Methodist Message Apr 2020

THE METHODIST CHURCH IN SINGAPORE Vol 122 No 4 APRIL 2020 ISSN 0129-6868 MCI(P) 027/11/2019 A UNITED CHURCH in a time of crisis CHURCH PROFILE: DR ERNEST CHEW: HYMNS & SONGS: Toa Payoh CMC What I Owe the Methodists Christ is Risen!

Church life 3 Contents Methodists in the world 15 1 Bishop’s Message Christian living 18 2 Episcopal Letter MwCWWaiaecthnrehErhItatilf’eistyvcRhwceyeleokeEorooutsuahocLr:dtoddaOuhttnteosetaOit?nmsvslrhKaidieCtebgyiIegalNuotnpdMhhntu?GitectoIyssDolbenlFeoveuoPsOseusshiSyrRstknoduroiesaaltrbVpluvotsa-gieOo,grwelniroiLrnedskt—aUrgs:iept,aNnotohnwowenTreyserErdrpi:oiEdtsrteattaR:siohpnwtbSyeoeego!ordrc?oscuoiokottDrmhnrarohateirircettvniysibilcmoepudl/ewui!tigsegiDsthnPiapot/tfrokhamoypgoeloooratmafopuekrpshemeehhaoodMsiacdftivsa/oMeee?srv/a?saean:anybtwntoesoyatthtttyhheheeirelnpryg 3 News—MCS celebrates 135 years! 4 CAC Church Profile—Toa Payoh CMC read,ncoenwtamctmus@! methodist.org.sg 5 One MCS—CAC Highlights 7 One MCS—Identity & Destiny 8 Home—Christ-centred creation care 10 Home—What I owe the Methodists 12 News—AYWLD seminar 13 Home—Appreciating the unseen 14 Home—The power of media in a Church 15 Welfare Services 17 Missions 18 You & Your Family 19 Hymns & Songs 20 TRAC Bible Matters 23 Soundings 24 Home—What does being a Methodist mean to you? 25 Book Review—God’s Gardeners 26 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 — Printed by Adred Creation Print Pte Ltd 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. Peace be with you! This was the greeting the risen developed nations. The overreaction against the virus will need to be resolute Lord gave His frightened disciples was due mainly to the fact that COVID-19 in their goal to save lives. They’ll need when He appeared among them was an unknown virus, and people to remain calm in making quick and on the evening of the first day of the did not know what to expect. All of a decisive responses, which are effective week. The gospels tell us the disciples sudden they seemed to have lost their and sustainable, and lead their people to were in great fear because of the arrest, rationality and sound judgement. act in concert. torture and crucifixion of Jesus, and the news that the tomb of Jesus had been Jesus told his disciples that He would This year has started very differently opened and His body was not in it. They give His peace to all who believe in Him, from those of the past. We experienced feared the Jews, the Roman soldiers but the peace is not as the world gives many unexpected crises in the period and even Jesus before they were sure (John 14:27). He also said that they from Lunar New Year, to Lent, and to the of His resurrection. Fear of the unknown would have peace in Him for He has Holy Week and Easter in April. They put had caused the disciples to panic and, overcome the world (John 16:33). to the test all the beliefs and notions according to the Gospel of John, they hid we have held over time, and of how in a house and had the doors locked. Among the followers of Jesus were those Christians respond to grim situations. Then Jesus appeared, stood among them who remained loyal and steadfast in their It is not about making decisions about and said, “Peace be with you.” He also belief. These included Mary the mother of whether to attend Sunday services or showed them His hands and His side. Jesus, Mary Magdalene and a few other gatherings, and participating in mass The disciples’ fears were dispelled and women. They were near Jesus when He activities. It is about how Christians they were glad. (John 20:19–23) was crucified; even after Jesus had been demonstrate a high degree of social and buried, they came to the tomb on the first civic responsibility as citizens, how we The disciples had followed Jesus for day of the week at dawn in remembrance extend love and care to our neighbours three and a half years, and had seen of Him, and brought the spices they had in need, and how we help and support numerous miracles performed by Him. prepared. Were they not afraid? How the poor. It is also about how, despite They listened in awe to His teachings could they remain so calm under those the economic crisis prompted by the about the kingdom of God. They were circumstances? I believe it was because of pandemic and the impact on our own the witnesses when He healed the their steadfast love for the Lord and their financial well-being, we maintain our sick, cast out demons and even raised unswerving faith in Him. deep faith in God—He is in control! the dead. But unless they genuinely experienced Jesus in their lives and The global death toll due to COVID-19 Let us exercise our Christian character as believed in Him, they still panicked when has soared to several thousands and the we face the current serious situation. We they encountered unknown perils. These fatalities include doctors and healthcare will let life go on as normally as possible were natural reactions of man throughout workers. The deaths were grievous losses and continue to uphold our social history, and also of Christians today. to their bereaved families. They were responsibilities. Remember to extend sacrificial victims of the pandemic, but care and love to the people around us At the beginning of the COVID-19 they have also become case studies for and share the message of victory and outbreak early this year there was researchers and health experts in the hope in our risen Lord. panic among people in the coronavirus process of identifying effective treatments epicentres of the affected countries, and developing vaccines for the thousands Thus says the risen Lord: which included Singapore and several affected by COVID-19. Leaders of this fight Peace be with you! |METHODIST MESSAGE — April 2020 1

Episcopal Letter ¢ 13 March 2020 Beloved Brothers and Sisters in The Methodist Church in Singapore, May God grant you peace in these times. It has been just over a month since Singapore went to DORSCON Orange, and much has happened. Contact registration, Health and Travel Declarations before each service have become the new normal for us, and we are all more aware of the need for good personal hygiene practices. Whilst we continue to have worship services, I urge you to maintain a high level of vigilance both in the screenings, as well as your personal health. If you are unwell, please do go see a doctor and not come to church until you are well again. There are a few Methodist churches which have started live-streaming and recorded services and sermons which you can listen to and watch in your time of absence. We will reduce activities designed for seniors aged 60 and above as this age group is more likely to have a worse outcome should they fall ill. Social distancing will also mean refraining from gathering for fellowship after each service. If you attend a care group, please do continue to take temperature, maintain good personal hygiene, and disclose travel histories to help with contact tracing if necessary. Please cooperate with your pastors and leaders as they labour to maintain a safe environment for God’s people to come together to worship. As a people called Methodists, we should look out for those around us who may need our help and do so in practical ways—looking after or tutoring children when parents are on Home Quarantine Order (HQO); thanking cleaners, public workers and healthcare staff; giving a mask to an ill neighbour so they can go visit the doctor safely; or even cooking a meal for a family on Stay Home Notice (SHN). We must exercise our social responsibilities as bearers of Christ’s love and stewards of His peace. Most of all, do not neglect to pray and to constantly come back into the presence of our Lord through reading His word and spending quality time with Him. My prayers are for you and your churches to emerge even stronger through this season. Hebrews 13:20—21 Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen. Still in one peace, Bishop Dr Chong Chin Chung The Methodist Church in Singapore FOR THE LATEST UPDATES ON MCS’S RESPONSE TO COVID-19, go to https://www.methodist.org.sg/COVID-19 or scan the QR code. |2 METHODIST MESSAGE — April 2020

