Methodist Message: Jun 2021

ISSN 0129-6868 MCI (P) 027/11/2020 THE METHODIST CHURCH IN SINGAPORE Vol 123 No 6 JUNE 2021 FATHERHOOD

Contents Church Life 3 1 Bishop’s Message People of MCS 5 2 Events: Coming Up Reach Out 15 3 Church Life: Church Profile—Pasir Panjang TMC Christian Living 20 4 Church Life: ETAC Highlights 5 News: The Cathedral Podcast—Spiritual leadership MwCWWaiaecthnrehErhItatrilf’eisteyvcRhwceyealeokeEordooutsuah,ocLr:ndtoddaOuchttoneteosetaOint?nwmsvslrhKatidieCatebgyimIegaclNuotnpdMthhntum?GiteuctoIyssDolsbe@nlFeo!veuoPsOseumsshiSyrRstknoduroieesaaltrbVpluvtotsa-gieOho,grwelniroiLornedskt—aUrgds:iept,aNnoitohnwsowenTretyserEr.drpi:ooiEdtsrteattaR:sriohpnwgtbSyeoeeg.o!orsdrc?oscugoiokottDrmhnrarohateirircettvniysibilcmoepudl/ewui!tigsegiDsthnPiapot/tfrokhamoypgoeloooratmafopuekrpshemeehhaoodMsiacdftivsa/oMeee?srv/a?saean:anybtwntoesoyatthtttyhheheeirelnpryg 8 People: Bishop Dr Gordon Wong 11 People: The Methodist Fathers Movement 15 Reach Out: Welfare Services 18 Reach Out: Missions 20 Opinion: The great responsibility of church leaders 22 Relationships: You & Your Family 23 Hymns & Songs 24 Opinion: Soundings 26 What does being a Methodist mean to you? 27 Opinion: THINK 29 Events: Looking Ahead CORRECTION In the May 2021 issue of Methodist Message, we mentioned on page 11 (“A beacon of light in the Geylang community”) that the founding principal of the primary school section was Mrs Grace Heng. It should have been Mrs Heng-Lim Gaik Kee. We apologise for the error. 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 Design & Production by Londonbob Design — Printed by Adred Creation Print Pte Ltd Have something to say or share? Email us at [email protected] Communications Executive Jason Woo Proofreader Tan Sheng Ling

BISHOP’S MESSAGE Bishop Dr Gordon Wong was elected Bishop of The Methodist Church in Singapore in 2020. He served as President of the Trinity Annual Conference from 2013–2020. The father of all families A s our modern society celebrates Father’s So I shall celebrate Father’s Day this year by joining Day in June, I remember the apostle Paul’s the apostle Paul in “bowing my knees” to pray for prayer to God, whom he describes as “the (at least) two things: Father from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name” (Eph 3:15–­ 16, NIV 2011). I Firstly, I shall pray for myself, and all fathers: that we like the translation offered by Bishop Tom Wright: might know a little bit more of the fullness of God’s “I am kneeling down before the father, the one fatherly love in our lives so that we may become who gives the name of ‘family’ to every family that more rooted and grounded in providing love to our there is, in heaven and on earth.”1 earthly families. Some are blessed with positive memories of Secondly, I shall pray, not just for fathers, but for our human fathers; others have never met their every member of “every family in heaven and on fathers, or perhaps have only angry or painful earth”: that we might all know the “love of Christ”—a memories of them. But whatever our personal love so great, so deep, so wide, so universal that it experience of fatherhood might be, the Bible commands us to love all our invites everyone to relate with the “one God and neighbours in “every family Father of all” (Eph 4:6). And is there a particular in heaven and on earth”, fatherly or family characteristic of this “one God “regardless of language, and Father of all” that the apostle Paul prays for race or religion”—as we us to know and experience? love ourselves. The answer is “yes” and the characteristic is clear: to May we all come to know know and experience this characteristic is to be “filled the love of Christ that up to all the fullness of God”. The characteristic of inspires us to Love God by God the Father that Pauls prays for us to know is the Loving Our Neighbours. love of Christ. He prays that we may all be “rooted and grounded in love” and that we may know this Amen. love of Christ which is so great, so deep, so wide that we cannot know it fully (Eph 3:17­–19)! 1 Tom Wright, Paul For Everyone: The Prison Letters (London: SPCK, 2004), 38. |METHODIST MESSAGE — June 2021 1

Events: Coming Up DATE 23–26 JUNE 2021 WORSHIP SYMPOSIUM (wednesday–Saturday) 2021: VIA FLOW ZOOM WHY IS FLOW SO IMPORTANT FIND OUT MORE AT IN WORSHIP TODAY? DOES THE ORDER OF WORSHIP WE FOLLOW CONTRIBUTE OR DETRACT FROM THE FLOW? HOW ABOUT THE WORDS SPOKEN, THE SONGS SUNG, THE MUSIC PLAYED, AND THE AUDIO- VISUAL TECH EMPLOYED? AS THE PANDEMIC RAGES ON, MINISTERING TO VIRTUAL CONGREGATIONS HAS BECOME FRAUGHT WITH CHALLENGES; AND THE FLOW OF A WORSHIP SERVICE MAY NOW BE ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT. YET IT IS DIFFICULT TO ACHIEVE IN LIGHT OF SOCIAL-DISTANCING MEASURES. COME AND GAIN NEW PERSPECTIVES AND INSIGHT ON THIS MATTER AT WORSHIP SYMPOSIUM 2021: FLOW! |2 METHODIST MESSAGE — June 2021

Church Life ¢ Church Profile: Pasir Panjang Tamil Methodist Michael Gnasegaran is the LCEC Chairman of Pasir Panjang Tamil Methodist Church (PPTMC). / Photos courtesy of PPTMC At the meeting with Radin Mas MP Melvin Yong and his team A lighthouse in Telok Blangah P asir Panjang Tamil Methodist Church was established New developments around the church in 1927 on the grounds of Brickworks by the British, In recent years, there have been new establishments and since then God has been using this rural sprouting up around the church vicinity. New hotels are being church mightily in meeting the needs of Tamil migrants to built near the church. These developments have called and Singapore from South India.  God’s hand has been slowly challenged the church to maintain its identity as a source of shaping and strengthening the church, which now has three care and comfort in the neighbourhood. This certainly calls generations worshipping at its premises at 85 Wishart Road. for more prayer and the exploration of more strategies. The church is constantly looking out for new opportunities to strengthen the church community and to reach out to the COVID-19 community at large. The COVID-19 pandemic has challenged all of us in many ways. Our team of youths, women and men have NEW INITIATIVES FOR NEW CHALLENGES come forward to render their assistance during these difficult times by ensuring that the various safety management Methodist Young Adult Fellowship procedures are in place on our church premises. We are With the Methodist Youth Fellowship (MYAF) and the thankful to the Lord for the full support of the congregation Women’s Society of Christian (WSCS) actively serving the in such a time as this. youths and the women, there has always been a need to reach out to those in their mid-twenties to late thirties. There The church seeks continuous prayer support to be a was a growing burden to strengthen the spiritual growth of lighthouse and to shine for Jesus. We are also exploring these young adults as they would be the next in line to take ways to partner with our sister churches, Grace MC and up the baton of church leadership. This heightened concern Telok Ayer CMC (TA2 Sanctuary).  saw the rebirth of MYAF. This ministry has started their regular meet-ups and prayer sessions under the leadership of Rosabelle Benjamin.  Visit by the Radin Mas Constituency Office PPTMC Methodist Youth Fellowship Melvin Yong, Member of Parliament for Radin Mas Single Member Constituency, and his team visited our church on |METHODIST MESSAGE — June 2021 3 6 March 2021 for a dialogue with our Pastoral and Lay leadership. The conversation focused on how the church could better reach out to the community. In response, our Social Concerns chairperson, Angeline Jayanthi, mooted an idea of the church starting counselling services. Mr Yong welcomed that idea and offered us the use of the rooms at the Radin Mas Community Centre. Another collaborative idea was to start providing pro bono legal services alongside.

