Methodist Message: January 2023

Vol 125 No 1 JANUARY 2023

Should Christians make New Year resolutions?

Answering the call: Newly ordained Elders and MOT share their stories

ISSN 0129-6868 MCI (P) 031/11/2022

47th Annual Conference reports

New Beginnings

Editorial Board

Contents

Adviser and Publisher Dr Anthony Goh Chairperson, Council on Communications

Communications Manager

/ Bishop’s

Lynn Tan

Managing Editor Alvin Tay

Editor Lianne Ong

Communications Executive Kathrynn Koh

Sub-editors Lucy Cheng Janice Khoo Tan Chiu Ai

Proofreaders

Message /

/ News / 3 Presidents' Greetings 4 47th Session of ETAC 6 47th Session of CAC 10 47th Session of TRAC 16 OT Summit Report 17 Top prize for innovative education awarded to Methodist Preschools

/ Feature / 18 Answering the call: Newly ordained Elders and MOT tell their stories 21 Should Christians make New Year resolutions?

Kenneth Lee Christabel Tan

/

Opinion /

23 Book Review: going home 26 Soundings: Behold, I am making all things new!

/ Outreach / 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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28 Partially paralysed after a stroke,

she raised funds at MWS Empowerun 8 months later 30 Saving souls in the Wesleyan Spirit

/ Worship / 32 An Irish prayer song for the new year

/ Relationships / 34 You and Your Family: The realities of seeking reconciliation

/ People / 37 The world is my parish too

W hen healthy aspiration becomes harmful ambition

H

ere's an old Irish blessing that I remind myself of at the start of every new year.

May you have the hindsight to know where you have been,

the foresight to know where you are going, and the insight to know when you are going too far.

I think the composer of Psalm 131 would have said "Amen". He wrote in verse 1, "My heart is not proud, O Lord, my eyes are not haughty.

I do not concern myself with great matters or things too wonderful for me."

The psalmist recognises that pride and haughtiness can sometimes seduce us into getting involved in matters that are too great and too grand. Pride makes us bite off more than we should chew. And if we keep on chewing, we end up choking—ourselves, and others.

There is an important difference between healthy aspiration and harmful ambition.

Pride blinds us from seeing the distinction.

But too much pushing, and what is good will become bad; the healthy will become harmful. Water is good for us, essential for good health and good living. But too much water, and we will drown.

Psalm 131 seeks to save us from forfeiting the health of our souls in the relentless pursuit of too much.

The famous preacher Charles Spurgeon said, "Psalm 131 takes only a few seconds to read, but a lifetime to learn." Its wisdom is appreciated by most only in the twilight years of life. When we are young, it is difficult to avoid the harmful ambition that seduces us into ventures that stretch us too far.

This new year, may God grant to me, and you, and all our families, the hindsight to know where we have been, the foresight to know where we should be going, and the insight to know when we are going too far.

Yes, it is good to aspire to be the best that we can be. Yes, there is value in pushing oneself and reaching for the stars.

January 2023 Methodist Message 1

J UDICIAL C OUNCIL D ECISION NO 1 OF 2022 DIGEST (BOD ¶713.1)

I

n a written decision handed down on 22nd November 2022, the Judicial Council unanimously affirmed the ruling of the President of the Trinity Annual Conference

(“TRAC”) at the TRAC Special Session on 16th July 2022 that a Ministerial Session at a Special Session of the Annual Conference has the power to defer the determination of a minister’s application for location under ¶559.2 of the Book of Discipline (“BOD”) to a later session.

In arriving at its decision, the Judicial Council noted that although the BOD does not expressly provide for a power of deferment: 1

¶559.2 of the BOD vests the power to decide on a member’s location application in the Annual Conference; and

2

¶234.1 of the BOD provides that the Annual Conference has the power to determine its own procedural rules, provided these rules do not conflict with the BOD.

The Judicial Council held that where a decision-making body (in this case, the Annual Conference) is vested with both the power to decide on a matter and the power to adopt its own procedure for decision making, the Annual Conference has the implied power to defer its decision making if it considers such deferment necessary. The only limitation to the implication of such a power is that it must not be in conflict with the BOD. In this regard, the Judicial Council held that the implication of such a power of deferment would not conflict with the provisions of the BOD. The Judicial Council added that even though the power to defer a determination under ¶559.2 of the BOD exists, this power is not unfettered and must be exercised in good faith and for a proper purpose. It cannot be exercised capriciously or arbitrarily.

News

Rev Philip Abraham President, Emmanuel Tamil Annual Conference New Year Greetings!

We thank God for a brand new year.

'My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.'

(Exodus 33:14 NIV)

The above promise of God reminds us that God's presence is with us.

This also assures us with the awareness of his activity in our lives and that he is constantly at work within us. We will begin to trust him more and understand that he has it all under control, and that he is with us guiding our every step.

We can journey the whole year with hope and trust

Presidents’ Greetings 2023

Rev Dr Gregory Goh Nai Lat President, Chinese Annual Conference Uncertainties and challenges may have marked the year that has passed. Yet, the people of God have continued to rise to the occasion, not with despair or fear, but with God's truth, love and strength.

Our Lord promises that he is with us and that he reigns over all situations. The peace of Christ—which transcends all understanding—shall guard our hearts and minds as we pray unceasingly and give thanks in all circumstances.

As we enter this new year, may we continue to walk in obedience to fulfil the Great Commission, loving God and our neighbours. May you be empowered by the Holy Spirit to run with great hope and courage, with your eyes fixed on our Lord Jesus Christ, the Author and Perfecter of our faith.

in him alone and find rest in his green pastures.

Wishing you and your family a blessed 2023!

"But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."

(Isaiah 40:31 NIV)

Wishing everyone a blessed new year!

Rev Stanley Chua President, Trinity Annual Conference We are still living in uncertain times. Just when we thought the Covid-19 pandemic had done the worst to us, we are faced with international events that have badly affected many countries.

The International Monetary Fund has forecasted that many economies are poised to contract and the outlook remains uncertain for 2023.

It is times like these that we are reminded again that our ultimate hope is not found in this world but in God. We trust and wait expectantly for God to usher forth the promised King and his kingdom. The people of God can rejoice not only in the promised future glory, but even in present trials and sufferings because they can produce in us a deep trust and faith in God. May I encourage all of us as we journey through this new year to cling to this promise from Isaiah 43:1 (NIV), "… Do not fear, for I

have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine."

To God be the glory!

January 2023 Methodist Message 3

Lianne Ong is the Editor of Methodist Message. / Photos by Daniel Lie

News

Seeking lost, and new members, bears fruit 47th Session of the Emmanuel Tamil Annual Conference

T

he 47th Session of the Emmanuel Tamil

As part of the Conference's growth

Annual Conference (ETAC) was held at

initiative, pastors visited every ETAC

Pasir Panjang Tamil Methodist Church from

church to pray with the local pastors,

11 to 12 November 2022. This year marked

leadership and congregation. These

Rev Philip Abraham's second year as

visits were opportunities for the local

President of ETAC.

conferences to share about the church's struggles and victories so that they could

Progress on Vision 2024—Towards Harvest

be better supported in prayer and received the appropriate assistance.

In his President's Address, Rev Philip Abraham gave an update on the progress

Significantly, ETAC membership has

of ETAC's Vision 2024—Towards Harvest,

grown by 16.7% to a total of 901 members

which was introduced in 2021 with a theme

this year.

for 2022, SEEK. ETAC churches examined the parables of The Prodigal Son, The

Other highlights

Lost Sheep and The Lost Coin in Luke 15.

Several events took place this year,

Members were encouraged to reach out to

including a talk for parents, "Raising

inactive members of the church and bring

Godly Children" led by Dr Cheah-Foo Fung

them back to the fold as well as connect

Fong, Vice-President of the Trinity Annual

with pre-believing friends, relatives and

Conference, and "Look After Your Mental

acquaintances, wasting no opportunity to

Health", where Dr Daniel Fung and Dr Raj

share the gospel.

Velloo were speakers. The ETAC Children's Choir, jointly organised with the Methodist

Several initiatives were organised to

School of Music (MSM), was set up. There

further the growth initiative, such as a

are currently 42 children involved, and

synchronised prayer at 1 p.m. where each

they are trained by Dr Judith Laoyan-

person prayed for one soul for one minute

Mosomos, the Director of Worship &

and a commitment for members to pray for

Church Music at MSM.

10 pre-believers daily.

4 Methodist Message

January 2023

(left) Dr Teo Li Bee (middle) BE Dr Robert Solomon preaching at the Closing Ceremony (right) Left to Right Rev Dr Gregory Goh Nai Lat, Bishop Dr Gordon Wong, Rev Philip Abraham and Rev Stanley Chua

ETAC's Methodist Youth Fellowship surfaced the problem of insufficient leaders at the local chapters.

Due to this difficulty, some chapters have adopted a 'Youth Coordinator' model, but further study needs to be conducted to assess the challenges.

Pastoral supply Ps Adlin Jacob has been received as a new Memberon-Trial. Ps Jesudoss Charles remains a part-time Approved Supply Pastor, and will start full-time ministry when he completes his Master of Ministry degree at Trinity Theological College in 2023. Rev C Jebakumar from the Indian Evangelical Mission is another ministerial candidate that would be seconded to ETAC for a period of three years, pending government approvals. Rev R Prabhu will continue to serve as a pastor in 2023.

The ministry of gatekeeping At the Closing Service, Bishop Emeritus Dr Robert Solomon preached on the ministry of gatekeeping from 1 Chronicles 26:6-8. He highlighted the family of Obed-Edom that was tasked to guard the ark. They were described as "able" and "capable" God-fearing men. He described how things would go wrong when the role of gatekeeping was not carried out responsibly.

BE Dr Solomon said that modern gatekeepers were still needed today. The first type of gatekeeper was the literal sense—the role played by ushers. However, there was also a need for gatekeepers in the spiritual sense. He asked, "Who will keep evil and worldly (left) Emmanuel Praise Choir (right) Prayer after pastoral appointments were announced

ways from entering the sanctuary and families?"

Gatekeeping also included keeping heresy out and false spirits out.

"We must guard ourselves against being conformed to the pattern of this world," he said, and called for more to take up this important ministry of "gatekeeping".