MCS 135 ¢ Lynn Tan is the MCS Community Communications Manager. / Photo courtesy of the Wesley Methodist Church MCS celebrates 135 years! Bishop Dr Chong greets I t was a beautiful morning on 16 Guests to the MCS 135 launch worshippers at the MCS Feb 2020. In the main sanctuary included the Presidents of the Annual 135 launch service, and of Wesley Methodist Church (MC), Conferences and their spouses, also Wesley MC’s 135th the rich and harmonious voices members of the General Conference anniversary celebrations of the Wesley MC combined choir Executive Council, as well as the enthralled guests and members with leaders of Methodist agencies and Bishop Dr Chong scans the favourite hymns, including Charles schools. QR code for contact tracing Wesley’s “O for a Thousand Tongues to Sing” and “And Can It Be”. As part Bishop Dr Chong Chin Chung shared of precautionary measures arising a sermon based on the theme of from the COVID-19 outbreak , only MCS 135: “Loving God, Serving 10 per cent of the choir sang. Yet Together”. He spoke from Luke their beautiful singing filled the 10:23–37, where the scribe asked hall, inspiring and uplifting all who Jesus who his neighbour was. His were present. sermon was a reminder that as Methodists we are part of the This was a special Sunday. The community and every one of us is a Methodist Church in Singapore (MCS) neighbour to someone else. was launching its 135th anniversary celebrations together with Wesley Since its establishment in 1885, MC, the first Methodist church in MCS has grown from strength to Singapore. strength. We have contributed to nation building through the building Just two days earlier, the Ministry of of schools as well as through our Health had met with church leaders social and community work. We from all denominations to discuss would not be where we are today the COVID-19 outbreak and issue if not for our neighbours who built guidelines for worship services. Many our institutions with us. These Singaporeans experienced a week include many parents, donors of uncertainty and anxiety as our and volunteers who may not be DORSCON level was raised from yellow Christians. As we heard Bishop to orange. Some churches decided sharing, many of us were left to to cancel their services or to conduct reflect—who is my neighbour and them online. have I been a good neighbour to someone else? Amid the uncertainty, celebrating 135 years of God’s faithfulness took on As Singapore goes through the even greater significance. In a show of challenge of managing COVID-19, it unity and faith, 879 people gathered is an opportune time for us to be the at 8.30 a.m. and another 713 at 11 neighbour God wants us to be. And to a.m. for the celebration services. be grateful for all the neighbours who Efficient volunteers cheerfully assisted came before us, heralding us into our guests in temperature taking and 135th year. filling up contact details electronically. Everything ran so smoothly that it was as if such measures were a regular process at Wesley MC. |METHODIST MESSAGE — April 2020 3

Church Profile ¢ Toa Payoh Chinese Methodist Church Timothy Toh Hong Ern is TPCMC’s Archivist and Steward. / Photos courtesy Toa Payoh Chinese Methodist Church The church family at TPCMC’s biennial camp in JB in 2018 The TPCMC building after their latest redevelopment works Leading the community to Christ Toa Payoh Chinese Methodist Church (TPCMC) was born revival meetings; spiritual formation talks; workshops on in 1971 when Faith, Foochow, Kum Yan, Kampong Kapor writing personal testimonies; conversational evangelism; and and Wesley Methodist Churches came together to lay a church camp to bring the topic of community evangelism to the foundation of evangelism in the New Town. its congregation. To provide the growing English and Chinese congregation TPCMC completed its second redevelopment works earlier with a long-term place of worship in Toa Payoh, The in 2020. Its purpose was to improve existing facilities and Methodist Church in Singapore (MCS) tendered for a plot of enlarge activity spaces for TPCMC’s evangelistic works and land for the construction of a sanctuary and activity rooms. social programmes. This year, we prayerfully encourage our Foochow MC led the construction efforts, with the rest of congregation to pledge towards the redevelopment fund and the Methodist churches contributing to the building funds. to participate in our church’s anniversary lunch banquet, so that we can meet our fund-raising goal. We also hope that Even before construction was officially completed in 1973, you will continue to keep our fund-raising efforts in your TPCMC began worship service in the sanctuary of the prayers and consider making a contribution. partially-completed building. In 1977, TPCMC formed a local conference with the approval of MCS. In 2008, TPCMC TOA PAYOH CHINESE METHODIST CHURCH rebuilt the church building and, in 2018, further expanded (Chinese Annual Conference) its facilities. 480 Toa Payoh Lorong 2, S(319641) The main ministerial work of TPCMC is that of evangelism (Matt 28:18–20). When disciples of Christ emulate His life Chinese worship service: Sunday 9 a.m. and participate in His ministry, their lives undergo revival and they can shine for Him. This way, they can lead others to Hokkien worship service: Sunday 9 a.m. Christ, so that they too may become His disciples. New Life worship service To achieve this vision, TPCMC’s leadership has been (Chinese to English interpretation): Sunday 11 a.m. implementing a six-year plan, themed “Arise! Shine!” with the hope that the congregation will become a church of a http://tpcmc.org.sg/ thousand members. The plan has three stages: “Grow deep”; “Get equipped”; and “Go forth”. To this end, TPCMC has [email protected] also organised the Youth Alpha Course; evangelism-based outreach tea sessions; Christmas evangelistic service; and 6259-8644 Gospel Sunday service. To draw the Toa Payoh community closer to Christ, TPCMC has also initiated activities such as “爱邻40”, a programme that cares for 40 families in the neighbourhood; gift distribution in the community; excursions; seminars targeted at daily living; and make-up lessons. This year, TPCMC will conduct church |4 METHODIST MESSAGE — April 2020 The youth-organised fund- raising lunch in 2019

One MCS ¢ CAC Highlights The Rev Dr Gregory Goh Nai Lat is the President of the Chinese Annual Conference. The Garden of Gethsemane “Peter replied, ‘Even if all fall away on account of you, when faced with difficulties, dangers and suffering ought I never will’” (Matt 26:33, NIV). How often we are like to be seen as a gift from God. Human weakness may not Peter—believing that our conviction to follow Jesus is so necessarily lead to negative consequences. It could in fact determined, that regardless of circumstance, there is no cause humanity to shine. trace of doubt and we definitely will not disown our Lord. When we have such a belief, what Jesus said to Peter We witness this truth in the numerous inspirational life becomes harsh to the ear: “Truly I tell you,…this very stories that have bloomed under the light of people’s night, before the rooster crows, you will disown me victories over their weaknesses. The COVID-19 epidemic three times” (Matt 26:34, NIV). Not just once, Jesus said, has allowed us to see the opposing responses one could but three times tonight. have in the face of crisis. I wonder how Peter felt after hearing what Jesus had The way to overcome suffering said. He probably found such prophecy difficult to accept! is to be watchful in prayer, Yet, he knew that the words of Jesus were trustworthy. while also inviting others His knowledge of self and the declaration made by Jesus to pray along with you. caused him to sink momentarily into a state of denial. He defended himself by declaring that even if he had to die Knowing that the suffering of the cross was at hand, Jesus with Jesus, he would never disown him. urged His disciples to remain watchful in prayer. He brought three disciples to keep watch and to pray along with Him Our knowledge of ourselves often proves to be different as He was deeply grieved, to the point of death. from our actual self. The prayer in the garden of Gethsemane is key to attaining When faced with the impending suffering at the cross, victory over the path of the cross. Jesus was heavily burdened. Although He was a perfect human, knowing what was to come still caused Him to be This article was first published in Chinese in the March 2020 issue of in great distress and sorrow. CAC News (Issue #417). We often overlook this aspect of human weakness that Jesus displayed—which remains a mystery in God’s great creation. The worry, sadness and pain one experiences |METHODIST MESSAGE — April 2020 5