Church Life ¢ ETAC Highlights Elisha Amalraj Philip is the Vice-Chairperson of the ETAC Board of Missions. / Photos courtesy of the ETAC Board of Missions Missions Then, Missions Now: ETAC Board on Missions Thanksgiving Service 2021 T he Emmanuel Tamil Annual Conference (ETAC) Board missions are, for him, a “litmus test” to ensure that his on Missions held a thanksgiving service on 10 April love for God is not determined by material possessions but 2021: “Missions Then, Missions Now”. It was a hybrid what Jesus did on the Cross. service with some participants on-site and others on Zoom. It was a time to praise God for His faithfulness to ETAC and Lastly, I recounted my first conference missions trip to to hit the “pause button”—to be still and remember what Jaffna, Sri Lanka, in 2012. I remember people yearning the Lord has done, and to look forward and prepare for the to receive Jesus into their hearts. Their hunger for God, changing nature of missions in this century.  amidst all of their difficulties and pain, made me examine my own heart—“Why am I not as desperate for the Lord?” Our beneficiaries Back home, I did not see people who were as desperate for God and that helped me see that every land is a missions We screened videos from missions partners from India, field, whether overseas or in our own churches. Sri Lanka, Indonesia and Myanmar about how they have been impacted by our collaboration and ministry. From We ought to live our lives as a living sacrifice unto God, food donations to the establishment of schools, we saw bringing glory to His Name and displaying His love and God’s hand in every initiative, project and ministry we kindness wherever we go. have done in these countries and how God has used our conference to serve these nations. Yet, as the participants Missions now saw pictures and heard conversion testimonies, it was a reminder that still, the harvest is plentiful, but the Our guest speaker, Dr Violet James, challenged the workers are few. This is not a time to sit down and rest, congregation to step out in faith, be it for short- or long- but to get up and work.  term missions. However, with the ongoing pandemic, she encouraged the church to pray, give and find creative Dialogue with our leaders ways to continue missions work. She suggested involving young people and giving them avenues to use their gifts During the service, our leaders shared how the missions in technology to bring the message of hope to the ends ministry has impacted their lives, how it has marked seasons of the earth. Sharing from Matthew 5:13–16, she spoke in their walks with God. Our former Board of Missions of how the world needs the disciples of Jesus now more Chairperson, Tamilkodi Arthur, shared how she heeded than ever before. Even here in Singapore, we ought to God’s call to serve in the missions ministry at a young age. serve our neighbour.  She recounted the times she personally saw people accept Christ and live radically transformed lives for Christ. She also What lies ahead recalled how she has seen first-hand the persecution faced by believers in other countries. As the world remains affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, the conference will have to look for creative ways to Rev Jeremy James, the conference Youth Director, shared continue missions work. The world may be in a state of how the mission trips always remind him of what Jesus lockdown, but His Word knows no boundaries. Hard work asked Peter in John 21:15: “Simon son of John, do you is our responsibility, “heart work” is God’s. May we never love me more than these?” Rev Jeremy mentioned that cease to spread His love.  |4 METHODIST MESSAGE — June 2021

News ¢ Sheri Goh is the Editor of Methodist Message. / The Cathedral Podcast visual courtesy of St Andrew’s Cathedral Spiritual leadership This article is extracted from a podcast interview with Bishop Dr Gordon Wong, “Spiritual Leadership”, by The Cathedral Podcast, set up and founded by St Andrew’s Cathedral Singapore, and is published with permission. The full podcast can be found at https://cathedral.org.sg/podcast Distinguishing between spiritual leadership and other forms of leadership In the context of Mark 10:41 onwards, where James and John ask Jesus to give them a seat on His left and right, Jesus says, “Those who are considered rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, […] but it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all.” Jesus does seem to be saying that the type of leadership and the way we rule should be different from the way the world rules. The type of leadership Jesus Himself, as a perfect human, exercises should be a model—not just for Christian disciples—but for all human leaders. Jesus came to accomplish a task and He is King, Lord and leader. And yet His leadership style was one in which He ended up being crucified. When Pilate asked Jesus, “Are you the King of the Jews?” Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews” (Jn 18:36). It pretty much means that His style of leadership does not come out of the world’s style of leadership—it comes out of the way heaven exerts leadership. Even secular leadership bandies about the term “servant leadership”, but we see the way in which Jesus’ servant leadership worked out. It’s a leadership that is willing to sacrifice self rather than one that tries to retain a position—you’re there to serve, for however long or short you’re there; you’re serving and seeking to bless the people under your leadership. Programmes and people When Jesus was asked what the most important commandment was, His straightforward answer was to love God with all your heart, soul and mind, and to love your neighbour as yourself [Mt 22:37–39]. |METHODIST MESSAGE — June 2021 5

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Spiritual Leadership As a leader, I want to do whatever I can to help people fulfil these greatest of all commandments. Whatever programmes or projects I have are to try and help us become the kind of people that Jesus says we all ought to be—people who love God and love our neighbours as ourselves. Programmes can change, because over time, cultures change. Different programmes may have worked in one setting, and they need to change and adapt, but the goal is the same. We should not evaluate the effectiveness of the programme by how many people we got to sign up or attend. We need always to make sure that the programmes are helping us to fulfil that vision. We can ask ourselves, what have I done in the last week that is loving and kind to somebody? Do I more regularly think of each day as an opportunity to do good? Does my work bring benefit to a neighbour? Some small groups might even decide that, once a month, instead of meeting for Bible study, to do something to show love to their neighbours, such as visiting a nursing home, or even supporting a member who is fostering a child. A church could decide to put a particular emphasis on loving different types of neighbours, such as families with children with disabilities. We have different passions, interests and abilities, so we should encourage each other to articulate and express love for our neighbours within their particular setting or situation. On leading churches In The Methodist Church in Singapore, our system allows us to appoint pastors to different churches. Keeping a pastor at the same church for years can be both a positive or negative thing. A person can get set in their ways. It’s important to be nimble in listening to what others are saying. A good leader facilitates other leaders or members of the church in the discussion on how to proceed. In a church, the leader should be the team builder. God has already given us the vision, but the role of the leader is to facilitate everyone to work together. The members all have their different strengths. The leader needs to get them to contribute their strengths and move forward. How can we pandemic-proof the Church? I don’t think that’s possible. There will always be crises, and how we respond to the crisis, how we manage and adapt depends on the nature of the crisis. What I think the pandemic has shown is that when we can’t meet physically so much, there are ways in which we can still have fellowship. We need to ask ourselves how we can love God and our neighbours as ourselves, given the current restrictions. Advice for worn-out leaders At the end of Matthew 11, Jesus says, “Come to me, all who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. […] For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Nourish yourself, read God’s Word, hear again His promises that He loves you, and that His strength is made perfect in our weakness. We do what we can, the best we can, but leave it in God’s hands and trust Him. |METHODIST MESSAGE — June 2021 7

People ¢ Jason Woo is the Communications Executive at MCS Comms. / Photos courtesy of Bishop Dr Gordon Wong Bishop Dr Gordon Wong The Consecration Service of Bishop Dr Wong in The Lord’s gentle leading December 2020 S ome are placed in positions of spiritual authority David Wong, the eldest, holds several key board positions within the Church because of dramatic, extraordinary in the corporate world. Bishop Dr Wong’s older brother by encounters with God that transformed them six years, Rev Dr Norman Wong, currently serves as a irrevocably. Others have been quite the opposite— Methodist Welfare Services Chaplain. where God walked with them from young, moulding and preparing them along the way for the day when they Bishop Dr Wong was raised in a family with a deep would be ready for His service. relationship with the Lord. Like his father and brothers, he studied in the Anglo-Chinese schools. He has maintained Bishop Dr Gordon Wong, 60, falls into the latter group. a spirit of humility while nurturing a love for learning. In 2013, while a lecturer in Trinity Theological College “Growing up in a Christian environment, it seemed a (TTC), he was elected in a closed balloting exercise as natural progression for me to have a developed faith President of the Trinity Annual Conference (TRAC), a in God. It also helped that in school, since it was a position he never thought he would find himself in. Christian one, there was not a problem in having In his early days as TRAC President, he had to straddle students come together for activities like Bible study,” the two roles. With the Lord’s guidance, he went on to recounted Bishop Dr Wong. “In fact, it played a major serve a second term before being elected the Bishop of part during my junior college days in ACJC, where we The Methodist Church in Singapore (MCS) in late 2020, had regular cell groups that met weekly. From there, assuming the office officially in January 2021. we had two members who went on to serve the Lord in various capacities like Rev Dr Kow Shih Ming It was a touching moment to see his 98-year-old father (Pastor-in-Charge of Paya Lebar Methodist Church) and turning up for the Bishop’s Consecration Service. “My Dr Calvin Chong, a member of Covenant Community father is a man of few words so he did not say much to Methodist Church, who became a lecturer in Singapore me beyond congratulating me. But I could tell he was Bible College.” happy since he did turn up for my consecration,” beamed Bishop Dr Wong. Was Bishop Dr Wong’s decision to become a pastor influenced by Rev Dr Norman Wong? After all, the Journey into full-time ministry older brother was one of the ACS Clock Tower boys, whose prayer movement sparked a spiritual revival in Bishop Dr Wong is the youngest of the three sons of Mr Singapore in the 1970s? Cecil Wong, a respected figure in the accounting industry. |8 METHODIST MESSAGE — June 2021

