

Wesley admitted that, disappointingly, Methodists had grown incapable of escaping the snares of material prosperity and painted a bleak future of the scriptural holiness project:

"And riches naturally beget pride, love of the world, and every temper that is destructive of Christianity. Now, if there be no way to prevent this, Christianity is inconsistent with itself, and, of consequence, cannot stand, cannot continue long among any people; since, wherever it generally prevails, it saps its own foundation."

a deeply corrupt human nature. Sensing the urgency to reach the "nineteen of thirty parts" (roughly two-thirds) of the world's population who had yet to "hear and receive the whole Christian doctrine", Wesley advised his followers to give whatever they could, starting with the poor in Methodist societies which had been founded in England and North America under Wesley's leadership. Through denying oneself and serving the poor as a personal spiritual discipline, the project of spreading scriptural holiness can gain momentum effectively and the gospel can then be meaningfully preached.

Through denying oneself and serving the poor as a personal spiritual discipline, the project of spreading scriptural holiness can gain momentum effectively and the gospel can then be meaningfully preached.

To be honest, many Christians feel alarmed by the subject of practising self-denial according to the words of Jesus in Matthew 16:24-26. How, and to what extent? Do I really have to give up everything I own? If you are reading this and sense the burden to reverse the trend and apply the three rules in your life, I encourage you to prayerfully do so with the temperate guidance of Wesley's sermon, Sermon 50: Use of Money . I would like to imagine that we are progressing in applying the three rules and we are ready to give what we can.

You might be wondering where you should give your money to.

To answer that question, allow me now to highlight Wesley's starting point for spreading scriptural holiness which is the thrust of his Sermon 116. As one who considered the world as his parish, Wesley's vision for the good that Christianity brings was not only to benefit ministries, but also to bring about healing and restoration to

More than two centuries after Wesley's death, the global Christian population still hovers at 32 per cent. 2 We might often hear Christian leaders argue that this is a good reason to focus on the home front, citing that there are not enough resources for the world. Such a mindset might result in the precious resources needed for world evangelisation to instead fill the bottomless pits of needs that churches and its ministries have created.

However, world evangelisation should not be overlooked due to weak returns on investment. Rather, we should imagine the actual lives being touched, and the transformation of people and global communities through the power of the gospel. Christianity continues doing good in the world when it receives the needed support from Christians practising scriptural holiness.

1 Frederick Mills, "John Wesley," New Georgia Encyclopedia, last modified July 23, 2018, https://www. georgiaencyclopedia.org/articles/arts-culture/john-wesley-1703-1791/. 2 https://lausanne.org/report/hope/world-religions

ACS (International)

ACS (International) Singapore is a distinctive international secondary school open to all Singaporeans & other nationalities, offering an all-round English-based education for students aged 12 to 18 years leading to the International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) and the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP)

• Exceptional examination results, strong value-added achievement and an all-round holistic education

• 50:50 mix of local and international teachers who uphold the dual Methodist ethos and ACS heritage

• Small class sizes with overall student-teacher ratio of 8 7 : 1

• 40 different CCAs – 16 Sporting, 12 Visual and Performing Arts, 12 Special Interest Groups

• Over 200 formal student leadership positions

• Scholarships for four Singaporeans to undertake the IBDP

Building Through Belief, this school of choice provides Achievements

• Students with perfect score of 45 points in IBDP

• 23 “Top in the World” awards in IGCSE examinations over each of the past twelve years

• Students accepted to Oxford and Cambridge universities for the past eight years

• Admissions to top universities in the UK, the US, Australia and Singapore

• PSLE and GCE ‘O’ Level students obtaining outstanding value-added examination results for the IBDP and improved pathways to good universities

• Successes at national level in Athletics, Touch Rugby, Debating, Orchestra, Volleyball, Taekwondo, Ice Hockey, Fencing, Swimming, Artistic Swimming, Rhythmic Gymnastics and Wushu.

Senior Leadership Team
"I marvel at how God creates such beautiful souls who endure excruciating pain without letting resentment take hold"
MWS chaplain shares her story

In 2007, Chiew Poh's husband was diagnosed with terminal cancer and she plunged into an existential crisis, paralysed by an unshakeable grief. Just as they were losing all hope, a profound encounter with Jesus Christ transformed their lives.

"God sustained us through the caregiving journey and restored our hope," Chiew Poh shared. "During this painful period, I questioned the meaning of life. That divine encounter was a moment of epiphany, revealing a deeper purpose to this existence and prompted me to rethink my life pursuits."