One MCS ¢ Identity & Destiny By the Structural Review Task Force Lord, and what about him? John 21:1–21 describes an encounter was trailing, both were connected. Methodists are saying, “Lord and that seven of the disciples had with Earlier that morning, when Peter first what about him/them?” during this Jesus. It was His third appearance realised that Jesus was at the shore, he COVID-19 pandemic. Even if it’s a after His resurrection and the disciples had jumped into the water and swam little inconvenient, let’s go get our were still unsure as to what to expect. ahead, leaving the rest behind in the temperature taken and wear the boat (John 21:7). But having a clearer sticker to set a good example and After a miraculous catch of fish and understanding now, he felt compelled reassure others. Or, I am giving the a tense breakfast cooked by the to look back, as if to assure himself of worship service a miss today because I Lord Himself, Peter’s relationship how the rest were doing. am not feeling so well. It might require with the Lord was restored. He was some extra effort to disinfect the hall commissioned to lead the Church as How do we look back and look out for after every worship service, but others he declared his undying love and others? In his sermon during the launch will surely appreciate that the church responded to Jesus’ call to “feed my of the MCS 135 celebrations, Bishop Dr is clean and sanitised. We are going to lambs”, “tend my sheep” and “feed my Chong reminded all Methodists of the order some masks—do you need some sheep”. When Jesus alluded to how his great and first commandment: “You too? Our church has tested out a system days would end, Peter understood even shall love the Lord your God with all for decentralising worship and keep more clearly who Jesus is and what the your heart and with all your soul and cell groups going and growing—we words “follow me” would entail. with all your mind. […] And a second can show you how. We are opening our is like it: You shall love your neighbour decentralised worship to any Methodist Even as Peter got up to follow Jesus, as yourself” (Matt 22:36–39). He said living nearby, regardless of church or wondering what the future held, he that it was tough for Christians to conference from which they are. turned round to look at the others. pursue a life of inward and outward When he saw that the disciple whom holiness on their own. How great it is Who are those outside the realm of Jesus loved was trailing behind, he to have someone turn around to look your usual consideration? Will you turn asked, “Lord, and what about him?” out for us and say to the Lord, “And back and see who may be behind, even what about him?” as you are planning for yourself and By this, Peter was saying, “Lord, we your own, and ask, “Lord, and what are together”. When you are together, Who are our neighbours? about them?” Our God is a mighty you look out for each other. Though Whom will I be a neighbour to? infinite God—His grace is sufficient for one was moving ahead, and the other There are some situations in which all of us. |METHODIST MESSAGE — April 2020 7

Home ¢ Dr Benjamin Grandey worked as a climate scientist. He is currently taking a career break to volunteer, study theology, and parent three young children. He worships at Living Waters Methodist Church. Christ-centred creation care Should the Church care for the earth? To explore this question, let us consider the overarching framework of salvation history—the story of God’s good creation, damaged by our rebellion, reconciled through Christ. CREATION Relationship status: harmonious God has always existed as a community of love, with love shared between Father, Son and Holy Spirit. As an expression of His love, God created the universe through the Son and for the Son (Col 1:15–17). God created a wonderful earth. The earth’s ecosystem contains many components, interacting harmoniously. God created humans to be His representatives who care for the earth as a sacred duty (Gen 2:15). We have been created to live in community, in harmonious relationship with God, with one another, and with the earth. Discipleship application: embodied celebration Through the incarnation, the eternal Son embraced His creation by being born as a human. As humans, we too must embrace an embodied spirituality, celebrating the goodness of God’s creation through thanksgiving to Him. In other words, our lives should overflow with thanksgiving to God, thanking Him for His creation. Practical creation care: thanksgiving for the climate system God has created a wonderful climate system. This climate system contains many important components, including greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide. If the natural greenhouse effect did not exist, the world would be so cold that even Singapore would be buried under a layer of ice. |8 METHODIST MESSAGE — April 2020

REBELLION He returns, our physical bodies will be resurrected and redeemed, in the context of a renewed creation liberated Relationship status: broken “from its bondage to corruption” (Rom 8:18–25). Humans listened to Satan and rebelled against God, In the meantime, the Holy Spirit indwells us, transforming leading to a breakdown of relationships (Gen 3). First, us towards Christ-likeness, enabling us to participate in the relationship between humans and God broke down. Christ’s ongoing mission of reconciliation. As His people, we Second, relationships within humankind broke down, are called to the ministry of reconciliation, demonstrating starting with Adam and Eve, expanding to fragmentation the fullness of Christ’s reconciliatory victory (2 Cor 5:17–21). between different communities. Third, the relationship between humans and the earth broke down—the ground We are called to proclaim the gospel, imploring people to became cursed, so work became painful. be reconciled to God. We are called to demonstrate that the gospel bridges all divides, reconciling those from different Discipleship application: spiritual warfare cultural, ethnic and social groups into one renewed humanity, revealing “the manifold wisdom of God” (Eph Jesus Christ came preaching the gospel of the Kingdom, 2:11–3:13). Are we not also called to demonstrate that bringing God’s reign, undoing Satan’s works, and restoring the gospel is good news for all creation, healing the a broken creation through healing and deliverance. At the relationship between humans and the earth, restoring cross, evil appeared to win but was ultimately crushed by humanity to our God-given role of gardening His earth as Christ’s sacrificial love. an act of worship (Gen 2:15)? Disciples follow Christ, waging spiritual warfare against the Practical creation care: hope-filled holistic demonic forces that harm God’s creation (Eph 6:12). Our mission struggle is not against other humans, but against idolatrous influences such as consumerism. We do this in the power Hope-filled creation care complements cross-cultural of the Holy Spirit. And we do this in the way of the cross, disciple-making. In East Africa, a Christian organisation overcoming through weakness, suffering and love. supports a marine restoration project, extending God’s blessing to non-Christian fishing villages. In the Middle Practical creation care: a prophetic lower East, a Christian organisation manages a wetland nature carbon lifestyle reserve, offering a vision of hope in Christ’s name to a country recovering from civil war. In Singapore, a local Our addiction to consumerism is driving atmospheric church embraces the call to creation care, modelling concentrations of carbon dioxide higher and higher, attractive holistic community to its neighbourhood. damaging the climate system. As followers of Christ empowered by the Holy Spirit to the We must prayerfully challenge the idol of consumerism, glory of the Father, will we step out joyfully as His agents starting with our own lives. Can the Church be a prophetic of hope? voice against exploitation in all its forms? Can we adopt lifestyles that model the way of Christ? One way to do this Further reading is by seeking to live a lower carbon lifestyle. There are Bell, Colin, and Robert White, eds. Creation Care and many ways to reduce our carbon footprint, such as eating the Gospel: Reconsidering the Mission of the Church. less beef, flying less and buying less. Peabody, MA: Hendrickson, 2016. RECONCILIATION Ko, Lawrence. From the Desert to the City: Christians in Creation Care. Singapore: Ethos Institute, 2020. Relationship status: reconciled Ong, Melissa, and Prartini Selveindren, eds. God’s Through the cross, Christ accomplished holistic Gardeners: Creation Care Stories from Singapore and reconciliation, reconciling people to God, to one another Malaysia. Singapore: Graceworks, 2020. and to the earth (Col 1:18–20). Through His resurrection, we receive assurance that the fullness of this reconciliation Wright, Chris. The Mission of God’s People: A Biblical will become a visible global reality when Christ returns. Theology of the Church’s Mission. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2010. Discipleship application: the ministry of reconciliation We wait eagerly with hope for Christ’s return. When |METHODIST MESSAGE — April 2020 9

