Methodist Message: August 2018

0129-6868MCI MCI (P) ISSNISSN 0129-6868 (P)019/11/2017 019/11/2017

Vol 120 No 8 • AUG 2018

inside

this issue...

message.methodist.org.sg message.methodist.org.sg

GoForth Gone forth. Going urban.

Religious Harmony The role of Methodists and their leaders

Soundings Beatitudinal leadership

pages 10-11

pages 12-13

pages 16-17

HOME The Rev Dr Andrew Peh lectures at Trinity Theological College in the area of mission and mission history. He also serves in the Chinese Annual Conference of the Methodist Church in Singapore as a diaconal minister appointed to Charis Methodist Church.

A CHURCH THAT MARCHES TO A DIFFERENT TUNE

T

he Methodist Church has made distinctive contributions to our young country in its journey of nation building. The Church has sought to be true to the call to spread “scriptural holiness across the land”, and this dogged pursuit of holiness (both personal and social) is evident in the early history of Methodism in Singapore, even when it was a British colony.

Singapore had no national resources, but was valuable as a trading port due to its geographical location. The manner in which the British governed the Straits Settlements was therefore somewhat different from that of the other colonies in Africa and South Asia.

Continued on page 19...

Picture by Vaida/Bigstock.com

COMING UP

NATIONAL DAY THANKSGIVING SERVICE 2018

F

irst held in 2004, the National Day Thanksgiving Service is organised by the National Council of Churches of Singapore (NCCS) to coincide with our National Day celebrations.

Customarily held a week after National Day at St Andrew’s Cathedral, the annual event brings together Christians from different churches, denominations and walks of life. The service includes prayer for the country’s continued wellbeing as well as for regional peace and harmony. The sermon usually exhorts worshippers to grow in Christian witness and social responsibility, and to contribute to nation building.

National Day Thanksgiving Service 2018: Seek the Peace of the City 16 Aug 2018 (Thursday), 7.45 p.m. (attendees to be seated by 7.40 p.m.)

St Andrew’s Cathedral, Cathedral New Sanctuary 11 St Andrew’s Road, S(178959) Speaker: Bishop Terry Kee, President of NCCS and Bishop of the Lutheran Church in Singapore

Each year, various churches take turns to offer choir anthems and musical items.

After the service, a fellowship reception enables the body of Christ to mingle and encourage one another in the faith.

We welcome all to this special time of worship and thanksgiving. n

Photos courtesy of National Council of Churches of Singapore

The official monthly publication of The Methodist Church in Singapore. Published material does not necessarily reflect the official view of The Methodist Church. All Scripture quoted is based on the English Standard Version, unless otherwise stated.

Methodist Message • #06-04, 70 Barker Road,

Printer A&D Printhub Pte Ltd

Singapore 309936 Tel: 6478-4793 • Fax: 6478-4794 Email: newmm@methodist.org.sg MM website: http://message.methodist.org.sg Church website: http://www.methodist.org.sg

Let us have your views

Adviser and Publisher

Dr Anthony Goh Sze Chern, Chairperson, Council on Communications Guest Editor

Nathanael Goh

Our address

Design & Production SNAP! Creative Pte Ltd

Editorial Board

Editor Sheri Goh Sub-editor Tan Chiu Ai Editorial Executive Jason Woo

Have something to say or share? Email us at newmm@methodist.org.sg 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 for two quadrennial from 2008 to 2016.

TO BE A GODLY LEADER

T

here are many leadership development resources available for business managers, companies and organisations. Outstanding leaders in various fields are often invited by consultancy firms to present seminars, conduct training courses and give talks. Their success stories inspire many, fuelling an industry of books and other media.

Leadership experts today are placing emphasis on the importance of character, identity and values, and not just competence or results achieved. Can we therefore find overlaps in how the secular world views successful leaders with the qualities that we as a Church would desire from our spiritual leaders?

In Acts 6:1–7 the 12 apostles chose seven men to help manage the food programme. These men were well respected and were full of the Holy Spirit, wisdom and faith. They were in fact deacons, i.e. ordained ministers, as mentioned in 1 Timothy 3:8–13.

Paul presents clearly, in his epistle to Titus, the qualities of a spiritual leader: he must live a blameless life; he must be faithful to his wife; and his children must be believers who don’t have a reputation for being wild or rebellious.

He must not be smug or quick tempered; a heavy drinker, violent, or dishonest with money. He must be hospitable, and he must love what is good. An ideal spiritual leader is just and lives a life suffused with wisdom. He is devout and disciplined, and has a strong belief in the trustworthy message he was taught.

The world can accept an arrogant person as a leader and look beyond his character flaws—and sometimes even his

scandalous private life—so long as the individual in the leadership role is able to produce sterling results and bring in profits for the organisation. But the same cannot be said for the Church.

Then there are the extremely powerful and wealthy who use various means to get elected as leaders despite their lack of competence. This, too, the Church cannot allow.

Spiritual leaders in churches must not only have skills and capability. More importantly, they need to be believers who are exemplary in their character and values, are engendered by an inner maturity, and possess a devotion to and reverence for God. They need to be role models.

Such leaders will not violate the law or engage in improper activities. In 1 Samuel 16:7, the Lord reminds Samuel, that in his selection of a leader, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.”

Godly leaders will have not only leadership capability and wisdom but also divine discernment, and they have spiritual resources to rely on. They are able to hear the word of the Lord: “Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit” (Zech 4:6).

Spiritual leaders are not born—they have to be nurtured. Experiential knowledge takes time, which is an essential requirement in tempering and moulding a spiritual leader who is after God’s heart.

It is like the clay that has to be formed and kneaded continuously by the hands of the potter until it becomes a masterpiece. (Isa 64:8; Jer 8:4) n Picture by irisphoto3/Bigstock.com METHODIST MESSAGE • AUG 2018

|3

CHURCH PROFILE Mr Timothy Ang serves as a lay ministry worker for youth and young adults in Telok Ayer Chinese Methodist Church.

TELOK AYER CMC:

A SPIRITUAL HOME LIGHTHOUSE AND

T

elok Ayer Chinese Methodist Church (TACMC) was established in 1889 by the pioneer missionary Dr Benjamin West to reach out to Chinese immigrants. The church started out in a rented shophouse and later moved to a zinc hut.

