Methodist Message: March 2017 Issue by Methodist Message

Vol 119 No 3 • MAR 2017

inside

this issue...

ISSN 0129-6868 MCI (P) 117/11/2016

The delightful secret: A Walk to Emmaus pages 9-10

MCS focus: Building the Body pages 12-13

message.methodist.org.sg

Lent special: Watch your waste line pages 20-21

ALDERSGATE SG 2017

What kind of flame-catcher are you?

ould you pay $1,000 for a bundle of firewood? In 2015, a video clip titled ‘Maker Series: Artisanal Firewood’ began making the rounds on social media. It profiled Smoke & Flame, “a Vancouver artisanal firewood company that is selling bundles of kindling for $1,000”. The video showed the firewood craftsmen labouring over each log – sniffing, scrubbing, and brushing with painstaking care. It was, of course, a spoof – produced by CBC Radio as part of their series ‘This is That’, a satirical current affairs show. The clip slyly poked fun at the growing trend of “artisan-made” products, which attempt to elevate the status of hand-crafted goods, though with an often laughable price tag. Beyond the comedic element, however, the video gives one pause for thought: What kind of flame-catcher are we? Are we: ◆ The “artisanal firewood” that goes through so much care and preparation, only to sit in a window, reluctant to be thrown into the fire? ◆ The match that flares quickly, transfers its flame to others, and burns out in a matter of seconds? ◆ The candle which, though small and flickering, illumines a dark room for hours? ◆ The sparkler that uses its spits and sputters to change the form of the flame which lights it? ◆ The common coal, rough and dirty and slow to light, yet glowing well into the night? As we enter this season of Lent, perhaps it is time to reflect on the above in light of our spiritual walk. How quickly do we

catch the “flame” of the Holy Spirit? How easily do we submit to His refining and transforming work in us? And how do we manifest the flame of faith in each of our lives, for God’s glory? In this respect, there is much we can learn from the story and life of Methodism’s founder, Englishman John Wesley – he who was quite literally “plucked from the burning” as a child victim of arson, and whose “strangely warmed” revival experience as an adult led to a lasting process of revitalisation, not only for himself and his church, but spreading like wildfire throughout his country and the world. n

ALD RSGATEsg 2017

Come join the Methodist family at our yearly reunion – Aldersgate SG 2017 – as we reflect on how we can ‘Catch the Flame’ through learning about ‘The Wesleyan Pursuit of Holiness’ on 21, 23 and 24 May at Paya Lebar Methodist Church. Come and be “strangely warmed” as a Methodist body, to grow “together as one” in Christ’s service! Stay tuned for more info in Methodist Message or through your churches, or sign up at tinyurl.com/MCShappenings for updates right in your inbox. Just for fun: Find out which flame-catcher you are at message.methodist.org.sg/catch-the-flame! Picture by serkucher/Bigstock.com

COMING UP

Sing, listen, reflect: Love Unknown Judith Mosomos is Director of Worship and Church Music at the Methodist School of Music, and a member of Kampong Kapor Methodist Church.

fter the celebrative mood of Christmas, the New Year and the Lunar New Year, we enter a quieter season in Lent. Lenten meditations which are focused on the themes of repentance and renewal may be offered in our local churches. Various books on Lenten reflections are recommended for our quiet time. This year, join us at ‘Love Unknown’, a festival of Passion readings and hymns by Dr Michael Burkhardt. This festival is an interactive work which calls the congregation and the choir to sing Lenten hymns from various traditions, listen to and reflect on readings taken from And the Angels Were Silent: The Final Week of Jesus by Max Lucado. ‘Love Unknown’ leaves us with the assurance that:

“Death has no power. Failure holds no prisoners. Fear has no control. For God has come, God has come in to your world… to take you home.”

‘Love Unknown’ challenges us to make a choice:

“You have two choices. You can reject him. Or you can accept him. You can journey with him. You can listen for his voice amidst the hundreds of voices and follow him.”

– Max Lucado

Finally, ‘Love Unknown’ invites us:

“The one who has redeemed us has returned!” we will cry. And the journey will end and we will take our seats at his feast… forever.”