Home ¢ Dr Ernest Chew is an Advisory Elder of Bethesda (Frankel Estate) Church, and serves on the boards of several Christian and other organisations. He taught at the University of Singapore/NUS, where he was Head of the History Department and Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. He is an Associate Senior Fellow at the ISEAS–Yusof Ishak Institute. / Photos courtesy of Dr Ernest Chew What I owe the Methodists ACS’s first home was H umanly and historically speaking, I owe my life at a rented shophouse to the Methodists. My paternal grandmother, Tan on Amoy Street (left). Siok Kim, was an early convert of the Methodist Later, it moved to mission in Malacca. Advised by Mrs Emma Shellabear, Coleman Street (facing she started to teach a class at her home. It grew to page) to accommodate become the Methodist Girls’ School (MGS), Melaka. As the rapidly-increasing she insisted that her husband should be a Christian, the enrolment Shellabears played matchmakers and introduced Chew Cheng Yong, an Anglo-Chinese School (ACS) teacher The writer’s granduncle, from Singapore, to the Tan family. Goh Hood Keng, the first minister of the Straits On 30 Dec 1905, with William Shellabear officiating, Chinese Methodist Church Siok Kim was first baptised and then married to Cheng at Kampong Kapor Yong. Cheng Yong later assisted Dr Shellabear in his translation of the New Testament into Baba Malay. The writer’s paternal grandparents, Siok Kim’s second sister, Swee Loo, married Goh Hood Tan Siok Kim (left) and Keng, another ACS teacher, who became the pastor of Chew Cheng Yong the Straits Chinese Methodist Church (1912–51), which is now Kampong Kapor Methodist Church (MC). Her third sister, Swee Eng, married ACS alumnus Goh Leng Inn. They were the parents of Dr Goh Keng Swee. They were a Methodist family. In October 1907, Siok Kim gave birth to a son, Benjamin. Benjamin Chew, my father, was converted at an ACS chapel service when he heard a message by Dr Eli Stanley Jones, an American Methodist missionary to India. He became a medical doctor, a pioneer in treating tuberculosis (TB), as well as a Christian Brethren Bible teacher leading various interdenominational organisations. He was Chairman of the Singapore Billy Graham Crusade in 1978, and the Evangelical Fellowship of Singapore (EFOS). Like my father and grandfather, I studied at ACS Coleman Street, before going to ACS Barker Road. My wife Aileen and I attended pre-university classes at ACS Barker Road. Our sons are fourth-generation ACSians, having received their education at ACS Coleman Street, then Barker Road, and Anglo-Chinese Junior College (ACJC). Our daughter studied at MGS and ACJC. We all owe a substantial part of our education to ACS! |10 METHODIST MESSAGE — April 2020

I remember hearing two outstanding Methodists preach When St Luke’s Hospital (SLH) was opened in 1996, my from the pulpit when I worshipped at Bethesda (Katong). church Bethesda (Frankel Estate) and Wesley MC were They were the Rev Goh Hood Keng, my granduncle, and foundation members. I had already known its first medical Pastor Chan Wah Teck of Bedok MC. Granduncle always director, Dr Eileen Aw, and her husband Swee Eng through began his sermons with the words, “I have chosen for my the Varsity and the Graduates’ Christian Fellowships. text…” They and other guest speakers brought us God’s Through SLH, I became acquainted with Mr Indra Jeyaraj, timely messages. Dr Danny Ng and Miss Tan Bee Ker (Wesleyans) and the Rev Goh Aik Hiang (Queenstown CMC), as well as leaders When I became an academic—teaching History at the of Oasis Preaching Point, which uses the SLH Chapel for its University of Singapore/NUS for 40 years—I was in contact services, and Barker Road MC. with the first two Methodist Church in Singapore archivists, Bishop T. R. Doraisamy and Mr Earnest Lau (my former ACS My church has had the privilege of hosting Bishop Emeritus History teacher). It was Bishop Doraisamy who gave me Dr Robert Solomon in our pulpit for two decades. His a copy of Shellabear’s autobiographical transcript, which ministry and that of other guest speakers link us to the mentions his relationship with my grandparents. wider Body of Christ in Singapore and around the world. As John Wesley testified, “The world is my parish”! My personal involvement in interdenominational organisations has brought cherished friendships with many Our ultimate debt is to our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Methodists. Through Campus Crusade (now Cru), I got to Because of Him, we owe a debt to preach His Gospel and know the Rev Dr Victor Koh, the Rev Dr Chan Chong Hiok to love others as He loved us (Rom 1:14–17 and 13:8–10). and Dr Harold Robers. Through the Billy Graham Crusade I am also grateful to the Methodists who exemplified and and EFOS, I have enjoyed fellowship with the Rev Dr Alfred continue to exemplify that love to my family and me. Yeo, Dr Khoo Oon Teik, the Rev Dr George Wan, and (more recently) Dr Foo Fung Fong and Dr Calvin Chong. |METHODIST MESSAGE — April 2020 11

News ¢ Choo Lai Eng is the President of TRAC WSCS Exco. Angela Goh is the D&N coordinator for TRAC WSCS. / Photo courtesy of TRAC WSCS and Daniel Lie ASIAN YOUNG WOMEN’S LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT SEMINAR A multicultural gala dinner What is my purpose? T hree dozen young ladies from Singapore and nine other Throughout the five days, the young ladies considered Asian countries gathered to ponder over this question: what God’s purpose was for their lives. God spoke through “What is my purpose?” They were participants of the His servants: the Rev Dr Heasun Kim; the Rev Hikari Kokai annual Asian Young Women’s Leadership Development Chang; Ps Irene Thung; Ps Wendy Tay–Sim; Mayor Denise (AYWLD) seminar, which aims to grow young women into Phua; and Mrs Junie Foo. The ladies learnt about local social global leaders with strong passion and vision by exposing issues relating to ageing, sex and migrant workers. Visits to them to diverse cultures, communities and leadership organisations such as Tamar Village left a lasting impression. initiatives. In 2020, TRAC WSCS had the privilege of hosting the seminar from 13 to 17 Feb at Pentecost Methodist Feedback from participants revealed that they were greatly Church (MC) and Changi Village Hotel. encouraged and challenged throughout the programme. These young future leaders learnt about women missionaries The seminar’s theme verse was: “Many are the plans in a and how each generation’s efforts build on earlier work. person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails” Camaraderie was built through fun activities, breaking down (Prov 19:21). This verse proved prophetic as the seminar differences in nationality and cultures. There was safety in was held during the COVID-19 epidemic. As the host, being able to share openly and to question without fear we struggled between trusting God and being socially of being rejected. Participants were also inspired by the responsible—to cancel or not to cancel? We are thankful organisers’ efforts and determination to ensure the seminar for the unwavering support of our Bishop, TRAC President proceeded smoothly. and pastor-in-charge of Pentecost MC. Our pre-booked accommodation was designated as quarantine facilities, We thank God for leading and being with us. May the young but alternative lodgings were quickly offered. When Mrs women continue to fan the flame He ignited in their lives! Dorothy Chan (Far East Organisation) agreed to partially sponsor the additional costs, the committee saw that as “My heart is filled to the brim after five days!” confirmation from God to proceed. —Cindy, TRAC Thirty-five participants, together with four trainers from “We shared, we cried, we worshipped, we learnt. the Wesley Foundation, Japan, and Scranton Women’s His love was above all the struggles, Leadership Centre, Korea, attended the seminar. Together happiness and difficult moments.” with guests, we gathered for the opening service on 13 —Jasmine, ETAC Feb. Taking all precautions to ensure the health and safety of the participants, we gave thanks that nothing hindered “In the midst of the world facing COVID-19, His children from coming to hear Him. we thank God for providing the seminar.” |12 METHODIST MESSAGE — April 2020 —participant from Vietnam