PASTORAL APPOINTMENTS FOR THE YEAR 2023 Ang Mo Kio Tamil MC Pastor-in-Charge Rev Albert Vijay Joseph Jurong Tamil MC Pastor-in-Charge Rev Philip S Abraham Part-time Approved Supply Pastor Pastor Jesudoss Charles Pasir Panjang Tamil MC Pastor-in-Charge Rev Philip S Abraham Part-time Approved Supply Pastor Pastor Stephen Shadrak Seletar Tamil MC Pastor-in-Charge Rev James Nagulan Sembawang Tamil MC Pastor-in-Charge Rev Saravana Kumar Pastoral Assistant Pastor Adlin Jacob Tamil MC, Short Street Pastor-in-Charge Rev James Nagulan Associate Minister Rev R Prabhu Singapore Telugu MC Pastor-in-Charge Rev R Prabhu Toa Payoh Tamil MC Pastor-in-Charge Rev Saravana Kumar Pastoral Assistant Pastor Adlin Jacob

SPECIAL APPOINTMENTS FOR THE YEAR 2023 District Superintendent Rev James Nagulan Methodist Welfare Homes Coordinator Pastor Adlin Jacob Information is correct at time of printing.

January 2023 Methodist Message 5

Lianne Ong is the Editor of Methodist Message. / Photos by Photos by Joshua Khoo, Jonathan Tan and Chinese Annual Conference (CAC)

News

Spreading scriptural holiness, reforming the nation 47th Session of the Chinese Annual Conference

T

he 47th Session of the Chinese Annual Conference (CAC) was held at Ang Mo

Kio Chinese Methodist Church from 14 to 17 Nov 2022. This year marked Rev Dr Gregory Goh’s second term as the CAC President.

Highlights from the President's Report  Developing a Disciple-Making framework

for CAC In his President’s Report, Rev Dr Goh gave an update on CAC's goal to become a Disciple-Making (DM) Conference. This was spearheaded in Oct 2021 with the goal to focus on discipleship and to consolidate the various disciple-making models of the local churches so that a DM pathway template could be created for all CAC churches to take reference from and adapt for their own needs and culture. Five churches have developed their own DM models and are now in a position to share their best practices and experiences with the other CAC churches.

6 Methodist Message

January 2023

Rev Dr Goh recognised that pastors may be differently equipped to carry out DM work but reminded all that while this is not an easy task, it is still a necessary one and encouraged all to press on.  Focus on strengthening family life

One key event slated for 2023 that was highlighted in Rev Dr Goh's report is a conference-wide family-themed event— "Loving Families"—which will be held on 1 May 2023. This idea arose from a meeting with ministry-board chairpersons, who agreed that a fundamental strategy to strengthen family life was necessary to send a clear message of CAC's commitment to the family structure and values as set out in the Bible, especially in view of the Government's repeal of S377A. An organising committee is in the process of being set up.  Outreach efforts

With the change in residential landscape in the northeast region of Singapore, a new task force has been set up to address CAC outreach efforts there. Currently there are

Chinese Annual Conference Pastors

two local conferences in this region, namely, Sengkang Methodist Church and Changi Methodist Church.

At schools, Rev Dr Goh pointed out that while there were CAC pastors appointed as chaplains in all Methodist schools, there were only four Christian Ministry Staff (CMS) in three schools. "We can go for overseas short-term mission trips, pump in large sums of money in missions, yet we neglect such a big harvest field that allows us to labour on throughout the year?" he said. He therefore challenged churches to encourage their members to consider taking up a CMS role as their vocation.

A new CAC VP

(left) Rev Dr Goh preaching at the Closing Service with translation by Rev Timothy Ang (middle) Dr Stephen Yeo (right) Closing Service

On the second day of the Annual Conference, the CAC Vice President (VP) for 2023-2024 was elected. The present VP, Mr Guan Yeow Kwang, is completing his third 2-year term (2017-2022). The VP-elect is Dr Stephen Yeo, who has spent 20+ years serving in Bukit Panjang Methodist Church's LCEC as Lay Leader and Chairman, and is serving in his 16th year as Chairman of St Francis Methodist School's Board of Directors. Dr Yeo spent 20 years in the Singapore Armed Forces in strategic planning.

The connexional church and system of appointments At the Closing Ceremony, which is when new pastoral appointments are announced, Rev Dr Goh reminded the clergy present that the bedrock of the Methodist connexional church is the system of itinerant ministers and ministerial appointments that John

Wesley started—with the purpose of upholding an apostolic mission given by God. He assured them that the appointments had considered the needs and concerns of the pastors as well as feedback from the churches and District Superintendents.

He shared the concern that the process sometimes leaned towards a secular negotiation, but the "established structure had its sacredness" and there was a need to submit to this system in order to grow and expand the Church.

A total of six elders were ordained at the Closing Ceremony. They are Rev Bernard Chng Chun Yong, Rev Florence Ngu Siew Ning, Rev Lin Ming Zhong, Rev Dr Nathanael Goh Jun Chuen, Rev Patrick Lim Kok Chu and Rev Wang Hai Bin. Ending the night with a rallying call, Rev Dr Goh referred to Wesley's Large Minutes, where Wesley asks how Methodist preachers should be viewed. The answer? Methodist preachers are "messengers sent by the Lord… to reform the nation by spreading scriptural holiness over the land".

Rev Dr Goh said that our faith was not just based on having certainty of eternal life, but also having "a holy influence" in the present life. Quoting Henry H Knight III, he said, "Wesley believed God had called the Methodists to proclaim in addition the promise of a new life before death, a life whose motivations, actions, and relationships [was] governed by love for God and neighbour. It was this that made the Methodist mission distinctive."

January 2023 Methodist Message 7

PASTORAL APPOINTMENTS FOR THE YEAR 2023

卫理公会华人年议会2023委任 Chinese Annual Conference President 华人年议会会长:

Rev Dr Gregory Goh Nai Lat 吴乃力牧师（博士） District 1 第一教区

District 2 第二教区

District 3 第三教区

District Superintendent 教区长

District Superintendent 教区长

District Superintendent 教区长

陸永德牧师

吴毅华牧师

严家慧牧师（博士）

Geylang Chinese MC 芽笼堂

Telok Ayer Chinese MC/TA2

Foochow MC

Rev Paul Thian Moon Hee 程文喜牧师

直落亚逸堂／直落亚逸第二礼拜堂 Pastor-in-charge 主理

福灵堂

Rev Lek Yong Teck

Pastor-in-charge 主理 Associate Pastor 协理

Rev Simon Cheo Hsun Shen 石训深牧师

Rev Helen Hoe Chiew Ngin

Rev Chua Ooi Suah 蔡伟山牧师

Rev Dr Niam Kai Huey

Pastor-in-charge 主理

Rev Lau Chong Yaw 刘昌耀牧师

Associate Pastors 协理

Associate Pastors 协理

Paya Lebar Chinese MC/Paya Lebar Methodist Mission

Rev Jasper Ngoh Jun Jie 吴钧杰牧师

Rev Patrick Chen Guek Fah 曾国华牧师

巴耶黎峇堂／巴耶礼峇美以美宣教站

Rev Patrick Lim Kok Chu 林国柱牧师

Pastor-in-charge 主理 Rev Dr David Koh Ah Chye 许亚才牧师（博士） Associate Pastors 协理

Rev Edmund Koh Lik Hng 许立欣牧师

(1 May 2023 onwards)

Rev Lin Ming Zhong 林明忠牧师 Preacher 传道

Pr Sharon Lee Li Ping 李丽萍传道

Rev Ng Beng Keow 黄明娇牧师

Bukit Panjang MC

Rev Boey Kok Yeow 梅国耀牧师

武吉班让堂

Rev Wilfred Leow Hui Ann 廖惠安牧师

Rev Peter Pan Seng Tai 宾升泰牧师

Pastor-in-charge 主理

Changi MC/Punggol Preaching Point

Associate Pastors 协理

樟宜堂/榜鹅宣教站事工

Pastor-in-charge (Dual appointment) 主理（兼）

Rev Dr Niam Kai Huey 严家慧牧师（博士） Assistant Pastor 助理

Rev Shawn Koh Shin Jan 许巽然牧师

Charis MC 颂恩堂

Pastor-in-charge 主理

Rev Lui Yuan Tze 雷远智牧师

Rev Lek Yong Teck 陸永德牧师 Rev Erick Tan Eng Ghee 陈英意牧师

Preacher 传道

Pr Teh You Siong 郑有祥传道 Re-engagement of Pastor (Part-time) 重聘牧师（部分 ）

Rev Daniel Teoh Kean Oon 张建温牧师 Attachment 隶属

Re-engagement of Pastor (Part-time)

恩典堂

Pastor-in-charge 主理

Rev Dr Niam Kai Huey 严家慧牧师（博士） Associate Pastor 协理

Rev Tan-Yeo Lay Suan 陈杨丽旋牧师 Assistant Pastor 助理

Rev Ong Bee Keow 王美娇牧师 Preacher 传道

Pr Michael Lee Swee Yan 李瑞缘传道 Attachment 隶属

Rev Lisa Yu Li Hsin 俞丽鑫牧师 Rev Dr Nathanael Goh Jun Chuen 吴俊强牧师（博士） 8 Methodist Message

January 2023

Rev Chu Vee Ping 周伟平牧师 Associate Pastor 协理

Rev Peter Soh Kee Lie 苏圻利牧师

Kum Yan MC (Woodlands)

