Methodist Message Jun 2020

ISSN 0129-6868 MCI(P) 027/11/2019 THE METHODIST CHURCH IN SINGAPORE Vol 122 No 6 JUNE 2020 WOMEN IN THE CHURCH

Contents Church life 2 1 Bishop’s Message Methodists in the world 19 2 Home—Bishop’s Aldersgate SG 2020 sermon Christian living 22 6 Church Profile—Christ Methodist Church 7 One MCS—TRAC Highlights 9 Home—WSCS 12 News—“Circuit breaker” reflections 15 Home—Mission first, people always 18 One MCS—Identity & Destiny 19 Welfare Services 21 Missions MwCWWaiaecthnrehErhItatilf’eistyvcRhwceyeleokeEorooutsuahocLr:dtoddaOuhttnteosetaOit?nmsvslrhKaidieCtebgyiIegalNuotnpdMhhntu?GitectoIyssDolbenlFeoveuoPsOseusshiSyrRstknoduroiesaaltrbVpluvotsa-gieOo,grwelniroiLrnedskt—aUrgs:iept,aNnotohnwowenTreyserErdrpi:oiEdtsrteattaR:siohpnwtbSyeoeego!ordrc?oscuoiokottDrmhnrarohateirircettvniysibilcmoepudl/ewui!tigsegiDsthnPiapot/tfrokhamoypgoeloooratmafopuekrpshemeehhaoodMsiacdftivsa/oMeee?srv/a?saean:anybtwntoesoyatthtttyhheheeirelnpryg 22 You & Your Family 23 Hymns & Songs read,ncoenwtamctmus@! methodist.org.sg 24 TRAC Bible Matters 26 Soundings 28 Home—What does being a Methodist mean to you? 29 THINK EDITORIAL BOARD The official monthly publication of The Methodist Church in Singapore. Published material does not necessarily reflect the official view of The Methodist Church. Adviser and Publisher All Scripture quoted is based on the English Standard Version unless otherwise stated. Dr Anthony Goh Chairperson 70 Barker Road #06-04 Singapore 309936 Council on Communications 6478-4793 | 6478-4763 message.methodist.org.sg | www.methodist.org.sg Editor [email protected] Sheri Goh fb.com/Methodist.SG @methodist.sg Sub-editor Tan Chiu Ai Communications Executive Jason Woo Design & Production by Londonbob Design Have something to say or share? Email us at [email protected] and, if appropriate, your contribution could be published.

BISHOP’S MESSAGE Bishop Dr Chong Chin Chung was elected Bishop of The Methodist Church in Singapore in 2016. He served as President of the Chinese Annual Conference from 2008 to 2016. Women in the Church After God created Adam, He created Women have played an important role As for The Methodist Church in Singapore Eve. She was to be his helper, in the Church since its earliest days. Acts (MCS), besides the two prominent early comparable to him, and not his Chapter 2 records the birth of the Church missionaries William Oldham and James servant (Gen 2:18). She could be his with 120 believers, including women Thoburn, there was Sophia Blackmore, helper because she was capable. who served. Deaconesses are mentioned the female missionary from Australia. in Romans 16:1 and 1 Timothy 3:11, Her contribution to the Methodist Church There is a proverb that says, “The hand indicating that women held official was no less significant. Her concern that rocks the cradle rules the world.” positions in their ministries. was for the ministry to women, with Words of wisdom from the East say that a focus on their welfare and education women hold up half the sky and half Since the days of the infant Church, needs. She set up the “Dorcas Society” the world is theirs! Indeed, the world is women have made great advancements for the Chinese-speaking women, and different because of women—it is more both their status as well as contributions the “Ladies Aid Society” for those who vibrant and gets more creative through in all fields. Today we have women spoke English, Malay and Tamil. These the generations. scientists, astronauts, physicians, writers, were amalgamated in 1940 to form the artists, athletes, political leaders and Women’s Society of Christian Service The Bible contains many notable experts in a wide range of domains. (WSCS), which has continued till today. narratives of capable women. God used Within the Church we have women them to bring about significant results. pastors, missionaries, LCEC chairpersons, In 1976, the General Conference WSCS was lay leaders, theologians, lecturers, formed, comprising the WSCS of the three In the Old Testament, Sarah gave birth to moderators and bishops. Annual Conferences. It has continued to Isaac (Gen 21:2). Jochebed gave birth to develop and expand the women’s ministry, Aaron, Miriam and Moses. Hannah was It is noted that women were serving and provided “Leadership and Servanthood” the mother of the prophet Samuel. Queen in the Church since the time of John training to equip women for service and Esther saved the Jewish people. Ruth Wesley’s ministry. This might have been general ministry in our churches. The four became the great grandmother of David. due to the influence of the wise and main areas of WSCS ministries include capable Susannah Wesley on her two Discipleship & Nurture, Missions, Outreach & In the New Testament, Elizabeth bore sons, John and Charles. It is my belief that Social Concerns, and Witness & Evangelism. John the Baptist in her old age while the Methodist movement might have We can testify that MCS would not be the Mary became the mother of Jesus. The achieved even greater success if John same without the participation of our two sisters, Martha and Mary, and Mary Wesley had had his wife to help him in women members, our sisters. Magdalene were worthy helpers of Jesus. his evangelism and pastoral ministries. There were outstanding women believers Women participated actively when church Let us salute our Methodist women and like Dorcas, Lydia, as well as Lois and school was started and played a leading seek God’s blessing upon them. May Eunice—the grandmother and mother of role in the Christian education ministry. the Lord use them mightily in their Timothy respectively. Paul had the support Two of them, Ann Cutler (1759–94) and service, granting them grace upon and help of Aquila and his wife, Priscilla, Hester Ann Roe-Rogers (1756–94), were grace and strength upon strength. on his missions to preach the gospel. allowed to preach at public gatherings. |METHODIST MESSAGE — JUNE 2020 1

Aldersgate SG 2020 ¢ Photos courtesy of the MCS Communications Team Loving God, serving together …with hearts strangely warmed T h i s i s a n a b r i d g e d ve r s i o n of B i s h o p D r C h o n g C h i n C h u n g ’s s e r m o n p rea c h e d at the Aldersgate SG 2020 Thanksgiving Service. It was pre-recorded and screened by the Methodist churches on their online channels on 24 May 2020. Watch it at https://tiny.cc/AldersgateSG2020 or scan the QR code. Scripture text: Romans 12:1–2, 9–21 That evening, while listening to someone read Luther’s Preface to the Epistle to the Romans, he had a profound Introduction experience: “I felt I did trust in Christ, Christ alone for Today, on 8 May, we are pre-recording the Aldersgate SG 2020 salvation; and an assurance was given me.” This made his Thanksgiving Service. The annual Aldersgate Conference has heart feel “strangely warmed”. run for two decades, and despite the coronavirus outbreak, the Combined Worship Service is still meaningful for us to It was this experience that led Wesley to realise that Jesus organise. Christ had already freed him from the bondage of the law of sin and death, and he was assured of receiving freedom and John Wesley’s Aldersgate experience release. It was a milestone in his spiritual journey. It was Many consider John Wesley’s Aldersgate experience on 24 followed by the eager anticipation of continued growth in May 1738, when he felt his heart “strangely warmed”, to his spiritual life, and when he reached the next milestone, mark his spiritual breakthrough, genuine conversion and he would be closer yet to a state of perfection. spiritual revival, where he received assurance of salvation and baptism in the Holy Spirit. Today, from the experience of a broad spectrum of Christians, we can understand John Wesley’s Aldersgate experience as Like many Christians, Wesley had waged a constant struggle an instantaneous and decisive turnaround in his spiritual with sin and felt powerless against it. He also had nagging life. It was one of many defining moments in his spiritual doubts about his faith and if he was indeed saved. life journey. These contribute to what Wesley calls our “gradual lifelong growth”. |2 METHODIST MESSAGE — JUNE 2020