Being installed as TRAC President during its 37th Conference in 2012 Ordaining the next generation of Deacons and Elders “I was too young then to be directly involved in that His flexible NS duties also allowed him to accompany his movement,” said Bishop Dr Wong. “Norman would have pastor, Rev Dr Tony Chi, on various mission trips to assist been about 16 or 17 and I would be just 10. To be honest, in leading worship. These not only helped shape the I don’t really have any strong memory of the Clock Tower former’s decision to become a pastor but also affirmed story except what I have read about it or what he told me.” the latter’s encouragement for Bishop Dr Wong to seek formal theological education. “For me, I have no dramatic testimony, unlike many others who may have had one and in turn made them After graduating from London Bible College, Bishop Dr go into ministry. Instead, all through my life God has Wong served at Wesley MC as lay ministry staff before given me opportunities both in school and church to applying to be a Minister-on-Trial (MOT) in 1986. He would serve. For instance, I was already teaching a Sunday spend the next four years as MOT in Barker Road MC. School class at my home church, Wesley Methodist Church (MC), since I was 12! I would also go on to lead In 1991, TRAC established a scholarship to support its a cell group during my ACJC days. God exposed me in pastors for further theological studies to become eligible my early years to the varied aspects of church work and for teaching positions at TTC. Bishop Dr Wong was one of I found that I enjoyed them enough to make it my life’s the pastors selected for the programme. work,” surmised Bishop Dr Wong. “Remember that prayer I said years before that wouldn’t “I think my father played an important role in all these as it be good if God could put me in a position to study for an in he allowed me to do what I liked to do,” mused Bishop exam on the Bible? He made it come true again!” Dr Wong. “He was the kind of dad who was very supportive when I asked if I could go for a Theology degree. I suspect it was easier for me since Norman had already done it so a precedent had already been set.” Bishop Dr Wong shared a particular dialogue with God while he was preparing for his O-level examinations. This was following a realisation that he had less interest in academic subjects (even though he was doing well in them) than his love for theological subjects. “Since so much of my Christian journey was spent in the Then-TRAC President Rev Dr Wong enjoyed a warm working studying and teaching of biblical topics, it just seemed to relationship with the TRAC staff me that it was something I would be happiest to continue to do long term. I said to the Lord: ‘Wouldn’t it be great if From 1995 to 2013, Bishop Dr Wong pursued a PhD in You would give me an opportunity to study for an exam on Old Testament Studies at the University of Cambridge. the Bible?’” laughed Bishop Dr Wong. He taught at TTC for 17 years in subjects such as Old Testament, Hebrew and Homiletics (methodology of Journey to the Bishop’s Office preaching and writing sermons), where he was the Bishop William F Oldham Professor of Old Testament. It was a During Bishop Dr Wong’s National Service (NS) days, God season Bishop Dr Wong looks back on fondly as he truly arranged it so that he was able to maintain a regular enjoyed being a Christian academic. schedule. Posted into a desk role, he had time to apply for and secure a place in London Bible College (now London School of Theology). |METHODIST MESSAGE — June 2021 9

The Lord’s gentle leading He has written and published numerous books, Family life including: The Power of Love: Earthly Pain and Heavenly Provision in the Book of Ruth; Faithful To The Bishop Dr Wong and his wife, Lai Foon, were married End: The Message Of Daniel For Life In The Real World; in 1988. They met when he was serving in Wesley and God, Why? Habukkuk’s Struggle with Faith in a MC. Together, they have raised Deborah and Jeremy. World Out of Control. “There is this truism about three groups of Challenges facing MCS children born to parents who are busily engaged in church work. The first is ‘MK’, or missionary Right from the start of his term as Bishop, Bishop Dr kids, the second is ‘PK’, meaning pastors’ kids Wong has made apparent what is on his heart for the and the third, ‘OK’,” laughed Bishop Dr Wong. Methodist community in Singapore, which also formed the basis of the theme for this year’s Aldersgate SG Highlighting a trend among offspring of church celebration weekend: “The prayer for me, my family and workers rebelling or even leaving the Church, MCS therefore, will be the same and that is always to do he admitted that his children, growing up with with what I believe to be the greatest commandment a father who is a prominent pastor, President God has given us: to love God and to love our neighbours and now Bishop, have faced a certain level of as ourselves,” declared Bishop Dr Wong. “Please pray external pressure. However, he makes it a point for the Church that more and more we will see that the to emphasise to his children not to get stressed primary mission of the Church is to help each other to by this and engages them in conversations to love God, by loving our neighbours and to find all the keep their communication open. different ways through which to make that a reality.” Bishop Dr Wong would attribute his open This is a message that he also wants to express to communication with his children to how his own people from other faith communities as he goes about father had brought up his four children back in representing MCS. the day. Indeed, loving God and our neighbours is so important “My father’s manner of parenting was very loving for Bishop Dr Wong that he has earmarked it as a in the sense that he is not the typical Chinese key challenge for MCS in addition to issues such as father figure who was all about the discipline. keeping congregations engaged and connected amidst He was very encouraging and pretty much gave the government’s restrictions during the ongoing us the freedom to pursue our interests,” recalled COVID-19 pandemic. Bishop Dr Wong. “ I suspect that kind of rubbed off on me and so I too, am not the strict kind of Bishop Dr Wong parent to my children. My wife is!” with Lai Foon and their children, Bishop Dr Wong shared an anecdote he uses in Deborah and sermons and parenting talks to enlighten parents Jeremy that their perspective on parenting may be diametrically different from their children’s. aWneddhdiisngwpifheo, tLoaioFfoBoinshop Dr Wong “I often share this story where a father brought |10 METHODIST MESSAGE — June 2021 his son on a fishing trip. At the end of the day, the father wrote: ‘Spent a whole day fishing, no catch. A wasted day.’” “However, as we turn to the entry written by the son, he wrote: ‘Spent a day fishing with dad, BEST. DAY. EVER.’” Our children just want our time and love. May we always be parenting with these two things in mind.”

People ¢ Text and photos courtesy of The Methodist Fathers Movement The Methodist Fathers Movement W hat started as a fathers’ webinar event on the 17 Oct 2020 (as part of the celebrations for the 135th anniversary of The Methodist Church in Singapore, or MCS135) has evolved into the Methodist Fathers Movement (MFM), a deliberate sounding of the trumpet to the fathers in the Methodist family. We are thankful especially for the support from the Structural Review Task Force, Chan Fook Kay, Kwok Wan Yee, Henry Tan and Richard Jeremiah, who have been instrumental in the formation of MFM. This June, the month of Father’s Day, some of the core team members of MFM share life lessons from their fatherhood journeys. We invite all fathers and men to our weekly online gathering on Tuesday nights from 8.45 to 10 p.m. where  Methodist fathers meet for worship, teaching and prayers over Zoom. Go to https://tinyurl.com/y9vuuewn, scan the QR code or contact David Ang (Chairman, MFM) at [email protected] David Ang Fathering and parenting are the greatest privileges one can have, as it gives one the ability to shape a child’s life. It is a responsibility that I take on with much Kum Yan Methodist Church seriousness and also joy. Benjamin Chan My best fathering moments are mostly centred on long and deep talks with each of my children, especially when they were older and during our one-on-one overseas Fairfield Methodist Church trips. As a father, I have few regrets but that I could have been gentler and more nurturing in my words and teaching towards them. My prayer for Methodist fathers is that they will put their families first (after God), and witness the glorious legacy of what that will bring. In my early years as a father, it was financially challenging to obey God’s call to give up a promising career in order to bring up four young children. One day, I was in the car with my children when they mentioned that their church friend was going to study Medicine in England, which would cost $600,000 in fees in living expenses, that her parents would sponsor. Hearing this challenged my self-worth, that my children were paying the price for my decision—no overseas university studies for them. Their response was priceless! I was touched when they told me that they had never felt “disadvantaged” when they realised some of their friends didn’t have to share bedrooms, went on expensive family holidays, or studied overseas. Instead, my children enjoyed family bonding as they had to share rooms, or making do with simple holiday plans—our MPV became our best platform for “family conferences”, and brought us all over Malaysia. |METHODIST MESSAGE — June 2021 11