感恩堂（兀兰）

Pastor-in-charge 主理 Preacher 传道

Grace MC

Sengkang MC 盛港堂

Pastor-in-charge 主理

Rev Philip Lim Kian Leong 林建隆牧师

Rev Peace Choi Pyong Hwa 崔平和牧师

Rev Poh Heow Lee 傅後利牧师

天道堂

江宗大牧师

Associate Pastors 协理

重聘牧师（部分 ）

Hinghwa MC

Rev Christopher Louis Kong Chung Dai

Rev Dr Andrew Peh Swee Kian

Rev Dr Alex Chng Peng Lian 庄炳亮牧师（博士）

Rev Andy Goh Yik Wah 吴毅华牧师

白瑞健牧师（博士）

Pastor-in-charge 主理 Rev Dr Ian Jew Yun Shern 尤永深牧师（博士） Associate Pastor 协理

Rev Eric Soh Wai Foon 苏伟峰牧师 Preacher 传道

Pr Gareth Yeo Yong Tai 杨泳泰传道

Holy Covenant MC

恩约堂

Pastor-in-charge 主理

Rev Florence Ngu Siew Ning 吴晓宁牧师 Assistant Pastor 助理

Rev Timothy Ang Pei-Zheng 洪培正牧师

Pr Joseph Chen Yong Chiang 陈勇畅传道 Attachment 隶属

Rev Dr Wilfred Ho Wai Tat 何威达牧师（博士）

Hakka MC

天恩堂

Pastor-in-charge 主理

Rev Jasper Sim Shenq Chyi 沈圣奇牧师 Associate Pastor 协理

Rev Nathanael Chew Eng Pin 周永斌牧师

Yishun Methodist Mission

义顺北宣堂

Pastor-in-charge 主理

Rev Cynthia Choo Bee Lay 周美丽牧师 Associate Pastor 协理

Rev Bernard Chng Chun Yong 庄俊勇牧师

2023 CAC PASTORS’ SPECIAL APPOINTMENTS BY BISHOP

2023年会督特别委任本年议会教牧 Associate Director of Christian Ministry in Schools

District 4 第四教区 District Superintendent 教区长

Rev Chua Ooi Suah

蔡伟山牧师 Queenstown Chinese MC

女皇镇堂

Pastor-in-charge 主理

Rev Ling Tieng Ngung 林天源牧师 Associate Pastors 协理

学校圣工副主任

Rev Edmund Koh 许立欣牧师

Methodist School Chaplains

卫理学校校牧

Rev Lek Yong Teck 陆永德牧师 Rev Erick Tan 陈英意牧师

Rev Christopher Kong 江宗大牧师 Pr Teh You Siong 郑有祥传道 Rev Shawn Koh 许巽然牧师 Rev Glenn Tan 陈书铭牧师 Pr Gareth Yeo 杨泳泰传道

Pr Joseph Chen 陈勇畅传道

Rev Simon Cheo 石训深牧师

Rev Anne Lim Ai Lei 林爱莉牧师

Rev Bernard Chng 庄俊勇牧师

Rev Wang Hai Bin 王海斌牧师

Rev Patrick Chen 曾国华牧师

Rev Jacqueline Ho Sow Fong 何秀芳牧师 Assistant Pastor 助理

Rev Joshua Ong Chee Xiang 王志翔牧师

Ang Mo Kio Chinese MC

宏茂桥堂

Pastor-in-charge 主理

Rev Helen Hoe Chiew Ngin 何秋吟牧师 Associate Pastor 协理

Rev Koh Chew Hai 许就凯牧师

Toa Payoh Chinese MC

大巴窑堂

Pastor-in-charge 主理

Rev Chin Yan Chong 陈元昌牧师 Associate Pastor 协理

Rev Glenn Tan Tze Meng 陈书铭牧师

Rev Dr David Koh 许亚才牧师（博士） Rev Peter Pan 宾升泰牧师

Rev Lui Yuan Tze 雷远智牧师

Rev Cynthia Choo 周美丽牧师

Rev Boey Kok Yeow 梅国耀牧师 Rev Paul Thian 程文喜牧师

Rev Wilfred Leow 廖惠安牧师

Rev Ong Bee Keow 王美娇牧师 Rev Joshua Ong 王志翔牧师 Pr Michael Lee 李瑞缘传道

Rev Edmund Koh 许立欣牧师 Rev Timothy Ang 洪培正牧师

Rev Tan-Yeo Lay Suan 陈杨丽旋牧师 Rev Seet Keng Tat 薛庆达牧师 Rev Jasper Sim 沈圣奇牧师

Rev Peace Choi 崔平和牧师

[From 1 Jul 2023 onwards]

Rev Jasper Ngoh 吴钧杰牧师

[From 1 May 2023 onwards]

Missionaries with MMS

卫理宣教会宣教士

Rev Cassandra Lee 李文英牧师

Director of D i s c i p l e Agency

门徒机构主任

Rev Lisa Yu Li Hsin 俞丽鑫牧师

2023 SPECIAL APPOINTMENTS

BY PRESIDENT 2 0 2 3 年 会 长 特 别 委 任 Trinity Theological College, Principal & Lecturer

三一神学院院长及讲师 Rev Dr Edwin Tay Ed Min 郑益民牧师（博士）

Lecturers at Trinity Theological College & Chaplains to CAC Students at Trinity Theological College

三一神学院讲师及华人年议会三一神学生院牧 Rev Dr Wilfred Ho Wai Tat 何威达牧师（博士）

Local Church Attachment 隶属: Kum Yan MC 感恩堂 Rev Dr Andrew Peh Swee Kian 白瑞健牧师（博士）

Local Church Attachment 隶属: Bukit Panjang MC 武吉班让堂 Rev Dr Nathanael Goh Jun Chuen 吴俊强牧师（博士） Local Church Attachment 隶属: Sengkang MC 盛港堂

Principal, Institute of Elders

四宗乐龄学院院长

Rev Khoo Cheng Hoot (Honorary) 邱仁发牧师（义务）

Sabbatical Leave (1 year)

安息年（一年） Rev Tack Ng Lai Chun 吴丽真牧师 Rev Irman Halim 林恩信牧师 Information is correct at time of printing.

January 2023 Methodist Message 9

Alvin Tay is the Managing Editor of Methodist Message. / Photos by Daniel Lie

News

Recovering our Methodist doctrine, spirit and discipline 47th Session of the Trinity Annual Conference

T

he 47th Session of the Trinity Annual Conference (TRAC) was held at ACS

(Barker Road) premises from 21 to 24 Nov 2022. This is the first time since the Covid-19 pandemic that the TRAC Session was held fully on-site, with only the Closing Service live-streamed as well.

I am not afraid that the people called Methodists should ever cease to exist either in Europe or America.

But I am afraid lest they should exist as a dead sect, having the form of religion without the power. And this undoubtedly will be the case unless they hold fast both the doctrine, spirit, and discipline with which they first set out….

(Thoughts on Methodism, Works of John Wesley Vol. 13)

Tragically these prophetic words of John Wesley have come to pass in our generation where we have witnessed the decline of Methodism in the UK and US, especially the UK, the birthplace of Methodism, said Rev Stanley Chua, President of TRAC. 10 Methodist Message

January 2023

One of the most important factors for this decline is their neglect in holding fast to their Methodist doctrine, spirit and discipline, added Rev Chua in his President's Address.

(left) The 47th TRAC Session was held from 21 to 24 Nov 2022

Reiterating his three-year theme, "Remember Who We Are: Rediscovering our Methodist Heritage of Spirit, Doctrine and Discipline," which he first expounded on at last year's 46th Session, Rev Chua warned that the same fate could happen to The Methodist Church in Singapore (MCS) if we rested on our laurels. "My greatest concern is that many in our Methodist churches are ignorant of our Methodist histor y and heritage," he said.

(right) Ordination

Drawing practical ideas and solutions that he had received and discerned from par ticipants in his book study earlier this year on the histor y of Methodism based on Ar thur Skevington Wood's The Burning Hear t, Rev Chua highlighted the following proposals:

Recovering our Methodist Spirit

Rev Stanley Chua giving the President's Address

"The greatest threat to Christianity is when we no longer care for lost souls. To exist for the next 100 years, MCS must continue to strive to have the zeal to reach out to lost people," said Rev Chua.

Rev Chua exhorted all churches to continue to emphasise evangelism and witnessing through teaching its importance as well as pouring more resources and thinking of creative ways to do evangelism and outreach. He suggested three ways to address the challenges that MCS is facing:



Empower lay people to become "Lay Pastors" It was this vision of empowering ordinary, non-ordained people for God's mission that was at the heart and spirit of the Wesleyan revival and success. Despite concerted efforts by the Board of Ministry (BOM) to organise an annual Vocational Conversation seminar and produce a video on pastoral ministry, as well as the commitment by all churches to have at least one sermon a year on pastoral ministry, it would still not be enough. Rev Chua shared that in 10 years' time (assuming there are no new pastors joining TRAC and retired pastors are not seeking re-engagement) there would be a shortage of pastors, with only 44 pastors serving the 21 TRAC churches.

To overcome this, Rev Chua urged the Conference to reconsider the spirit of empowering and appointing some of the lay people to become "Lay Pastors", starting with our pool of lay ministry staff and lay leaders in the 21 TRAC churches.

He recognised that there may be concerns and challenges in proceeding on this route and proposed that the BOM take the lead in establishing a task force to seriously look into this proposal and to give a report by the next Annual Conference.



Recover and apply the spirit of innovation and adaptation of the early Methodists Rev Chua proposed the creation of the "Wesley Sandbox", a safe space for our youths and young adults to explore, experiment and develop their own worship ministries, programmes and events. He recommended that local churches set up a task force to (a) appraise their own local church situation and (b) work out principles and guidelines for this project.



Recover the capital "S" Rev Chua exhorted churches to be open to the work of the Holy Spirit by creating opportunities for people to encounter God through the Holy Spirit in our worship services and small group meetings. He highlighted that recovering the spirit of the early Methodists involved being open to the work of the Holy Spirit in the everyday lives of our congregation.

That "experience" was the missing element that Wesley rediscovered in Christianity. "We cannot explain the explosive growth of the Wesleyan revival if we fail to understand the importance of the empowering presence of the Holy Spirit in the lives of individuals," he said.

January 2023 Methodist Message 11

Recovering our Methodist doctrine, spirit and discipline

Recovering our Methodist Doctrine

Rev Chua proposed recovering and practising "The General Rules of the Methodist Church" found in the Book of Discipline Para 71. This would ensure that all small groups are aligned to the original intention of the class meetings where members covenant to hold each other accountable for their discipleship.

He also urged all churches to seriously consider making small group participation a requirement for church membership.

With regard to recovering our Methodist doctrine, Rev Chua highlighted the Protestant Reformation which recovered the doctrine of justification/salvation by grace. In the Wesleyan revival, the doctrine of sanctification (living a life of holiness) was recovered. All the doctrines that John Wesley taught and emphasised are not new doctrines. They are the basic foundations of our Christian faith found in historic Christianity.

Other highlights

Rev Chua proposed the redesign of our membership course by modelling it after the Alpha course so that we can teach our Methodist doctrine, spirit and discipline to succeeding generations. The course should include a "Holy Spirit" weekend to facilitate our people to have their own "Aldersgate experience".