News ¢ Jimaia Wong is a member of pastoral team at Faith Methodist Church, overseeing missions. She enjoys engaging in life-giving conversations, even when the language is not one she can speak fluently. / Photos courtesy of Faith Methodist Church Appreciating One of the Faith MC caretakers receiving her token the unseen of appreciation from the Rev Raymond Fong Appreciating the Faith “Auntie, jiak ba buay?” That’s my best attempt at making conversation MC cleaners with one of the aunties in our cleaning staff. If the conversation goes on beyond that, I’ll have to steal glances at my co-workers to help me out as my Hokkien really “cannot make it”. Auntie Ah Keow is one of the friendly faces who keep our church premises and offices clean. We have a team of six regular caretakers who are deployed by the cleaning company to take care of and maintain our church premises. Some of them have been with us for more than 10 years. They work behind the scenes yet their presence is essential to the church. So when my co-worker Rachel suggested showing appreciation to our team of caretakers, I immediately thought it such a great idea. Especially during this season, when the church is in full gear putting in place the precautionary measures for COVID-19, we count on our caretakers who tirelessly keep our premises clean and disinfected. We rallied some of our co-workers who contributed towards the packing of a pack to present to each of our caretakers as a token of our appreciation. We filled the packs with wellness products like eye masks, Vitamin C effervescent tablets, hand cream and also a supermarket voucher for them to get their favourite snack. We even had a small ceremony when our Pastor-in-Charge, the Rev Raymond Fong, gave out the packs to our caretakers while my co-workers and I cheered them on. Some of them were shy to be in the limelight but none of them failed to smile when they receive the pack. Even as we each have our own role in this battle against COVID-19, I was reminded that there are many who have worked and continue to work behind the scenes to keep us safe. It is the many parts that make up the one body. |METHODIST MESSAGE — April 2020 13

News ¢ Joash Lee is the Media Executive at Faith Methodist Church when he isn’t shooting street photography, or playing soccer or volleyball. He is also a diehard Man U fan. / Photo courtesy of Faith Methodist Church The power of media in a Church Since the first live streaming session for our Watchnight God, in His sovereign way, had prepared the Faith media Service 2017, the video team at Faith MC has grown crew for this purpose. Over the last two years, our volunteer steadily. recruitment, training sessions and acquisition of equipment had led us to where we could now share our experience with In the last quarter of 2019, in order to improve the skills other churches and support them. of the team, we planned more multi-cam setups and began training the crew more purposefully by recording monthly Through this outbreak, I see communities forming, and sermons by our Pastor-in-Charge, the Rev Raymond Fong, people connecting across churches. I am truly humbled by and posting them on social media. how God is moving in our country. I am equally touched to know of some new friends who have expressed interest By the time MOH declared DORSCON Orange on 7 Feb in maintaining fellowship even after this virus blows over, 2020, this year, the media operations aspect was in place just to grow together and build a media community across and our video crew were ready. The leadership decided denominations. to live stream one service per week for members of our congregation who might have been quarantined, were This is exactly what the Body of Christ should look like— unwell or preferred not to come to church for service. helping one another in times of need and fellowshipping with others from different denominations—because we worship When COVID-19 struck, Faith was one of the few churches the same God. We are indeed blessed to be a blessing! who had the infrastructure in place by then. Our team decided to invite the staff from other Methodist churches Main topics shared during the 20 Feb session: to a sharing session on how to live stream church services. • licensing matters with regard to live streaming We knew that a few churches were struggling to support their Sunday Service live streaming needs due to a lack of • camera and other equipment manpower and expertise. • backend to live streaming; the ins and outs; We initially expected around 20 people, but on 20 Feb 2020, technical requirements nearly 80 people from 51 denominational and independent churches showed up! Many were planning to live stream • broadcast messaging tips for the church using their church services for the very first time. WhatsApp and Telegram Live stream training on 20 Feb 2020 |14 METHODIST MESSAGE — April 2020

Welfare Services ¢ By the Methodist Welfare Services (MWS) Communications Team / Photo courtesy of Methodist Welfare Services AS A METHODIST FAMILY, WE CAN MAKE A POSITIVE IMPACT! A row of rental flats that some low- income households, like Mr Yong and Family of five spirals his family, call home into debt after accident Make a difference with a donation M r Yong TK, a father of three, used to run a bak kut teh stall at a that will be used to better the lives hawker centre. While business was not brisk, he made enough to of disadvantaged families. We support his family. Tragically, he met with an accident and sustained are appealing for either a regular chronic neck and spine injuries, which affected his ability to sit or stand for contribution of $1 a day ($30 long periods. Unable to find full-time employment, the 55-year-old currently monthly), or any amount that you can works at an ad-hoc job that pays only one third of what he used to make. give monthly. You can also choose to make a one-time donation. With the reduced income, Mr Yong found it difficult to make ends meet and had to borrow from the bank for his family’s daily expenses, his medical Visit thegivingmethodist.sg treatment and his eldest son’s education. He struggled to pay his bills on time and in full, and ended up accumulating arrears. The financial strain or scan the QR code to find out more. caused him to feel extremely stressed. Mr Yong was referred to Methodist Welfare Services (MWS) by Hakka MC and placed on the MWS Family Development Programme. With guidance and encouragement from a volunteer, he has since been consistent in paying his bills on time and repaying his bank loan. Mr Yong was determined to clear all outstanding debts and save for his family’s future. He is now going on to the second year on the programme and working towards savings matching where every dollar he saves is matched by MWS with $2, enabling him to build his emergency fund more quickly. Expressing appreciation for the support from MWS and the Hakka MC volunteers, Mr Yong said: “I’m very grateful for the help that MWS has given us. Without your help, our life will be tougher. Now with your help, we feel at ease and less stressed. Our financial situation has also become better.” Help families weighed down by debts and costs of everyday living Many of the families MWS serves are households from the bottom 10 per cent income group who are struggling with the costs of daily living. In celebration of the 135th anniversary of The Methodist Church in Singapore, MWS aims to bless 1,000 families with $1.35 million of financial assistance. Each family will receive $1,350 over a period of one year. As a Methodist family, let us give generously to help families weighed down by debts and costs of everyday living. |METHODIST MESSAGE — March 2020 15

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]

Missions ¢ Carol Ong is a missionary with MMS serving in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Her home church is Toa Payoh Methodist Church. / Photos courtesy of Carol Ong The children celebrating Carol’s birthday Sunday Worship Service in progress THE THIRD PLACE O ne of the challenges to missions is to continue to morning children’s programme. In Jan 2019, volunteers be relevant to the needs of the people to whom we from our Post COSI Integration Programme (PCOSIIP) came are ministering. In Cambodia, the setting up of The to assist in the children’s ministry, enabling the PCOSIIP Third Place exemplifies our ministry to reach out to young youth to have a place to worship as they serve. We were women and equip them with livelihood skills. also blessed with a Bible-trained pastor, Theng Tharoath, who, along with his family, is now actively involved in Preceding The Third Place, the Emmaus Women’s Centre engaging the community to transform lives. (EWC) was set up in 2000. Supported by GC WSCS and our partner churches, EWC provided skills training and It has been about a year and a half since The Third Place discipleship programmes for the young women. But was started. It is now a community of believers whose with the changing dynamics of the economic situation in task is to shine the light of Jesus and draw others to Him. Cambodia, employment opportunities have presented a As with any church planting endeavour, there have been challenge to the viability of continuing our ministry at EWC. challenges. Factory workers are transient, children are Greater opportunities led to declining figures in EWC and, in limited by parental boundaries and, culturally, people will March 2018, it ceased operations. only go where their immediate tangible needs can be most met. Odem is riddled with social ills like drinking, However, there was still the need to reach out to the young gambling, drugs and people with undesirable influences. women. Since the young women were not coming to us, A thrift shop was recently started with the hope that we the alternative was to go to where they are! This resulted will be able to befriend more people, share God’s love and in the birth of The Third Place. bless the community. Odem is a town in Phnom Penh that stood out as an The task before us is tremendous. As God has called us ideal locus for ministry and church-planting as the area is to shine His light and bring about positive life-changing teeming with factories—a great harvest field. Moreover, transformation, we are confident that His presence and there was initially no Methodist presence. Thus, The Third provision will follow. We started in faith, believing that Place was set up in August 2018. God will provide and prosper our ministry. From reaching out to young women, we are now able to reach out to In Sep 2018, English and Chinese enrichment classes for families with life-changing experiences and to transform children and adults were started, thus expanding our reach the community in Odem. not just to women, but to families as well. To bless the community, various community activities were conducted • Pray for our missionaries at The Third Place in partnership with mission teams: a cultural exchange • Pray that the lives of the families will be programme; health checks cum health talks; a beauty care workshop; a Khmer New Year party cum Easter celebration; changed and community transformed and a Christmas programme. If you are interested to help in this ministry, please contact MMS at [email protected]. In Nov 2018, we started Sunday worship services, and the children from our enrichment classes joined the Sunday |METHODIST MESSAGE — April 2020 17