– Max Lucado

‘Love Unknown’ is organised by the Methodist School of Music (MSM). It features the Methodist Festival Choir, the Heralds brass quartet, the MSM Ringers, Dr Evelyn Lim on the organ, and Dr Michael Burkhardt as the conductor. n

– Max Lucado

Image courtesy of the Methodist School of Music

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. Our address

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Let us have your views

Love Unknown 17 March 2017 (Friday), 8 p.m. Wesley Methodist Church, 5 Fort Canning Road Free admission. For more info, email msm@msmusic.edu.sg

Editorial Board Adviser and Publisher Dr Anthony Goh Sze Chern, Chairperson, Council on Communications Editor Ms Grace Toh Sub-editor Ms Tan Chiu Ai Communications Support Ms Marcia Annelise Vanderstraaten

Have something to say or share? Email us at newmm@methodist.org.sg and if appropriate, your contribution could be published.

BISHOP’S MESSAGE

The cost of true discipleship 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 quadrennia from 2008 to 2016.

“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.” Matthew 28:19-20

‘D

iscipleship’ may seem to be a well-worn topic, but it is the most important and fundamental condition for the continued growth, vigour and vitality of the church. The church disregards discipleship at its own peril. The gradual demise of churches in the West is testament to this. We are reminded and cautioned whenever we visit the august buildings that were once filled with worshippers, which now see dwindling numbers and a majority of seniors. Today, many of these churches give scant regard to the authority of the Bible, and they neither teach the Word of God nor encourage believers to preach the Gospel. All these arise from neglecting the importance of discipleship. When did the church consign to oblivion the Great Commission of our Lord Jesus Christ? Did He not state clearly in Matthew 28:19-20 to “go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you”? Churches today yearn for

disciples who are spiritually mature, but are not prepared to pay the price to nurture and develop them. Let us be aware of some snares and pitfalls that have crept into the church: 1. Instant result-oriented thinking With the emergence of modernisation, the emphasis on efficiency and speed has become pervasive in modern life. This may also be seen in how churches try to grow their membership. Some churches have achieved notable results using strategies suited to their particular set of circumstances. Others try to copy their form in the hope of quick results. But without systematic investment of time and effort into nurturing disciples, there is no substance. When the hoped-for instant results in membership growth do not materialise, morale slumps and they lose heart in discipleship training. 2. Taking the easy way out Disciple-making has never been a simple task. The Lord took three years to make disciples of His followers, who would continue His work. Current discipleship training courses often take six months or more to complete. Some churches are not prepared to spend too much time on developing disciples. Instead, they try to look for easier ways to increase church membership quickly. Some even try running activities and events in place of the study of God’s Word, which is the true price to pay in becoming Christ’s disciples. 3. Encroachment by secular culture Unless the church strives harder to win believers over to paying the price and studying God’s Word diligently, their time will be taken over by secular pursuits, e.g. social activities or preoccupation with digital devices. By the time pastors realise that their members are too busy with such activities to receive discipleship training or attend church services, it may be too late. We live in turbulent and constantly changing times. The many issues the church needs to deal with today are unprecedented. We face challenges that can no longer be handled using traditional approaches alone. Our faith is buffeted on several fronts by various forces including those of pluralism, atheism, extremism and post-modernism. To stand firm, the church must return to the Bible. As believers, if we are to continue witnessing for Christ in these challenging times, we have to study God’s Word diligently and become true disciples of Jesus Christ. n Background picture by Kuzmik/Bigstock.com METHODIST MESSAGE • MAR 2017

CHURCH PROFILE

Bedok MC:

A church, a community, a movement Tan See Keen is a missionary with Operation Mobilisation and has worshipped at Bedok Methodist Church for 30 years.

edok Methodist Church (BMC) celebrated 70 years of God’s faithfulness last year. Throughout its history, God has been at the heart of the church’s central narrative, shaping a church, a community and a movement.

God builds a church BMC began as a little house church in 1946 when 12 members of the Geylang Straits Methodist Church gathered for their first gospel service in an attap house chapel at Padang Terbakar. To meet the demands of a growing congregation, a piece of land fronting Bedok Road was bought, and a church building was built and dedicated in 1953. As the church continued to grow, the building was torn down in 1997 to build the current sanctuary. The challenge BMC faced was to be a beacon of light in its vicinity. In the early days, the church was surrounded by kampungs or small communities which later gave way to private residential estates.