ALDERSGATESG 2020 The message of Romans 12 more important than the country’s economy, or if personal I chose Romans 12:1–2 and 9–21 because I feel that the advantage is more important than the people’s needs. It is Epistle to the Romans is the most important book to help dangerous for any religion to abuse freedom for religious us understand John Wesley’s commitment to faith and its practices and disregard others’ safety. practice, and have an Aldersgate-like experience like his, to be part of a gradual lifelong growth in our pursuit of perfection. Right from the beginning of Romans 12, Paul reminds us to be alert, because the ways of this world generally do The first part of Romans discusses doctrines, and in the not conform to God’s good, pleasing and perfect will (Rom second part Paul encourages his readers—that is, you and 12:2b). Paul asks that we do not take the ways of this world I—live out our beliefs. John Wesley took very seriously as our model. Instead we are to “be transformed by the loving God as well as how one’s faith is acted on. To him, renewal of [our] mind”. holiness means to love God with our whole heart and mind and to love others like ourselves, also with our whole heart Much of the views and news in today’s pervasive social media and mind. If we say our heart is full of holy love for God and are mixed with false, fabricated and fake news. Therefore, yet are unable to love others in the same way, then it does test everything against God’s will—that is the best way for not qualify as “loving God”. every Christian to maintain their devotion to God. 1. Loving God with all your heart and strength (vv1–2) In the experience of Methodist spiritual formation, this is a In Romans 12:1, Paul appealed to the Christians of the real and daily struggle. Wesley regards prayer, Bible study, Roman church, with great urgency, to fear and serve God, Holy Communion, fasting, fellowship, as well as private and to worship and honour him fully and absolutely. These public worship as means of grace. Through these we may words, “to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and continuously receive grace from God, the only way to a pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship” sustainable godly life. (NIV) is similar to what Jesus said to the lawyer who asked him about eternal life: “You must love the Lord your God 3. Love others with your whole heart and whole with all your heart, and with all your strength, and with mind (vv9–21) all your mind and all your soul.” Let’s reflect on what Paul brings up as regular Christian One must voluntarily, willingly and cheerfully go up to the living. If we go by what John Wesley said, that holy living altar to make an offering. Why do we call this holiness? is to love God with our whole heart and mind, and also Because the original phrase “to present” was used to refer to to love others with our whole heart and mind, then this our offering ourselves. Such a sacrifice in the Old Testament passage is about total submission to God. Those who fully system of offerings is related to the burnt offering, the grain offer themselves on the altar to God must similarly fully offering and the peace offering (thanksgiving offering), offer themselves to love others. Every day, in whatever we which are given by free will and cheerfully as an expression do for others, we must get the fundamentals right, to move of devotion to God. These are called fragrant offerings. us to do the right things and to deal with others in love. Sin offerings and guilt offerings are required for the purpose Let me give a simple explanation to this passage, using of atonement and remission of sins. They are necessary and what Paul wrote in Colossians 3:18–4:6. There it was are done for our own sake, not for God. explained very clearly that whether it is for our spouse, parents or children; superiors or subordinates; those who That such offerings are holy and acceptable in God’s sight is serve the Lord or those who do not believe; in all matters because what is being offered must be separated, dedicated big and small, Paul says: “Whatever you do, work heartily, to God. It is not about what we can gain from making that as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord offering, but about fully submitting everything to God. you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ” (Col 3:23–24). Put this passage side 2. Unwavering devotion to God (v2) by side with Romans 12:9–21 and you will see clearly how Living a life that is set apart from the world and submitted they relate to each other. to God does not mean that we can keep sin away or have reached the peak of spirituality. As Christians, in everything we do, it is by love that we serve. Whether it is loving God with our whole heart and The Christian faces many distractions and temptations daily. mind, or loving others with our whole heart and mind, The world has many different voices and values. During the both are impossible to achieve in an instant. Wesley current coronavirus pandemic, we hear many questioning stressed that all Christians can, by the God-given means the value of life versus the value of freedom, or if life is of grace, sustain lifelong growth and maturation, till they reach perfection. |METHODIST MESSAGE — JUNE 2020 3

Loving God, serving together …with hearts strangely warmed This is the spiritual formation that John Wesley pursued Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, doctors and other healthcare and practised throughout his life. Loving God and loving workers have served at the frontline in the worst-hit areas, others with our whole heart and mind involves a life of fighting to save those who are ill. For the sake of their pursuing holiness, a gradual lifelong growth, until we patients, they have spent many weeks or even months meet the Lord again. in the hospital or hostels, some unable to return home and staying apart from their spouse, parents, children and At no point during the pursuit of holiness can anyone siblings. Among them are our children and family. They are think that one has already reached perfection and there using their lives to help another life—an admirable spirit is no need to continue that pursuit. In the Christian’s that moves our hearts and demands our deepest gratitude. journey, there will be ups and downs, starts and stops, This is what is meant by “being in every kind merciful, and discouragement and despair. For this reason, Christians doing good of every possible sort to all man.” must continuously drive themselves towards Christian perfection through the means of grace. Some of our Methodist churches have reached out to take care of the homeless, or provide help for foreign workers. Conclusion There are those who build our nation with their hard work. As Paul says, “Owe no one anything, except to love each Whether it is the government or employers, the society other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law” at large or the Church, we must treat these people as our (Rom 13:8) and “love never ends” (1 Cor 13:8). neighbours, even if they are here just for a short year or two, or longer. But let us not fall into the idea that Christians can depend on good works to please our Lord or that good works gain Paul, in Galatians 6:9, said, “Do not lose heart in doing us salvation. good.” Do not worry about not getting credit from doing good, nor worry whether you have done well enough, or if From 1739, when the United Societies were formed, John you have done enough. Social holiness is the Christian’s act Wesley made it clear that all Methodists “shall continue to of mercy. Much good can be done by individual Christians. evidence their desire of salvation” (General Rules, The Book But of course, it is more effective when the whole body of of Discipline, ¶71.) Christians unites in good works. Our society today is complex and disturbing, and it is hard I sincerely wish you keep the love and fear of God within to discern the heart of man. Even within the Church there your hearts, to lean upon Him, and to be there for your are many who are difficult to get along with and may even neighbours when they have need, offering care and help disappoint us through their words and deeds. In 2017, the with your whole heart and mind. And to pray and give thanks Christian Post estimated that in any church, 5 per cent for our country to overcome this pandemic peacefully. of the people will disappoint you or hurt you. But do not be despondent, because 95 per cent are sincere and care The Methodist Church in Singapore has journeyed 135 years. for others, and are devout and God-fearing. Even in our We must sustain our “strangely warmed” hearts, love God community and neighbourhoods, it is the same where most with all our heart and mind, and love our neighbours with people are good and kind. Christians must ensure they all our heart and mind. When the pandemic is over, we will count among the majority who are good. roll up our sleeves and with all our strength, join in the rebuilding of our community, and help those in need. We John Wesley’s counsel to all is “By doing good, by being pray to the Lord to help keep the fire ablaze in our hearts, in every kind merciful after their power, as they have to bravely meet the challenges facing us. opportunity, do good of every sort and as far as possible to every man” (Methodist General Rule 2). |4 METHODIST MESSAGE — JUNE 2020

ALDERSGATESG 2020 Why we are suspending Holy Communion 1. Henry Wheeler’s History and Exposition of the 2. Methodism encourages the frequent conduct Twenty-Five Articles of Religion of the Methodist of the Holy Communion, but great importance is given Episcopal Church: In Article Sixteen regarding sacraments, to the communion of the saints, that is the fellowship he reminded us that a sacrament is an outward and (koinonia)—you and I and all Christians in fellowship with visible sign of an inward and spiritual grace given unto us, the Lord, in body, mind and spirit. Thus, the proclamation ordained by Christ Himself. as we break the bread and raise the cup: “Because there is one loaf, we, who are many, are one body, for we all When Christ ordained the sacraments, they were not only partake of the one loaf. The bread which we break is a to be the Christian’s profession of faith. Rather, they are sharing in the body of Christ. The cup over which we give signs of grace and God’s good will toward us, by which He thanks is a sharing in the blood of Christ.” works invisibly in us, to stir us, and also to strengthen and confirm our faith in Him. Therefore, the original intention When we break the bread and share the cup, we are sharing was not to make a show of it all, but that those who are in the body of Christ. Each of us eating our own bread and respectful, humble and repentant shall receive and gain drink at home, or doing online Holy Communion, is unable from them. Otherwise, as Paul says, “they eat and drink to achieve such fellowship or koinonia and unable to fulfil judgment on themselves” (1 Cor 11:29). what the liturgy says that when we eat of the one bread and drink of the cup of thanksgiving, we are sharing in the In Article Eighteen regarding Holy Communion, the Lord’s body of Christ and His precious blood. Supper is not only a sign of the love that Christians ought to have among themselves one to another. It is also 3. The Holy Communion is one of the means of a sacrament of our redemption by Christ’s death; and grace, but not the only one. We have other means of so, we are to receive rightly, worthily, and by faith. The grace to help us continue to live godly lives. bread which we break and the cup of blessing represent a partaking of the body and the blood of Christ. It is clear that we are to receive the Lord’s Supper rightly 4. The body of Christ is not just the Methodist and worthily. The Methodist Church has delegated to Church. There are other brothers and sisters who belong preside over and consecrate the Holy Communion only to Christ. Some of these churches suspended the Holy those who have been called and ordained as elders. The Communion even earlier than we did. They have been administrator should act with becoming reverence; hurry, doing the Eucharist fast even longer than we. For the good or the omission of important parts of any prescribed form, of all, they have endured the hunger for righteousness, is unseemly. Everything should be done with solemnity but persevering through self-denial and self-discipline. with a cheerful spirit. Paul urges us to have the same mindset as Christ Jesus, There have been times in the history of the Church when not looking to our own interests but to the interests of the the Holy Communion could not be conducted in the right others (Phil 2:4–5). Let us join with the larger Church of and a worthy manner. For example, there was no elder on Christ and journey together. hand, or during war and deadly epidemics, or when there was a shortage of materials and resources. The Church then |METHODIST MESSAGE — JUNE 2020 5 decided that she would rather hold on and wait, whether for three, four or even six months, until the right conditions permitted her to continue.