In 1918, Swan & Maclaren, the architecture firm responsible for landmarks such as Raffles Hotel and Victoria Concert Hall, was engaged to design a new church building at Telok Ayer Street. The building, which was completed in 1925 and gazetted as a national monument on TACMC’s centenary, stands to this day.

We thank God for using TACMC to bless the surrounding community and beyond.

In 1935, Dr John Sung, a well-known evangelist from China, conducted revival meetings at the church. When World War II broke out in Singapore in 1941, the building was used as a medical post and bomb shelter.

We continue our series of profiling local churches from our three Annual Conferences of The Methodist Church in Singapore.

As we come to have a better understanding of each other’s history and ministry, we may discover more opportunities to forge cross-church partnerships and collaborations.

Over the course of almost 130 years, many have become disciples of Christ through TACMC. Churches, such as Queenstown Methodist Church and Grace Methodist Church, have grown out of the Telok Ayer congregation.

TACMC has also sent out numerous pastors and missionaries.

In recent years, God has impressed upon our leaders the vision of growing as a spiritual home and lighthouse to the nations.

Each week, around 1,200 people worship together in two church buildings (TA and TA2). We conduct services in Hokkien, Mandarin, English and Bahasa Indonesia.

We seek to disciple members with grounding in the Word through Church School classes, small group fellowship and accountability, and involvement in ministry and outreach.

Evangelism and missions are an integral part of our ministry. Current initiatives include outreach to the elderly in our neighbourhood and through St Luke’s Eldercare, and regular missions to East Asia, Nepal, Cambodia and Indonesia.

We sense God leading us in the next season to move towards more intentional disciple-making, and to move into the community to bless the office crowd in the Central Business District (CBD) and the Hokkien-speaking residents in our neighbourhood. Translating this vision to action will be challenging

Telok Ayer Chinese Methodist Church (TA) (Chinese Annual Conference) 235 Telok Ayer Street, S(068656) Telok Ayer 2 (TA2) Sanctuary 61 Wishart Road, S(098716) Sunday Services (TA) English Service: 8.30 a.m.

Youth Impact Service: 10.45 a.m.

Hokkien Service: 1.30 p.m.

Bahasa Indonesia Service: 4.00 p.m.

Sunday Services (TA2) Mandarin Service: 9.00 a.m.

Hokkien Service: 11.00 a.m.

Contact us Website: http://www.tacmc.org.sg Tel: 6324-4001 (TA), 6278-1323 (TA2)

but we will continue to rely on God, whose grace is sufficient in all situations, to build us as a spiritual home and lighthouse, shining for Him in Singapore’s commercial hub. n

Photo courtesy of Telok Ayer Chinese Methodist Church

ONE MCS—CAC HIGHLIGHT By the Chinese Annual Conference President’s Office

CAC EVENTS UPDATE:

TRAINING TOMORROW’S GODLY LEADERS

T

CAC LCEC Chairpersons Roundtable he topic of godly leadership was the focus of the Chinese Annual Conference’s (CAC) inaugural Local Church Executive Committee (LCEC) Chairpersons’ Roundtable on 19 May 2018.

Chaired by the CAC President, the Rev Dr Gregory Goh Nai Lat, the morning event brought together the LCEC chairpersons of the 17 CAC churches.

In the chairpersons’ discussion of their churches’ priorities for the year, they raised common issues faced and uncovered opportunities to work together. They agreed on the urgent need to groom the next generation of leaders while preserving the strong heritage of CAC churches.

LCEC induction workshop With the latest edition held on 26 May, the LCEC Induction Workshop for newly-elected LCEC members and potential leaders is on its seventh run. The workshop is conducted in Mandarin and delivered in-house by the local churches to bring everyone together to learn about godly leadership.

Pastoral leadership CAC pastors honed their pastoral leadership skills at the annual Pastors’ Retreat held in April 2018 in Penang.

Dr Mark Chan of Trinity Theological College focused on the topic of “Preaching”, specifically on the preparation to speak from the pulpit and on integrity in preaching.

The pastors also heard from the Rev Dr Goh on pastoral leadership, connectionalism and church growth.

Grooming the next generation of godly leaders The Methodist Young Leaders Conference (MYLC) was

held from 15 to 17 June in Johor Bahru. In the second year of a four-year series, the conference aims to entrench young church leaders in the Methodist identity.

The conference speaker, the Rev Dr Chiang Ming Shun, highlighted the dangers of solitary religion and emphasised the importance of Christians having accountability groups.

The MYLC 2018 also saw the launch of a new Instagram page for CAC youth, as well as the hashtag #cactogetheryouths, to encourage our local churches to connect with one another in their youth activities.

MYLC 2019 will take place from 21 to 23 June 2019. Follow them on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/cac.bym and Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/cacboym for updates.

Godly leadership at home: Father and Mother School This year, the CAC Board of Family Life (BOFL) organised a new series of English and Mandarin workshops modelled after the Duranno Father/Mother School in Korea. The workshops aim to reinvigorate fathers and mothers to become spiritually healthy parents.

It is BOFL’s belief that only by building strong and healthy families will we be able to transform and bring social holiness into our communities. To date, a total of about 150 fathers and mothers have joined the movement.

Look out for the upcoming Father and Mother School sessions on the CAC Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/cac.singapore/. n Photo courtesy of the Chinese Annual Conference METHODIST MESSAGE • AUG 2018

|5

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 in 2011 and is a member of Kampong Kapor Methodist Church.

WHEN THE WILL TO GO ON IS LOST W

ithin the same week in the past month, the media reported the separate suicides of two well-known personalities—Kate Spade, a fashion designer, and Anthony Bourdain, a celebrity chef.

happening. Many parents, loved ones, church workers and social work professionals carry heavy burdens of guilt for not having been alert or responsive enough to the needs of the deceased.

The tragedy of suicide leaves behind many loved ones and friends in confusion and distress. Experts estimate that for every self-inflicted death, six people are left behind whose lives will never be the same.

They should, instead, live their lives free from the pain and sadness that plagued those who have gone. This may be easier said than done, but if you believe in a spiritual dimension, in the reality that we have a transcendental existence, then live in the full knowledge that those who have gone before are ever aware of what we do here on earth.

In the course my work, I have seen that those who take their own lives are desperate for a way to end their deep emotional pain, which is sometimes difficult for others to see and comprehend. Instead of belittling their suffering, we must empathise with them and encourage them to give life and hope a chance.