With TRAC President spelling out what was in his heart, pastors and lay delegates proceeded to discuss the proposals as well as issues their churches were facing. The District Superintendents, TRAC Boards and General Conference Councils also presented their yearly reports to Conference members.

Recovering our Methodist Discipline Rev Chua highlighted John Wesley's passion in creating discipleship systems that provided accountability. Many believed that the lasting success of Wesley's growing movement was due to his emphasis on both evangelism and discipleship, in particular discipleship. As George Whitefield commented, Wesley not only sought to win converts, he was also passionate about making radical disciples of Christ by creating discipleship systems through a disciplined system called bands and classes.

12 Methodist Message

January 2023

The 47th Session also saw the re-election of Dr Cheah-Foo Fung Fong as TRAC VicePresident for another two years.

In his Bishop's Update, Bishop Dr Gordon Wong updated delegates on the One MCS initiative. Rather than working on structural changes to bring the three Conferences together, he said the Presidents and General Conference have agreed to focus on working and fellowshipping across the three Conferences. Fellowship sessions between lay leaders of all three Conferences have taken place last year and will continue to do so.

(left) BE Dr Wee Boon Hup preaching at the Closing Service (right) Holy Communion, Closing Service

The 47th Session ended with the Closing Service, during which Bishop Dr Gordon Wong presided over the ordination of the following: Diaconal Ministers • Ms Chua Chiew Poh • Mr Vincent Lim Deacons • Ps Gilbert Lok • Ps Clement Ong Elders • Rev • Rev • Rev • Rev Similar initiatives for pastors of the three Conferences have also been planned.

These include the Joint MCS Pastors Retreat in April 2023, Combined Pastors Fellowship in May 2023 and Combined Lent Services in 2024.

TRAC membership crosses 30,000 for the first time The Statistician's Report revealed some good news. Total membership across the 21 TRAC churches grew by 2.7 per cent or 789 persons to 30,057 in 2022, crossing the 30,000 mark for the first time. But the report also highlighted the greying population in our churches. The number of members above 60 years of age has risen to 11,360 persons in 2022, representing 37.8 per cent of total TRAC membership.

Joey Chen Alex Chew Benjamin Lau Allan Lee

The appointments of Pastors and District Superintendents were also read out and will take effect from 1 Jan 2023.

Saul—The Man who had it but lost it In his sermon at the closing service, TRAC President Rev Stanley Chua preached on "Saul—The Man Who Had It but Lost It" (1 Samuel 15:17-23).

Drawing lessons from Saul's life and ministry, Rev Chua reminded delegates and especially the ordinands to pay heed to how we handle power and success; our accountability to others, especially those whom God has placed over our lives; and most important of all, how well we handle our relationship with God, particularly in the area of obeying God's Word.

(top) Rev Chua emphasised the need to hold fast to Methodist doctrine, spirit and discipline (right) Newly ordained Diaconal Ministers, Deacons and Elders

Ordination Service January 2023 Methodist Message 13

Trinity Annual Conference 47th Session

PASTORAL APPOINTMENTS FOR THE YEAR 2023 District 1

District 2

District 3

District Superintendent

District Superintendent

District Superintendent

Rev Dr Jonathan Seet

Rev Reuben Ng

Rev Alvin Chan

Barker Road MC

Ang Mo Kio MC

Agape MC

Pastor-in-Charge

Pastor-in-Charge

Pastor-in-Charge

Rev Wendy Watson

Rev Anthony Lee

Rev Dr Chiu Ming Li

Pastors

Pastor

Pastor

Rev Dr Daniel Koh

Rev Lee Yam Kai

Rev Jason Phua

Rev Lai Kai Ming Rev Benjamin Fong Assistant Pastor

Rev Gilbert Lok

Bedok MC

Assistant Pastor

Rev Emanuel Goh

Cairnhill MC

Living Hope MC

Rev Dr William Sam

Pastor-in-Charge

Pastor

Rev Joel Yang

Pastor-in-Charge

Rev Dr Aaron Tay

Pastors

Rev Gabriel Liew

Pastor-in-Charge

Rev Ling Kin Yew

Fairfield MC

Rev Joshua Loo

Pastor-in-Charge

Christ MC

Methodist Church of the Incarnation

Pastor

Pastor-in-Charge

Pastor-in-Charge

Pastor

Rev Timothy Yong

Rev Dr Edwin Wong

Rev Edmund Koh Pastor

Pastors

Rev Barnabas Chong Rev Daniel C Tan Rev Chan Siew Chye

Christalite Methodist Chapel Pastor-in-Charge

Rev Shaun Chong Assistant Pastor

Rev Tay Li Ping

Rev Allan Lee

Paya Lebar MC Pastor-in-Charge

Rev Dr Kow Shih Ming Pastors

Rev Vincent Goh

Rev Ivan Tan Assistant Pastor

Pastor Reginald Chan

Toa Payoh MC Pastor-in-Charge

Rev Benjamin Lee Pastors

Rev Ming Feong Ching Rev Poh Zhi Hui

Rev Jacob Lim

Wesley MC

Rev Joey Chen

Pastor-in-Charge

Pentecost MC

Kampong Kapor MC

Pastor-in-Charge

Pastor-in-Charge

Rev Dr Jonathan Seet

Rev Tay Kay Leong

Rev Wendy Tay

Rev Raymond Fong Pastors

Rev Lim Jen Huat Rev Lilian Ang

Pastor

Rev Chia Chin Nam

Pastor

Rev Collin See

Rev Gladwin Lee

Rev Anthony Phua

Assistant Pastor

Rev Adrian Ng

Pastor Isaac Tan

Trinity MC Pastor-in-Charge

Rev Alvin Chan Pastors

Rev Sng Chong Hui Rev Byron Teo 14 Methodist Message

January 2023

Rev David Ho Seng Hian Rev Benjamin Lau Assistant Pastor

Rev Clement Ong

SPECIAL APPOINTMENTS FOR THE YEAR 2023 Director, Truthmin

Rev Byron Teo

District 4

Assistant Directors, Youth Ministry

Rev Benjamin Fong Rev Timothy Yong (Schools)

District Superintendent

Rev Dr Edwin Wong

Rev Allan Lee (Trackers) Director of Young Adults Ministry

Rev Adrian Ng Director, Lay Equipping and Development Institute (LEAD)

Aldersgate MC

Rev Ming Feong Ching

Pastor-in-Charge

Assistant Director, Lay Equipping and Development Institute (LEAD)

Rev Dr Lynette Sathiasingam Assistant Pastor

Rev Jeremy Yap

Rev Ling Kin Yew Director, Seniors’ Ministry

Rev Joshua Loo

Covenant Community MC

TRAC Crisis Relief Coordinator

Pastor-in-Charge

Rev Jason Phua

Rev David Gwee

TRAC Chaplains to TRAC TTC Students

Pastors

Rev Dr Chiang Ming Shun

Rev Daniel Terence Yeo

Rev Dr Bernard Chao

Rev David Ho Gim Pin

Rev Wendy Tay

Faith MC

Lecturer, Trinity Theological College

Pastor-in-Charge

Rev Reuben Ng Pastors

Rev Dr Chiang Ming Shun Rev Dr Bernard Chao On Sabbatical Leave

Rev John Benedict Foo

Rev Kenneth Huang

Rev Peter Koh

Study Leave

Rev Eddie Ho

Rev Ian Lee

Assistant Pastor

Coordinator Peranakan/Indonesian Ministry

Rev Chan Mei Ming

Holland Village MC Pastor-in-Charge

Rev Jeremy Ong Pastor

Rev Loretta Lim

Living Waters MC Pastor-in-Charge

Rev Khoo Kay Huat

Rev Christopher Chin

APPOINTMENTS MADE THROUGH THE BISHOP’S OFFICE Director, Ministry in Schools

Rev Dr Aaron Tay Associate Director, Ministry in Schools

Rev Dr William Sam Rev Poh Zhi Hui

Pastor

Rev Alex Chew

METHODIST MISSIONS SOCIETY 2023 Executive Director Rev Derrick Lau Missionary Pastor (East Asia) Rev Tan Cheok Kian Missionary Pastor (Thailand) Rev Clarence Lee Missionary Diaconal Minister (Thailand) Rev Vincent Lim Missionary Pastor (Vietnam) Rev Leslie Lim Missionary Pastor (Timor-Leste) Rev See Swee Fang Missionary Diaconal Minister (Timor-Leste) Rev Teresa Wilborn

Information is correct at time of printing.

January 2023 Methodist Message 15

Kathrynn Koh is the Communications Executive at MCS Communications Department.

News

OT Summit The relevance of the Old Testament today

Inner courtyard of the Tower of David in Jerusalem, Israel

O

n Pentecost Sunday 2022, a group gathered at Jerusalem’s Garden Tomb as the "first-fruits" of the movement to eliminate the Original Testament (OT) Gap. Known as the Jerusalem Declaration, these individuals are its original signatories. The OT Summit on 28 November at Wesley Methodist Church is the first of such events outside of Jerusalem, organised by the 4.2.20 Foundation to discuss the relevance of the Old Testament (which they refer to as the Original Testament), why an OT gap exists, and how it can be eliminated.

Statistics show that of the 7,000+ global languages, only 10% have access to the full Bible. In other words, 90% of the world’s population have an incomplete understanding of God’s word. In Asia, only 54 of the 2,414 languages have the full Bible translated into the local language.

It is the goal to see every person engage with the whole word of God in his/her own heart language that drives the work of 4.2.20 Foundation.

In his OT Summit opening address, 4.2.20 Foundation’s CEO, Rev Dr David Swarr, pointed out that one in every four verses in the New Testament refers directly to the Old Testament, and emphasised Jesus’ extensive use of the OT. When we consider the two primary directives God has for believers—that of the great commandment and the great commission—the relevance of the OT and how it is the bedrock for the New Testament becomes starkly evident.

16 Methodist Message

January 2023

Bishop Dr Gordon Wong of The Methodist Church in Singapore (MCS) expounded on the OT relevance, stating that the OT was the Bible Jesus referred to. Matthew 5:17 reads, "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law of the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfil them."

Bishop Dr Wong’s background as the Bishop William F. Oldham Professor of Old Testament at Trinity Theological College where he lectured on the Old Testament, Hebrew and Homiletics for 17 years, was brought to the fore as he shared why the promotion of the OT is necessary for historic, hermeneutical and holistic reasons.