Church Profile ¢ Christ Methodist Church Netania Pereira is the Communications Executive at Christ Methodist Church./ Photos courtesy of Christ Methodist Church Intentional discipleship C hrist Methodist Church (CMC) was born, back in There is no better time to live out our vision statement: 1930, as the Geylang English Methodist Church. In “Passionate for God, Loving the Community”. How can we August this year, we will celebrate 90 years of God’s be the Church in our homes and community? How can we faithfulness. Over the years, CMC has gone through many bless our neighbours and those who have been affected by changes—such as our name, location and building—but the pandemic? our passion for God remains the same. As we celebrate 90 years in these unprecedented times, In 2004, the call to Intentional Discipleship was emphasised we look back with thanksgiving, and look forward with and five Biblical Purposes (Worship, Connect, Grow, Serve expectancy to see what else God has in store—for the and Reach Out) became part of our culture. We aspire to be Church exists for such a time as this. an inter-generational family of believers whose purpose is to love and worship God passionately, care for one another CHRIST METHODIST CHURCH deeply and serve the community wholeheartedly; reaching out to the lost, the poor and those in need by the power (Trinity Annual Conference) of the Holy Spirit. 597 East Coast Rd, S(429082) In 2018, we dove into a three-year focus to Go Deeper—in https://www.cmc.org.sg His Presence, His Word and His Mission. After focusing on [email protected] transforming our inner lives for two years, 2020 is the year 6345-3934 for us to be a Church in Christian Action. This means being deliberate in looking outwards to the community, and to be Please visit our website for the salt and light that God calls us to be. our worship service timings. We began with initiatives to get to know the community of Chai Chee. In December 2019, we distributed hampers to those living in rental flats, and in January this year we hosted a Chinese New Year dinner for them. Our plans came to a halt due to COVID-19, but this pause has given us the chance to look at other ways to be the Church wherever we are. Our pastor-in-charge, the Rev Dr Edwin Wong, reminds us that when the physical Church cannot meet, the spiritual Church must rise up. |6 METHODIST MESSAGE — JUNE 2020

One MCS ¢ TRAC Highlights By the Methodist Welfare Services (MWS) Communications Team / Photo courtesy of Methodist Welfare Services Bringing When volunteer activities were suspended amid COVID-19 spread, sunshine the Sunshine Group gathered at a member’s home before the into the lives Circuit Breaker was implemented to record a prayer and music of the sick appreciation session for the Home’s residents and elderly “In the same way, let your light shine before Serving together: The spirit of others, so that they may see your good works service and community work that and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” is our Methodist heritage (Matt 5:16) F or over 30 years, the Sunshine Group has been MWS partnerships with TRAC Churches faithfully volunteering at MWS Bethany Nursing Home – Choa Chu Kang. Led by Mdm June Ho, this dedicated MWS Christalite Methodist Home is a partnership group of seniors, ranging in age from sixties to nineties, with Christ MC. has been a constant source of comfort and friendship to MWS Senior Activity Centre – GoldenLily @ Pasir the residents. In recognition of their efforts, they received Ris is a partnership with Pentecost MC. the Inspirational Patient Support Group award at the MWS Senior Activity Centre – Teck Ghee Vista is a Singapore Health Inspirational Patient Awards in 2017. partnership with Ang Mo Kio MC. MWS Wesley Senior Activity Centre – Jalan Berseh Aunty June, as she is fondly known, leads the group in is a partnership with Wesley MC. conducting prayer and music appreciation sessions with MWS Covenant Family Service Centre – Hougang the residents every Thursday morning. Before each session, and Buangkok is a partnership with Paya Lebar MC. Mdm Ho prepares a comprehensive song list with hymns, MWS Family Service Centre – Tampines is a Teresa Teng classics and Chinese pop hits. To cater to the partnership with Pentecost MC. multi-lingual residents, the volunteers have even learnt some Tamil songs. They also organise monthly birthday Other TRAC churches also volunteer regularly at MWS celebrations and mark festive occasions, contributing funds Centres, such as befriending and running recreational to buy gifts and snacks for the residents. activities at our nursing homes. These include groups from Aldersgate MC, Barker Road MC, Covenant Mdm Ho, who worships at Living Waters Methodist Church Community MC, Faith MC and Methodist Church of the (MC), shared what has kept her going over the years: “For Incarnation. the elderly, especially the elderly sick, to feel lonely and less able can be painful and discouraging. Friendship and |METHODIST MESSAGE — JUNE 2020 7 love give them hope and assurance that there are people who care. That’s what my friends and I aim to bring to the residents at the Home every week.” With her passion for serving others, Mdm Ho is among the many members from TRAC churches who are actively volunteering with MWS to serve the disadvantaged and distressed. For these volunteers, it is a two-way process. As they walk alongside and show love and grace to people in need, their lives are enriched by the joy and satisfaction of bringing hope and impacting lives. We invite you to partner with us as part of the Methodist family to serve the disadvantaged and underprivileged. For more information on volunteer opportunities, check out https://mws.sg/volunteer or scan the QR code. If you have more ideas on how you or your small group can be involved, please contact us at [email protected].

Registration at our Columbarium Office (Level 5) Monday to Friday, 9.00am to 5.00pm (Closed on Public Holidays). Tel: 6479 8122 HP: 9670 9935 or Fax: 6479 6960 Email: [email protected]

Home ¢ WSCS Dr Teo Li Bee is the President of the General Conference Women’s Society of Christian Service (GC WSCS), Teo Suet Ehr is the President of CAC WSCS, Kalaimathi Nagulan is the President of ETAC WSCS and Choo Lai Eng is the President of TRAC WSCS. / Photos courtesy of WSCS A body of Spirit-filled women The Women’s Society of Christian Service (WSCS) of The Methodist Church in Singapore (MCS) has the mission to know Christ and make Him known. The WSCS ministry is a sisterhood bonded in love to encourage and build one another towards a deeper relationship with Christ. In Singapore, the WSCS is organised as follows: General Conference WSCS (GC WSCS) CAC WSCS ETAC WSCS TRAC WSCS A part from our main annual observances—a A tailoring project in the Trinity Tamil Methodist Community, Thanksgiving Service, WSCS Sunday, Week of Medan. During the COVID-19 outbreak, the Medan Tamil ministry Prayer and Self Denial, and World Federation Day— has been sewing masks for the community our numerous programmes focus on four areas: Missions, Witness and Evangelism, Outreach and Social Concerns, Since 2018, CAC WSCS has supported two girls from and Discipleship and Nurture. Sophia’s Home in Nepal as they train to be nurses. CAC WSCS’s outreach to East Asia has been challenging in Missions: recent years. We enable women to better understand Witness & Evangelism: and participate in the contemporary We seek ways to help women in their mission outreach of the Church. witness and outreach to the community, including evangelistic programmes for ETAC WSCS ladies minister in Nepal, Myanmar, India, Sri non-Christian family members and friends. Lanka and Indonesia. We started a tailoring project in the Trinity Tamil Methodist Community, Medan, where TRAC WSCS premiered the first VUCA (Volatile, Uncertain, we purchased sewing machines and engaged trainers to Complex and Ambiguous) Conference for women in 2017.1 conduct classes for women from needy families to equip Since then, VUCA Conferences have attracted hundreds of them to be more self-reliant. Praise God that during the participants each year. The one-day conference covers COVID-19 outbreak, the Medan Tamil ministry has been wide-ranging issues of interest to friends and loved ones, sewing masks for the community. and has proven to be a wonderful platform for outreach. Regretfully, the 2020 edition of VUCA “Power in this VUCA For the past nine years, TRAC WSCS ladies have been going World” has been put on hold. to the Philippines and working with Oikos Helping Hand (OHH) to minister to the poor in the slums and dumpsites TRAC WSCS organised a trip to Sky Mirror in Malaysia in of Metro Manila. OHH’s ministry impacts about 600 2019. Named Frenfare 2, the ladies travelled with at least families, including children in a learning centre, widows, one pre-believing friend or relative, who heard the gospel and children with cancer. Mission trips to Vietnam, Nepal presented in a non-threatening way.2 Dolly Chia of Agape and Cambodia have also been made. MC shared the gospel with the tour guides and led one of them to Christ. Her testimony is posted in TRAC WSCS’s Facebook page. |METHODIST MESSAGE — JUNE 2020 9

A body of Spirit-filled women ETAC WSCS sisters used their Friends Fellowship event in 2019 to reach out to pre-believing friends. They not only testified of the reality of Christ in their lives, but also shared how to receive Him and remain in His strength. To address lack of confidence in evangelising, particularly to close family members and friends, CAC WSCS held a Caring Evangelism Course over eight sessions last year. It was attended by 28 members. It is our prayer that all may put what they learnt into practice. Frenfare trip to Sky Mirror Preparing gifts for Sayang Sayang Outreach & Social Concerns: Discipleship & Nurture: We serve the community in partnership We encourage women to deepen their spiritual life through spiritual disciplines with the local church and promote participation of Methodist women including prayer and Bible study. in other Christian women’s organisations A unique WSCS tradition is the Week of Prayer and Self At the local church level, WSCS visits shut-in seniors and Denial (WPSD) held every September.3 At the end of a befriends hospice and nursing home residents. CAC WSCS week of prayer and fasting, we give the money saved to ladies visit MWS Bethany Nursing Home every month the PSD Fund for the poor and needy in our mission fields. and St John’s Home for Elderly Persons every week. ETAC WSCS ladies spend time with children at the Chen Su Lan CAC ladies held the first single women’s retreat in 2019 Methodist Children’s Home, sharing Bible stories, and at the Montfort Centre. Based on the theme “Companion leading sing-alongs and art & craft sessions. TRAC WSCS in Life Journey”, participants learned about reflection, partners sisters-in-Christ in the Ministry@D’Well. spiritual journals and painting, meditation and prayer, deepening our understanding of God as our companion. To show appreciation to pastors’ wives and lady pastors, TRAC WSCS, together with CAC and ETAC sisters, organised In 2019 and 2020, TRAC WSCS organised devotion writing Sayang Sayang in 2018 and 2019. This was a blessed workshops during which we meditated on Scripture and time of fellowship, fun and food. Due to the COVID-19 wrote our reflections.4 These devotions were compiled into Circuit Breaker, TRAC WSCS sent a “Sayang Sayang meal” a booklet and shared with church members in celebration to pastors and their families in May 2020. of WSCS Sunday/Mother’s Day. God@Work is a marketplace ministry by Barker Road MC WSCS. Various activities to promote Christian growth and fellowship are held at five venues around the city for working ladies during lunch break. WSCS Sunday is celebrated in church annually, typically on the third Sunday in May, and contributions collected are distributed to organisations ministering to women and children. This year, sermons were based on the 2020 WSCS sub-theme: “God’s Standards and Promises for our Living” (Isa 33:15–16). 1“Overcomers in this VUCA world,” Methodist Message (June 2019), 21–22, https://message.methodist.org.sg/overcomers-in-this-vuca-world. 2 TRAC WSCS Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/tracwscs. 3 “Saying ‘no’ to self and ‘yes’ to God,” Methodist Message (November 2019), 21, https://message.methodist.org.sg/saying-no-to-self-and-yes-to-god. 4 “We have chosen what is better,” Methodist Message (March 2020), 5, https://message.methodist.org.sg/we-have-chosen-what-is-better; “Our strength every morning,” Methodist Message (May 2020), https://message.methodist.org.sg/our-strength-every-morning. |10 METHODIST MESSAGE — JUNE 2020