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. What’s in a name? A mid the emerging global health crisis, an intense discussion may have gone unnoticed. Whilst the larger part of the scientific community were busy trying to understand how the novel coronavirus is spread or to develop a vaccine, others were trying to find a name for it. Finally, on 11 Feb 2020, the World Health Organisation decided on the name COVID-19. What is in a name, one may wonder? Names are more than a play of words or mere semantics. In counselling, we know that words have a big part to play in describing the client’s experience of a problem and in identifying its possible resolution. Yet, words can mean one thing to the user and another to the listener. When a person says there is “no point carrying on”, is he saying that he feels a sense of hopelessness or that he intends to end his life, or perhaps both? Take the instance when a spouse hears her husband describe his betrayal as a “mistake” or an “indiscretion”, she may feel that he is downplaying his actions. Instead of helping the situation, his attempt to acknowledge his wrongdoing can spark a round of angry exchange. However, an apt name can also be liberating—such as when a victim of domestic violence hears that what she has been experiencing is called spousal abuse. Although some are initially shocked by such a term, many have felt validated that their sense of outrage at being the recipient of such behaviour is finally acknowledged. With such recognition of their experience, they can begin the journey to recovery. This involves starting from being a person who cannot find a name for her experience to recognising that she is a victim to finally moving to be a survivor of family violence. As important as it was to find a name for our current crisis and challenges, perhaps greater is the importance of remembering the name for its resolution. In the midst of our worries, where do we turn to for help? The Psalmist reminds us that our help ultimately comes from “the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth” (Ps 121:1). As we act responsibly and practise good personal hygiene, let us also remember to call on the name of the Lord, remembering too that one of His Names is Jehovah Rapha, meaning “the Lord who heals”. May this name remind us that we have a God who can bring ultimate healing and wholeness to body, mind and spirit. |18 METHODIST MESSAGE — April 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. CHRISTO VIVE (Christ is Risen) Christo Vive (Christ Is Risen) Christ is risen! (UMH 313) The Lord is risen indeed, Alleluia. Christ is risen, Christ is living, This Easter Greeting points us to the memorial acclamation that we proclaim dry your tears, be unafraid! during Holy Communion: Death and darkness Christ has died, could not hold him, Christ is risen, nor the tomb in which he lay. Christ will come again! Do not look among the dead and brings us back to the Resurrection story. for one who lives for evermore; tell the world that Christ is risen, This hymn retells that story. The first stanza alludes to Matthew 28—Mary make it known he goes before. Magdalene and the “other Mary” were distraught when they found the tomb empty. They were shocked to see an angel who told them, “Do not be afraid, If the Lord had never risen, Jesus has risen!” The angel sent the women to convey this message to the we’d have nothing to believe; disciples. On their way, the women met Jesus, who told them to go and tell but his promise can be trusted: “his brothers” in Galilee where He would be also. “You will live, because I live.” As we share the death of Adam, How does the second stanza relate to us as Christians? Paul’s resurrection texts (Rom 6:4; Rom 8:11; Eph 2:5–6; Phil 3:10; Col 2:12; Col 3:1) help us understand so in Christ we live again; this. Christ was raised, and we are raised with him. As we are risen with Christ, death has lost its sting and terror, we are spiritually formed. We die to sin and rise to be a new people together. Christ the Lord has come to reign. We then find ourselves in a world where we are called to live the resurrection together as a community. Death has lost its old dominion, let the world rejoice and shout! In Living the Resurrection, Eugene Peterson explains that Jesus’ resurrection Christ, the firstborn of the living, “brings our lives into the operations of the gospel and gives spiritual formation gives us life and leads us out. its energy and character”.1 Let us thank our God, who causes hope to spring up from the ground. Stanza three of the hymn tells us to celebrate Christ’s victory over death. Easter is the most crucial event of the Christian year. It is this victory that shapes our Christ is risen, Christ is giving beliefs, and should cause us to go out, sing, be thankful, be hopeful and live life eternal, life profound. as Christ lives in us. Words: Fred Kaan (1929–2009) translated this hymn to English. Pablo Sosa (1933– Nicolás Martinez, 1960; trans. by Fred Kaan, 1972 2020) composed the music. Both lived their lives singing the resurrection story. Music: True to the themes of “hope” and “life” brought forth by this hymn, Fred Pablo D. Sosa, 1960 Kaan is known to have written and translated hymn texts that address issues on human rights and social concerns: hymns that encourage congregations about hope in God’s works and faithfulness towards His creation. Sosa, on the other hand, was an advocate of global hymnody. He wrote tunes that crossed the barriers of culture and denomination. He inspired local churches to sing songs with understanding, empathy and compassion for the varied situations of people from which the songs originate. Both Kaan and Sosa enlivened congregational singing through their passionate writing and teaching. 1 Eugene Peterson, Living the Resurrection (Colorado Springs, CO: NavPress, 2006), 103–11. |METHODIST MESSAGE — April 2020 19

TRAC Bible Matters ¢ Daniel Lee is a member of Paya Lebar Methodist Church. After working in the public sector and as pastoral staff, he is now completing his final year of the Master of Divinity programme at Trinity Theological College. DOES THE BIBLE TELL EARTH’S AGE? G enesis 1 has been interpreted to mean that God verse. But since there is no prior mention of the earth’s created the world in six 24-hour days. Taking Adam condition, “became” is difficult to justify. Supporters of this to be created in that first week and adding up from ‘gap’ theory also appeal to destruction by Satan after he all the Old Testament genealogies, Earth would then be was banished from heaven as the cause for reconstruction only about 6,000 years old. of the formless void earth, but these are indirect inferences based on the already-tenuous “became” reading. Thus, this On the other hand, modern science has produced evidence billion-year “gap” is also unsatisfactory for reconciling the supporting a much older Earth. For instance, cosmological Bible’s creation story with science. evidence gives Earth an age of billions of years while geological evidence suggests homo sapiens have existed The above approaches have attempted, unsuccessfully, to for at least 200,000 years. This has placed Christians in a work within a literal understanding of the text to reconcile seemingly intractable dilemma: either believe the Bible, or it with scientific data. There is, however, good reason to believe science. reexamine if Genesis 1 should be read literally in the first place. Not everything is to be taken literally in the Bible: A number of ways to reconcile biblical text and scientific clearly, Jesus did not command that we literally remove our data have been offered. One is to stretch the definition eyes and hands when we sin (c.f. Matt 5:29–30). There is of each “day” in Genesis 1 to mean possibly millions and thus room for metaphor in the Bible. billions of years. But while the Hebrew word for “day” is sometimes used metaphorically to denote a long period of Reading Genesis 1 must already cause the modern mind time, in Genesis 1 we are contextually bound by the week to wonder if it should be understood literally. For example, of seven “days” to the usual 24-hour definition. Thus, by how is day and night (created on Day 1) to be demarcated virtue of sound biblical interpretation, this approach is not without the sun and moon (Day 4)? How is the sky a solid satisfactory. firmament (Gen 1:6–8, 17)? How was the “earth” created on Day 3 (Gen 1:10) different from the formless and void Another way is based on an alternative reading “the earth “earth” (Gen 1:2)? In light of this, it is difficult to justify that became formless and void”, instead of the usual “the earth Genesis 1 is a scientific document. was formless and void” (Gen 1:2). This potentially creates a ‘gap’ of any number of years between the initial creation But if Genesis 1 were non-literal, what is the significance in Genesis 1:1 and a week-long reconstruction in the next of this metaphor? In the first three days, God separated |20 METHODIST MESSAGE — April 2020