The Samaritans of Singapore (SOS) reported that in 2016, 429 people took their lives. The actual figure may be higher, as some cases of suicide may have been classified as accidental deaths. If you might know of someone in despair, you should ask them to speak with a trusted church pastor or a counsellor call the SOS. A fair amount of suicidal ideation goes undetected till it is too late. Some suicides are seemingly spontaneous ones that are attempted without much premeditation. There are also those who unintentionally kill themselves whilst participating in high-risk behaviour.

To those who have lost loved ones to suicide: I hope that you will be able to stop punishing yourself. Things only look clearer with the benefit of hindsight. It is impossible to prevent every suicidal tragedy from

I tell my clients who have lost loved ones to suicide that the “light at the end of the tunnel” may appear as a distant glimmer only after a year or so has passed. Some look blankly into the distance, while others say, “I hope so.”

Picking up the pieces of one’s life cannot be rushed. There is no timetable for recovery.

But life slowly seeps back. Amongst the critical conditions for recovery are the hope for relief, the desire to rebuild, the unwavering support of loved ones and friends, and the continuing emotional investment in things of importance that remain. n Samaritans of Singapore 24-hour crisis hotline 1800-221-4444 If you or someone you know is in immediate danger of self-harm, call the 24-hour emergency medical services at 995 or approach your nearest A&E. Picture by AnatolEr/Bigstock.com

WELFARE SERVICES By the Methodist Welfare Services Communications Team

A HEART FOR OUR PIONEERS IN NEED A

s we celebrate our nation’s 53rd birthday, let us not forget the less fortunate among our pioneers who toiled to build Singapore but are now frail, impoverished, mostly alone and in dire need of care. Twelve out of our 19 MWS centres support them holistically through their autumn days. These are two of our beneficiaries: Finding Peace And Joy As a teenager, during World War II, Mr Wong watched bombs drop on Singapore; as an adult, he traversed the seas as a sailor and fisherman. The centenarian has been living contentedly and peacefully at MWS Nursing Home–Yew Tee since the newly-built facility commenced operations in August 2017.

“I like the daily exercises, and the physiotherapy sessions are helpful for my knee pain. All the residents feel a sense of independence,” says the 98-year-old, who suffers from chronic kidney disease, hypertension and congestive heart failure.

In addition to providing nursing and therapy care for Mr Wong, the home also gathered his family for a meal with him. Appreciative of their efforts, Mr Wong is committed to staying healthy so that he can celebrate his 100th birthday.

Love Conquers All She was a hawker stall helper and he, a security officer.

Now in their seventies, Mdm Yee and Mr Lai are childless, but have each other. Unfortunately, a fall in 2016 left Mdm Yee with a brain bleed. She was subsequently admitted to MWS Bethany Nursing Home–Choa Chu Kang for longterm care.

Initially dazed and bedridden, Mdm Yee is now able to sit up in a wheelchair. She could not remember her husband at first, but she can now recognise him and engage in simple conversations.

Mr Lai visits his wife every day. He chose to stop working to be with his wife, and downgraded their flat to cope financially. “I am very happy with her care here. She’s now stable and I hope her condition improves enough so she can go home.”

Support MWS’ pioneer beneficiaries at https://give.mws.sg.

To find out how you or your church can be involved, please email volunteer@mws.sg. n

Mrs Jenny Bong, the Group Executive Director of Methodist Welfare Services, will be stepping down on 6 August 2018 after 10 years at the helm.

Over the years, Jenny has led MWS to grow to become a charity running 19 centres and programmes. In the last three years, she was instrumental in launching six new MWS senior activity centres and a second MWS nursing home. MWS also received major accolades under her watch, winning the President’s Volunteerism & Philanthropy Non-Profit Organisation of the Year Award in 2010 and the top Charity Governance Award (Large Category) from the Charity Council in 2014.

Jenny will have a new role as Director of Special Projects, which involves leading the expansion and integration of MWS’ Intermediate and Long Term Care (ILTC) services and social care services, as well as operational excellence.

Jenny’s successor is Ms Junie Foo, who joined MWS as the Group Executive Director–Designate on 18 June 2018.

Junie has 28 years of corporate experience, including senior positions in the banking industry. She is a member of Christ Methodist Church, where she serves as the President of the Women’s Society of Christian Service.

Photos courtesy of the Methodist Welfare Services METHODIST MESSAGE • AUG 2018

|7

MISSIONS HOME

A PERANAKAN DINNER WITH FRIENDS

S

ince its inception in 1997, the Methodist Schools’ Foundation (MSF) has employed various exciting and entertaining ways to raise funds for our 16 Methodist schools. This year, we are excited to come together with churches and friends for an evening of good food and great company— A Peranakan Dinner with Friends!

Each table costs $5,000 and is eligible for 2.5 times tax deduction.

All funds raised will directly support some 22,000 students in our 16 Methodist schools via building grants, education aids and financial assistance.

Do buy a table (or two!), and join us with your family and friends for an evening of classic cuisine and excellent entertainment. Your gift will go a long way in supporting the Methodist schools and their students in need! n

Date: 28 September 2018 (Friday) Time: 6:30pm—Makan Kechil, followed by Makan Besar and Makan Manis Venue: The Concorde Hotel Ballroom, 100 Orchard Road, S(238840) To book a table, visit https://tinyurl.com/msfmakan18 or email Marcia at marcia.vanderstraaten@methodist.org.sg.

Many thanks and God bless!

MISSIONS Noel Tam is the MMS Home Director. He worships at Pentecost Methodist Church.

A TIME FOR SHARING Pray for:  our missionaries and their families—for God’s protection and provision  our Home Office—that God will provide able leaders to lead our teams in the field  each of us to realise the plans that God has for us

T

he Methodist Missions Society (MMS) held its Missionary Retreat from 26 to 29 June, immediately after the GoForth 2018 National Missions Conference. The retreat is a biennial event during which our missionaries return for a time of fellowship, sharing and learning.

Through the teaching on prayer, many were refreshed, led, inspired and empowered by the Spirit to fulfil Christ’s mandate to make disciples of all nations. We were reminded to continue praying, and to speak healing, forgiveness and empowerment to one another.