Leadership development National and international relations In February 2020, two leadership events were held. The first GC WSCS was featured in the SG Cares Bicentennial Project was the inaugural Methodist Women Conference between by the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth (MCCY), ETAC WSCS (Singapore) and TAC Women (Malaysia).5 The “Celebrating Our Culture of Care”. The finale event at Our conference, themed “Together We Serve”, provided a Tampines Club was the unveiling of the completed four- platform for Singapore and Malaysia women leaders to piece community mural by artists from Very Special Arts. learn about ministry opportunities and challenges. The These stories of care were contributed by individuals and second event was when Singapore had the privilege of groups who have demonstrated care for the community hosting the Asian Young Women’s Leadership Development over the past 200 years. Seminar 2020 by Wesley Foundation.6 Young women from MCS’s three Annual Conferences joined some 30 young One of the annual observances of GC WSCS is World women from nine other Asian countries to realise and hone Federation Day (WFD), a day celebrated annually by local their leadership skills. communities around the world. This day serves to unite women in discussing and seeking actions to global crises. The inaugural Methodist Women Conference with ETAC WSCS Last November, young ladies from our three Conferences (Singapore) and TAC Women (Malaysia) in Feb 2020 collaborated to focus on two of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) adopted by United Nations A new generation of Christian women are raised at the Asian member states. The chosen goals were “Responsible Young Women’s Leadership Development Seminar in Feb 2020 Consumption & Production” and “Climate Action”. In International Relations, GC WSCS is affiliated to the World Federation of Methodist and Uniting Church Women (WFMUCW) and belongs to East Asia Area. Twenty-six ladies from our three Conferences attended its 11th East Asia Area Seminar in Hong Kong last year and experienced great fellowship with sisters from Cambodia, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Philippines and Taiwan. In the Country Sharing session, GC WSCS President, Dr (Mrs) Teo Li Bee presented a video relating the 200 years (1819–2019) of Singapore’s development from a small island with no natural resources to the vibrant city state it is today. It also related the birth of MCS as well as the work of the women in the Church. We thank God for the strong support given to us by Bishop Dr Chong Chin Chung, Conference presidents and church leaders. We invite ladies of all ages and backgrounds to join us. By God’s grace, the WSCS, a body of Spirit-filled women empowered by the Holy Spirit, will continue to embrace the journey He has charted for us—to restore, build and preserve— honouring the trust He has placed in us and keeping to the vision to know Christ and to make Him known. WSCS ladies with the GC WSCS President and Vice-President on Singapore Unit at 11th East Asia Area Seminar in Hong Kong World Federation Day |METHODIST MESSAGE — JUNE 2020 11 5“We have chosen what is better,” Methodist Message. 6“What is my purpose?” Methodist Message (April 2020), 12, https://message. methodist.org.sg/what-is-my-purpose.

News ¢ Working from home (WFH), Home-based Learning (HBL), mandatory masks, business shut down, spiralling economy—there is hardly anyone not affected by COVID-19. Some WSCS ladies—including millennials, professionals and retirees—share their reflections. They experience different circumstances but reach the same conclusion: our God is totally trustworthy! / Photos courtesy of Katherine Foo, Daisy Ling, Tan Min Qhee and Kathryn Ong. “Circuit breaker” reflections Strength to fight the war Listening and giving Care package sent by Min Qhee’s boyfriend When the Circuit Breaker (CB) period “Work from home” and “Stay at started, it felt like a missile launched home” have provided the opportunity into a war zone. As a mother, pastor’s to reflect on my priorities in life. What wife, WSCS president and teacher, I a blessing it has been to listen to and was overwhelmed by the demands of bond with family members. We had every one of my roles. been so caught up with the world and forgotten some of the most important As a teacher, I was overwhelmed by things in life. With everyone home, Home-Based Learning (HBL). Online we eat together, serve one another, and offline lessons had to be designed. listen patiently, and enjoy good After uploading lessons, the students’ conversations. “Everyone should be progress had to be monitored, with quick to listen, slow to speak and following up on assignments beyond slow to become angry” (James 1:19) school hours. The students needed was driven home. close supervision and telephone conversations with parents were Another blessing was through a small essential to keep everyone calm amid gesture of giving. At the onset of the anxiety in this virtual world. Not COVID-19, masks went out of stock. to forget my son, a P6 student, sitting I gave a friend with a big family a right next to me—he too was online box of 50 masks. She was so touched with his teachers, trying to complete and grateful! When stocks became assignments. Although I took short available, she gave me two boxes as breaks to guide him a little, I thank a token of appreciation which I was God my son is an independent learner. able to donate to a mission agency. Acts 20:35 reminds us that “it is more Planning meals for 10 people blessed to give than to receive”. (my niece and family of four from Giving makes one’s heart bubble with Malaysia stayed with us during the joy from the Lord. CB) was not easy. Finally, in my roles as WSCS president and pastor’s wife, —Daisy Ling my evenings were filled with Zoom Ang Mo Kio CMC meetings, online prayer sessions, as well as counselling and training ministry. Through it all, I thank God for the immense strength and wisdom He gave me to navigate the maze of multiple demands and roles. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me! —Kalaimathi Nagulan Tamil Methodist Church (MC) |12 METHODIST MESSAGE — JUNE 2020 Daisy Ling and family (with toilet roll cake)

Lessons from disruption Growing and adapting Sitting at Jesus’ feet I wondered if anything good could During this period of staying home, I retired from teaching nine years come out of this disruptive standstill. I cleaned my bookshelves and re- ago and have kept active in church A few weeks into the CB, I am discovered many Christian books and Conference-level ministries. The delighted to be able to share three which I had yet to read. I caught up CB has brought about a change to my key lessons. with my reading, reignited the spirit lifestyle. I set aside a specific time to of learning and gained new spiritual pray for the various nations impacted 1. Develop good habits and pursue insights. Though not a tech-savvy by the pandemic and for frontline goals: With no more excuse about person, I was forced, by the need workers. More time is spent studying a lack of time, I began to re-focus for Sunday School to move online, to Scripture. I also call church members on what is truly important, and to learn how to conduct classes online. or pre-believers to encourage them. pursue a better version of “me”. It is also critical to keep in touch with I have had to learn new technology, I started with simple goals, such senior church members, to share our such as Zoom, to remain connected as texting relatives and friends care and concern so that they do not with family (including my adorable with whom I have not interacted feel isolated. two-year-old grandson) and friends. recently, waking up early to jog, I attend virtual meetings, including learning new worship songs, and My house became noisier and busier Alpha training conducted in Tamil to journalling my conversations because my daughter, son-in-law and prepare for when Alpha sessions can with God. May these become two grandchildren moved in with me resume. habits and reap lasting benefits. for help with childcare. I have enjoyed connecting with my grandchildren. God allowed this difficult time for 2. Count our blessings and pass every Christian to sit at His feet as them on: I have taken so much Through this period, I have not only Mary did. I thank God for blessing me for granted, when there is much been challenged to grow and adapt and using me to bless others even to be thankful for—a roof over my but have learnt to be thankful in all during these strange and uncertain head, a job, comforts of life and circumstances and to depend on God. times. even the “Solidarity Payment”. I am blessed indeed! But how am —Katherine Foo Sin Yong —Tamikodi Arthur I living out this privilege? Do we Ang Mo Kio CMC Toa Payoh TMC remember God’s heart for the less fortunate? Be it donating a portion of our “Solidarity Payment”, volunteering in food donation drives or simply raising awareness about such actions, may we, people of privilege, jump at every opportunity to serve God and make a difference to our society. 3. Be still, and know that He is Katherine Foo with grandchildren God: What better time is there to wait upon the Lord? Though no one knows how long this pandemic will last, “let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful” (Heb 10:23). —Tan Min Qhee Trinity MC |METHODIST MESSAGE — JUNE 2020 13

“Circuit breaker” reflections Kathryn Ong on safe-distance walk with family Calm in the storm The world is currently in an unprecedented situation with the COVID-19 “storm”, like Jesus’ disciples were in a terrifying storm (Matt 8:23–27). Though familiar with such situations at sea, the disciples were gripped with fear. My family members have faced diverse issues. My son, attached to an Accident & Emergency department, works long hours at the frontline. My daughter-in-law, also a doctor, has additional meals to cook. My daughter has had to close her business at a mall and wait, uncertain about the future. My son-in-law, who often travelled for work, is now grounded. My grandson had to return home from studies in the UK. Despite these challenges, we have more time together, bonding over meals and even exercise times. We continue to trust that God is in control. With seniors advised to stay home, loneliness and fear are realities for some. A close friend called me one day. A childless widow, she rents a room to a young lady who wanted to volunteer at a foreign workers’ dormitory. She feared this contagious virus, but with prayer and God’s Word, she chose to trust God and now has peace. Just as Jesus calmed the storm when the disciples cried for help, we too can do the same in this COVID-19 “storm”. Focus on God and seek Him! —Kathryn Ong Methodist Church of the Incarnation