The Methodist Fathers Movement My best fathering experience My three kids once told me that their fondest memories growing up Chris Cheah were the ones during which I was engaged in playtime with them. The zoo and the Botanic Gardens were our favourite playgrounds, Fairfield Methodist Church especially during school holidays. We also went to the East Coast Park almost every weekend to swim, cycle, fly kites, build sandcastles or just run after a ball. When they were older, we would cycle there as it was very near our home. What I would have done differently I don’t think I would have done anything differently looking back, except to spend even more time playing with them! My hope for MFM My prayer is for each Methodist church to have a group of fathers who are committed to pray together regularly for our families and encourage one another in our fathering journeys. “And he will turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, And the hearts of the children to their fathers, Lest I come and strike the earth with a curse.” (Mal 4:6)

Geoff Chew The Methodist Fathers Movement Christ Methodist Church I remember holding my daughter when she was born and gazing with a sense of wonder and trepidation. The two months my newborn son spent in neonatal Dennis Chua intensive care unit, fighting off an intestinal bug that almost killed him. Dancing around the living room with my daughter until we were drenched in sweat. Changi Methodist Church Cycling at night to Changi Village with my son to eat roti prata. David Leong I remember the terrible period when my daughter and I couldn’t even speak to each other, and being able to hug her again after we got through it. I Grace Methodist Church remember how often I struggled and thought, “You’ve really messed up.”. I watch now as my daughter and son walk their faith as young adults and take up responsibilities, realising that, by the grace of God, I didn’t mess up entirely. And looking ahead, I realised I couldn’t have come this far without a community of faith-filled praying friends, my parents and my dear wife. My best fathering moments are • Spiritual conversations at home: helping family members see what God is working in the family and around us. Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. (Ps 127:1) • Recognising my children are gifts (heritage and reward) from God: how I prepare them for God’s service—like arrows in the hands of a warrior—are my gifts to God. I need to help them realise their spiritual gifts, strengths and life purposes, and impart social and life skills to them. • Demonstrate how we love the giver more than the gifts: I need to involve them to serve together. My wife and l are blessed with three lovely children. Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them (Ps 127:5). My prayer for the Methodist fathers is that they will love their children the way Abba Father loves us—unconditionally and continually pursuing a loving relationship with them. To be a good father—especially a godly or Christ-centred one—is not an easy task. I thank God for His grace and mercy for me to have had my best fathering experience when I was theological studies at Regent College in Vancouver, Canada, from 1991 to 1993. Our first child, Ivan, was born in Vancouver in 1992. Since his birth, we have experienced God’s gracious provisions of practical help from the Regent College community, friends in the churches that we were worshipping at, as well from back home in Singapore. Going on a father–son holiday to Bangkok and overseas family trips, and having family devotions and meals together have also been wonderful learning experiences for me as a father. If I could turn back the clock, I would spend more quantitative and qualitative time with our children during especially their teenage years. I was so busy serving the Lord full-time and travelling overseas for ministry that I missed spending more individual time with our two daughters. My hope for Methodist fathers is that they will love their wife and children as Christ loved them and place their family as their priority after God. |METHODIST MESSAGE — June 2021 13

The Methodist Fathers Movement By divine design, fathers play a pivotal role in the stability, unity and vitality of their families, and have far-reaching impact on nation- Bernard Lim building. Growing up in a home where I experienced the “family altar” and spiritual headship, I purposed in my heart to carry on the Barker Road Methodist Church legacy my father started. My family is a beneficiary of the example he demonstrated! The challenge remains for me to be consistent and to Peter Tan see the generations-after embrace faith at home. Barker Road Methodist Church My prayer is for MFM is that it will be a supportive community in encouraging fathers to contend for their families as priest, prophet and Jenn Yeoong king. May the brotherhood we have and the testimonies of how we live also impact others far and wide! Aldersgate Methodist Church The best thing about being a father is to see my children grow up knowing and loving Christ as their Saviour, and to see them serving Him. I had the opportunity to lead them to pray to invite Jesus into their lives. Spending time as a family in doing activities together, as well as being at their graduations and weddings, were very special. More recently, I’ve been blessed to welcome my first grandson! It is a joy as a father to be at the significant moments of my children’s lives. I am glad that my children know that they can always call on Dad whenever they need. Though I spend much time with my children, I still wish I spent more time and took more photographs! Let’s grow as a community of Methodist fathers to help each other grow in our love for Abba Father, to love our wives and love our children, for the greatest of all is love (1 Cor 13:13). I have always believed that fathering gives us the privilege and responsibility to impact a younger generation. That is why I take every opportunity to share God’s perspectives with them and its impact on the world around them. Hence my best fathering experience has always to bring them to the see people in the heartlands and nations because it allows people to share their narratives about God’s experiences in their lives. Thereafter, we can have conversations on how they can make a difference. My hope for Methodist Fathers is that we will take our role as family builders seriously. It is only then that the land, the community and the nation will prosper and be a beacon of truth and light to the nations. |14 METHODIST MESSAGE — June 2021

Reach Out ¢ Welfare Services By the Methodist Welfare Services (MWS) Communications Team / Visuals courtesy of MWS A holistic approach to helping those impacted by adverse life experiences M any of you may have come across distressing news At MWS Girls’ Residence (GR), 80 per cent of the young of children being abused or neglected. You may women had experienced four to seven ACEs at the point even know of children within your own community of entry. Upon their admission, every girl is given an who have been affected by traumatic life events such as individualised care plan to meet her specific needs. They are their parents’ divorce or marital conflicts. placed in a holistic trauma-informed therapy programme that considers the insights and impact from trauma. These events are known as adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), typically occurring from birth till the age of 18. Preventive intervention Recent statistics suggest that child abuse cases are MWS has also been developing services and programmes on the rise1, while two out of three adult residents in aimed at preventing ACEs from happening. One such Singapore have faced ACEs2. initiative is the MWS Family Support Programme (FSP), which reaches out to parents who need support in Trauma-informed care for families and individuals managing issues with their pre-teen and teenage children. In recent years, the interventions of Methodist Welfare Services (MWS) have focused on addressing the impact Launched in October 2019, one of the key services that of ACEs on our clients. MWS Family Service Centres, for MWS FSP offers is the Positive Parenting Programme example, have adopted a trauma-informed approach (Triple P). A team of MWS Family Life Educators run to serve our clients, most of whom have experienced Triple P to counsel and empower parents with simple traumatic events such as abuse and violence when they and practical strategies to help them build strong and were children, or were recently exposed to divorce, healthy relationships with their children. These strategies accidents or the sudden demise of loved ones. help parents to manage their children’s behaviours and prevent problems from developing in the future. Our professional staff are guided by five foundational principles of trauma-informed care when they engage Empowering life to the full clients: safety; trustworthiness; choice; collaboration; These positive interventions ultimately aim to empower and empowerment. the vulnerable we serve and make a sustainable difference in their lives. Regardless of when we positively intervene in the lives of those who have experienced adverse life events, we pray that we are able to guide them out of the darkness, put them on the right path to recovery, and give them hope for a brighter future. 1 MSF Child Abuse & Protection Statistics (updated Apr 2020). Retrieved from https://www.msf.gov.sg/research-and-data/Research-and- Statistics/Pages/Child-Abuse-Investigations.aspx. 2 Singapore Mental Health Study 2016, led by researchers from Institute of Mental Health, Ministry of Health and National University of Singapore. To find out more about TRAUMA-INFORMED CARE, check out Uncommon Voices Issue 1/2021 at mws.sg/publications or scan the QR code. GET TO KNOW MWS: To find out more about the various programmes and services mentioned in the article, scan the QR code or log on to mws.sg. |METHODIST MESSAGE — June 2021 15