After her husband's passing, Chiew Poh left her two-decade career in finance to study at a theological college. Her seminary journey deepened her faith, and in 2017, she answered a call to chaplaincy ministry.

Addressing patients' spirituality

Since then, the 54-year-old has served as a Chaplain at Methodist Welfare Services (MWS), offering spiritual, psycho-social and emotional care to staff, volunteers, beneficiaries and their families.

On the ground, she works closely with staff and volunteers at MWS Nursing Home –Yew Tee (YTNH) and MWS Home Care & Home Hospice (HCHH), as part of a multidisciplinary team to deliver holistic care to our beneficiaries and their families. This care approach addresses the whole person— combining medical support for physical well-being with pastoral care that nurtures emotional, social and spiritual health.

Her work includes co-leading initiatives like legacy work, dignity intervention and reminiscence facilitation. Among these was "The Beautiful Me" project, which sought to uplift the self-esteem of female residents at MWS YTNH. "Many grew up in a time when women were undervalued, and they dedicated themselves to their husbands and children, while neglecting their own worth and well-being," explained Chiew Poh.

(right) Chiew Poh views her work as a meaningful way to live out her Christian faith

To help them discover their self-worth, residents take part in activities like cooking or floral arrangement, and have their photos taken professionally. "After the floral arrangement session, one participant drew a comparison between the tenacity of seemingly insignificant wildflowers in weathering storms against the fragility of more striking flowers like roses," shared Chiew Poh. "The sessions helped participants to discover their own strengths and inner beauty, restoring a sense of dignity."

Shepherding God's flock

Chiew Poh's work is not for the faint-hearted. Each day, she confronts human suffering and brokenness, including the pain of those nearing life's end. But she finds solace in witnessing beneficiaries depart from this world in peace. "Some even have a smile on their faces," she shared.

Chiew Poh sees her role as that of a shepherd, pointing people towards a deeper

relationship with God and faith in his love and presence. She recalled ministering to an MWS YTNH resident, who, in his youth, had been a triad member involved in violence and a grievous crime. Haunted by deep regret, he struggled with self-forgiveness. For years, Chiew Poh spoke to him about God's forgiveness, but he resisted her message.

"During his final hospital admission, I was suddenly prompted by God to visit him, not knowing that it would be our last meeting," she shared. "When I saw him, he was intubated and semi-conscious, breathing heavily. I called his name, and he opened his eyes to look at me. I shared with him that God loves him and has forgiven him. Tears streamed down his face. Within hours of my visit, he passed away. At his wake, his sisters revealed that in the final days, he appeared to be hanging on even though the whole family had visited him but gently slipped into rest after my visit. They were relieved that he subsequently passed away peacefully. I

(right)

Chiew Poh engaging a resident at MWS Nursing Home – Yew Tee with nostalgic old songs during a Reminiscence Facilitation session

(far right)

Chiew Poh helping residents at MWS Nursing Home – Yew Tee to connect through music

was very comforted by the mercy and grace of God that enabled this beneficiary to find peace and forgiveness before his passing."

Equipping others to provide spiritual care

The profound impact of spiritual care in soul tending has inspired others to join her in this ministry of compassion.

Since March 2023, Chiew Poh has been training church volunteers in pastoral care to serve alongside the MWS Chaplaincy team, using a programme adapted from the century-old Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) method still used to train hospital chaplains today.

"This approach not only enhances volunteers' capacity to care for others and themselves, it also deepens their intimacy with the Lord through reflection," said Chiew Poh. "In responding to the Lord's call to love others, their faith journey grows."

Growing in faith

While Chiew Poh pours care and compassion into the lives of those she serves, she is deeply enriched by them in return. "I marvel at how God creates such beautiful souls who endure excruciating pain without letting resentment take hold," she shared. "Joy and sorrow are part of life, and finding inner peace amid trials is a profound gift."

Journeying with beneficiaries through life's end has impressed upon Chiew Poh life's

brevity and deepened her focus on what truly matters. "As James 4:14 says, our life is but a vapour that appears for a little while and then vanishes away," she said. "Witnessing many beneficiaries pass on reminds me that our time on this earth is fleeting, and we must learn to let go. In the end, only love endures forever."

While the opportunity to touch lives has kept her going all these years, trusting in Christ's sovereignty has buoyed her through the job's lows. Her pastoral care work is a heartfelt response to the greatest commandment of the Christian faith: to love God and others as oneself, rooted in a deep desire to align with God's will for her life.