Home ¢ Sheri Goh is the Editor of Methodist Message. / Photos courtesy of Christabel Chai Christabel unfurls the Singapore flag at the 2020 USAFA graduation ceremony. Cadets sat and marched 2.4m away from each other during the ceremony due to COVID-19 social distancing measures As a squadron commander, where she leads a march-past of over 100 cadets Mission first, people always R epublic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) Lieutenant and from the situations I go through, to become a better (LTA) Christabel Chai had a fairly ordinary middle- person or leader.” class Singaporean childhood filled with ballet and piano lessons, and swimming and gymnastics CCAs. Humility, hard work and perseverance She attended Kuo Chuan Presbyterian Primary School, did her O-Levels at Methodist Girls’ School (MGS) and Christabel was born into a Christian family and baptised her A-Levels at Anglo Chinese Junior College (ACJC). as an infant at Zion Bishan Bible-Presbyterian Church, which her family still attends. Growing up as a Christian, Then on 18 April 2020, she made history by becoming it was routine to for her to attend church, read the Bible the first Singaporean woman—and the first woman in and pray. However, it was only during her MGS and ACJC Southeast Asia—to graduate from the prestigious United days that she started hungering for God’s Word and States Air Force Academy (USAFA) in Colorado, and in the learning what it truly means to be a Christian. top 10 per cent of her cohort of 1,000 cadets, no less. (Fourth from left) With some of her ACJC schoolmates In an e-mail interview, Christabel, 24, who was then serving her Stay-Home Notice upon returning to “I absolutely loved my time in all the schools I attended. Singapore after her graduation ceremony, was quick to I am extremely thankful for my Methodist education, eschew credit for her remarkable achievement. For her, as it definitely contributed to instilling good values God’s promise holds: “Humble yourselves before the in me, and helped to strengthen my character in my Lord, and he will exalt you.” (James 4:10) formative years. Having a good moral compass and a strong character is necessary in the profession of arms, Humility, one of the values her parents had nurtured, and my Methodist education undoubtedly helped me was integral in bringing her through the tough become the person I am today,” Christabel writes. programme of military training and studies at USAFA. She shares: “Since I was young, I have been taught to always be humble, and never overconfident in my own abilities. Instead, I should rely on God’s strength, and seek improvement from both my successes and failures, as there is always something I can learn from others, |METHODIST MESSAGE — JUNE 2020 15

Mission first, people always When she was seven, Christabel’s parents realised that Individuals admitted into USAFA start with the rank of she had a talent for swimming and enrolled her in “cadet” and undergo six weeks of Basic Cadet Training competitive swimming classes. On the swim teams in upon entering. During freshman year, all cadets have to get MGS and ACJC, she was appointed captain of both the through Recognition Weekend—52 hours of intense training school teams during her senior years. She was also on the by the upperclassmen where they were tested physically MGS cross-country team. and mentally. Training as a school athlete helped develop the qualities Over four years, they undergo stringent military training of humility, hard work and perseverance that enabled her (e.g. Basic Cadet Training, Expeditionary Skills Training, to become the soldier-scholar that she is today. Christabel commissioning education, operational training and more) still stays in contact with a few of her teachers, and some while juggling academics and athletics activities. Christabel of the extremely close friendships formed in MGS and ACJC had to take core classes in astronautical engineering, helped her to get through the four tough years at USAFA, chemistry, economics, electrical engineering, history, and away from home. political science, among others. The soldier-scholar After her A-levels, Christabel weighed the option of going to the UK, where her sister had studied, to read law, business or international relations. Instead, her interest in history during her secondary school and JC days spurred her decision to join the military. She explains: “I realised that any kind of war, of any With her parents at her magnitude, is terrible. In addition, Singapore’s geographical BMT passing-out parade location, as well as its lack of natural resources, meant that we could be vulnerable to aggressors if we do not have a strong military to deter aggressors, and defend our homeland and way of life. I wanted to be part of something bigger than myself, and do my part to keep my loved ones safe while preserving our way of life, which I hold dear.” When she was offered the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) Tough training Merit Scholarship, and after talking with her uncle, an RSAF F-16 pilot, she decided to apply to the USAFA. Typical training days at USAFA were hectic and regimented. As Christabel recalls: “It would usually start at around 0515 She went through a gruelling process to get into the for me. I tried to do a workout or go for a run to kick- Academy, which has an acceptance rate of only a 10 start my day. Our first morning formation was from 0630 till per cent. Getting a nomination by Singapore involved 0700. Breakfast was from 0700 to 0725. Morning classes ran receiving recommendations from her commanders, from 0730 till 1130. At 1135, we had noon-meal formation submitting applications and undergoing three rounds marching practice till 1200. Thereafter, we had lunch from of interviews. After that, there was the USAFA selection 1200 to 1225 and afternoon classes from 1230 to 1530. process, as well as a series of interviews with the US Afternoon PT sessions usually lasted from 1545 till 1700. Defence Attaché in Singapore. “From 1700 to 1910, we had time to relax, have dinner The Academy takes in students not just from the US military, and wash up. From 1910 to 1950, we had military but also international cadets from countries as far-flung knowledge study sessions, military briefings and military as Georgia, Macedonia, Moldova, Pakistan, Panama, the administrative tasks to complete. 1950 to 2300 was our Philippines, Rwanda, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand and personal time, during which we caught up on homework, Tunisia. Christabel was one of 13 international students fulfilled additional duties and responsibilities, and relaxed in her cohort. after a long day.” |16 METHODIST MESSAGE — JUNE 2020

(Fourth from left, crouching) With USAFA coursemates Her time at USAFA among an international community has broadened her world view: “It is important, I believe, to recognise the diversity of thought and values, and treat others with respect even if we do not share the same beliefs.” That broad-mindedness is also an asset that enables militaries to ensure that there is peace between countries. LTA Christabel is now back in Singapore, looking forward to wearing the uniform in which belongs, and to continuing to serve and protect her nation as an Air Warfare Officer in the RSAF. Not only did Christabel have to endure the harsh Colorado “As I begin a new chapter of my career, I hope to utilise my weather and deal with the rigours of her academic skills, leadership and knowledge gained over the past years schedule, she knew that she was representing Singapore to better lead the airmen and women under my wings. in everything she did and said. In addition, she had to Being in the RSAF also means that we are a team dedicated balance the responsibilities of leadership roles such as towards protecting the sovereignty of our nation, and no Squadron Commander or Group Director of Operations, particular person is more important than another.” where she was in charge of more than 100 cadets and 1,000 cadets across all four classes respectively. She “It has been a humbling journey as a woman in a earned her US Jump Wings after completing five free fall predominately male organisation,” says Christabel. jumps over the course of Fall semester in her senior year. “Sometimes, I question my own abilities and compare myself to many of my male classmates and colleagues. I am Her SAF training, which provided opportunities to hold pressured to perform as well or better than them in order several leadership positions during her Basic Military to prove my worth and show that I am equally capable. Training and her time at Officer Cadet School, taught her Ultimately, I focus on my own personal journey with God, how to manage her time, pay attention to detail and and lean on my closest friends and family for support in my always prioritise others’ needs above her own. “It takes a walk with Him. team to be successful,” she often reminds herself. “Never forget the people who helped you to get to where you “I know that I am, above all, a child of God, and He loves me are today.” despite my failures and shortcomings. God is my strength, and with Him, there is nothing that I need to fear.” Christabel graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree, (Seated, middle) majoring in behavioural sciences, with a focus in sociology. With MGS friends Of her cohort, only 20 per cent were female. in the lab Not her own strength, but His It was not easy being away from home, family and friends in an unfamiliar culture and environment for four years. “My family in Singapore provided me with unwavering support in my USAFA journey. In addition, God blessed me with great sponsor parents and sponsor families in the US who were extremely loving, supportive and giving. They helped me to get through the toughest times at USAFA, which allowed me to excel. My faith in God grew as I could feel God’s presence, love and grace from my friends and family in the US and back home,” she says gratefully. |METHODIST MESSAGE — JUNE 2020 17

One MCS ¢ Identity & Destiny Henry Tan is the Vice President of TRAC and a member of the core team of the Structural Review Task Force. / Photo courtesy of Ang Mo Kio MC The power of sharing T here is beauty in diversity and we each have different Arulrajah shared about the ministry of AGWO (a government- strengths and expertise, resources from our different sanctioned non-governmental organisation ministering in the cultures, ways and means of ministry. But if the 46 dormitories) to TRAC and other Methodist churches. churches can come together to share what they are doing, we would have a much more powerful impact, more One of those that responded quickly to the call for drivers resources, greater experiences and a wider reach to deal to deliver iftar meals was Bedok MC. Pastor-in-Charge with challenges and constraints. the Rev Khoo Kay Huat, lay leader Sabrina Ng and her husband Hock Ching, LCEC Vice-Chair Low Chia Wing When COVID-19 caused the churches to have to explore began, and they now have a pool of 34 drivers from their online resources, The Methodist Church in Singapore (MCS), church delivering meals. Serena Gan, PRPC Chairperson, under the leadership of Bishop Dr Chong Chin Chung, elaborates: “Each morning at 2 a.m., our assigned drivers consolidated the Methodist churches’ online streaming or pick up the food at a caterer at Admiralty and deliver it to recorded service links onto one page of the MCS website. dormitories in Sungei Kadut, Tuas and Jurong. Bedok MC It is amazing how much diversity there is: traditional and hopes to continue to be God’s hands and feet to bless and contemporary services; services in Cantonese, English, reach out to our migrant workers.” Hakkan, Hinghwa, Hokkien, Mandarin, to name a few. These are the “foreigner[s] residing among us” (Deut My 87-year-old mother attends the Mandarin worship services 10:18–19, NIV) that God wants us to show love to. Some in the morning with Ang Mo Kio CMC, then with Queenstown of members doing the meal delivery have persuaded CMC; later, at 2pm, she joins Wesley MC’s Mandarin Ministry their pre-believing family members to help out, which is on Zoom. She is richly blessed by the various worship services an excellent opportunity for family bonding as well as for and the different preachers’ messages. them to see “faith in action”. MCS would be so much richer if Methodist members should The other Methodist Churches that are also working with share their resources to meet the needs of the other Church AGWO at this time of writing are Trinity, Wesley, Cairnhill, members, such as: Faith, Living Hope and Covenant Community. Many other Methodist churches are also helping in food or giving. • children’s and youth ministries, e.g. online or on Facebook Live. (We just heard that Charis MC held an Sleepers Ministry online junior youth camp!) Toa Payoh MC was the first to provide shelter to rough sleepers and since then, some other Methodist churches • A virtual academy could be created to hold online have asked about Toa Payoh’s experience and learning points discipleship classes, Bible study series and webinars. We in starting the same ministry, which Pastor-in-Charge the can share resources and have gifted persons lead in the Rev Reuben Ng shared about during a Pastors’ Fellowship. studies, so that members might benefit Church-wide and get to know members from other Methodist churches. At the time of writing, sister churches Ang Mo Kio MC/CMC/ TMC, Bedok MC, Charis MC and Faith MC have been approved • Groups can reach out to Methodists across all churches by the authorities to house rough sleepers within their as part of One MCS initiatives (e.g. the upcoming church premises for the duration of the circuit breaker. The Methodist Fathers Gathering). ministry involves providing a room, mattresses with clean sheets and meals. When churches share their experiences of Outreach to foreign worker dormitories ministry, it is more impactful and easier for adoption. Some Methodist churches are serving dormitories by adopting a dorm and providing the workers there with food and We look forward to more One MCS initiatives and sharing. essentials. One such opportunity came when Pastor Juliette |18 METHODIST MESSAGE — JUNE 2020 A safe space for rough sleepers at the AMK MC/CMC/TMC building, where each person has their own space to sleep, eat their meals and store their belongings