He interspersed his insights with personal anecdotes on how gaps in translation can affect one’s understanding of God’s Word, and explained how the OT portrays God as the creator of all, and OT heroes were not restricted to Jews—think Job of OT fame.

Henry Tan, Vice Chairman of Alpha Singapore, moderated a discussion with panellists Rev Dr Swarr, Rev Stanley Chua, President of the Trinity Annual Conference of MCS and Ms Kwan Poh Sun, Wycliffe Singapore’s Senior Bible Translation Consultant. This session yielded a greater appreciation for the cultural and geographical significance to Bible translation work, and as highlighted by Rev Chua, how Scripture is central to the Methodist theology by way of the Wesleyan Quadrilateral.

Read more about the Jerusalem Declaration to eliminate the Original Testament gap https: //theotgap.bible

Chan Yuey Sum is the Manager (Marketing & Promotion) at Methodist Preschool Services Pte Ltd (MPSPL)/ Photos courtesy of MPSPL

News

Top prize for innovative education awarded to

Methodist Preschools

M

ethodist Preschool Services (MPS) was awarded the top prize for the

Gartner 2022 Eye on Innovation Awards in Education (K-12 category) for the use of the Luka AI Reading Robot to enhance Chinese language learning.

The international award recognises education institutions for their innovative use of technology to drive best-in-class initiatives. MPS topped three other finalists from Australia,

(top) Storytelling

by Luka

USA and Brazil. It is the first preschool group in Singapore to win the education innovation award in the new K-12 award

(bottom) Activitybased Chinese learning using Luka

category introduced by Gartner this year.

Luka was introduced to support Mandarin learning at the group of five MPSmanaged preschools in 2022. Children can enjoy listening to stories read aloud

by Luka in an animated and pleasant voice from its extensive library of 70,000 audiobooks of different genres and themes. In addition to storytelling, Luka also assists our students in independent learning of Chinese characters using its AI-image recognition capability. The AI robot provides clear and accurate pronunciation of Chinese words and their meanings from flashcards placed in front of it.

Since its debut, teachers have noted a significant boost in interest for Chinese language learning, improvement in Chinese literacy, communication skills and greater motivation for self-initiated learning outside lesson time among students. Students’ Chinese vocabulary and communication skills have also been enhanced as they converse and sing along with Luka.

For more information, scan the QR code to visit the MPS website January 2023 Methodist Message 17

Feature

Photos courtesy of Rev Florence Ngu, Pastor Adlin Jacob and Rev Allan Lee

Answering the call We hear the stories of two newly ordained Elders and one Member-on-Trial, all of whom were conferred their new titles during the Annual Conferences in Nov 2022.

Rev Florence Ngu and her parents

Rev Florence Ngu Newly ordained Elder, CAC

I

used to work in a Christian gospel broadcasting company. Whilst serving in this para-church organisation, I had opportunities to visit different churches for fund-raising purposes and sharing of ministry opportunities there. Once, I arrived early at a church and as I entered the sanctuary, I gazed at the empty pews and the vacant hall.

Looking around, a message flashed in my mind. It was as if God was telling me "The Church needs workers, come feed my sheep." As I continued to contemplate, this thought came to me: Isn't bringing people into the church to be pastored, the ultimate aim of spreading the gospel? The message of the Church lacking pastors was impressed upon me as I continued to gaze at the empty hall. Because of this, I responded to God's call.

I left the broadcasting company and started full-time theological studies to equip myself so that I could be deployable

by God. I did not know how pastoral ministry would be like; neither did I question my credentials, nor understand the great cost that awaited me when I set foot on this journey. I simply responded because there was a need.

If you had asked me during my initial years in seminary how I envisioned being a pastor, I would have responded with lofty plans and ideas. However, from 2014 to 2022 (between the time I graduated to when I was ordained an Elder), my perspective of being a pastor changed. I feel that a pastor is one who is on a journey, constantly learning how to relinquish his own plans and dreams. For it is only when one relinquishes his plans will he truly hear God's will. I find myself being more and more ignorant as I walk down this path. I thank God for this awareness, because this ignorance compels me to rely on God more. And this reliance allows me to see his wonderful works unveiling in ministry.

The opportunity of being a servant of God is a glorious one. I sometimes ask myself "What can a plain Jane like me accomplish?" It is only through his marvellous work and grace that I have been chosen to be a pastor. Being ordained as an Elder is both an important affirmation and a sign—affirmation of God's calling and will in my life. Stepping into this new phase, I'm met with a lot of unknowns and may not be able to navigate smoothly as I adjust. But I would like to echo Mary's prayer in Luke 1:38 (NIV), "I am the Lord's servant, may your word to me be fulfilled."

All glory to our Lord!

(Translated from Mandarin)

18 Methodist Message

January 2023

Back then, I did not read the Bible frequently, but God still used different ways to speak to me, to inspire and encourage me. On that day, I was seated in the living room where I found a wall hanging with the words, "If you don't succeed once, try, try again." That encouraged me and I went on to pass my second attempt at the supplementary exam.

These words spoken to me by the then gardener of St Wesley Church Roya PettahChennai, India, still ring in my ears— "He will hook him and take him for His mission."

If God really called someone for his purpose, he will not let him go. During my college days, a friend and I met this gardener on the church campus where we chose to wait for a movie in a theatre nearby. He shared these words with me after explaining the story of Jonah.

Pastor Adlin with his wife Rubia and daughter Linya

I used to tell my parents that I cannot serve God without personally recognising his call.

Well, God certainly made it clear to me!

Pastor Jones Retna Raj Adlin Jacob Member-on-Trial, ETAC

E

ven though I was brought up in a Christian family and my father had dedicated me to pastoral ministry while I was still in my mother's womb, I showed no interest in doing God's work in my youth. In fact, I was running in the opposite direction from where God wanted me to. I never listened to my parents and anyone who gave me advice.

Rather, I chose to enjoy my life in a different way that eventually wrecked my youth.

But God started to teach me. Although I had a reputation of being an academically good student, I failed my higher secondary level examinations. Ashamed to face the people in my village in the Kanyakumari District, Tamil Nadu, I packed up and moved to my uncle's house in the city, with the intention of pursuing a technical course with my high school level results.

Despite my excuses that I was not worthy to serve him, God spoke to me clearly through 1 Corinthians 1:27, "But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong."

God moulded me for his mission, helping me to serve in India as a church worker for five years, and as a missionary trainee for one year in a tribal village. It was God's will that I could pursue theological studies to serve God and God's people further, and to preach God's word with clear biblical knowledge.

I had never thought of serving God through Emmanuel Tamil Annual Conference (ETAC) with The Methodist Church in Singapore (MCS), but it is God's will that I will be a Member-on-Trial (MOT) in ETAC from January 2023. I praise God for his love and mercies during the difficult times of my life. I also render my sincere gratitude to people who stood by my side and guided me thus far, imparting God's love to me.

January 2023 Methodist Message 19

Answering the call

(left) Rev Lee and his family (right) L to R Rev Benjamin Lau, Rev Allan Lee, Rev Alex Chew, Rev Joey Chen

Rev Allan Lee Newly ordained Elder, TRAC

I

t seems that God was reaching out to me from the beginning.

By his grace, I went to a missions school where I was exposed to Christianity in my primary school years despite being born into a non-Christian family. Looking back, the seeds of the gospel were planted during those years. However, it was only in secondary school, through The Boys' Brigade (BB) programme, that I truly experienced God's love and decided to give my life to Christ.

I started to go to church and attended a weekly Bible study, and so began a process of spiritual transformation in my life.

Patience and gentleness slowly replaced my hot-temper and impatience, and as I knew God and his Word more, I began to serve him more actively in church and BB. I first sensed God's call to full-time ministry at my first Young Methodist Leaders Conference (YMLC) in 2003 during my NS days. Having sought the wise counsel of my Pastor-in-Charge then, I proceeded to first pursue and complete my degree, and subsequently my Master's. It was during this time that I discovered a love and passion for teaching. This passion would later lead me to believe that God had called me to teaching in my pastoral ministry, which was confirmed by an encounter with 20 Methodist Message

January 2023

a Methodist pastor who shared that she saw the word "teaching" only moments in to our first meeting.

I heard God's call again during YMLC which I attended again while working in the Civil Service. However, this time I was in denial.

I never saw myself as a pastor, neither was I prepared for it. I kept this to myself and told no one, only asking God to confirm this calling. About a month later, my brother, who was already in ministry, sent me a text message saying, "I sensed God calling you to full-time ministry—why don't you pray about it?" It was then that I knew without a doubt that God had called me to serve him and his church as a pastor. The rest, as they say, is history.

Looking back, I am always amazed by how God, from the very beginning, was already reaching out to me, charting my path "behind the scenes". Today, I continue to be amazed by his grace. He has called me into ministry that is aligned with my passion, and given me the privilege to walk with others and see them grow in their relationship with him.

As I continue this journey of pastoral ministry, I pray that the Lord will continue to equip and empower me to serve him faithfully and fervently. To God be the glory.

Rev Benjamin Fong is a pastor at Barker Road Methodist Church.

M

aking New Year resolutions may

Christians are never to be content with

have once been a more serious

drinking milk like infants, but to strive for

practice. Reflecting the optimism of days

maturity, contending for the holiness Christ

past, people would see the start of the

summons us to.1

year as an opportunity for betterment by resolving to take action or change.

Without resolving to take certain actions

Things do not seem quite the same now.

or make changes in our lives, how can we

New Year resolutions have become the

achieve maturity in Christ? Resolutions are

punchline in jokes—made in January,

therefore necessary, and what is important

forgotten by February—for example. The

is their substance. What are you resolving to

question is no longer whether we would

do, and why?

keep our resolutions, but how long before we break them.

It must be noted that not all resolutions are made equal. A resolution to sleep earlier

Given how frivolously treated New Year

cannot be considered akin to a resolution to

resolutions seem to be, should Christians

pray daily (although the latter has sometimes

make any ? To give the practice a fair trial,

helped with the former).

we should look beyond its present-day caricature.

What then should our resolutions be?

Scripture urges us to pursue and keep doing

In theory, making resolutions is a

the things that are good, beautiful, and

commendable instinct. It is the first step to

true, and these would be excellent criteria

putting the hand on the proverbial plough

in discerning resolutions that are worthy of

and reflects a desire to grow in some way.

our time and energy. 2 Discerning what is

January 2023 Methodist Message 21

Image: Tim Mossholder/Unsplash.com

Should Christians make New Year resolutions?