"The work is challenging, and at times, painful as I stand with others in their struggles," she shared. "Yet, it has deepened my own walk with the Lord, as I find myself relying more and more on him to continue this seemingly impossible work of touching human souls."

"Over the years, caring for others has been a deeply meaningful journey, helping me find my own answers to life's existential questions. This is what keeps me going."

If you're interested in joining our Chaplaincy team as a pastoral care volunteer, please email Rev Dr Norman Wong at  normanwong@mws.sg

You and Your Family

Benny Bong has over 40 years of experience as a therapist, counsellor and trainer. He also conducts regular talks and webinars. Benny has helmed the You & Your Family column for more than 18 years and is a member of Kampong Kapor Methodist Church.

When honouring

one parent upsets the other

Honouring our parents is the fifth of the Ten Commandments. While some of us may struggle with keeping this commandment completely and constantly, my client had a particularly tough challenge—how to honour one parent without upsetting the other.

Her parents were in the midst of divorce, an acrimonious one at that. They had completed the first stage of the two-stage divorce process, i.e. the Courts had granted an interim judgement three years earlier. However, they were still not able to resolve all matters relating to the marriage in order to move on to the next stage where the Courts give a final judgement. While her parents' divorce dragged out, much changed in all their lives.

One of the changes was that some strong feelings had apparently cooled off. Although she initially felt strong emotions towards her father for his poor treatment of her mother that compelled her to eventually seek a divorce, my client is now able to take a more mature and independent position with respect to her father, and recognise some good in him in his efforts to maintain ties with her.

Another big change was that my client was in a relationship with a young man and they planned to marry soon. Hence, her dilemma—whether to involve her father in their wedding—as she believed he might want to participate and be acknowledged. On the other hand, her mother had explicitly expressed her wish that her father be excluded.

The list of concerns my client described was long. Her mother felt that if triggered by her ex-husband's presence, a day meant to be a happy occasion would turn out otherwise. Moreover, if father and mother were to meet, he could not be counted on not to say or do things that might lead to public confrontation. The young couple thought of physically separating her parents but knew that even if they did so, they could not ensure that her father would not confront his ex-wife. Then there was the concern that her father might want his relatives, friends and business associates to be invited to the celebration. This was unacceptable to both my client and her mother.

My client toyed with the idea of avoiding any unpleasantness by not informing her father of her wedding. She quickly dismissed the notion as she felt he might be even more upset and hurt when he would finally learn of it. So she wondered, given the many concerns, if she were to inform but not invite her father, would he feel disrespected, and might it give rise to further estrangement from him?

I began my response by asking a question that surprised even me. I asked who was paying for the various segments of the wedding. After all, Chinese tradition dictates that if one's parents cover the cost of the dinner, they get the privilege of inviting their family and friends. In this instance, her mother was to be the main financier.

Secondly, I asked a rhetorical question of whose wedding it was. If indeed it was her and her husband-to-be's

wedding, they should make all the key decisions, which include the guest list. Finally, I mentioned that it was good that she wanted to honour her father but there were other ways of honouring him besides on this one day of her life.

I shared with her how a close friend was very hurt when he was not invited to his daughter's wedding. His marriage had been dissolved some years earlier and his ex-wife had remarried. Although father and daughter had maintained a close relationship, the mother was adamant about excluding him from all the day's proceedings. I comforted my friend by saying that there were other ways to show his daughter his love and support, including his meeting his future son-in-law together with his daughter before the wedding itself. By "withdrawing" graciously from being present at the wedding, he was showing her how her happiness was paramount to him. To this day, many years on, the father-daughter relationship remains strong.

Let me say that my friend's response also showed the other side of God’s commandment to honour our parents, i.e. the role and response of parents. Parents cannot expect to be honoured if they have conducted themselves dishonourably. As parents, have we related to our children in a manner that makes it almost unnecessary to command our children to honour us? If we have loved them and been responsible in caring for them, I believe most children will naturally want to find ways to honour us.

Walking alongside you with compassion and care ESTABLISHED SINCE 2000

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 8:38–39

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Rev Joey Chen is currently pastoring at Paya Lebar Methodist Church, and oversees the Family Life, Youth and Young Adult ministries. Prior to pastoring, Rev Joey had stints in the public and private sectors doing communications work. She is married to Andrew, whom she met in seminary.