Welfare Services ¢ By the Methodist Welfare Services (MWS) Communications Team / Images courtesy of Methodist Welfare Services Caring beyond the ordinary in extraordinary times L etting go of a loved one on the brink of death is hard. “Let each of you look not only to his own During Mdm Tan Sai Tin’s last days, the palliative care interests, but also to the interests of others.” team at MWS Bethany Nursing Home — Choa Chu Kang faithfully attended to her needs. (Phil 2:4) While Mdm Tan wanted to leave peacefully, some members “As an Asian family, we aren’t used to expressing our love,” of her concerned and well-meaning family insisted on said Mdm Tan’s niece, Wei Leng. “The bedside closure aggressive treatment to prolong her life as much as possible. brought a sense of completion to her final journey. I hope Over a meeting initiated by MWS, the family came together more families will experience this too, because it was really, at her bedside, expressed their love for one another and really special to us,” she added. gained closure. Her family deeply appreciated this gesture. In providing professional care for its beneficiaries, MWS is constantly challenged by the deeper and more emotional aspects of its work. MWS’s holistic approach sees its beneficiaries as whole persons with different needs. Besides looking at presenting problems, MWS also provides psychosocial and emotional support, and spiritual care to work through deep-seated issues. This approach is evident across MWS’s 20 centres and programmes. These provide care for families facing complex challenges, at-risk girls struggling to get back on track, people longing to get out of debt to build a brighter future for their children, socially isolated seniors looking for a warm community and the chronically ill hoping to live and leave in dignity. During this trying period, while Singapore battles COVID-19 on the ground and the livelihoods of the most vulnerable are at stake, your financial support is more critical than ever. Donate now so that MWS’s beneficiaries can continue receiving care beyond the ordinary in these difficult times. MWS takes a holistic approach in helping beneficiaries tackle and Visit https://www.giving.sg/ overcome their challenges methodist-welfare-services/care- beyond-the-ordinary or scan the QR code to donate. |METHODIST MESSAGE — JUNE 2020 19



Missions ¢ The Rev Derrick Lau having a meal in Tokyo in early Feb 2020 The Rev Derrick Lau serves as the Executive Director of Methodist Missions Society (www.mms.org.sg). He also enjoys gardening, jogging, flying drones, travelling and working on DIY projects. / Photo courtesy of the Rev Derrick Lau New Geographical Mission Partnerships “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has God is doing a special work in our days! Statistically, come upon you, and you will be my witnesses more than 40 per cent of the world are unreached.1 As in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, pilgrims, let us devote our hearts and spirits to fulfilling and to the end of the earth.” the mandate of the Great Commission, sparing no effort (Acts 1:8) to reach out to the world with the message of hope and reconciliation. “For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord Therefore, we must seek the heart of God and mobilise disciples to venture into fields across the nations, as the waters cover the sea.” especially to places considered “unreached”. MMS (Hab 2:14) currently has missions in seven countries. We can enlarge our sphere. With the support of missions agencies and A cursory reading of these two passages suggests organisations, churches and individuals plus the vast a geographical progression of mission movement resource we have today, I believe we can develop from Jerusalem as a home base, to the surrounding strategies to reach the world for Christ through new regions and to the ends of the earth. Church history informs geographical mission partnerships (NewGMP)! United us of the rapid geographical spread to the “four corners together (i.e. 46 Methodist local churches) in mission, let of the earth” (a term commonly used in ancient times to us pool our resources to reach the world! denote faraway places). Indeed, the disciples played that pivotal role in spreading the Good News of Christ. Their Would you heed our Lord’s challenge: “Follow me and I missions advanced north towards Turkey, west towards will make you fishers of men”? (Matt 4:19). I invite you England, south towards North Africa and eastwards to (individuals and/or local churches), as fishers of men, China and Southeast Asia via India and beyond. to explore new geographical mission partnerships with MMS where we serve together within a collaborative From a missiological perspective, the disciples acted on framework to the end that “the earth may be filled with Christ’s mandate to preach the Word, in season and out the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea!” of season (Paul’s words), to the peoples of the world. The oracle that the prophet Habakkuk saw said: “I want the whole Christ for my Saviour, the whole Bible for my book, the whole Church for my fellowship, “Look among the nations, and see; and the whole world for my mission field.” wonder and be astounded. —John Wesley For I am doing a work in your days Get in touch with MMS today! that you would not believe if told.” www.mms.org.sg (1:5) [email protected] 6478-4818 In the 18th century, John Wesley envisioned “the world as [his] parish” and brought Christianity over all of England, as well as across the Atlantic Ocean to Georgia, USA. Methodism was brought to our shores when the missionaries James Thoburn and William Oldham arrived in Singapore on 7 Feb 1885. With Singapore as a stepping stone, Methodism spread rapidly around the region. 1 Statistics according to Joshua Project (https://joshuaproject.net). “Unreached people” are defined as the category of people where something is happening, but not yet enough to see their whole people discipled. Pioneer work is likely still needed. |METHODIST MESSAGE — JUNE 2020 21

You & Your Family ¢ Benny Bong has been a family and marital therapist for more than 30 years, and is a certified work-life consultant. He was the first recipient of the AWARE Hero Award, received in 2011, and is a member of Kampong Kapor Methodist Church. Paradigm shift or game changer? B earing in mind as I write that this article is scheduled routines were formed, and families ate together more to be published in June 2020, I am trying to visualise often and found more family activities for entertainment. what our social environment then might be. I am not When the circuit breaker is lifted, might there be some good at predictions—my dismal failure with investments who miss the new routines and feel the restrictions had attest to this—so let me stick to what I think I know better. paradoxically liberated us from old habits? When all the dust from the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, A third realisation is, even as a daily litany of grim and its ensuing social and economic crisis, finally settles, news has bombarded us, there has also been a small, a few things will become obvious. These realisations may steady stream of positive stories. Juxtaposed between be life-changing or, in today’s parlance, a game-changer. accounts of racist and selfish acts are stories of acts of compassion. Nameless individuals have gone out of The first realisation is how much we are primarily social their way to help total strangers. Instead of rejecting beings. For some, the need for social contact may be others, they extended a hand of welcome. These are met by a phone or virtual call. For most, however, we reminders of the good in humanity. long for more primal face-to-face contact. We desire the full engagement of the verbal, visual and even olfactory This brings me to my fourth realisation—that to survive encounter. For instance, some grandparents long to hug any storm, however severe or prolonged, we must have and draw deeply again the smells of their grandchildren. the resolve to do so. This resolve ultimately springs from our sense of hope. Our hope rests in what we cling to To be sure, few would miss the daily commute to and from when all the chips are down. For some, it may be loved work. We may wish we could press the “mute button” ones, family or friends while for others, faith in God. for colleagues who talk endlessly at meetings or block entry into our lives by unwanted people in our “waiting How unshakeable is your hope? Has it stood the test of rooms”. But I think most of us will be prepared to cope crisis? How are present circumstances and the worst-case with the inconvenience of human interaction than be scenario defined by your hope? Does your hope rise to without any. Safe distancing, a life-preserving measure, these challenges? can be experienced as social isolation and deprivation. Experienced long term, this can lead to negative So when you find time to reflect and gather your thoughts psychological effects like depression. amid all the upheaval, do ask yourself what truths or lessons this period has taught you. How life changing will A second realisation is some may have experienced the this experience be? What habits have you been weaned circuit breaker as God sent. Things that they may have from? What are “new routines” you want to hold on to? We, wanted to do but were either too busy or distracted finally not the coronavirus, hold the answers to such questions. got done. For example, some have been able to declutter Let us not be creatures of circumstances but find hope to their homes or read books that had been set aside. Or new survive any storm. |22 METHODIST MESSAGE — JUNE 2020