and formed. In the next three days, He adorned and filled. and geography, we must look to the Bible to tell us about Light (day 1) corresponds to the luminaries (day 4); sky and God, the human soul and why we exist. waters (day 2) correspond to birds and fishes (day 5); land and vegetation (day 3) correspond to terrestrial creatures But are we then conceding our faith to modern science? (day 6). All this signifies the order and beauty in the way How can we still claim the Bible as our highest and final God created the cosmos. Humanity was created in His authority? Firstly, by recognising that science is a function image, as God’s preeminent creature and His co-regent to of the human intellect, and humans can be wrong; but steward and care over the rest of creation. On the final day the Bible is never wrong on matters of God. Secondly, God rested—not because He was tired, but as a celebration science cannot account for all truth; for example, “I of His sovereign victory and a Sabbath sign for His people love you” can neither be proven nor explained by the to rest on the last day of the week. scientific method. Finally, science has no instructions for holy living, but the Bible pierces our hearts and meets Ultimately, the Bible was written to present us our souls’ needs, and our lives can be transformed when not with scientific facts, but with theological truths. we know the sovereign God who made us in His image, Thus, it is not reasonable to expect the Bible to and gave us order and rest. answer scientific questions, because the Bible and science fundamentally deal with different realms In affirming the Bible’s utmost authority over our lives, we of knowledge. While science is operative only in must allow it to speak with its own voice—by diligently the material realm, the Bible mainly speaks of the seeking the best interpretive strategy for the various unseen realm of God and the human heart. genres of its texts. Accordingly, Christians need not reject science wholesale, The views expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect the official but should seek God’s help to rightly discern which authority position of The Methodist Church in Singapore. This version of the article should be used to answer different questions. Just as we has been edited for brevity. The full article can be found at http://www. look to science to inform us about smartphones, medicines trac-mcs.org.sg/index.php/resources/bible-matters/26-resources/242- does-the-bible-tell-us. |METHODIST MESSAGE — April 2020 21



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) Christus Victor “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. Last September, my wife and I Jesus on the cross. The Evangelist in the Towards the end of the Oratorio, Bach visited for the first time the famous recitativo simply announces: “And He puts these triumphant words onto the Thomaskirche in Leipzig, Germany, bowed His head, and gave up His ghost.” lips of the apostle John: where the greatest Baroque composer, Johann Sabastian Bach (1685–1750), As the lifeless body of the Messiah We rejoice served as Thomaskantor. hung limp on the cross of Calvary, a Because our Jesus lives again, torrent of questions floods the mind. And our hearts, The Russian Orthodox theologian, These are captured in great bass Just now dissolved, immersed in Metropolitan Hilarion Alfeyev, himself solo that follows immediately: sadness, an accomplished composer, describes My dear Saviour, let me ask you, Forget pain, Bach as a “universal phenomenon” now you are nailed to the cross And set their sights on songs of joy; whose music “transcends confessional and yourself have said: It is finished, For now our Saviour lives again. boundaries”.1 am I free from death? Can I through your pain and dying But it is the concluding chorus that I have long admired the work of this reach Heaven? really brings out this leitmotif: Lutheran composer who has given Is the whole world redeemed? the world some of the most beautiful Praise and thanks and theologically rich cantatas ever This aria ends with these words: “You Shall always be, O Lord, Your song composed, and I have written a can, for pain, say nothing, / yet you of praise. number of essays on his work. In this nod your head / and say, in silence, Hell and the Devil have been brief article, I would like to highlight yes.” The chorus immediately proclaims overcome, the theme of Christus Victor (Christ the the resurrection: “Jesus, you were dead, Their gates have been destroyed. Victor) in Bach’s oeuvre by focussing / now you live for ever.” Rejoice, O tongues of the redeemed, especially on his majestic Passion So that it will be heard in Heaven According to Saint John (BWV 245) and This has prompted Jaroslav Pelikan to Open, O heavens, your glorious the Easter Oratorio (BWV 249). assert that “in the Saint John Passion vaults, the resurrection is an integral part of The lion of Judah victorious Following Luther, Bach makes it very the story, for it was through Good Friday approaches. clear that our deliverance from the (when the Saint John was intended to bondage to sin and death is made be sung) and Easter, taken together as As we celebrate Easter, let us renew our possible only by the sacrifice that Christ a single action, that ‘Christus Victor’ faith in our Saviour and Lord who has willingly made at Calvary. If Christ had had conquered.”2 vanquished sin, death and the devil. chosen not to offer His life for our And as we continue to fight the fight of salvation, we would forever be lost. Bach’s Easter Oratorio begins with an faith, let us pray this prayer (from the invitation to rush to Jesus’ tomb, not in Saint John Passion) that we too may Thus, in the middle of the trial in the sadness, but in joy because Christ has risen: share in the victory of our Lord: Saint John Passion, when Pilate, who found no fault in Jesus, sought to Come, haste and run, O nimble feet; Help us, Christ, Almighty Son of God release him, the chorus sings: Go to the cave which shelters Jesus. By Thy bitter anguish May laughter and cheerfulness Faithfully our course to run, Through your imprisonment, Son of Come with your hearts, Every sin to vanquish; God, For our salvation has been raised Teach us, Lord, Thy grace to know, has our freedom come; from the dead. Guide our weak endeavour, your prison is a throne of grace, Our Redeemer’s praise the refuge of all pious men; Unlike the Passions which follow the To show thankfully for ever. if you had not become a servant, account of the Gospel, the Easter Oratorio our servitude would have lasted for improvises, creating conversations that 1 Hilarion Alfeyev, “Music and Faith in My Life and ever. are not found in the Synoptics. But the Vision”, https://president.catholic.edu/archive/ main theme of Christus Victor clearly inauguration/hilarion-alfeyev.html#Full_text. The most moving part of the Passion resonates throughout. is surely the narration of the death of 2 Jaroslav Pelikan, Bach Among the Theologians (Philadelphia, PA: Fortress Press, 1986), 115. |METHODIST MESSAGE — April 2020 23

Home ¢ Rachel Tham is the Communications Executive on the staff team of Faith Methodist Church. She believes in the power of media to spark revival in the Methodist Church. I What does being a Methodist mean to you?HAaSsbipnMuwgptsyeaoeayeppberrAferoejfaett1mrohyeacFr3aetel,atlistrWmviw5StpMetfthaceahbhtooshnyrhaeera,Mohtdbatrseuhoa’Cceonvtvtabsodhvl,fhdhe,engmeiuMIiieoswndosebrrccneiceotdjemiahmichoeptfhduenciehylcmehycniiMldoshsnteaaouoterdeetbntaeuaurftoniictarswsolhayhlashfydutdnaentatoas,ogoesim,vdrdtsnihpedMhosiimo’inotetAsstaluhtuytgtmletoCrko.GedrrC,inwmfcnSeoefrhhouotettrdh!euy,inhsltwa’ataorrsgaelusiclatitmascesfhrbafaseteheopv.egeoeioeretAobetnthpoMrhrsofnl,gysfuelaud,uClmMoorseottle,cnnsrnttetuwhiewoaehenatsiualgtheeisgnhircclenosrmcsdeemhtdha.travhtohheni,AaihensegtiodnaentlindIrh,vns’,nddgvttacibeadhasesotbawlss.peeenfertteaahio,stgvanuxesmrenareprtsginentnenneiifsdtglndgryor,tosoagis.hwwaeefntmIeionnGcootaoguhndctorcrnoresldehdedattohdouhh’wretlsuianhrpeepasrclrerououahgaspccdvprtehemrthpbieeirsuanieeovfitnnlrrstcnirdcooodsccisFhtypeiimmeoiaoroclscnntceinuihrlonftoaisefrnrhramialmsioeineehtnlduleeiiienedsnoniwgsvfidtatnagfhaeMeasdtesthtolhyri.rt,eeobsigehsistdypenoenehIocousttboatuwhyury.indlseneoracdi.JasrcashotarcnfehstotoPr,rinrramorieatiinHWmananmsgiledesa,lueydsrinyltoetsiotfyy,sg,csohu.ochols