Family

Benny Bong has over 40 years of experience as a therapist, clinical supervisor and trainer. He also conducts regular talks and webinars. Benny has helmed MM’s You & Your Family column for more than 18 years and is a member of Kampong Kapor Methodist Church.

Sue-Lynn Teo is a registered psychologist with the Singapore Psychological Society and is trained in Educational and Developmental Psychology. She specialises in assessments and therapy work with children who have learning, behavioural or special needs. She worships at Toa Payoh Methodist Church with her family.

Need advice? Scan the QR code or visit https://www.methodist.org.sg/mm-atthe-well/ to submit your question. Due to space constraints and repetition of topics, we may not be able to feature all questions submitted.

My recently widowed father is dating a woman who is younger than me

I am in my 40s and married with teenage children. My mother passed away from illness about six months ago. Recently, I found out that my 75-year-old father is dating a foreign lady who is younger than me. He introduced her to us at a family dinner and privately told us that he plans to let her move into our family home. He then asked me to clear out my old room so she could move her things in. I was very angry and upset. I also do not feel comfortable with this lady, and I feel suspicious of her. I expressed caution to my father, but he is totally caught up with her. I understand my father is grieving, lonely and seeks companionship, but I want to protect him from being taken advantage of.

 Suspicious

Benny says

Dear Suspicious,

The situation that you have presented is a confluence of several different concerns. Firstly, your grieving father may be seeking comfort and companionship from this woman. Secondly, there is the concern that this young woman may be taking advantage of your father at a vulnerable time. Thirdly, not only has this new person replaced your deceased mother, she also seems at risk of displacing you in the home. Fourthly, having someone enter your lives so soon after your mother's passing seems to be an affront to the memory of your mother.

I wonder if there is any opportunity to raise your concerns with your father in a calm and supportive manner. Understandably, such conversations can be very difficult between a father and his children. In such instances, using intermediaries like uncles or aunties, or even a senior pastor or church leader, may be another way of broaching this delicate topic.

If the new woman in his life proves herself to be a benevolent figure, she might be persuaded to slow down any integration with the family and move in only much later, to allow for greater family harmony.

In the meantime, the family, including yourself, should take steps to celebrate the memory of your late mother. The recollection and celebration of her life, and the appropriate grieving, may allow the family to have better closure of one chapter before another is opened.

Family

Is an Advance Medical Directive appropriate for Christians?

Is an Advance Medical Directive (AMD) allowed in a biblical world view, if we acknowledge that God is in control of our lives? I am going for a surgery and want to be prepared so that my family does not have to face difficult decisions or financial burdens as I am already in my senior years.

 Singaporean senior

Joey says Dear Singaporean senior,

In Singapore, the AMD "inform[s] the doctor treating you (in the event you become terminally ill and unconscious) that you do not want any extraordinary life-sustaining treatment to be used to prolong your life".

According to Section 2 of the AMD Act, "extraordinary life-sustaining treatment" refers to "any medical procedure or measure which, when administered to a terminally ill patient, will only prolong the process of dying when death is imminent".

With modern advancements in medicine, a dying person who cannot live independently can be kept alive for a while through extraordinary life-sustaining measures. It would be all too easy to rely on such medical intervention to artificially prolong the life of a dying person because either the dying or their loved ones are not ready to face death. This often causes unnecessary suffering to the terminally ill. The AMD seeks to avoid this.

From the point of view of the Christian faith, to opt against extraordinary life-sustaining measures in the face of imminent death is an act of surrendering ourselves to God. It is an acceptance of the human condition. This is different from euthanasia (also euphemistically called "assisted dying") because the goal of the AMD is not to escape suffering by terminating life, but to avoid medical intervention that does not preserve life. Therefore, the AMD in Singapore is not at odds with the Christian worldview. (This is not the case for AMDs in other countries that allow for euthanasia.)

Life and death are in the hands of God, but it does not preclude us preparing for death via AMDs and wills. But more important is the spiritual preparation for death even while we are healthy. The goal is to be able to say with Paul: "To live is Christ and to die is gain." It is too complicated a topic to address here, but it means building up our faith so that we are prepared to meet death without fear, with confidence in God and with peace.

Family

Do I bring my daughter to visit a friend whose adult child has a live-in partner of the same sex in their home?

A friend has a daughter who is lesbian and has a live-in partner … in my friend's home. My friend is Christian but her daughter is not. My question is not about my friend's or her daughter's choices, but mine, as a parent. Should we bring along my primary-school aged daughter to visit her during Christmas and Chinese New Year, as we used to? Part of me does not want to expose my daughter to a non-Christian model of family, but yet, to shield her from it seems futile.