Hymns & Songs ¢ Judith Laoyan-Mosomos is the Director for Worship and Church Music at the Methodist School of Music, and a member of Kampong Kapor Methodist Church. HOSANNA Hosanna On Palm Sunday, Bishop Emeritus Dr Robert Solomon preached at I sing Hosanna when at home Wesley MC. I sing Hosanna though alone No palm to palm greeting we give In his sermon, Bishop Emeritus Dr Solomon shared that while we do not Confined to home so we can live have the palms, the singing of Hosanna, the children and the whole festivity of Palm Sunday, “I suspect it is to force us not just to join a I sing Hosanna from the heart crowd but to experience the Lord Jesus Christ riding into our hearts… the From friends and family far apart limitation we have today does not stop us from worshipping, lifting our Uncertain times, when fears arise hearts in praise of Jesus. It is as if the Lord has chosen to ride into our Look at the world, God hears our cries hearts so that we can focus our hearts on him.” Hosanna, we lift our voice in praise “Experience the Lord Jesus Christ riding into our hearts…”—these words Hosanna, our prayers to you we raise struck Angela Ang Goh, and she felt prompted to respond. Inspired, she In trials, give us joy scribbled down some words, after which she proceeded to the piano to This sickness, you destroy add the melody. “Hosanna”! A new song was composed. Hosanna, we lift our voice in praise Pondering upon COVID-19 and the Bishop Emeritus’ message, the song Hosanna, our hearts to you we raise “Hosanna” points us to the reality of not being able to worship corporately Set our hearts ablaze in church. Even so, the refrain encourages us to persevere. We can still Hosanna till the end of our days raise our voices in praise in our homes. But at a time like this, we need to ask God to give us joy. This alludes to Philippians 4:4—“Rejoice in the We sing Hosanna in one accord Lord, always!” From home to home to our Lord United together, one spirit, strong Unity, a theme that rings out in the third and fourth stanzas, is a virtue Distanced, not forlorn that is needed for any endeavour to us to succeed, whether as a church, community or nation. Along with unity, we need to ask God to grant us We sing Hosanna loud and proud humility and seek His blessing so that, no matter what, we can be proud Spirit united, we are a crowd to sing “Hosanna!” Bless the Lord oh my soul Hosanna we extol “Hosanna”, a Greek word often heard on Palm Sunday, is an exclamation of praise that means “save now!” By the first century AD, the word Refrain was no longer used literally as a cry for rescue from enemies, but had become an idiomatic expression of joy and jubilation.1 Words and Music: Angela Ang Goh The tune can be found at If “Hosanna” has become an expression of joy and jubilation, I personally https://youtu.be/frrpV1yA_Y4 think this song can be used and sung at this time as a response to COVID-19. Angie has been serving as a pianist in 1 Sean A. Harrison, gen. ed. New Living Translation Pentecost MC for 40 years, a ministry Study Bible, 2nd ed. Carol Stream, Illinois: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. 2008, 1674. through which she believes God is using and blessing her. She is an English Literature teacher in a secondary school. |METHODIST MESSAGE — JUNE 2020 23

TRAC Bible Matters ¢ Pastor Tay Li Ping is Assistant Pastor at Christ Methodist Church. She entered ministry as a Member-on-Trial with Trinity Annual Conference in August 2019. Can women minister and teach in church? “Go home.” The above argument illustrates Gordon Fee’s advice that it is good biblical interpretative practice to look first to This was the response of American pastor John MacArthur the word’s function in the present passage to discern its to “Beth Moore” as a prompt in a word association game meaning, rather than import its meaning from its usage in during his church’s 2019 Truth Matters Conference. He other biblical texts or extra-biblical sources. went on to elaborate: “There is no case that can be made biblically for a woman preacher. Period. Paragraph. End Paul’s main aim in this passage is less about defining of discussion.” “headship”, and more about maintaining gender differentiation in worship practice. It is likely that women MacArthur’s confident assertion is the latest salvo in an were forgoing accepted cultural codes of dress and hair in an ongoing debate about whether women can minister and unbridled display of their new-found freedom in Christ, thus teach in church. His words vividly demonstrate that it is blurring the lines between male and female. Paul therefore the biblical perspective that is frequently the debate’s main engages in wordplay, using “head” metaphorically to address battleground. While it is beyond the scope of this article to appropriate uncovering or covering of literal “heads” of men mount a comprehensive response to MacArthur, it will seek and women while praying and prophesying during worship. to address some common objections to female leadership in ministry arising from several key biblical texts. Cultural norms are obviously different now. We do not literally obey Paul’s injunction that women cover their heads 1 Corinthians 11:2–26 in worship. To seek to obey this passage by enforcing the subordination of women to men, however, is going beyond What does Paul mean by “head” in verse 3, when he writes what this passage can support. that “the head of every man is Christ, the head of a wife (or “woman” as in the NIV, since the same Greek word is 1 Corinthians 14:34–35 used for both) is her husband (or “man” as in the NIV, again since the same Greek work is used for both), and the head The first contentious issue in this passage is that in verse of Christ is God”? 34, Paul seems to command women to “keep silent in the churches”. However, it is clear that Paul does not Some argue in favour of “authority” in a hierarchical sense. mean women are never to utter a word in church, since This interpretation seems to be supported by verse 10, in 1 Corinthians 11 he detailed the appropriate manner of which in some versions reads “a woman ought to have a adornment when women pray and prophesy during worship. symbol of authority over her head”. Furthermore, Paul uses “head” to mean “authority” in other texts such as Colossians As some scholars have pointed out, the problem Paul is 2:10, and arguably, Ephesians 5:23. addressing is not one of women teaching or speaking, but one of women learning—too loudly. As seen in verse An alternative interpretation of “head” is “source” in terms 40, Paul’s central concern is for decency and order in of “source of life or origin”. Those who support such a view worship. Whether it was an issue of threatening the argue that it is consistent with the wording of verses 8, church’s witness with the cultural impropriety of women 9 and 12, which make explicit reference to the Creation asking questions publicly or because it was considered story where woman was made from man. Moreover, verse rude for novices—women in the Greco-Roman world were 10 refers to the woman’s own authority rather than that generally less educated than their male counterparts—to of man’s authority over her. In fact, the words “a symbol ask unlearned questions, it is reasonable to posit that of” are not in the original Greek and were likely added to Paul is writing against the chaos women created during reflect the hierarchical view that women should wear a worship by their questions. head covering, presumably as a sign of man’s authority over her. Verse 11 supports the view that verse 10 refers to a The second issue is what Paul means by women “should woman’s own authority by explicitly qualifying her exercise be in submission, as the law also says”. Some read it as of it by reminding her that she is not independent of man. submission to men, be it to their husbands or to leave the exercise of pastoral authority to men in general. |24 METHODIST MESSAGE — JUNE 2020

As in the case of 1 Corinthians 11, we should look to the As is the case for verse 11, no one insists on strict adherence immediate textual context for clues. The Greek word for to the literal meaning of women not teaching at all. Rather, “submission” is also used in verse 32 to state that the spirits they nuance it by whom the women are not allowed to teach of prophets are “subject” to prophets, which allows them or in what setting. For example, one scholar, looking ahead to keep silent when another prophet receives a revelation to 1 Timothy 3:2, which states that overseers should be able (verse 30). Therefore, it is plausible that submission in to teach, and 1 Timothy 3:15, which sets the discussion in verse 34 is also related to controlling one’s tongue and the “household of God”, speculates that women are not to being silent, rather than being in submission to another. teach overseers or men in authority in the public assembly It should be noted that there is no scholarly consensus on of the church. what “law” Paul refers to. If Roman sanctions, Paul does not usually use this word to refer to them. If Old Testament law, Verse 13 is often used as the lynchpin in the argument nowhere does it command women to be silent in worship, against female leadership. Paul is interpreted as grounding although there is an enjoining of submission and silence in his prohibition in verses 11 and 12 on the order of Adam some contexts as a mark of respect for God (e.g. Hab 2:20). being created first, and Eve second. The problem with this argument is that although the rationale for forbidding The difficulty of literal obedience to the biblical text is women from teaching and exercising authority over men as pertinent for this passage as it is for 1 Corinthians 11. is based on a general and enduring principle—women are Most Christians would not literally obey Paul’s commands somehow by nature inferior or subordinate to men—it is for prophesying and speaking in tongues as spelt out in not applied as such. As mentioned earlier, it is applied to verses 27–31, citing cultural reasons. So why should the one specific situations (e.g. not teaching men in authority in the command in verse 34 be followed literally as applicable in public assembly of the church) rather than in a general way all contexts and for all time? (e.g. forbidding all women from teaching all men). 1 Timothy 2:11–15 What then, could be the reason for Paul’s commands in verses 11 and 12 and invoking of the Creation story in We come now to the fundamental text in the argument verses 13 and 14? One possible reason is that in Ephesus against women in ministry leadership. at that time, the main religion was the cult worship of Artemis (see Acts 19:24–35) in which all priests were No one insists on a strict following of verse 11, that is, female. Furthermore, this cult promoted the false forcing a woman to “learn quietly” without making a teaching that Eve was first-born and enlightened. It would sound. While the focus tends to be on “quietly”, Paul is also therefore make sense that Paul would combat this heresy commanding that a woman be allowed to study and learn by pointing out that Eve was formed after Adam and not rather than being restrained from doing so: “let a woman before him, and that far from being enlightened, she was learn quietly”. deceived by the serpent. Paul’s command in verses 11 and 12 then, was to encourage women to learn with the The critical issue is with how a woman is to learn. What right attitude, and to specify that he was not, through this does “with all submissiveness” mean? Whom or what is a encouragement, giving the wrong impression that he was woman to be submissive to? Some assume that it is to men, training women in the way of the cult of Artemis, one referencing verse 12. However, the context of learning and where women dominated over men. the fact that Paul elsewhere never commands submission of all women to all men suggest that Paul is writing about Conclusion the learner’s attitude of obedience to God, the gospel, the instructor or the instructional setting. The biblical case against a woman preacher is based on a reading of key texts that insufficiently takes into account Verse 12 is the crucial verse in the debate. The point of the fact that Paul’s letters are occasional in nature. They contention is what exactly Paul means by forbidding a were originally written for a specific occasion: for a specific woman “to teach” and “to exercise authority.” The latter audience, at a specific point in time, about specific matters. phrase is particularly difficult to translate as the Greek word This is not to discount the applicability of Scripture to us it is based on is found nowhere else in the New Testament today, but it does imply that the serious reader of Scripture and rarely in extra-biblical Greek literature. Its possible should seek to discern the main point the original author meaning ranges from the neutral “to have authority over” was trying to convey to his original readers before trying to the negative “domineer, usurp or abuse authority.” Those to apply it to the here and now. A useful resource for lay arguing against female leadership assume the neutral readers in this respect is How to Read the Bible for All Its meaning for both, i.e. Paul forbids teaching and exercising Worth by Gordon Fee and Douglas Stuart. authority over men. On the other hand, those arguing for female leadership argue for the negative meaning, i.e. what The views expressed in this article are personal and might not necessarily is forbidden is teaching false doctrines and dominating over reflect the official position of The Methodist Church in Singapore. This men or teaching in order to dominate. version of the article has been edited for brevity. The full article can be found at http://www.trac-mcs.org.sg/index.php/resources/bible- matters?layout=edit&id=256 |METHODIST MESSAGE — JUNE 2020 25