The retreat was an enriching experience for our missionaries, their children and the volunteers who served during the event. It affirmed that we have a God who loves us and wants to have an intimate relationship with each of us, whether we be adult or child. We should always trust in the faithfulness and provision of the Lord of the harvest! n

Over the last two years, MMS sent nine new missionaries to the field.

The sharing by them inspired and encouraged the more experienced missionaries as they looked back at their own faith journeys.

For the first time, a children’s programme was organised to enable the missionaries with families to focus on their own retreat, knowing that their children were well taken care of.

“The sharing by missionaries from the various mission fields not only touched our hearts, but also encouraged us to continue in our respective ministries with greater faith and confidence in God’s provision and faithfulness.”

—Suzanna Lee, missionary in Cambodia

One of the sessions taught the children how to hear God. One of the children shared: “Trying to listen to God is hard, because I often don’t know whether I am hearing God speaking, or my own thoughts. Today, I learnt that God can speak to me in pictures, visions and even things I encounter daily.”

—Zoe Nicole Lee, 12 (daughter of Benjamin Lee, missionary in Cambodia)

“One day, we surprised a local church by joining their worship service to fellowship with them, but we were the ones to be surprised. I was invited to preach on the spot.

God put words in me as I delivered the message in Thai, even though my proficiency in that language was limited. This was one of many difficult situations that God has seen me through and I know He will continue to do so.”

—Vincent Lim, missionary in Thailand

“Looking back on the two days with the wonderful children, I see our Abba Father showing to us once again His goodness and amazing love.”

—Margaret Ng, facilitator of the children’s programme, who worships at Pentecost Methodist Church Photos courtesy of Pentecost Methodist Church METHODIST MESSAGE • AUG 2018

|9

GOFORTH 2018 Ng Zhiwen oversaw the area of mobilisation in the GoForth National Missions Conference 2018 organising committee. He serves as a project coordinator at Singapore Centre for Global Missions.

GONE FORTH. GOING URBAN. W

ere you there?

Did you stand among the over 2,300 participants, as well as hundreds upon hundreds of volunteers and speakers, representing more than 200 churches and Christian organisations?

Did you attend the Leader’s Track, where over 350 church leaders gathered to hear wisdom from the line-up of distinguished speakers?

Or were you at the Morning Plenaries or at the Night Rallies, where you engaged deeply with the Word, and heard the clarion call to go forth into the cities of Asia and beyond with the love of Christ?

Were you at the Chinese Track—the largest in GoForth’s history—where over 300 people were equipped at the main conference and 180 attended the Chinese Leader’s Track?

Testimonies from some participants: “I believe God is telling me not to be afraid that if one day, He were to call me, He would surely equip me. I should never think I am not good enough.

I attended the workshop titled ‘Improving the Living Conditions of the Urban Poor’. I realised that bearing witness for Christ has to start with me wanting to know God more deeply. It is only then that I can bear effective witness for Him when opportunity comes for me to share Christ with the needy, who are curious as to why we have peace and joy in the midst of chaos.

I also learnt not to rush—to reach one person at a time.

We will not always see mass evangelism or conversion, and it is important to build trustworthy interpersonal relationships first.”

—Shirley Yeng, 50, from Wesley Methodist Church

Did you swing by the Children’s Programme, or spot the 400 children striding down the red brick road, energised by two full days of worship and equipping, raring to share the gospel with their friends?

Did you visit the Exhibition, which had the atmosphere of a festive marketplace, where representatives from over 40 organisations shared about how they are plugged into God’s missional story?

Did you drop by one of the 55 afternoon TED-style workshops or 12 lunchtime Circles of Passion talks, each one covering a niche area of urban ministry where folks have been making an impact, but more can come on board?

Were you inspired by the stories, told at the Night Rallies, of men and women of God who have come to sow in Singapore, have gone forth from Singapore to serve long-term in a distant land, or who have played major roles in bringing about transformation in our city?

Were you there?

But even if you were unable to be there, will you join us in giving thanks to our Father above? Through the GoForth 2018 National Missions Conference, we have caught a glimpse of the Church united for the mission of God. All glory be to His name! n

“[GoForth 2018 was] an inspiring two days of learning.

I enjoyed the wide variety of workshops. The speakers, with their wealth of experience and knowledge, were inspiring. I think God is leading me with ideas on how I can relook and reshape my current ministries.”

—Lee En Li, 29, from Bukit Panjang Methodist Church “God really opened my eyes to His amazing work. I gained a clearer view of the issues, needs and some possible strategies encircling missions. Most importantly, I heard personally from the Lord, and gained a better understanding of His heart.”

—Jane Zhou, 19, from Renewal Christian Church

About the GoForth National Missions Movement The GoForth national missions movement is a collaborative platform to mobilise the whole Church (not just fulltime clergy or missionaries) to take the whole gospel to the whole world. It seeks to engage hearts and minds, body and spirit, hands, feet and resources to respond in obedience to the Great Commission of Jesus Christ through various ways, including holding national missions conferences once every three to four years, facilitating sharing of resources as well as catalysing collaborations within the Body of Christ.

Website: http://www.goforth.org.sg

Photo courtesy of GoForth National Missions Conference 2018

METHODIST MESSAGE • AUG 2018

| 11

RELIGIOUS HARMONY The Rev Gabriel Liew is a Pastor of Kampong Kapor Methodist Church.

BUILDING BRIDGES, NOT WALLS

Imam Habib Hassan shows an ancient bible to our Methodist leaders

Singapore is the most multireligious society in the world, and we have the wonderful opportunity to show, “with gentleness and respect”, Christ’s love to all our neighbours, “regardless of language, race or religion”.

—The Rev Dr Gordon Wong, Presidential Address at TRAC 42nd Annual Conference, 2017

I

n celebration of Hari Raya Aidilfitri, Imam Syed Hassan Al-Attas from the Ba’alwie Mosque invited Bishop Dr Chong Chin Chung, TRAC President the Rev Dr Gordon Wong and CAC President the Rev Dr Gregory Goh to his mosque on 3 July 2018. (ETAC President the Rev James Nagulan was away at an overseas conference.)

Imam Syed Hassan Al-Attas is a very well-respected Muslim leader and scholar. He is passionate about inter-faith engagement and has made invaluable contributions to religious peace in Singapore. He is affectionately known as “Habib Hassan”.