Book Review ¢ Sheri Goh is the Editor of Methodist Message. / Book visuals courtesy of Graceworks GOD’S GARDENERS: Creation Care Stories from Singapore and Malaysia God’s Gardeners: How do we show love and social principles) is thus a biblical driving Creation Care Stories from stewardship for God’s creation in force behind creation care. Singapore and Malaysia one of the world’s most densely built-up cities? God’s Gardeners— The book is not prescriptive—the Edited by Melissa Ong and Prarthini M. “Singapore’s first book on creation care” authors realise that “there is not one Selveindran —is a collection of essays that shows fixed way to ‘do’ creation care” and how we can start, no matter what our show us there are a myriads of ways Published by Graceworks (2020), walk in life might be. to manifest it in our careers and daily 168 pages lives. Dr Goh Wei Leong and the Rev The book, edited by Melissa Ong and Lam Kuo Yung from Katong Presbyterian ORDER AT Prarthini M. Selveindran, consists of Church write about how they made essays by writers affiliated with A the effort to do so in their church https://graceworks.com.sg Rocha (an international network of renovation project and the running of environmental organisations with a their church. Reuben Ang discusses $16 (e-book; no GST); Christian ethos) as well as others from how he does so in the food industry $20 (paperback; no GST, a range of specialties, such as ecology by responsibly addressing the issues free shipping within Singapore) and conservation, the food and service of waste management in his catering industry, management, transport, media company. Mary-Ruth Low works on fruit Enjoy 10% off the price of God’s and even theology. The book’s underlying bat conservation in the NGO where she Gardeners by using the promo message is that the stewardship of God’s is employed. They, as do all the book’s code gg10 at the webstore’s creation is the responsibility of, and can writers, do what they do because of their checkout page (valid from 1–30 be undertaken by, everyone—not just in love for God and His creation. Apr 2020). their day jobs, but in their world views. The book is timely in the light of Creation care can be traced back to increasing awareness of the climate role that God appointed Adam in the crisis our planet is facing. Its essays Garden of Eden. God’s command to love are divided with interludes before each our neighbours as ourselves involves of the broad sections of “Ecology”, recognising that how we treat “the “Beauty”, “Dominion”, “Shalom” and “St natural environment has tangible impact Francis”, bookended with a biblically- on others’ welfare, especially the poor grounded Preface and Afterword. It and disadvantaged whom we desire includes further reading and action to look out for”. Social responsibility points for those who desire to explore (incidentally also one of Methodism’s its topics in greater depth.

THINK ¢ Edric Sng is the editor of Thir.st, a digital discipleship and outreach platform seeking to transform a generation, one story at a time. COVID-19 and the valley of decision THE UNBEARABLE PRESSURE YOUR SENIOR PASTOR IS UNDER Maybe your church is running This should not be a reason to condemn, a man full of faith, but I’m sure he had his worship services this weekend, and not a basis on which to judge a human doubts. Is this the right decision? and you’re not happy about it. Is church’s “faith levels”. As NCCS President How much risk am I exposing my people to? that really the wisest decision at such a Terry Kee reminded us, believers should time? Or maybe your church isn’t running refrain from comparing why some Then he gets to the tribes who, frankly, services, and you’re not happy about that. churches choose to close some services have the least to gain from the battle— or programmes while others may the Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half- What does the Bible say about not giving not. Different churches have different tribe of Manasseh, who were promised up on gathering? considerations, such as the demographics allotments outside of the land of conquest. of attendees or members’ known If I were Joshua, I’d have my doubts about It’s easy to be critical, but try to imagine the exposure to confirmed COVID-19 cases. this group. But they instead reply: weight of decision-making responsibility resting on every senior pastor’s shoulders These decisions are being made in All that you have commanded right now. You’re criticised if you do, and a situation that many members of us we will do, and wherever you criticised if you don’t. this generation of Christians have not send us we will go. Just as we experienced in their time as church leaders. obeyed Moses in all things, so No senior pastor, at this point into we will obey you. Only may the COVID-19, is taking the easy way out. No matter how confident or convicted Lord your God be with you, as he Going ahead or cancelling services your senior pastor looks as he or she was with Moses! Whoever rebels involves making a decision that takes announces your church’s stand—carry against your commandment and immense courage. Health and life are on or cancel—know that behind that disobeys your words, whatever at stake. But so is the faith and all we decision was surely much agonising and you command him, shall be put stand for. Cancelling services is not an maybe even self-doubt. What if I make to death. Only be strong and act for the cowardly—we all know the the wrong call on this? Did I really hear courageous! ” (Josh 1:16–18) recrimination that might follow. It takes the Holy Spirit right? equal boldness to decide to carry on. After 40 years of grumbling and This is no time to criticise and denounce disobedience the people finally How does it feel like to be the leader your church leader’s decision. Now, more understood. God leads through His making the decision? I think about the than ever, is the time to rally around the leaders (Judges 5:2). God reveals His moment Elijah calls Elisha to leave his leaders of your church, whatever they plans to His prophets (Amos 3:7). God family and serve the Lord. As soon as decide. They need your prayer, your trust sets the example through His elders (1 Elisha rushes off to say goodbye to his and your support. Cor 11:1, Heb 13:7). family, Elijah quietly acknowledges the gravity of that which he has asked Elisha Understand the spiritual principle: Your These are tough times for you, because to do, in 1 Kings 19:20: “What have I leaders are appointed by God (Rom 13:1– you worry about your life as the threat of done to you?” 5), and you submit to them as if you are illness looms. How much more so is that submitting to God. Resist them, and you pressure for the senior pastor, when the Church leaders experience this to a much resist God. lives of many rest in the decisions he or gentler degree on a day-to-day basis. she will make. We call believers to step out of their But, equally, understand the human comfort zone into a life of surrender dynamic: Leaders need encouragement Consider not criticism, but encouragement. and sacrifice. But the senior pastor who and affirmation as they made the tough Go up to your senior pastor in church now draws from his faith convictions and decisions on your behalf, knowing that they this weekend, or drop him a message asks members to keep coming to church are accountable for your life (Heb 13:17). now, saying: I’m with you, 100 per cent, despite the risks posed by COVID-19—a whatever the church decides. Only may decision that many in the world might Consider the psyche of Joshua as he takes the Lord our God be with you. not understand—will surely be feeling over the leadership of the Israelites upon the gravity of his decision. Moses’ death. A next-generation leader, Only be strong and courageous. well-known for being a faithful aide He or she will be wrestling within himself, to Moses, but for the first time coming This article was originally published at with each person that comes through the into his own in making the big decisions. https://thir.st/blog/covid-19-and-the-valley- Sanctuary door triggering that unspoken The words of God and Moses echo in his doubt: “What have I done to you?” spirit: Be strong and courageous. of-decision-the-unbearable-pressure-your- senior-pastor-is-under Some church leaders have chosen to But now it is time for battle, and this new suspend their services for now. Some leader is about to call on his people to put Christian events have been called off. their lives on the line. We know Joshua is