Soundings ¢ 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 (http://ethosinstitute.sg) “Soundings” is a series of essays that, like the waves of a sonogram, explore issues in society, culture and the church in light of the Gospel and Christian understanding. For the common good O ne of the most striking features of The Methodist The common good is the fundamental concept in the Church in Singapore (MCS), in my view, is the set Church’s social doctrine since the inception of Christianity, of social principles by which it is governed. These even though the term itself is of a more recent coinage. principles are firmly rooted in the teachings of Scripture “Common” simply implies “all-inclusive”, which means and are in harmony with the social teachings of the that no sector of society or the population should for Church that can be traced to the work of Augustine in any reason be exempted or excluded. the fifth century. The idea of the common good is based on the basic They not only present a Christian vision of how human truth that all human beings are of equal value and society should be ordered, but they also delineate worth. It further insists that this fundamental truth the responsibility of the Church and every believer. must relativise all forms of social stratifications and Furthermore, they stress that Christians are not only to classifications. seek each other’s welfare but that of every member of society, regardless of their race or creed. This means that every individual, regardless of their social status, has the responsibility to promote the In other words, it is the responsibility of every Christian to welfare of the community as well as the right to serve the common good of the society in which they live. benefit from that welfare.

The Christian understanding of the common good is A society will be judged by its attention to and care for based on what the Bible has to say about human beings. “the least of these” (Matt 25:31–46). In order to truly In the opening chapters of the first book of the Bible, serve the common good, we must never regard the poor we find the remarkable declaration that human beings and the vulnerable as merely a burden that we must are ordained by their Creator to be bearers of His image bear. Rather, we must regard them as our neighbours and (Gen 1:26–27). our brothers and sisters whom we must love. Theologians have interpreted this profound assertion in The Church’s social teachings drive home the fact that many different ways in the history of the Church. But there is a social dimension to the Christian faith. Christian they all agree that as bearers of the divine image, human piety has to do not only with the believer’s relationship beings are given an uncommon dignity that distinguishes with God. How the believer treats his fellow human them from the rest of God’s creation. beings is equally important and reveals the authenticity of his devotion to God (1 John 4:2). Furthermore, because God by His grace has bestowed dignity on every human being, this quality is not Christians must develop an informed “social conscience”. dependent on any human attribute or accomplishment. This requires a special “sight”—a deliberate effort to Neither is it tied to race, gender, age or economic status. become aware of the needs of the people around, a purposeful endeavour to “see” those who can so very This conviction is clearly articulated in Section II (1) of easily be ignored. It also requires a certain kind of Social Principles of MCS: “We believe that God is the resolve to reach out to them and offer our assistance and Creator of all people, regardless of race, creed, status or our friendship. sex, and that each person is of infinite worth. We believe that all persons have supreme value in the sight of God The social teachings of the Church do not only show us and ought to be so regarded by us.” how to become better Christians. They also help us to be good and responsible citizens. The social doctrine of the Church, however, also stresses the need to focus on a particular group of people in our For they stress that Christians must take their society that is sometimes pushed into the shadows. They responsibilities for the welfare of society seriously and are the poor, the elderly, the sick, weak, the destitute and that the discharge of these responsibilities is not an the unborn—our community’s most vulnerable members. optional extra but part of their devotion to God. |METHODIST MESSAGE — JUNE 2020 27

Home ¢ Kyle Yeo is a Lay Ministry Staff of Grace Methodist Church, overseeing Young Adults, Senior Youth and Hospitality–Integration Ministry. / Photo courtesy of Kyle Yeo WMI heatht oddoiests mbeeianng tao you?PBsbeimhacustcenBshweanaGtbilotegosriImeokyhwtefvtigohupahnacndheavipMorarlntioomntenogaelreloecihucwvblesigisdwinnhwdilstlnre“teaneoalaioamdnaahsetmorittgslniSythr’tnltiMnohitnmontoenaeryloiseaegcolaabnnc.rvceeinnwnlhitewvnitbegaiktlMiftsesaothluenuesaehnheae.sathbtlroartargcsphsodpseaynlciehiItcttstpp,satdtonhnhitrtoeibfehoslienirwhhiriieasamngessya.eioanteemnalmmtcjeloy”lmebmauMnaiw,melaeeaitotoaslieskodosdotheiloevsot,stusyeto2rnglst1eaotMme,“eetasj2h5tjedo“s4ufIfduwsm“3eoc”i:gtesooycssn3sMweaa.na.todrtoawkrtonpt5hoinWmnofirinhemauCehosapn–noewwdconthshmaesu4isegndehenMsiydrsfer0trrdneiis,roi,slJnoiessstsreaneLsosgtadlomterocottaoikstesbemiopitetonhn—abeutsfrdiuehmffpiahgndaoytsna”easvmttet”rirel.mdawiimlihete,oadonsgtadhbeiadphclnfebseonodsieiuoo,tiledtiteununasmanysm’wsu.wshir.ntlosteenwastunTeeaeyseAmorsospowstooasonaKsolanhrnabrmlttcritc.itic,inmnedbknsietthidjiosoaaoisuoheaeagiaveteanunIlutAfsntreludet,eg,t,is.trgjtnepnodohulap,rwebbbyMBgrintymesneasaweaeeehnuhltiaeciuoliynnicclemtootichaelcittpsoaeavgearftehtohotdtplefuhiruofni.heor2eumwi,ca—ssioifiGfad4nns,rbneecfneyasotieIegttu“gasmoaaniitdrntdgstnicmaehnleusdbh,ptoveorganednitaueeractrnuhhMehoscnalfwithtk3tetoaoeiraiuotdeahutiao9cdrwlhrsnssdbltemethun,.rejhgitjiaanuepunioweMnhIropaddilwsatrnenc—enldeoeictieti2lotvctnahihioamitiaih0lcavseirvrstahelpneite2teiregnaosel”owatn0ehttshdd,lfei.hatstceiwssoesIl,msk,tii.rsl,l

THINK ¢ Ps Joey Chen has been a Member-On-Trial since 2018. She is married to Andrew Leong, who is currently a lay pastor in an Anglican church. She enjoys reading, singing, watching movies and sipping good coffee./ Photo courtesy of Ps Joey Chen A female pastor’s journey Ps Joey Chen (right) with her husband, Andrew Leong I f someone had told me 15 years ago that I’d become crossing the road and having a “table-banging” emotional a pastor one day, I wouldn’t have believed it. Unlike conversation with God. I asked God, “Are You going to tell some of my peers who have always had an idea of their me or not?!” A peace suddenly washed over me and these pastoral calling, or others who were on fire for God since words came into my mind, clear as day, “Pastoral care.” their youth, I was somewhat of a late bloomer when it came to faith. Although I became a Christian at 12, I didn’t One of the greatest privileges of being a pastor is being think about God’s purpose for my life until I was 26. able to devote myself to growing in intimacy with God and growing as a person in order to serve God’s people more It started innocuously enough, when I attended the Young effectively. Recently, God has reminded me to “run in such Methodist Leaders’ Conference. It’s a long story, but the short a way as to get the prize…so that after I have preached version is that I encountered God powerfully during altar to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize” ministry, and the pastor who prayed for me challenged me (1 Cor 9:24, 27 NIV). The other great privilege of pastoring to surrender my life to God. As I surrendered areas of my life is being able to journey with others, and seeing the reward to God, I began to see how faithful, trustworthy and good He of them growing and/or overcoming. Yet another is the is, and that eventually led me to surrender my entire life to joy of being able to sow into God’s eternal kingdom. God and ask, “God, what is Your purpose for me?” Throughout this journey, I was fortunate to have mentors The answer to that question began with the passing who guided me in discerning my call to ordained ministry. thought that it would be an honour if God found me As a female pastor, I am extremely interested in exploring suitable for full-time ministry. As I continued to pray and the concept of female leadership, and developing a seek the Lord, that thought gradually grew into a desire, leadership style that works for me. On occasion, women and the desire turned into conviction. But I needed God’s may feel more comfortable approaching me to pray for confirmation, so I asked God to show me exactly which them or journey with them because I’m a woman. area of full-time ministry he was calling me to. I don’t feel that I am treated any differently from my I remember getting very frustrated a few months into male counterparts. But almost every time I take a taxi or intensely seeking God for an answer—I had reflected over a private hire car, when the drivers find out I’m a pastor, and over again on my experiences, skills and spiritual most of them exclaim, “I didn’t know there were female gifts, hoping that they would converge on some point, pastors!” It makes for a good segue into talking about my but they ever did. The day the answer finally came, I was work and my faith. |METHODIST MESSAGE — JUNE 2020 29