Our Methodist leaders had a fruitful conversation with Imam, Ambassador Hawazi Daipi and mosque leaders over tea. They shared stories of nurturing mutual trust, respect and understanding among the various faith communities, and about Christian-Muslim relationships in our multi-racial and multi-religious society.

After tea, Imam brought us on a tour around his historical mosque and showed us his collection of holy books, which included copies of the Qur’an, the Tao De Ching, as well as antique Bibles.

Of the visit, Bishop Dr Chong Chin Chung said, “This is a very meaningful learning journey for us and we thank Imam Habib Hassan for his warm and kind hospitality.

We hope to invite him to visit us at the Methodist Centre one day.”

This visit to the mosque has indeed deepened the friendships between the leaders of both religions. As Dr Leow Theng Huat from Trinity Theological College has written, “We hope, indeed, for the day when the more fervent a person is in his religious beliefs, the more potent a force he becomes in promoting peace and mutual understanding.” n Photo courtesy of the Rev Gabriel Liew

The Rev Malcolm T. H. Tan is the Pastor-in-Charge of CCMC. He was present at the IPS Forum on Religious Harmony.

REGARDLESS OF RACE AND RELIGION T

he Forum on Religious Harmony, organised by the Institute of Policy Studies (IPS), was held on the afternoon of 3 July 2018 at Furama RiverFront Hotel. This was not long after an evangelism conference in Singapore during which an American preacher had made statements that were deemed to create a “Christian-Muslim divide in Singapore”.1 The IPS forum had two panels—one to discuss the role of religious leaders, and the other the role of the state—in relation to the maintenance of religious harmony in Singapore.

The session on the role of religious leaders was moderated

by IPS Senior Research Fellow Dr Mathew Mathews. The participants were Bishop (Emeritus) Dr Robert Solomon from the Methodist Church; the Rev Monsignor Philip Heng from the Roman Catholic Archdiocese; Dr Nazirudin Mohd Nasir from Majlis Ugama Islam Singapura; Mr S Ramesh from the Hindu Advisory Board; and Venerable Shi You Wei from the Singapore Buddhist Federation.

The religious leaders in the panel agreed, “on the issue of foreign radical preachers”, that “their respective communities should take the lead in handling their own affairs, instead of relying on the Government to step in”.

Mr Wong, who was also formerly Coordinating Minister for National Security, established that “the State doesn’t have to come in unless there is a problem… We do not deliberately go and get involved in religious affairs. We leave it to the religious leaders. The State’s job is to make sure that we have an environment that is liveable for people.”2 Although Singapore is a secular state, we practice a secularism that is not hostile to religion.

As Bishop Solomon clarified during the forum, the Church’s “position is more nuanced than the way the words ‘exclusive’ and ‘inclusive’ are used in the media and public spaces.”

He explained: “The popular notion that exclusiveness is bad and inclusiveness is good can be quite confusing.

These words have been used in Christian theology with clear definitions. Christian doctrinal beliefs are exclusive as taught in Scripture, in that we are to love the God revealed in the Bible with all our hearts. But the Bible also teaches social inclusiveness—we are to love our neighbours as ourselves and to show it through care for the poor and needy. Thus Christians are doctrinally exclusive and socially inclusive.” n

The second session, on the role of the state, was moderated

by Dr Gillian Koh, Deputy Director (Research) at IPS. The participants were Adjunct Professor Richard Magnus from the School of Law, Singapore University of Social Sciences; Professor Lily Kong, Singapore Management University Provost and Lee Kong Chian Chair Professor of Social Sciences; and Ambassador Mohammad Alami Musa, Head of Studies in Inter-Religious Relations in Plural Societies Programme, S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, Nanyang Technological University.

Each session started with the moderators introducing the topics. The speakers took turns to make their presentations, after which the audience was given the opportunity to ask questions. The afternoon concluded with a dialogue session with Mr Wong Kan Seng, who was formerly Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs.

enjamin Lim, “Lou Engle: An American Threatens a Christian-Muslim B Divide in Singapore,” Rice, Mar 25, 2018, http://ricemedia.co/current-affairsfeatures-lou-engle-american-threatens-christian-muslim-divide-singapore/.

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) is currently looking into the matter.

2 “Religious organisations should be more pro-active in curbing foreign influences: Forum,” TODAY, July 4, 2018, https://www.todayonline.com/ singapore/religious-organisations-should-be-more-pro-active-curbingforeign-influences-forum/.

1

Photo courtesy of the Institute of Policy Studies—Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy METHODIST MESSAGE • AUG 2018

| 13

ADMISSIONS for 2019 Now Open

Building Through Belief, this school of choice provides

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

Mr Rob Burrough Principal

• Exceptional examination results; very strong value added achievement; and an all-round holistic education • 50:50 mix of local and international teachers who uphold the dual Methodist ethos and ACS heritage • Small class sizes with overall student : teacher ratio of 8.7 : 1 • 40 different CCAs – 16 Sporting; 12 Visual and Performing Arts; 12 Special Interest Groups • 25+ overseas trips per year • Over 200 formal student leadership positions • Scholarships for 4 Singaporeans to undertake the IB Diploma programme

Mrs Tan Siew Hoon Vice Principal

Achievements Include

• Top students have achieved perfect IB scores of 45 points • 19 Top of the World awards in IGCSE examinations over each of the past eight years

• Students accepted to Oxford and Cambridge universities for the past eight years • Admissions to top universities in the UK, US, Australia and Singapore • PSLE and Singapore GCE ‘O’ level students achieve outstanding valueadded examination results for the IB Diploma with improved pathways to good universities

• Successes at national level this past year in Archery; Touch Rugby; Cycling; Swimming; Chinese Drama; Debating; Fencing; Football; Golf; String Orchestra; Taekwondo; Volleyball; Wushu.

Mr Gavin Kinch Vice Principal

For more information, please contact Joseph Ng or Serene Lim at +65 6472 1477 or admission@acsinternational.edu.sg

Dr Kristopher Achter Vice Principal

ACS (International) - Building Through Belief"

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.

GIVING BACK TO THE LORD T

What Gift Can We Bring (The United Methodist Hymnal, #87)

he phrase “giving back” is often used by individuals, institutions or companies to express gratitude for support that they have received, by contributing their money or time to the less fortunate.

But how do we give back to God, the Giver of life and Provider of all our needs?

What gift can we bring, what present, what token?