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Reach Out ¢ Welfare Services By the Methodist Welfare Services (MWS) Communications Team / Photos courtesy of MWS MWS at 40 A pioneer talks about learning from the dying In 2021, Methodist Welfare Services (MWS) celebrates 40 years of empowering life to the full. This is the first in a series of stories from people who have been on this journey with MWS. They include MWS co-founders and leaders, volunteers, beneficiaries, donors, staff, and representatives from the Methodist community. Look out for more stories of lives empowered by MWS in upcoming issues of Methodist Message. “Our mission was to usher in the Kingdom of Heaven, and I think that was reflected in our work.” Dr Patrick Kee MWS Chairperson (1989–91, 1993–97) O ne of MWS’s longest-serving Teething problems 2000, which was able to cater for chairpersons, Dr Patrick Kee, Like many new organisations, MWS 200 residents. was involved in establishing had its fair share of teething problems. the Methodist Home for the Aged One of the early challenges, said Dr “My biggest passion was to care for Sick. Then located at St George’s Kee, was raising funds to support the dying and I tried to incorporate Lane, the Home admitted its first the operating costs of the Home and it into Bethany Methodist Nursing six residents in August 1983. At other services. Another difficulty was Home,” recalled Dr Kee. that time, Dr Kee was serving on getting church members interested the Trinity Annual Conference’s and involved in caring for the needy What the dying taught him (TRAC) Board of Social Concerns. A and elderly sick. about living general practitioner, he volunteered Dr Kee has learnt many lessons from to provide medical care to the “I didn’t expect every Methodist to do treating chronically sick seniors. residents. it, but we were grateful to those who “Once, when we were doing our rounds had a heart for it,” said Dr Kee, now 74. in the ward, there was a blind elderly MWS has since grown to a network lady who was confused and shouting. of 20 centres and programmes The third problem—one that remains She shouted even louder when the that serve the needs of over 8,000 till today—is maintaining the health nurses tried to calm her down. When disadvantaged seniors, families, of the elderly and giving meaning I came to her bed, I told her in a soft children and youth. to their lives. voice that I was a doctor and held her hand gently. She immediately Seven years later, Dr Kee helped The Bethany story turned into a sweet old lady. This to promote hospice care in the About 16 years after MWS’s taught me an important lesson Methodist churches after he took founding, the Home was expanded that we need to ‘enter the world’ a course on it. This was to increase to accommodate 48 seniors, twice of the elderly who are confused.” awareness of the needs of the the number it started with. terminally ill and the benefits Through his palliative work, he has of hospice care, with a view to With Singapore’s ageing population, also learnt to come to terms with his incorporate it into MWS’s suite of the needs for the elderly sick own mortality as a Christian. “Caring eldercare services. continued to grow and the Home saw for the elderly sick and dying,” he the need to expand yet again. MWS explained, “is not a one-way street. was then invited by the Ministry of They have been my teachers— Health to establish a new nursing inspiring and teaching me how to home at a different site. This led to grow old and to face death with the setting up of Bethany Methodist the grace of God in order to live life Nursing Home at Choa Chu Kang in more fully.” |METHODIST MESSAGE — June 2021 17

Reach Out ¢ Missions Col (Ret) Quek Koh Eng is the Area Director (Thailand & Vietnam) for the Methodist Missions Society (MMS). He is also the Field & Church Engagement Director. He worships at Charis Methodist Church. Rev Henry Yeo is the MMS Country Director of Thailand and District Superintendent in Thailand. / Photos courtesy of Methodist Missions Society Mission Conference declared The delegates of the Thai O n 16 March 2021, the Thai Mission of the Methodist Church in Mission of the Methodist Singapore, also known as the Mettakij Church Association (MCA), Church in Singapore, also was officially declared by Bishop Dr Gordon Wong to be a Mission known as the Mettakij Church Conference, marking a historic milestone in the journey of the Methodist Association (MCA), at their Church in Thailand. 16th annual meeting on 16 March 2021 The Methodist Church in Singapore (MCS), through the efforts of the late Rev Dr Clarence Lim, established the Thai Mission in 1994. On 19 March |18 METHODIST MESSAGE — June 2021 2005, upon MMS’s recommendation, the Thai Mission became an Annual Meeting in accordance with the decision of the Presiding Bishop and the Council of Presidents of MCS. This led to the official formation of the MCA. The plan was to declare MCA a Mission Conference in March 2020. Owing to COVID-19 pandemic travel restrictions, it had to be deferred until the 16th Annual Meeting took place in March this year. It was the first time that the Annual Meeting that was conducted on a virtual platform with delegates from MCS, MMS and representatives from the partner Methodist churches participating online from Singapore. We thank God that most of our MCA members could meet at Shineforth Methodist Church, Chiang Mai, and participate in the Annual Meeting.

Mission Conference declared Rev Derrick Lau was instrumental in establishing MCA as a Mission Conference. In his address as our Mission Superintendent, he praised God for His sovereignty and grace in enabling MCA to fulfil His mandate in Thailand. He was heartened to learn of the many encouraging reports of progress made by our fellow Thai leaders and MMS missionaries. Rev Lau placed on record his deep thanks and The three-day pastor training programme, which took place appreciation to one and all who have contributed and immediately after the annual meeting committed their service. These include our national leaders, both clergy and laity, the many volunteers Significantly, as we celebrate the establishment of the serving in the School Boards, the management of Mission Conference, we need to sustain our efforts infrastructure projects, our missionaries, and the toward achieving our vision of attaining Provisional Home Team and volunteers supporting the operational, Annual Conference status by 2024/25. We now have the financial, personnel, training and education needs of pre-requisite number of Elders to meet the requirements our ministry in Thailand. They have all been exemplary stipulated in the Book of Discipline. However, we do in their passion and commitment in supporting and need to have a physical Ordination Service for our Elders- working with our Thai team. elect when COVID-19 travel restrictions allow. It is an opportune time to acknowledge with appreciation, To support the Mission Conference, the following were the support and prayers from our Singapore partner established: churches. They have contributed immensely in our various • Provisional Board of Ordained Ministry (PBOM) initiatives and projects and have been a divine blessing to • Discipline Drafting Committee (DDC) MCA. As MCA continues her journey, we will undoubtedly • Provisional Judiciary continue to engage our valued partners and look to build new partnerships with other Singapore Methodist As part of the efforts towards developing and equipping churches through our church engagement efforts. our missionaries and national leaders, we conducted a three-day training programme immediately after the We praise and thank God for the partnership with our Thai Annual Meeting. The programme included broadening brothers and sisters who are labouring conscientiously for our pastors’ understanding of Methodism, theological the mission of Christ. We are deeply thankful to God for aspects of salvation, Holy Communion and child baptism, their gifts of time, talents and resources. We pray that God and family and social concerns. This will equip and will bless them and their families as we serve together in enable them to impart the knowledge gained to their the “unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Eph 4:3). members, building for the future. MCA’s annual 16th annual meeting in progress. Finally, the Mission Conference of MCA would like to MCS delegates participated via Zoom thank MCS for establishing the Thai Mission in 1994. MCA would also like to express their thankfulness and appreciation to Bishop Emeritus Dr Chong Chin Chung for his active participation and inspiring leadership in the last quadrennium. It looks forward to the episcopal leadership of Bishop Dr Gordon Wong. |METHODIST MESSAGE — June 2021 19