Should Christians make New Year resolutions?

good, beautiful, and true requires a constant

ahead to the purposes of God, as the young

renewing of our minds, so that we define

Wesley did as a student in Oxford. Looking

these qualities on God's terms, rather than

back on his life, he wrote,

by the world's ever-shifting standards.

3

Instantly I resolved to dedicate all my life to Resolutions that are worthwhile are thus

God, all my thoughts, and words, and actions;

resolutions that help us grow in holiness:

being thoroughly convinced, there was no

to love and think like Christ, who is the

medium; but that every part of my life (not some

embodiment of God's goodness, beauty, and

only) must either be a sacrifice to God, or myself,

truth in the flesh. Christians are, after all,

that is, in effect, to the devil. 9

supposed to pursue perfection in love—not passively but actively with single-minded,

By the time this is published we would

relentless zeal.4

already be in the new year, but we do not have to wait till New Year's Eve to renew

This requires courage to honestly confront

our covenant with the Lord. Wesley himself

ourselves and see where we are in our

conducted the covenant renewal service

journey. If our resolution does not produce

at various times of the year as he travelled,

what John Wesley terms the "fruits of

with the overarching emphasis on resolving

holiness" then we need to either revise our

to follow Jesus all the way. This year, will you

resolution or replace it with one that does

make a resolution that counts?

lead to our growing in holy love.5 Otherwise we are no different from the world, wasting our energies pursuing that which will not

A COVENANT PRAYER

last into the world to come.

in the Wesleyan Tradition

6

I am no longer my own, but yours. Put me to

However, simply making resolutions that will

what you will, place me with whom you will.

sanctify us is not enough. Since the goal is

Put me to doing, put me to suffering. Let me be

holiness, we must also strive to keep these

put to work for you or set aside for you, praised

resolutions and bear fruit, lest we become like

for you or criticised for you. Let me be full, let

the disobedient son of Matthew 21:28.7 But

me be empty. Let me have all things, let me

we need not share the gloomy outlook on the

have nothing. I freely and fully surrender all

futility of resolutions that the world feeds us.

things to your glory and service. And now, O wonderful and holy God, Creator, Redeemer,

Resolutions that help us grow in holiness

and Sustainer, you are mine, and I am yours.

have one key difference from the petty

So be it. And the covenant which I have made

resolutions that the world makes—because

on earth, let it also be made in heaven.

they are made in obedience to God's heart, we are given divine grace to keep them.

Amen.

Wesley firmly believed that the God who

Public Domain, The United Methodist Hymnal UMH607

summons us to holiness is also a God who gives us the grace to be holy as he is holy.

Every command of God in the Bible is at once both a summons to obedience, and yet also a promise that he would give us grace to obey.8 That's the gospel! And this is the same faith and hope that undergirds the Watchnight Covenant Renewal Service that has become so distinctive of Methodists. The covenant we make is the one resolution to rule them all, a resolve to dedicate all our life in the year

22 Methodist Message

January 2023

Philippians 3:14; Hebrews 5:12-14.

Philippians 4:8-9.

3 Romans 12:1-2.

4 John Wesley, A Plain Account of Christian Perfection, 19.

5 John Wesley, Sermon 28: Upon Our Lord's Sermon on the Mount (Discourse VIII), 4.

6 John 6:27.

7 In this parable, a man asks his sons to work in the vineyard.

The first refuses, but subsequently goes; the second agrees, but does not show up.

8 John Wesley, Sermon 25: Upon Our Lord's Sermon on the Mount (Discourse V), 2.3.

9 John Wesley, A Plain Account of Christian Perfection, 2.

1

2

Book Review

Lucy Cheng worships at Wesley Methodist Church and serves in their BeTween ministry. / Photos courtesy of Jonathan Chan

going home is a worthy book of letters

F

rom describing Greenwich, New York

Methodist Message interviewed Jonathan,

as "the haven of low-tax suburbia,

26, a graduate of Cambridge University,

the ballast of private equity… and the

England to know more about him.

monotony of finance husbands" ("another in a powerful image of "heels clutched from

Are you a member of a church, in Singapore or abroad?

anxious feet" ("5 foundings"), Jonathan

I grew up at International Baptist Church

Chan's debut poetry collection, going

(IBC) and later moved to Covenant

home is a masterful display of sensibilities.

Community Methodist Church, where

life"), to capturing the bustle of Hong Kong

I remain. Prior to my NS enlistment, I There is a keen sense of affection for the

attended Trackers (a 3-month church

places he has lived in and known (the

discipleship programme for youths aged

United States, Malaysia, South Korea, Hong

between 17 and 25). I attended a low

Kong, the United Kingdom, and Singapore),

Anglican church while living in Cambridge,

but beyond these earthly sojourns,

England and a Vineyard church when I

there are also poems of reflection on his

lived in New Haven, Connecticut.

Christian faith that shine with tender, overt to mind the New Testament writings of the

Did you attend Sunday School as a child and what is your memory of it?

apostle Paul, and with the repetitive phrase

Growing up in IBC, attending Sunday

"I write a letter", we get the fullest measure

School, I thought of faith as primarily

of his desire to express everything on his

cerebral or doctrinal—I felt like it was

heart, while knowing that it is humanly

something good, something for which I

impossible to do so. But if we consider

had to be obedient and attentive during

each poem in this book leading up to

classes, and something that required my

"epistle" as a letter he desired to write, his

being able to give the right answers. That

valiant attempt has indeed produced a

sense of personal strictness began to

book of letters well worth reading.

loosen over the years as I began to better

spirituality. The final poem, "epistle", calls

January 2023 Methodist Message 23

"going home" is a worthy book of letters

understand the complex ways in which

My advice to a 14-year-old who is searching

faith takes root, becomes manifest in

would firstly be to read widely. The

daily disciplines, and can sometimes feel

search for truth has been conditioned

wholly inadequate in thinking about the

in all humanity, arguably since its very

great cruelty and violence that patterns

inception in the Garden of Eden when the

our world. Yet, that very inadequacy lies

compulsion toward truth led Adam and

with us, not with God, who continues to

Eve to discover sin. Yet, what makes the

work in spite of our partial, imperfect

truth the truth is its consistency and ability

understandings of his nature and his

to cut through abhorrent untruths. The

being. The person of Christ is the most

Gospel is the Gospel, no matter how it may

tangible and accessible way we can begin

be misconstrued or misrepresented.

to understand what a life of faith means for

Secondly, befriend people from various

the human person.

backgrounds—socioeconomic, ethnic, religious, linguistic. Coming into friendship and intimacy with people who have lived all kinds of lives can knock away narrowness and parochialism, while giving the sense that there can be an expansiveness to truth one may have previously overlooked. Within this lies the importance of finding friends and mentors one can trust—those who are open to listening to you in patient, non-judgmental ways in this journey of trying to understand and sort out the truth.

What advice would you give to a 14-year-old teen searching for the truth?

The last piece of advice I would offer is to

In my mind, adolescence is always a

few people really figure out 'the truth' in

difficult period. Not only is it a period

their adolescence. Seeking the truth is a

of profound physical transformation,

lifelong process. We can assert that God

but that can be matched by periods of

is truth, but to know that fact, to feel that,

intense questioning that can affect you

and to live that out with depth and fullness

psychologically and spiritually. I think I

is the central tension of this life on earth.

find comfort in the fact that, realistically,

was once that 14-year-old searching for the truth, terrified of the possibility that the architecture of the Christian faith was built on lies and was fragile enough to crumble at the slightest prod. What later helped to assuage that fear was the conviction that came from believing in the historical truth of the resurrection, though understanding the place of that truth in daily life has been an ensuing source of frustration and comfort.

24 Methodist Message

January 2023

In one of your poems is a lovely phrase, "divine alterities". Is there any place on earth you yearn for, where you cannot stay?

In the poem "another life", in which I write about "divine alterities", I'm thinking specifically about the otherness of God, the ways in which God remains totally alien to us owing to the vastness of his authority and intelligence, and my utter inability to

fully understand the alternative lives he may

places my family lives that I visited growing

have led me to live. I find a contentment in

up—Houston, Seoul, Hong Kong. Part of me

the divine security provided by faith through

has felt at home in the places I have lived—

all the places I've known as home.

New York, Singapore, Cambridge, New Haven.

If home is defined as a place where one's inner

Your book is titled going home, which seems to be an allusion to the spiritual, but is it only? Where is 'home'?

sense of self and one's surroundings match,

The central thrust of the book is my thinking

home is only really in Singapore with my own

about my own experience of coming into an

family. But if home is taken to be in that sense

understanding of the idea of home—culturally,

of fundamental, personal security, then the

ethnically, historically, environmentally, and

feeling of home ultimately resides in what it is

spiritually. Part of me has felt at home in the

for me to be a child and a follower of God.

where one feels fully known and ceases to feel the need for constant self-explanation, then

義 (yi) where a lamb must rest, speared straight through, before this arrowhead was taken for me, blood smeared to appease a pantheon of spirits, so distant from this bloodless ritual, told only in tones and on the tongue, how a lamb is still broken, fragments for all and for me, a leakage of water from the side, how that jagged edge still finds my being within it, the elusiveness of unasked penance, how i still see that unmated fleece, brightness through translucent patches, more than what will ever be mustered

going home

from within, no justice, no peace, but for

By Jonathan Chan

the lamb that rests over me.

• • • • • •

義 or 义 : pronounced ‘yì’, spelled ‘Yee’ in my name, translating to righteousness or justice.

Published by Landmark Books ISBN: 9789811847318 Cover Type: Paperback Page Count: 96 Year Published: 2022 Size: 130mm x 195mm

The book is available at Epigram Books

~ A poem from going home (Landmark Books, 2022)

January 2023 Methodist Message 25

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.

Behold, I am making all things new!

An d h e wh o wa s se at e d o n t h e t h r o n e s ai d , ' Be h ol d , I a m m a k i n g al l t h i n g s n e w . ' (Revelation 21:5)

O

ur world at the beginning of 2023 is

Think of the millions of Ukrainians whose

pretty much the same as it was at the

lives have been torn apart by a senseless

end of 2022.

war and who have lost people they love.