Specifically, we need to consider the amount of resources we can commit to support the work of the church. Mary Healy, in her book The Gospel of Mark, describes the woman in “the widow’s mite” (Luke 12:41–44) as a “reckless giver” who gave all she possessed, which meant she had to rely on God for her next meal. Healey parallels the widow’s giving to the “self-emptying generosity of God who did not hold back from us even his own beloved Son”.1

What words can convey it—the joy of this day?

When grateful we come, remembering, rejoicing, what song can we offer in honour and praise?

Give thanks for the Past, for those who had vision, who planted and watered so dreams could come true.

Give thanks for the Now, for study, for worship,

Jane Marshall (b. 1924), a prolific contributor to the areas of worship and music in the United Methodist Church, expands our concept of giving back by references to time in this hymn, which was written in 1980 for the 25th anniversary of the Northaven United Methodist Church in Dallas, Texas.

for mission that bids us turn prayer into deed.

Give thanks for Tomorrow, full of surprises, for knowing whatever Tomorrow may bring, God gives us his word that always, forever,

Marshall writes about giving thanks to the past. In our context, especially in the month we commemorate the independence of our country, we remember the leaders of the nation who helped make Singapore what it is today. We can give back by being good stewards in the upkeep of the environment and the upbringing of the next generation.

we rest in his keeping and live in God’s love.

This gift we now bring, this present, this token, these words can’t convey it—the joy of this day!

When grateful we come, remembering, rejoicing, this song we now offer in honour and praise!

She also touches on giving thanks to the future. Through our faith, we know that God is with us. With God’s Word as our premise for living, we press on.

Finally, we offer to God our monies, our talents, our stewardship and our promise to live our lives in accordance to His Word. All these shape our relationship with God and one another. n

Music and Lyrics: ANNIVERSARY, Jane Marshall, 1980 1

ary Healy, The Gospel of Mark (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker M Academic, 2008), 254.

Picture by Sosiukin/Bigstock.com METHODIST MESSAGE • AUG 2018

| 15

SOUNDINGS Dr Roland Chia is Chew Hock Hin Professor of Christian Doctrine at Trinity Theological College and Theological and Research Advisor for the Ethos Institute for Public Christianity (http://ethosinstitute.sg).

BEATITUDINAL LEADERSHIP

Photo courtesy of Tamil Methodist Church

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.

F

or many years now, “leadership” has been the buzzword both in the Church and in secular society. But this ubiquitous “L” word has, of late, become reduced to superficial “jump on the bandwagon” jargon—worn and overused.

Christian books and articles on the subject sometimes present rather secular ideas of leadership, garnished here and there with Bible passages and familiar pious clichés.

Besides the occasional nod at the Christian writers of antiquity, very few modern works have plumbed the depths of the spiritual tradition of the Church.

Yet theologians like John Chrysostom (349–407) and Augustine (354–430) have so much more to say about spiritual leadership than modern gurus like Peter Drucker and John Maxwell. Their understanding of leadership is saturated with Scripture and shaped by the immensely rich theological, liturgical and spiritual wisdom of the Church.

Following closely the criteria set out by the New Testament (1 Tim 3:1–7; Titus 1:5–9), these early theologians and spiritual writers put great emphasis on the character of leaders. The Christian leader is above all a spiritual leader. Spiritual maturity trumps other qualifications—education, social status, skill sets and even spiritual gifts.

This was the concern especially of Augustine, who writes persuasively that “unless humility precedes, accompanies and follows whatever we do, we will find that we have done little good to rejoice in. Pride will bereft us of everything”.

The Christian leader should also have a genuine concern for those whom God has placed in their care. He must have the capacity to mourn, that is, the ability to penetrate the plight of others—to step into their place, so to speak—and feel the weight of their sorrow and pain.

Only those who truly love can mourn in this sense. Those who love in this way, says Chrysostom, mirror God—for God is love (1 John 4:8)—and will receive “a great and unspeakable reward” in His everlasting kingdom.

Meekness is another quality that the godly leader should strive to cultivate. The Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary defines meekness as “being deficient in spirit and courage”, and in the echo chambers of our culture, meekness is often taken as synonymous with weakness or flaccidity.

In the Bible, however, meekness has quite a different connotation. The 18th century Church father John Wesley describes the meek as “zealous for the Lord… guided by knowledge and tempered in every thought, word and work with the love of man and of God… They do not desire to extinguish passion, but employ it for the noblest of purposes”. In the Bible, meekness is power under control.

Chrysostom, the “golden-mouthed preacher”, puts this arrestingly thus: “We must bring forward those who to a large extent surpass all others, and soar as much above them in excellence of spirit as Saul overtopped the whole Hebrew nation in bodily stature.”

For these early theologians, Christian leadership had to conform to scriptural requirements and ideals. We could say that their understanding of spiritual leadership was profoundly “beatitudinal”. For them, Christian leaders must, by God’s grace, aspire to embody the virtues and qualities presented in the Beatitudes (Matt 5:1–12).

For example, Christian leaders are to be humble, displaying an authentic “poverty of spirit” (Matt 5:3)—a total dependence on God that requires an emptying or denial of one’s self and its ambitions. Pride was what caused God’s most luminous angel, Lucifer, to fall, and all the early theologians are unanimous on the supreme importance of humility.

Godly leaders must always pursue justice and righteousness, and promote peace. But in so doing, they must expect resistance and opposition— sometimes from the very people whose interest they seek to serve.

The early fathers of the Church knew this all too well.

Athanasius (296–373), the Bishop of Alexandria and indefatigable defender of orthodoxy, was exiled no fewer than five times by Roman emperors at the instigation of powerful Christians who opposed him.

But godly leaders, shaped by the words of Jesus at the beginning of the Sermon on the Mount, must continue to serve their Lord faithfully, despite the opposition they might face.

As Chrysostom puts it, they must remind themselves that although their work is “indeed discharged on earth, it ranks among heavenly ordinances”. n Picture by Black911/Bigstock.com

METHODIST MESSAGE • AUG 2018

| 17

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: veronicalowjmc@yahoo.com.sg

y a W e h T d Lea 018

2 p e s 8 l o c o t o r p - 2 pm @ singapore bible college 10 am

“Impactful Biblical Leadership Model”

by Rev Dr Bobby Lee Executive Director of Singapore Baptist Convention

Register online at:

https://tinyurl.com/LTW2018

HOME

A CHURCH THAT MARCHES TO A DIFFERENT TUNE ... continued from page 1

But while the focus of the colonial administration was for economic profitability, the Methodist concerns were for the benefit of the people among whom they established their various different ministries: spiritual nourishment, social concerns, medical care and education.