 Awkward

Sue-Lynn says

Dear Awkward,

Being a Christian parent in this day and age can indeed be difficult. It would be good to bring your daughter for the visit, as she may or may not have some ideas of the Christian view about LGBTQ people and this is an opportunity to clarify and hopefully deepen her Christian convictions. This means firstly discussing how God's good, original design for marriage is between a man and a woman only. Same sex attraction is one of the ways sexual brokenness manifests in a fallen world distorted by sin, as stated in the Methodist Social Principles (for more information, see https://www.methodist. org.sg/resources/social-principles/ ).

Explain how non-Christians may have different standards for women and men in marriage, or before that when dating/

in courtship. For example, some nonChristian women may develop samesex attraction, then partner and live together with another woman. Answer any questions your daughter may have in a thoughtful and age-appropriate manner, grounded by your Christian convictions and God's word.

Next, explain how, as Christians, we are called to love one another as God has loved us (John 13:34, 15:12) and to do all things in love (1 Corinthians 16:14). This means showing and extending love to all, not just fellow Christians. Thus, going ahead with the visit, even though as Christians you do not have the same convictions about marriage and dating, is important. This duality of being able to show Christ's love to all, while not agreeing with the

GARDEN OF

fundamentals behind another's gender identity, expression or sexual orientation, would be a continuing conversation for you and your daughter, especially as she grows older and becomes more exposed to other ways of living.

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Dr Judith Laoyan-Mosomos is the Director for Worship & Church Music at the Methodist School of Music and a member of Kampong Kapor Methodist Church.

"What do you want to say sorry for?"

I asked the children this question during a session on "Saying Sorry to God" at the Children in Worship programme run by Methodist School of Music last year.

One child quickly responded, "I am sorry for my sin!"

Before I could say anything, another child chimed in, "But Jesus already took away our sins!"

Smiling, I affirmed the first child's honesty

Saying sorry to God

and gently explained to the second, "Yes, Jesus has taken away our sins, but we still sometimes do things that make Jesus sad. That's why we need to pray, say sorry and ask him to help us stop sinning."

That simple exchange got me thinking about a question an adult participant in our Certificate for Christian Worship programme once asked: "If Jesus has paid our debt, do we really need to have a prayer of confession?" While there is truth in that question, it raises a deeper question: What role does confession play in our worship and daily lives?

Confession is not merely an act of guilt or obligation—it is an invitation into God's abundant grace, a step towards aligning our hearts and lives with God's justice and mercy. It reminds us of our dependence on God and our shared humanity in the body of Christ.

To explore this, I looked to two theologians I admire, Walter Brueggemann and NT Wright. Brueggemann explains that sin is not just about making mistakes— it is about failing to live faithfully in relationship with God. He also reminds us that sin is bigger than our personal choices; it is something we share as a community when we ignore justice or neglect those in need. Wright, on the other hand, ties sin to the bigger story of creation, fall and redemption. For him, confession is about admitting wrongs, but more than that, it is part of how we reconnect with God's purposes and live as people of his kingdom.

Both point to a common truth: worship, including confession, is not just about admitting guilt. It is about letting God reshape our hearts, renew our lives, and send us out to live with love, justice and grace.

In many worship practices, the prayer of confession is often attached to Holy Communion. This means that if the sacrament of Holy Communion is celebrated only once a month, we may go three or more weeks without engaging in this essential act of worship. While the connection between confession and the Lord's Table is profound— acknowledging our sins as we receive Christ's body and blood—limiting confession

to these occasions raises an important question: Are we missing opportunities to experience the transformative power of confession more regularly?

Imagine if the prayer of confession became a weekly rhythm embedded in our worship services. Each Sunday, we could stand before God as a congregation, acknowledging our personal and communal sins. This intentional rhythm would allow us not only to experience the boundless forgiveness of God but also to be renewed, restored and empowered for the week ahead.

Confession is not merely an act of guilt or obligation—it is an invitation into God's abundant grace, a step towards aligning our hearts and lives with God's justice and mercy. It reminds us of our dependence on God and our shared humanity in the body of Christ.

As individuals, we come before God in the presence of the church and the company of angels, seeking pardon and renewal. Together, as a community, we receive God's grace and mercy. This gift is ours to celebrate and it is also a call to action. We seek pardon with a willingness to be transformed by God's mercy. Then, we are commissioned to go out and embody God's love in a world in desperate need of it.