Opinion ¢ Tan Shangjun is a lawyer and a member of Foochow Methodist Church The great responsibility of church leaders I remember reading Ravi Zacharias’ book I, Isaac, take what we know does not translate into influencing how we Thee, Rebekah many years ago whilst on vacation, act; it is easy for us to be Pharisees. In practical terms, the and found the book to contain much-needed wisdom quality of our Christian life or personal behaviour is not on marriage from a Christian perspective (despite me necessarily correlated to the number of books we read, still being single then). One portion from the book has the depth of Bible studies in which we engage, the hours remained entrenched in my mind ever since: we spend in Christian service or the number of sermons a pastor has preached. It is, after all, possible to preach a “First and foremost, do not even flirt with the idea that there sermon in church without a belief in God. We need to ever may have been somebody better out there or someone so often remind ourselves that Christianity requires us to else with whom you may connect better. Infidelities are daily take up our Cross (Luke 9:23). not always physical. Emotional vagaries of the mind can be equally dangerous to the health of one’s marriage.” (137) There is also no room for idols in the Church. It is undeniable that Ravi had built a strong following across How things can, and have, changed. the globe throughout his years of ministry, speaking at prominent events such as “Passion” conferences attended When the Miller & Martin1 report was released, the nature by tens of thousands. One can only wonder how many of and extent of Ravi’s abusive behaviour left me and many us have put our trust in Ravi, seeing him as a “model” others reeling with grief, disappointment and revulsion. human being or Christian whom we should aspire to The juxtaposition of the report’s graphic contents against emulate. Perhaps this is a good time for churches and the wholesome image that Ravi had portrayed has individuals alike to assess if we have fallen into the trap certainly betrayed the trust of thousands worldwide. of idolising our pastors, church workers, or even the “brand name” or denomination of the church we attend. One would be well-justified in ruminating about how We would do well to remember that idolising humans can something like this could have happened. “How could and will only lead to disappointment—the only “idol” we such a prominent Christian evangelist do such things?” should have is Christ. “How could he have led such a duplicitous life?” “Why wasn’t this picked up earlier?” Many questions such as Third, laity and clergy alike should be encouraged to these probably have crossed many of our minds. report cases of abuse (regardless of their nature), and we as the Church should fully support victims or What lessons, then, can we draw from this whole saga? whistleblowers through the process. A Ravi Zacharias I offer four brief thoughts (in no particular order of International Ministries (RZIM) insider, Ruth Malhotra, importance). has criticised the organisation’s leadership for trying to discredit victims and silence those who spoke up.2 This is First, we should examine ourselves to “see whether [we] extremely unfortunate, and has arguably contributed to are in the faith” (2 Cor 13:5). Ravi’s scandals should remind the present outcome. us that it is easy to maintain a head–heart divide where |20 METHODIST MESSAGE — June 2021

The great responsibility of church leaders We would certainly do well to ensure our internal Quite clearly, leaders of churches and ministries wield accountability and reporting systems are robust. All immense power and responsibility, including that of reports of abuse should be thoroughly investigated by maintaining discipline amongst the flock. Ravi’s scandals independent bodies, and the interests of a church or have spotlighted the ease with which individuals ministry should not take precedence over that of the may, because of deficient leadership, evade existing victims or whistle-blowers. If systems for receiving reports accountability structures and lead duplicitous lives. of abuse do not yet exist, this may be an opportune time to begin thinking about setting them up. Conversely, if we This episode is a significant reminder to all leaders that have already reacted with hostility or disbelief towards integrity, transparency and accountability are exceedingly victims or whistle-blowers who have come forward to important not just to Christians, but also to the world report abuse, then perhaps this should be a springboard at large. In this regard, it may be apposite for current from which apologies and remediations come forth. (and aspiring) leaders to reflect and be cognisant of their weighty responsibilities to those under their care so as to Finally, there are significant leadership lessons to be ensure sufficiency and efficacy of their leadership. learnt. The RZIM International Board of Directors has itself admitted to negligence in maintaining “oversight and Ravi’s scandals have certainly cast a pall over not just accountability” over Ravi as a result of their “misplaced RZIM, but evangelical Christianity as a whole. Many have trust” in him. Malhotra’s letter3 and another letter by Max been hurt and others shaken by the fall of a prominent Baker-Hytch4 (also an RZIM insider) have further revealed minister. RZIM has effectively been shuttered. Sceptics how the RZIM leadership failed by, amongst other things, may now see Ravi’s actions as being representative of the remaining anonymous, applying a “different standard Christian God, and hence find more grounds to disbelieve for the Zacharias family”, and by fostering a “toxic Christianity’s claims. environment” within RZIM, all of which arguably allowed Ravi’s abusive actions to go undetected for extended For the Church, this may, moving forward, be a good periods of time. Pertinently, despite numerous calls for time to establish or improve upon internal structures transparency from the RZIM US Board, the RZIM US Board of leadership, discipline, and whistle-blowing so as to has, to date, remained anonymous. prevent recurrence of the same. For the individual, it would be appropriate for us to be pensive, not defensive. Scripture refers to leaders as “elders” (Acts 20:17) and In the words of Michael L. Brown, we owe an apology to “overseer(s)” who must be, amongst other things, anyone who expects better of us because they have every “above reproach, faithful to his wife”, and “have a good right to.5 We need to seek God’s grace to show the world reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into that “that tragic cases like this are the exception to the disgrace and into the devil’s trap” (1 Tim 3:1–2). James rule”, and that our moral failings “do not reflect in the also cautions that a teacher’s role is not to be taken lightly, least on the character of God.” as teachers will be “judged more strictly” (James 3:1). 1 Lynsey M. Barron and William P. Eiselstein, “Report of Independent Investigation into Sexual Misconduct of Ravi Zacharias,” 9 Feb 2021, https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/rzimmedia.rzim.org/assets/ downloads/Report-of-Investigation.pdf 2 Julie Roys, “OPINION: Spokesperson’s Letter Reveals RZIM’s Spiritually Abusive Leadership & Consequences Of Protecting ‘Ravi’ & ‘Brand’,” 15 Feb 2021, https://julieroys.com/rzim-spokespersons- letter-spiritually-abusive-leadership-protecting-ravi-brand. 3 Ibid. 4 https://julieroys.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Max-Baker- Hytchs-Letter-to-RZIM.pdf. 5 Michael L. Brown, “How Should We Respond to the Ravi Zacharias Scandal?” 15 Feb 2021, https://askdrbrown.org/library/how- should-we-respond-ravi-zacharias-scandal. |METHODIST MESSAGE — June 2021 21

Relationships ¢ 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. Cookie-cutter fathers, then and now E ach time I run my counselling course, I set the students Conversely, other fathers were very indulgent towards an essay that asks them to draw their family tree and their children, perhaps as a way of compensating for examine how their family has shaped them. This being mostly absent. Or perhaps, in the little time exercise can be illuminating as they trace how their values, they did spend with their children, they preferred to habits and even temperament may be linked with their focus on happier interactions rather than enforcing parents’ and with family events during their growing years. rules or punishing their children. In such families, mothers had to function—sometimes resentfully —as Over the years of reading their life stories, I have single parents, doing double duty as disciplinarian observed several common themes. This is amazing, and nurturer. considering how my students range in age from their late twenties to mid-fifties, and come from countries across From more recent students’ family stories, though, I Southeast Asia and from diverse cultural backgrounds. see that the days of the cookie-cutter distant father are numbered. It may be because more mothers One commonality is the role of their fathers and how they are working outside or appreciation for mothers’ saw their fathers. Each father was a version of another and contributions has grown. even of their fathers before them! It is as if the fathers were cookies cut from the same mould. While some did not At the same time, more and more fathers want to be fit the mould, they were exceptions rather than the rule. involved in the home and in raising their children. For instance, they enjoy cooking for the family, or doing Let me begin with the role that their fathers played in leisure and learning activities together with their children the family. Usually seen as the provider for the family, to get to know them better. the father was absent most of the time as he was busy working to “bring home the bacon” to feed the family. This sea change may stem from greater awareness that fathers are important for more than providing This led to the mother taking responsibility for minding for their families. That their active involvement the home and children. She was the “go-to” person when contributes to family stability and their children’s the children needed soothing or if the school had a query well-being. That their loving support provides a about the children. This division of duties did not change positive role model. Moreover, marital bonds grow even if the mother had a paying job outside too—she stronger when the mothers feel that the parenting was still expected to be on top of things relating to the load is shared. home or children. Finally, many fathers recognise that being involved What part then did the father play? He was usually the enriches their own lives. They enjoy deeper bonds with one making the BIG decisions, like house-moving and their family and their emotional lives are enriched by big item purchases, as well as taking the disciplinarian giving and investing in others. Fatherhood, it seems, is role. It is little surprise that many fathers were seen as good for a person’s personhood. distant authoritarian figures. |22 METHODIST MESSAGE — June 2021