Whenever colonial policies conflicted with their goals, the Methodists sought creative solutions. This is preeminently seen in the government’s emphasis on the provision of a secular education of which the primary concern was the training of clerical officers proficient in English. The Methodists persevered in their educational mission by ensuring that their schools were eligible for the governments grants-in-aid; they continued to teach the Word by providing religious instruction outside of school hours.

And where the ethics of the British Crown contradicted biblical mandate, the Methodist mission ensured that their views were communicated and represented—for example, in the areas of gambling, the use of opium, public morality and the observance of the Sabbath.

Even today, we regard it as our duty to again draw the attention of the Church, the public and the government to the ample scope for improvements in the moral climate of the country.1 As our economy thrives, we must not neglect to take a retrospective view of the Methodist mission, and learn from history that economic success cannot and must not be at the expense of moral and religious life.

The British Empire is no more, yet the vestiges of imperialism still remain. Globalisation—and the modernity that accompanies it—“provides both the single greatest opportunity the Church has ever faced and its single greatest challenge”.2 The opportunity exists because “more people in more societies are more open to the Gospel in the modern world than in any previous era in history”,3 but the challenge is that it has become increasingly easy for us to lose our way amidst the competing demands on the Christian and the Church.

Singapore churches that have in recent years begun to be more actively involved in missions in various parts of Asia must learn the lesson afresh, for in “doing church” there is a tendency to be condescending, insist on doing it “our way” and mould them “in our likeness”. That old imperialism may yet be reawakened in a new context that will rival again the ways of Jesus.

Methodists need to be constantly reminded of the motives and the methods with which Methodism took root and bore fruit in Singapore. In a society that emphasises upward economic mobility—to update, upgrade, upscale, upsize and upsurge—the Church must not allow materialism to eclipse her mission.

Particularly, there is a concern that the educational mission of the Methodist schools is being increasingly driven by other gains (economic or the pursuit of eminence) rather than guided by the purposes for which William Oldham and Sophia Blackmore established ACS and MGS in Singapore.

In the midst of globalisation and modernity, the Methodists in Singapore have to continually look to the lessons of the past, the achievements of the present and to the challenges of the future. But amidst all these competing demands, we will do well not to forget that the way home is through the “lowly, the unassuming, and the imperceptible”,4 the mustard seed faith in Jesus Christ. n

. P. Rutledge, “Report of Committee on Public Morals,” in Minutes of the W Malaysian Mission Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, 1902, 51.

2 Ola Tulluan, “The Impact of Modernity on the Mission of the Church,” in Ministry in Modern Singapore: The Effects of Modernity on the Church, eds.

Wong Chan Kok and Chuck Lowe (Singapore: Singapore Bible College, 1987), 152.

3 Os Guiness and John Seel, No God but God: Breaking with the Idols of Our Age (Chicago, IL: Moody, 1992), 161.

4 Tom Sine, Mustard Seed versus McWorld (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 1999), 173.

1

Picture by gjohnstonphoto/Bigstock.com METHODIST MESSAGE • AUG 2018

| 19

BOOK REVIEW The Rev Jenni Ho-Huan is a pastor-writer who works alongside her husband in their ministry to serve churches in developing church health, raising leaders and strengthening core ministries. She is author of five books and enjoys having deep conversations, mentoring, and spending time with her children and cat.

CONFRONTING YOUR ANXIETY: A BIBLICAL RESPONSE TO OVERCOMING FEAR AND WORRY

A

ll of us experience anxiety, feel worried or lose sleep at one time or another. Scripture exhorts the Christian not to give in to fear and Jesus tells us plainly not to worry. Yet for many of life’s uncertainties, our pain and limited control over outcomes lead to emotional, spiritual and even physical distress.

Dr Leslie Lim, a clinician and dedicated bible student, breaks down the reality of fear and anxiety in a practical and inspiring way in Confronting Your Anxiety.

The book has three parts: understanding fear and anxiety; identifying the anxieties of life; and confronting anxieties. This progression helps readers take a step back and look objectively at what they are experiencing.

Lim establishes at the outset that while a sense of fear can help protect us from danger, God did not design us for a life of worry.

He also discusses how some personalities are anxiety-prone and telling such persons to “snap out of it” is not helpful.

The next part deals with common causes of anxiety and fear: from the storms of life, a sense of God’s absence, to failures and fear of ill-health, among others. Along the way, the author weaves in biblical insights and injunctions to help readers see that these sources of fear are not beyond our faith and God’s sovereignty.

We are exhorted to view them instead as part and parcel of life, helping us grow in the fear of God and in wisdom for a life welllived.

The final section provides practical steps to confront anxious thoughts by taking refuge in God and exercising spiritual authority as children of God. While a good sermon and prayer ministry can provide some measure of assurance and deliverance, the Christian needs understanding and discipline to embrace a lived theology of God’s love, and hold fast to an identity and destiny as God’s child.

Confronting Your Anxiety is an encouraging book that reinforces biblical truth and encourages practical action.

Lim’s advice will help the growing Christian to thrive despite the reality of fear and worry in life. n

Confronting Your Anxiety: A Biblical Response to Overcoming Fear and Worry

by Dr Leslie Lim Published by Armour Publishing, 256 pages Available at $24 (before GST) on Armour Publishing’s webstore at http://www.armourpublishing.com Enjoy 20% off the price of Confronting Your Anxiety by using the promo code METHODIST_AUG at the webstore’s checkout page (valid from 1–31 Aug 2018).

METHODIST MESSAGE • AUG 2018

| 21

POEMS Chloe Tan is a member of Barker Road Methodist Church and an avid reader.

THE COVENANT His Word, verse and hymns of praise, Bear testament to God and his godliness Our souls rest on the peace He brings Christ has risen and Christ has come Oh how sweet the surrender, how light the yoke Come into the garden, his heavenly kingdom For those whom the Spirit hath awoken What price honour; in silence peace reigneth

Glory godly glory, to our one true King Holy holy holy, sweet hosannas ring Hearts of fire with eyes ablaze We tremble no longer, at his might Exult, exalt, He hath cometh Ne’er such joyous sound, to praise His Name!