It is a world that continues to be molested

Think of the 900,000 Rohingya who fled

by wars, pestilences and famines. It is a

Myanmar and who are now living in

world that is gripped by the forces of evil,

overcrowded camps in Bangladesh.

shrouded in darkness and burdened by the weight of tragedy.

And think of the hundreds of thousands of women and children (both girls and boys)

In many ways, 2023 does not appear to offer

who are victims of human trafficking every

many prospects for a new beginning for

year, and who find themselves in the dark and

large swathes of the world's population.

unforgiving world of sex, drugs and violence.

26 Methodist Message

January 2023

Will 2023 bring a new beginning of peace,

That is why whenever the Church celebrates

restoration, liberation and healing to them?

the Eucharist, she makes the Memorial Acclamation:

And yet, the lectionary for this liturgical season directs our attention to these truly

Christ has died

remarkable words of our Lord: "Behold, I am making all things new" (Revelation 21:5).

Christ is risen Christ will come again

They point to the future that God himself

The Christian, who has put his faith in the

will bring to pass the transformation of this

crucified and risen Christ, lives in hope for

sin-marred world of ours, where God himself

his certain return.

will "wipe away every tear from their eyes", and where "death shall be no more, neither

However, the Christian's wait for the

shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor

Parousia is never passive or idle. His faith

pain anymore, for the former things have

and hope in his Lord and Saviour compel

passed away" (Revelation 21:4).

him to avail himself as God's instrument of love, mercy and grace.

This marvellous and unimaginable future is in fact already here! God's kingdom was

Thus, as the Christian waits for the promised

inaugurated by the appearance of Jesus

future, he allows God to use him to bear

Christ—the incarnation of the second

witness to the Good News of Jesus Christ.

person of the triune Godhead—on the first

He embodies that gospel and works toward

Christmas day at Bethlehem, and will be

peace and justice. He exercises responsible

consummated when Christ returns at the

stewardship by caring for the environment.

close of the age. Our Lord's first advent

He intercedes for those in desperate need,

points to and anticipates the Parousia—his

lifting up holy hands in prayer so that

glorious return. That is why Revelation 21 is

those who are imprisoned by their past or

read by the Church during Epiphany, which

paralysed by their present circumstances

immediately follows Christmas.

will, by God's grace and mercy, be given a fresh start and a new beginning.

The present world, because of the Fall, is not that which God had intended it to be.

I end this brief reflection with an Anglican

But because of Christ, this fallen world will

Collect for the season of Epiphany. Perhaps

never simply remain as it is. A new reality

we can make this prayer our own as we wait

has dawned that will be fully unveiled when

for the God who has promised to make all

the divine kingdom comes in all its fullness.

things new.

Now, because God has made a divine promise that he "(is) making all things new", Christians dare to hope, amidst the prevailing chaos of our world, for the 'impossible possibility' of the future that they cannot yet see, but is promised in the lectionary readings for this season.

Almighty God, in Christ you make all things new: transform the poverty of our nature by the riches of your grace, and in the renewal of our lives make known your heavenly glory; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,

Christian hope flows from faith that this promised future has been guaranteed by what God has accomplished in history through the life, death and resurrection of his Son, Jesus Christ.

who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.

Amen.

January 2023 Methodist Message 27

By the Methodist Welfare Services Communications Team / Photos courtesy of Methodist Welfare Services

Partially paralysed after a stroke, she raised funds at MWS Empowerun 8 months later

W

ith the help of a walking stick, Mdm Lim Ah Thin, 73, took slow but steady strides on a concrete pathway at Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park. She was participating in MWS Empowerun, a fundraising and outreach event by the Methodist Welfare Services (MWS), with an in-person run/walk held on 29 October 2022.

It is hard to imagine that Mdm Lim was partially paralysed just a few months prior. A fiercely independent woman, Mdm Lim found herself unable to work or live on her own after a stroke in February 2022 left her mobility-impaired.

"On 19 February, I woke up to find myself lying on the bathroom floor. I had fallen and lost consciousness the day before," recounted Mdm Lim. "I felt very afraid as I couldn't move the

A physiotherapist guides Mdm Lim in using the pedal exerciser as part of her rehabilitation programme at the MWS Senior Care Centre – Eunos

right side of my body. Using my left side, I dragged myself all the way to the living room, and reached for my mobile to call my sister.

She called an ambulance, which came and sent me to the emergency department at Changi General Hospital. I was subsequently transferred to a community hospital."

Getting back on her feet After her discharge from the hospital, Mdm Lim moved to live with her sister and her family so they could watch over her.

The senior also enrolled in the active rehab programme at the Day Rehabilitation Centre at MWS Senior Care Centre (SCC) – Eunos, as she suffered from weakness on the right side of her body due to stroke. She was seen by a physiotherapist and occupational therapist who worked with her on her strength, balance and endurance, and guided her to perform daily living activities.

of seven Senior Activity Centres and Active Ageing Centres, and an integrated Home Care & Home Hospice service—to support seniors to age in place.

The SCC was officially opened on 3 November, where Guest-of-Honour, Mr Edwin Tong, Minister for Culture, Community and Youth, spoke on the timeliness of its opening in addressing the healthcare needs of a rapidly ageing population.

The SCC gives seniors "a sense of home, and a space to age gracefully with dignity and confidence that they are being cared for," said Mr Tong, who is also Second Minister for Law. He added that "how we look after the seniors who age in our society is a strong marker for how gracious we are as a society".

Within three months, Mdm Lim saw a significant improvement in her strength and mobility, and was able to reintegrate into the community. "I can now do light household chores and move about independently at home without a walking stick. I also became confident enough to take public transport to the market by myself," she said.

"I was very down in the initial stages of my therapy as I wasn't sure if I was going to get better. But I didn't want to burden anyone, so I kept my worries to myself. Sometimes, I would hide in the toilet to cry. I had lost all hope and thought of giving up. But now, I am starting to see hope again."

Expanding community-based services for seniors Besides providing community rehabilitation services to clients like Mdm Lim, MWS SCC – Eunos also offers day care for frailer older adults, including those at different stages of dementia. Some 70 per cent of the SCC's day care slots cater to those with dementia.

Day care clients are engaged in activities like painting and pedal exercising to stimulate their cognitive abilities and slow deterioration.

Co-located with Eunos Polyclinic, MWS SCC – Eunos fills a critical gap in MWS' continuum of eldercare services—which comprises a network

Mdm Lim at MWS Empowerun, flanked by (from left) MWS Allied Health Head Yong Limin; Senior Parliamentary Secretary of the Ministry of Social and Family Development & Culture, Community and Youth Mr Eric Chua; MWS beneficiary Mdm Tay; and MWS CEO Junie Foo

Help seniors like Mdm Lim

find hope in hard times

MWS Senior Care Centre – Eunos supports frailer older adults to continue living in the community through day care and active rehabilitation services. The majority of our clients require financial assistance for our services, and your giving can help clients like Mdm Lim achieve community reintegration, or be engaged with fellow seniors in a homelike environment. Just as we have found our living hope that is Jesus Christ, we can also be a conduit of hope to show God's unconditional love to the world. To donate, visit mws.sg/give .

January 2023 Methodist Message 29

Rev Derrick Lau is the Executive Director of the Methodist Missions Society (MMS). / Photos courtesy of MMS

Saving souls in the

Wesleyan Spirit H

abakkuk's prophetic message in

"saving souls" meant more than simply

Habakkuk 2:14, "For the earth will be

helping others to accept Christ as their

filled with the knowledge of the glory of

Lord and Saviour, but also to help them in

the Lord as the waters cover the sea",

their spiritual growth.

continually challenges us to mobilise God's people to reach out to the vast

In his article, "John Wesley on Evangelism

number of people who have never heard

and the Pursuit of Justice", 2 David N.

the gospel.

Field says that "[the] starting point for understanding a Wesleyan perspective on

It is estimated that out of 17,429 people

salvation is that God, who is love, created

groups in the world, 7,416 or 42.5% of them

human beings in God's own moral image

are unreached. 1 Methodist Missions Society

of love. When Wesley wished to describe

(MMS) avows to fulfil Christ's mandate to

love for our fellow human beings, he

preach the gospel to all the world. We are

referred to the Golden Rule of 'doing unto

familiar with John Wesley's instruction to

others as you would have them do to

his preachers that they had "nothing to

yourself', which is expressed in the triad of

do but save souls". However, to Wesley,

'justice, mercy and truth'.

30 Methodist Message

January 2023

Thailand–1st Missions Conference 2022: New Appointment Holders

•

Cambodia – 4th Provisional Annual Conference with MMS as one of the five agencies that planted nine churches and eight preaching points

•

Thailand – 1st Missions Conference with 17 churches and 10 preaching points

•

Nepal – 14th Annual Meeting with seven churches, five preaching points and six outreach points

• Nepal–14th Annual Meeting 2022

Vietnam – Establishment of an International Christian Fellowship

God's intention for humanity, Wesley said, was devastated by sin. Instead of loving God and their fellow human beings, human beings turned away from God and centred their lives on themselves, resulting in the abuse, misuse, exploitation, and even destruction, of other human beings. Salvation is therefore the process by which God restores the image of God in human beings by drawing them into a relationship with himself by the Spirit, enabling and empowering them to live lives characterised by justice, mercy and truth.

It begins before we are even conscious of it through what Wesley referred to as "prevenient grace".

3

Prevenient Grace, Justifying Grace and Sanctifying Grace are the three key distinctives of Wesley's theology.

Each type of grace is important for our salvation and spiritual growth. Briefly, prevenient grace is the grace that God gives us to enable us to respond to the gospel. It is also known as "enabling grace" because by it, we have the power to do things we could

Cambodia–4th Provisional Annual Conference 2022

With your prayers and contributions, we support five schools and two bible schools reaching out to almost 3,000 children (both residential and non-residential). In these initiatives, we continue to focus on the overarching principles of building human capacity and developing national leaders to ensure sustainability in the longer term.

In 2023, may the Lord deepen our love for him and his creation, and inspire us, individually and collectively, to act on the urgency of sharing the Good News to the nations and helping believers to grow, that we might witness the fulfilment of Habakkuk's vision in our generation!

not do on our own. Justifying grace is the grace that forgives our sins and makes us right with God, while sanctifying grace is the grace that transforms our lives and enables us to live holy lives." 4

1

https://joshuaproject.net/ (retrieved on 18 Dec 2022)

in mind, we praise God that for 30 years,

https://theologyeverywhere.org/2022/02/28/youhave-nothing-to-do-but-save-souls-john-wesley-onevangelism-and-the-pursuit-of-justice/

he has enabled MMS to engage in church

3

2

With the Wesleyan perspective on salvation

planting and community development in seven countries. We are glad to share a brief update on our Mission's work:

Ibid.