Justin Yeo and Leong Shengyu serve as musicians in the Worship & Music Ministry at Queenstown Chinese Methodist Church and compose original music. Justin, who is the Vice-Chairperson of that ministry, also serves as a local preacher.

Songwriting for the soul's sojourn

As Methodists, hymnody is more than musical faith expression—it is theology set to music. Having served in the music ministry since the millennial turn, sacred music has helped deepen our faith. A decade ago, heeding the call to "sing to the Lord a new song", we started composing pieces that we hoped would reflect timeless Christian truths, faith journeys and spiritual struggles.

Our songwriting journey began with reflections on service ( The Reason We Serve / 服事根源 ) and celebrating God's work in our church ( 造物

Kopi kakis by

的一双手 ). When we encountered suffering and challenges, we captured these in song ( Even In The Valley / 就算身在幽谷 ). We have also been privileged to set Bishop Emeritus Dr Robert Solomon's inspiring words to music ( Lord, You Are Always There; Triune God We Worship You / 三一神我众敬拜祢 ; and My Life Is In Your Hands ).

Recognising that Christian songs must be theologically sound and aesthetically rich, we have been blessed by the wise counsel of those more learned than us in these areas. We have also been encouraged by many who, having encountered our pieces, reached out to share their own spiritual journeys. These exchanges strengthened our faith and allowed us to witness the impact that truth-filled music can have on the body of Christ. Praise God for the gift of music. As our inaugural composition exhorts, his glory is the reason we serve!

Justin and Shengyu's compositions are published on their YouTube channel. Scan the QR code to view videos.

Justin and Shengyu with their son, Royce

PRANCING GIRAFFES | INCLUSIVE DANCE CLASS

Every Monday starting from 24 March 2025, 10 weeks per term, 5.30 p.m. to 6.15 p.m.

Methodist School of Music, 496 Upper Bukit Timah Road, #03-20, John Wesley Centre, S678099

Register via bit.ly/MSMxPG

$327 per term of 10 weeks, inclusive of GST

MSM's new dance class, conducted by Prancing Giraffes, welcomes children of all abilities aged 4-8 to connect with each other through dance. Children will: Learn teamwork

Learn foundational ballet techniques, and a variety of dance genres

• Prepare for two public performances each year

Prancing Giraffes, founded by early childhood educator Esther Eio, is an inclusive dance group dedicated to helping children connect, socialise and build confidence through movement. Since 2019, they have focused on creating a welcoming environment where children can enjoy dance and teamwork together.

Organised by Methodist School of Music in collaboration with Prancing Giraffes

GOD’S NEW HEAVENS AND NEW EARTH IN ISAIAH 56-66

Every Wednesday, 7.30 p.m. to 9.30 p.m., from 19 March to 30 Apr 2025

Online via Zoom

Register via https://www.ttc.edu.sg/english/stufy-at-ttc/equip-registration/

Refer to website for fees

This course provides a biblical exposition of the pastoral comfort and challenge that comes out of each of the 11 chapters in Isaiah 56-66. The course hopes to help all who facilitate Bible study reflection groups on this portion of God’s Word.

Speaker

Bishop Emeritus Dr Gordon Wong began pastoral ministry in 1985 and holds a BA (Honours) from the London School of Theology and a PhD from the University of Cambridge. His publications include a book on the relevance of Christian faith ( God Makes Sense ), Old Testament commentaries on the books of Daniel ( Faithful to the End ), Habakkuk ( God, Why? ), Isaiah ( The Road to Peace: Pastoral Reflections on Isaiah 1-12 ), Ruth ( The Power of Love ) and an academic monograph entitled  Foolish Leaders and the Will of YHWH: Editorial Effects in Isaiah 19

Organised by EQUIP

COMPANIONS IN CHRIST (CENTRALISED CLASS)

Every Monday, 7.30 p.m. to 9.30 p.m., for 28 weeks starting 21 April 2025 (Orientation) Toa Payoh Methodist Church, 480 Lor 2 Toa Payoh, S319641 Register by 7 April 2025 by scanning the QR code. For enquiries call 6765 5301. $30 per person for material cost

Companions in Christ is a small-group experience in spiritual formation. Over 28 sessions, participants will learn to embrace the journey of faith, feed on God’s Word, deepen their prayers, respond to God’s call and explore spiritual guidance. Conducted as a centralised class for the first time under the auspices of Disciple Agency. Class is open to members from all Methodist churches.

Organised by Disciple Agency

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