We hail our friends with laughter and smiles “Love thy neighbour” hath truly come round In unity as one Body, One Spirit, of Christ

Picture by jgroup/Bigstock.com

METHODIST MESSAGE • AUG 2018

| 22

LOOKING AHEAD SHALOM IN THE CITY

5 Sep 2018 (Wednesday), 7.30 p.m. to 9.00 p.m.

7 Armenian Street, Bible House, Level 4 Morrison-Liang Room, Seminar Rooms 1 and 2, S(179932)

Scan here to see events online!

Christian doctrine is an articulation of our beliefs that shape and characterise us as the people of God. It is our collection of shared beliefs that enable us to say, “This is us!” The coverage of each of the areas of doctrine will be grounded in Holy Scripture, guided by the Church tradition(s) and geared towards engaging contemporary issues and challenges.

The aim of the course is to give students a broad overview of the Christian faith and to appreciate the importance of Christian doctrines for understanding our identity, in turn spurring our practical living.

Organised by ETHOS Institute for Public Christianity.

Admission is free. Registration required. Love offering will be collected during event.

sep

5

Register online now at https://ethosinstitute.sg/publiclecture. You may also call Ms Florence Kang at 6304-3765 or email info@ethosinstitute.sg for more information.

THE CCIS 15TH ANNIVERSARY FUNDRAISING DINNER

8 Sep 2018 (Saturday), 7.00 p.m. till late Chui Huay Lim Club, 190 Keng Lee Road, S(308409)

Celebrate Christmas in Singapore (CCIS) was started in 2004 by a handful of Christians who wanted to bring the message of peace and joy of Christmas back to an otherwise commercialised festive occasion. Believing that many may have lost the true meaning of Christmas, this annual event at Orchard Road became a hallmark of the Christian community in Singapore in reaching out and blessing the community with the message of love.

Come show your support for the cause at the CCIS 15th Anniversary Fundraising Dinner where the Body of Christ can come together to thank God for His providence for the past 14 years!

Organised by Celebrate Christmas in Singapore Ltd (CCIS).

sep

8

For more information, please contact CCIS Ltd at 8339 8962, or visit https://ccis.sg/. Dinner tables are available for sale at $5,000/$3,000/$1,500 or $200 per head.

PRISON MINISTRY CONFERENCE 2018: BUILDING AN INCLUSIVE CHURCH

15 Sep 2018 (Saturday), 9.30 a.m.

5 Boundary Road, Paya Lebar Methodist Church, S(549954) Uniting volunteers, ministers and people with a heart to reach out to prisoners, ex-offenders and their families, so that God’s love may be made manifest in and through us as the body of Christ.

Discover more about prison ministry and how we can build an Inclusive Church, reaching out, breaking barriers and embracing one another in the love of Christ.

Organised by Prison Fellowship Singapore.

Fees: $35 per ticket.

sep

15

Register at https://giveasia.typeform.com/to/qq1Jxt today! For more information and details on the various tracks, please visit https://pfs.org.sg/pmc2018/, or call 6384-2338.

LITTWORLD 2018: LOOKING INTO NEW STRATEGIES IN CHRISTIAN PUBLISHING

28 Oct (Sunday) to 2 Nov 2018 (Friday) 1 Netheravon Road, Village Hotel Changi, S(508502)

The world of publishing is changing, but the one constant is the need for excellent content. At LittWorld 2018, global publishers and writers will look at fresh new ways to help today’s readers see and apply the power of the Bible in their everyday lives, and to know the Word made flesh. LittWorld is the only international stay-in conference of its kind, providing intensive training on strategic, publishing-related topics. More than 40 international publishing professionals will lead plenary sessions, small group workshops, devotionals and one-on-one consultations giving fresh vision and skills for heightened effectiveness.

Organised by Media Associates International (MAI).

Non-residential fees: US$450 (early bird rate till 15 June 2018). US$510 (after 15 June 2018).

This conference rate includes lunches, dinners, tea breaks, and a midweek fellowship outing. (It excludes room stay and breakfast).

oct

28

To find out more, log on to https://littworld.org or register your interest at http://littworld2018.eventbee.com today!

METHODIST MESSAGE • AUG 2018

| 23

THINK The Rev Dr Daniel Koh Kah Soon is an ethicist by training. After retirement, he was re-engaged and is now serving as a pastor at Christalite Methodist Chapel and the Chairperson of the Methodist Welfare Services. One of his pastoral concerns is encouraging Christians to bring their faith to bear on the challenging issues of our time as responsible and responsive followers of Christ.

WHAT IS WORTH BOASTING ABOUT?

N

ational Day is usually an occasion for our prime minister to give an account of how we have fared in the past 12 months, backed with statistics showing our nation’s economic health. At the National Day parade on 9 August, the strength of our army, navy and air force, together with their expensive military hardware, is put on display.

Singaporeans who have benefitted from more than 50 years of relative peace and progress should be proud of our economic growth and formidable military development.

We have been blessed, and for that we can be grateful.

Important as economic growth and defence capability may be, we as a country cannot thrive for long if these are all we can boast about. A country’s longevity is closely linked to what it does for the benefit of its citizens, and for the blessing of its neighbours. We need to invest in the character formation of our citizens and the cultivation of their virtues. This will enhance the quality of life for everyone, and not just for a small privileged group.

While we can feel proud of our achievements, we should not get carried away with boasting about that which has no eternal significance. As God spoke through Jeremiah:

“Let not the wise boast of their wisdom or the strong boast of their strength or the rich boast of their riches, but let the one who boasts boast about this: that they have the understanding to know me, that I am the LORD, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight,” declares the LORD. (Jer 9:23–24, NIV) These verses give us a few boxes to tick. Of primary importance is our relationship with God and how well we understand and know Him. A further tangible test is whether we have at least three identifiable virtues that are found in God’s character: kindness, justice and righteousness.

While this short reflection cannot expound in detail about the virtues that God says He delights in, it is safe to say that even in a country that does not favour any particular religion, everyone who loves Singapore would agree that it is desirable for our people and government to be known for our acts of kindness, commitment to social justice and pursuit of righteousness.

In August, when we celebrate National Day, say a prayer for our people and nation—that we will seek to become people who boast about knowing God, and manifest the kindness, justice and righteousness in which He delights. n Picture by geargodz/Bigstock.com