4 https://medium.com/mere-christianity/what-johnwesley-meant-by-grace-the-different-types-ofgrace-explained-bbb9cdd09a56

January 2023 Methodist Message 31

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

Worship

An Irish prayer song for the new year

I

t is a tradition for choirs to present an

even before the pagans could do their

offertory anthem during worship. At

ritual. The king was so impressed by St

the TRAC 47th Session Ordination and

Patrick's devotion that instead of executing

Closing Service on 24 November 2022, the

him, the king allowed him to continue his

designated offertory anthem was "Christ

missionary work.

Be With Me".

These two long poems were translated to The anthem combines two ancient Irish

English, versified and are now included in

texts. It begins with "Christ Be With Me",

most hymnals. "Be Thou My Vision" is the

an excerpt from a long prayer named "St

more popular one. 2

Patrick's Breastplate" attributed to St Patrick (c. 385-461), Ireland's patron saint. The song

Lay or ordained, we can sing or recite

pivots to "Be Thou My Vision", a poem (Rop

"Christ Be With Me" as a prayer not just

tú mo Baile) written by a monk named

for protection but to seek the Lord in our

Dallan Forgaill around three centuries later to

goings in and out, on our good and not-

honour the faith of St Patrick.

so-good days. If the tune is too difficult, we

1

could perhaps combine lines from the two Legend has it that in the 5th century, St

poems to greet each new day:

Patrick recited the breastplate as a prayer for protection. King Laoghaire of Tara, a pagan Irish King, made a decree that fire could be lit on the Hill of Slane only after a pagan festival had begun. He did this to prevent St Patrick and his followers from reaching Tara to proclaim the Christian faith. However, St Patrick defied the king's decree and lit the Paschal fire (Easter light)

1 2

Christ be with me, before me, behind me Be my vision, O Lord, and be always my all in all.

Could this short prayer be our premise for the new year? May St Patrick's confidence in lighting the Paschal fire on the Hill of Slane inspire us to be bold in our faith.

Raymond F. Glover, ed. The Hymnal 1982 Companion, (New York, NY: The Church Hymnal Corporation, 1994). https://hymnary.org/text/be_thou_my_vision_o_lord_of_my_heart

32 Methodist Message

January 2023

Hill of Slane, Ireland, where ruins of a Francescan monastery remain on the site of an earlier monastery founded

by St Erc, a follower of St Patrick

Christ Be With Me Words: St Patrick, trans. Cecil F. Alexander Music: Incorporating SLANE, Michael S. Bryson

Christ be with me, Christ within me, Christ behind me, Christ before me, Christ beside me, Christ to win me, Christ to comfort and restore me.

Christ beneath me, Christ above me, Christ in quiet, Christ in danger, Christ to fill me and fulfill me, Christ be always my all in all.

Be Thou my Vision, O Lord of my heart Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art Thou my best thought, by day or by night Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light.

January 2023 Methodist Message 33

The realities of seeking reconciliation

A

s each new year begins, we may wish for different things. For

some, it may be a promotion, finally getting to go for a dream holiday or finding that special someone with whom to spend the rest of their life.

With many of my clients, I see a desire to turn back the clock—to not have said those hateful words or to have shown more love and attention to their children, spouse or others. For some, they wish to be forgiven and get a second chance to reconcile with those from whom they are estranged.

One case of wanting a better

34 Methodist Message

January 2023

tomorrow comes to mind. Beneath an

His wife’s decision was devastating to my

exterior of a responsible provider for

client. It took him some time to get over

his wife of 15 years and two children, as

the shock that she would not consider

well as an active selfless volunteer, this

reconciliation. He wondered if the wife he

client harboured a pattern of addiction

knew, who had strong religious beliefs, was

to pornography and prostitutes. The two

the same person he married. As he struggled

diametrically opposite lifestyles coexisted

to understand her response, he wondered if

for many years till it was discovered by

his wife would ever forgive and take him back.

his wife. Attempts to reconcile were complicated by the slow uncovering of

In the face of all this, I remained calm.

more and more damning details of the

When asked, I explained that it was not only

extent of his infidelity.

because I was a third party, but also because of my hope and belief in reconciliation. I

A year after the discovery, the wife asked

had earlier shared with him that after what

him to move out. He did so in the hope that

had happened, he needed to begin the

this might bring some peace. However, in a

process of reconciliation by trying to make

climate of little to no trust, not seeing him

amends to those whom he had hurt by his

every day increased the wife’s anxiety and

habitual use of pornography and illicit sex.

led to more conflict. Intervention from family

They included his wife, children and family

and friends were viewed as unhelpful as they

members. Another person he had hurt was

would be on one spouse’s side and biased.

himself—his self-gratification had shamed

Appeals for reconciliation by the church,

and let himself down. Last, but not least,

where both had been active members, were

his behaviour had also hurt his fellowship

listened to politely but rejected.

with God, making it difficult to draw on God’s grace and love for him. So, while not

After the wife blocked all contact between

yet reconciled with his wife, his work could

them for three months, the husband

still begin and continue with others. Some

reached out to me for counselling. His

may even say that reconciliation begins first

attempt to reconcile through a counsellor

with God and thereafter with others. Since

was his last resort.

reconciliation is a process—beginning with admission of wrongdoing, to expression of

A rather unexpected turn of events made

remorse, to a promise to do better and finally,

it possible for me to speak directly to the

being completed by a response of forgiveness

wife to consider counselling. My client’s

by the hurt person(s)—I encouraged my

expectation for her agreement was at an

client to take responsibility by doing his part.

all-time high. After all, she had previously

How his efforts will be received is left to the

suggested they engage me for couple

hurt parties. Though he is hoping for their

counselling only to have him rebuff it. Sadly,

forgiveness, he has no right over how they,

this time it was she who turned it down.

especially his wife, respond.

She was too hurt and disillusioned. Asking her to consider giving the marriage another

For believers, when we consider

chance when there was no guarantee of

reconciliation, our perspective is on a different

success, along with the prospect of being

time scale. Perhaps, some relationships will

hurt again was just too much for her.

not be repaired within our lifetime on earth but only when we get to heaven.

January 2023 Methodist Message 35

ACS (International) Admissions Seminars for 2023 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).

Post O-Level Seminars

12 January

2pm

Senior Leadership Team

10am 13 January 2pm Mr Gavin Kinch Principal

Mrs Tan Siew Hoon Vice-Principal

16 January

Mr Christopher Hayward Vice-Principal

Dr Kristopher Achter Vice-Principal

10am

RSVP admissions@acsinternational.edu.sg

Seminars will be held on Campus with school tours where possible.

Attendance by reservations only

Venue: Oldham Chapel, ACS (International) 61 Jalan Hitam Manis, Singapore 278475

For earlier appointments, please contact Joseph Ng or Serene Lim at +65 6472 1477 or admissions@acsinternational.edu.sg

Zachary Yong is a full-time national serviceman who worships at Wesley Methodist Church. He is part of the Kopikaki comics team and loves his coffee with milk and no sugar. / Photo courtesy of Zachary Yong

The world is my parish too

T

o me, being a Methodist is to view the world as our parish. We can do this in three simple ways:

Firstly, as the parish system provided access to churches and Christ for everybody, we can be that sign of Christ's welcome, work, and ministry in every aspect of life for everyone we know so that others may encounter Christ through us. Personally, I've had interesting conversations with some friends who wanted to know more about God. Secondly, we can extend care to others. Parish priests were responsible Zachary Yong

for people living within their parish, and they could not choose to solely help those deemed worthy of their time and interest. We can look out and pray for others, regardless of our relationship with them. Being a volunteer has shown me that we need to manifest his love.

Lastly, we are uniquely placed to do God's work. The Church is universal, yet it is deeply personal to each community. Our parishes may not be defined by geography, but by common interests. In our spheres of influence, do we proclaim his Word?

I draw inspiration from my great-grandfather, Leng Boon Hee, a Methodist layperson who preached in colonial Singapore while selling bread. He recognised that man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from God's mouth. I pray that we may all view the world as our parish, and "go, do thou likewise".

by Kopikaki team

ART OF PARENTING SMALL GROUP SERIES 4 February­­­­–13 May 2023 (alternate Saturdays), 3.00 p.m. to 5.00 p.m.

Via Zoom except the first and last sessions in-person at Cru Centre (18 Verdun Road, #03-01, S207280) Register before 24 January 2023 $120 per couple (inclusive of GST and workbooks) The Art of Parenting is an 8-session small group video-series for couples to bring them, as parents, on a journey of growing in awareness of God, child and self. By applying biblical principles, parents learn to disciple their children for the glory of God. Details on cru.sg/aop Note: • For parents of children 12 years and below • Attendance as a couple is required • Payment is non-refundable except when the course is cancelled at FamilyLife Singapore's discretion Organised by FamilyLife Singapore, a ministry of Cru Singapore

ACTI (ASIAN CROSS-CULTURAL TRAINING INSTITUTE) COURSE INTAKE: MARCH 2023 5–25 March 2023 Chiang Mai, Thailand or Zoom Register before 30 January 2023 at https://acti-singapore.org This course has two intakes yearly, each running for 3 weeks in Singapore or Chiang Mai. It is conducted in hybrid mode with those on-site and those on Zoom. It is totally interactive.

ACTI provides cross-cultural missions knowledge and training for: • • • • •

Long-term missionary candidates of church or mission agency Short-term workers of 6 months and above Current cross-cultural workers Professionals or Tent-Makers thinking of working abroad Mission leaders and staff of church or mission agency

Organised by ACTI

D6 FAMILY CONFERENCE 2023 28–29 July 2023 Wesley Methodist Church Register at https://d6family.sg before 30 June 2023 Register by March 2023 to enjoy the promotional price of $110 per person (fee includes printed conference materials and tea breaks for both days) Be inspired to sharpen church and home partnership towards generational discipleship with all our heart, soul and strength. Glorify God with a stronger and better-connected family and church!

Organised by Sower Institute™ for Biblical Discipleship