Hymns & Songs ¢ Justin Chan is a Programme Executive at Methodist School of Music, Worship and Music department. As a reformed rock musician, he believes hymns and heavy metal can co-exist for the glory of God. Dear God The Methodist School of Music (MSM) equips and edifies both the individual and the church through music and the I t’s the middle of the morning. Claire, my newborn, is fast asleep. What a perfect opportunity to write. Alas, that performing arts. Find out more at msmusic.edu.sg. opportunity is dashed when Claire lets out a cry—it’s time for a feed! Without hesitation, I shut off the laptop, make my DEAR GOD way towards her cot and pick her up. Dear God, I’ve been trying awful hard to make On reflection, there’s something familiar about casting You proud of me everything aside at the sound of my daughter. That’s because But it seems the harder that I try oh the harder it becomes I’ve re-enacted the essence of the father’s actions in the And I feel like giving up most of the time Parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11–22). To me, the image of the father waiting for the return of his wayward child with Dear God, I’ve been chasing their approval such patience and longing is one of the most poignant scenes and it’s killing me in the Bible. His response of love and not judgment catches And I know the more I try to prove, me off-guard with its magnanimity and parental perception. oh the less I have to show Encountering the parable anew, I am invited to consider And I’m stuck inside my head most of the time fatherhood as a reflection of God’s magnanimous heart. Pre-Chorus Cory Asbury’s “Dear God” captures the spiritualised perspectives But if I pray a little harder, if I follow all the rules of both the wayward son and the father. While it may not be I wonder could I ever be enough the most congregationally participative of songs (perhaps best used in an offertory setting), its raw, impassioned lyrics Chorus 1 underscore a depth of emotions—from the son wanting to ’Cause I try and try just to fall back down again return to the father, to the father showering love on the son.  And I ask myself why do I try to chase the wind I should lean into the mystery The first half of the song is, which is sung from the first- Maybe hope is found in a melody person perspective, puts us in the shoes of the wayward So I wanna try again, oh I’m gonna try again son. The second half is from God’s perspective, which can be a dangerous creative move, but the lyrics are biblically Dear child, I hope you know how much I love you sound. Indeed, Scripture tells us that God is “a compassionate and I’m proud of you and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and And please believe the thoughts I have for you will never faithfulness” (Psalm 86:15), and our Lord Jesus “stand[s] at change or fade away the door and knock[s]. If anyone hears [His] voice and opens And when you felt like giving up, I never did the door, [He] will come in” (Rev 3:20). Pre-Chorus The lyrics “just know that you have always been enough” hits ’Cause I’m not scared of imperfections home particularly for Singaporean kiasu parents. God doesn’t or the questions in your head expect us to be “good enough”. He has boundless love, stands Just know that you have always been enough ready to forgive us for our misbehaviour and awaits our return home with longing and tenderness without us first producing a Chorus 2 report card of our deeds, achievements or status.  ’Cause you tried and tried and I saw you wrestle with Every how every why, I was right there listening Upon listening to this song, let us renew our minds and expand So just fall into the mystery our hearts to love our children just as they are—with no And I’ll meet you here in the melody, try just to try again expectations, no demands and no strings attached. So child would you try again Oh child you can love again CCLI Song # 7151052 Words and music: Aodhan King and Cory Asbury © 2020 Bethel Music Publishing (Admin. by SHOUT! Music Publishing Australia) / Cory Asbury Publishing (Admin. by SHOUT! Music Publishing Australia) / SHOUT! Music Publishing Australia |METHODIST MESSAGE — June 2021 23

Opinion ¢ 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). The fatherhood of God “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. T he great ecumenical creeds of the Christian Church—the Nicene Yet as theologian Thomas Smail has observed Creed and the Apostles’ Creed—begin with the declaration that in his book entitled The Forgotten Father, the the Church believes in God, the Father. The fatherhood of God fatherhood of God is one of the most neglected is the fundamental tenet of Christianity that not only distinguishes it themes in evangelical Christianity. Why is this from other religions, but also from other versions of theism. so? Several reasons are offered by Smail.

The fatherhood of God First, liberal theology has taken advantage of the concept For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to of the fatherhood of God to present a kind of generic fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom theism that pushes the distinctive doctrines of orthodox we cry out, “Abba, Father”. The Spirit himself bears Christianity such as the Trinity to the margins. The witness with our spirits that we are children of God. concept of God as Father has also been commandeered by liberal theologians to promote a theory of religious (Rom 8:15–16) pluralism which postulates that the different religions in the world all point to the same God. The familiar passage in the Gospel of John (John 3:16), which summarises the good news so well, emphasises In responding to liberalism, evangelical Christians are the indispensable role of the Father in human salvation. anxious to underscore the distinctiveness of the Christian Thus, Smail reminds us that the Gospel “starts not with faith by focusing on Christ and the Cross. In the process, the cross of Christ or the gift of the Holy Spirit but with however, the concept of God as Father is inadvertently the Father who so loved the world that he gave his Son neglected and pushed to the background. in his Spirit” (20). Second, the ascendency of Pentecostal and charismatic In fact, we fail to understand the New Testament itself Christianity, which thrusts the third person of the triune if we focus only on the second and third persons of the Godhead, the Holy Spirit, into the limelight has also Trinity. In his highly acclaimed book Knowing God, J. I. contributed to the neglect of this important doctrine. In Packer puts it like this: fact, some theologians have observed that charismatic churches have not only neglected the Father, but also You sum up the whole of the New Testament teaching the Son—hence the expression “a Christ-less Pentecost”. in a single phrase, if you speak of it as a revelation of the Fatherhood of the holy Creator. In the same way, you There is a need to recover the concept of God as Father sum up the whole of the New Testament religion if you because it is absolutely central in the biblical witness of describe it as the knowledge of God as one’s holy Father. the divine self-disclosure. Packer adds: “If you want to judge how well a person In Hebrews 1:1–3, we are told that the incarnate Son is understands Christianity, find out how much he makes of the supreme revelation of God. The Son of God became the thought of being God’s child, and having God as his a human being in Jesus of Nazareth not only to bring Father” (201). salvation to the world but also to reveal God the Father. The paternity of God is not a religiously inspired human Jesus himself testified to this when He said: “No one has construct, a convenient metaphor. In historic, orthodox seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, who is in Christianity, “Father, Son and Holy Spirit” is the proper the bosom of the Father, has declared him” (John 1:18 name of God. NKJV). This had prompted theologians such as Athanasius (AD 296–373) to insist that no one can know God the The fatherhood of God, therefore, is not a negotiable Father except through the incarnate Son. concept that can be replaced by others deemed as being more relevant to contemporary society. It is the way God Similarly, the third person of the triune Godhead, the has revealed himself and therefore it ought to inform Holy Spirit, also reveals the Father as He indwells every aspect of the Christian vision of reality. believers and assures them that they are indeed God’s children. The apostle Paul makes this point in his letter Works Cited to the Christians in Rome: Packer, J. I. Knowing God. Downers Grove, Illinois: Inter Varsity Press, 1993. Smail, Thomas. The Forgotten Father. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2001. |METHODIST MESSAGE — June 2021 25

People ¢ John Pravin is serving as the ETAC Methodist Youth Fellowship President and as a Youth Leader in Ang Mo Kio Tamil Methodist Church. He is currently pursuing an undergraduate degree in Philosophy at NTU. What does being a Methodist mean to you? A s I reflected on what being a Methodist means to me, I could not help but think of what it is not: exclusive. Salvation is not only for the “most upright”, nor is God’s grace only for those who “deserve it”. Instead, grace is that free and undeserved love and mercy which reconciles the sinner to God, through the merits of Christ. To me then, being a Methodist is living in the realisation that everyone is accepted at the Lord’s Table: sinners or saints; black-haired or pink-haired; regardless of race. We are then called to build loving relationships with others, constantly forgiving one another, and working towards displaying the inclusiveness of God’s love. Growing up in the Methodist Church, I noticed that my church operated in unity among three annual conferences (TRAC, CAC, ETAC). We embody the spirit of multi-ethnicity—reflecting the house of God where our differences are a cause of appreciation and not differentiation. However, being a Methodist does not mean that I—or any of my fellow Methodists— are perfect. We still make mistakes. But the act of forgiving and loving one another, just as we were forgiven and loved by God, epitomises what it means to be a Methodist. In a world that so readily catalogues our mistakes, super-glues our failures and forgets that something bad can become good, being a Methodist has taught me that forgiveness and acceptance are non- negotiable truths in the kingdom of God.

Events ¢ Looking Ahead Scan to see events online! JULY JULY EQUIP MODULE: CHRISTIAN DOCTRINE 13, 27 July / 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 Aug 2021 (Tuesday evenings, no class on 20 July) Online via ZOOM Register at https://tinyurl.com/6bskk6bk (ZOOM links will be emailed separately) $100 per participant. Fees waived for TTC alumni and matriculated students. The course is a survey of basic Bible doctrines from the doctrine of God to the doctrine of the last things. It will highlight the most essential features of each doctrine as commonly held by the major Christian traditions. The aim is to give students a broad overview of the faith of the Church and to appreciate the importance of Christian doctrines for practical living. Organised by EQUIP THE SIGNIFICANT WOMAN: A LIFE COACHING DISCIPLESHIP RESOURCE FOR WOMEN Begins third week of July 2021. There are four different intakes. Three intakes are on Tuesday, Wednesday, OR Thursday evenings from 7.30 p.m. to 9.30 p.m. The fourth intake is on Friday mornings from 9.30 a.m. to 11.30 a.m. This course consists of 9 sessions. via ZOOM, with up to three physical sessions at Cru Centre subject to prevalent COVID-19 measures. Register at https://tinyurl.com/zv3kpxz7 $38 per participant. Registration is required. The Significant Woman is a discipleship course and represents a new kind of learning process. By utilising life-coaching methods, caring facilitators and personal peer coaches, this unique course provides a method of personal discovery like no other. It combines the Word of God with biblical life principles and is presented in a warm, caring and secure environment, allowing you to apply what you are learning to your daily life. Organised by Cru Singapore JULY D6 FAMILY CONFERENCE 2021 30 to 31 July 2021 (Friday and Saturday) Online via ZOOM d6family.sg [email protected] 6304-5286 $60 per person ($50 per person if you register by 13 June 2021) D6 is based on the principles of Deuteronomy 6 and it urges the church and home to work together to implement generational discipleship within the churches, homes and families. The objective of D6 Conference is for the attendees to understand how they can best apply the principles of Deuteronomy 6 in their lives in order to pass on a spiritual legacy for future generations. The D6 Conference 2021 is a place where parents, pastors, church and ministry leaders can look to be equipped with practical next steps and strategies in discipling the next generation. Organised by Sower Institute for Biblical Discipleship SEPT EAGLES LEADERSHIP CONVENTION (ELC) 2021 6 to 11 Sep 2021 Online conference elc2021.com [email protected] 8575-2163 (Ivy) ELC is the three-day premier biennial thought leadership experience in Asia, showcasing distinguished international experts, effective role models, current thinking, latest research, and outstanding leadership practices.  The convention seeks to grow and nurture leaders to be more value-centred persons by transforming their perspectives, developing healthy partnerships, and empowering them for quality performance in both church and the marketplace. Organised by Eagles Communications

Opinion ¢ THINK David Lang is an Associate Professor of Hermeneutics, Biblical and Systematic Theology at the Singapore Bible College and a published writer. He and his wife, Loo-Geok, worship at Foochow Methodist Church, where he is actively involved in counselling and giving talks on grief, suffering and biblical perspectives on miracles and healing. / Photos courtesy of David Lang Why? A father’s reflections on suffering (from left to right) Timothy, Titus Loo-Geok and the children when the and Justina as children. family were living in the USA. David’s secondary school friends crowdfunded to buy the family a wheelchair-friendly MPV. M y wife and I have three children born between Our second child, Timothy, started degeneration at the 1991 and 1996. They were all born healthy and age of seven. In 2004, our family went for a church camp developed normally in their early years. They were in Johor, Malaysia. On the second day, he choked on a also very bubbly and bright. However, between the ages of piece of bacon and was rushed to a nearby hospital. five and seven, they started showing signs of degeneration. When we arrived at the hospital, his heart stopped. The hospital doctor removed the obstruction and managed to Two years after I went with my family to a seminary in restart his heart. He was later transferred to the National Chicago for doctoral studies, Justina started having memory University Hospital (NUH). He died 19 days later without problems in school and became very withdrawn. Thinking regaining consciousness. it was due to the stress of being in an American school, I decided to bring my family home to Singapore. However, Before Timothy died, a doctor took tissue samples from her condition worsened. She started having daily seizures, him to send to the USA and Australia for investigation. including sudden drop attacks and convulsive seizures. The result came after he had died—we were told that Between the ages of seven and 10, she lost her ability to our children have Niemann-Pick disease type C, a rare walk, stand and sit. She also stopped being able to talk, metabolic disorder. Children with this disease rarely live eat, drink and even swallow her own saliva. beyond their mid-teens. At the age of 11, Justina started having breathing After the results came, Titus also started degeneration. difficulties and had to wear a hard collar around her neck He went through the same process as his sister. Today, to keep her airway open. Later, she needed a ventilator to both are bedridden with no control over their hands, pump air into her lungs through a face mask. When this legs, head and even eyes. Both are tube-fed and need did not work, the doctors presented us with two options. ventilators. Both need to go to the hospital regularly The first was to have a tracheostomy, which could prolong for tests and check-ups. Both are often warded in the her life but also meant prolonged suffering and a “low intensive care unit (ICU) of NUH for various complications. quality of life”. The other option was to let her go. In fact, caring for them at home is like running an ICU. Even Seeing that Justina could still be happy in spite of her sickness with two live-in caregivers, my wife and I also provide and smile even when we were using the resuscitator on round-the-clock care. At home, we maintain several her, we chose the tracheostomy. We learned that quality of ventilators, oxygen concentrators, oxygen monitors, life is not dependent on the absence of pain or the ability suction machines, electric feeding pumps, nebulisers and to do what one wishes; quality of life can be seen in living even a patient hoist. life courageously and in receiving love from others. |28 METHODIST MESSAGE — June 2021

Why? A father’s reflections on suffering group of my secondary school friends, whom I have not seen since 1974, organised a crowdfunding project to buy us a car with a wheelchair ramp and space for two wheelchairs and three passengers. As a father, it is very painful having to watch helplessly So besides caring for our children at home, we now try to as our children suffer, lose their abilities and eventually provide meaningful experiences to which they can look pass on. I shed much tears in secret and cried out to God: forward. We believe bedridden people with incurable “Why? Why must my innocent children suffer?” “Why not diseases need not just lie in bed waiting to die. We can, me?” “Is it because of my sins, my lack of faith or my with the help of the community, give them meaningful not persisting in prayer for healing that my children are experiences. Besides taking our children daily to the not healed?” garden below our HDB flat, we also take them regularly to places like Jewel Changi Airport and Gardens by the Bay. Though I already had theological answers to such questions, my desperation drove me to turn to the Scriptures again. Indeed, our Heavenly Father has been very present I carefully studied many passages on healing and answer with us throughout this long journey with our children. to prayers. Whereas in the past I learnt them as promises He has brought many people, including strangers, to for believers to claim, my re-examination of these rally around us. It is because of their love, prayers and passages in their broader literary settings revealed such sacrificial support that I can serve God in teaching at the understanding was wrong. Singapore Bible College and ministering to other groups and individuals while helping to provide the intensive care that has enabled our children to live way beyond their life expectancy. Justina turned 30 recently and Titus will be 25 at the end of the year. God may have put my family through fire. At the same time, He has also brought loving people to form a ring around us to shield us from the direct blasts of the fire. I also read the book of Job for help to put into words the frustrations I could not express. I did not expect many answers as scholars have said that in the book, God did not address Job’s questions. To my surprise, I found much comfort in Job. When I read how God vindicated Job that he had spoken rightly of God (42:8) despite all that he said to God, I felt relieved that it was alright to pour out my frustrations to God. Second, God can grant his creatures the joy and courage to go through life, despite the hardships and dangers of life (39:13–28). Third, God is in control of the most powerful evil mythic monsters and has set limits for them (40:15– 41:34). Finally, when Job said: “I have heard you with the hearing of my ear, but now my eyes see you” (42:5), I learned it is the presence of God that can bring comfort and sense of purpose. We experience God’s presence in many ways. Once, NUH David and Loo-Geok refused to discharge Justina even though she was ready endeavour to provide to be sent home because they learned that the screen of meaningful experiences Justina’s ventilator was damaged. A couple, whom we do for their children not know, somehow heard about our need. They took a flight from Indonesia to Singapore the next day to give us two high-quality ventilators. Then, three years ago, a |METHODIST MESSAGE — June 2021 29