Bedok Methodist Church (Trinity Annual Conference) 86 Bedok Road, Singapore 469371 Sunday Services: 8.30 a.m. English, 8.30 a.m. Youth, 8.30 a.m. Children 11 a.m. English, 11 a.m. Mandarin, 11 a.m. Children, 5 p.m. English Saturday Service: 5 p.m. (alternate weeks) Contact us: www.bmc.org.sg, office@bmc.org.sg or 6448-4215

Nearby Housing Development Board estates in Bedok and Tampines mushroomed, housing over 500,000 residents. Therefore, the church began to see a constant flow of visitors, such as working professionals, young families, and expatriates working in Singapore. BMC today is home to about 1,200 worshippers. God builds a community On defining the church’s vision in the 1990s, then-Pastor-in-Charge the Rev Edmund de Souza recalled: “It was an exciting time. Together, the pastors and members dreamed a dream to make disciples for Jesus Christ.” With that goal in mind, BMC has been intentional in discipling its members and seekers through its 65 care groups, discipleship groups, corporate Bible studies and Alpha courses. There has been a renewed sense of revival, particularly since the 2000s, where worshippers have learned the joys of spending time with God and growing in intimacy with Him. Over the years, BMC has been described as a family church, characterised by its warm hospitality

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.

Bedok Methodist Church’s Frontliners (youths aged 12-20 years) serving as ushers in the Sanctuary during Nurture 1 Sunday.

and acts of service. It has a vibrant community, where children, youth and seniors are actively involved in worship, prayer and social concerns. God has also inspired a missionsminded church. Today, BMC supports 17 full-time missionaries who serve in cross-cultural communities in Cambodia, Philippines, East Asia, the United Kingdom and Singapore. The church regularly sends out short-term mission teams, young and old, to share the Gospel with marginalised, least-reached communities in Asia through word and social action. God builds a movement What does the future hold for BMC? With the recent plans to develop Bedok Road and build an MRT station nearby, BMC anticipates God bringing about physical change, preparing the church for expansion and renewal in the near future. The church also looks forward to God bringing about spiritual and emotional transformation, equipping us to love Him and His mission for the world. The history of the church has not been without brokenness, conflict and loss, yet God has used these very vulnerabilities to teach us love, redemption and authenticity in community, and to share these precious truths with the people we reach out to. The Rev Khoo Kay Huat, Pastorin-Charge of BMC, said: “In Isaiah 43:19 (NIV), God says ‘See, I am doing a new thing!’ We are in the midst of change (including a new church logo), seeing ourselves not just as a church or a community but also a movement. Without compromising the Gospel, there is a sense of the need to change, so that we can adapt and communicate the Gospel in a relevant yet powerful way that makes sense to the world around us.” n Photos courtesy of Bedok Methodist Church

SAYS THE TRAC PRESIDENT

Surprising witnesses The Rev Dr Gordon Wong was re-elected President of The Trinity Annual Conference (TRAC) in 2016 for a second quadrennial term, but is primarily grateful to God for the gift of his wife Lai Foon and two children Deborah and Jeremy.

“You are my witnesses,” declares the LORD, “and my servant whom I have chosen, so that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he.” Isaiah 43:10, NIV

here are three surprises in Isaiah 43:10. Surprise number one: Instead of saying “You are my witnesses and my servants”, the LORD uses a plural-singular combination: “You are my witnesses and my servant.” Perhaps this tells us that we each serve individually as witnesses in different places (offices, schools, homes, etc.) and different roles (parents, students, accountants, businessmen, etc.), but we are together one servant and one body of our one Lord. We are witnesses of God in many different ways, but part of the same united ministry of service to God. Surprise number two: This verse comes in the light of what was said in a slightly earlier verse (Isaiah 42:19, NIV). There the LORD lamented: “Who is blind but my servant, and deaf like the messenger I send? Who is blind like the one in covenant with me, blind like the servant of the LORD?” God knows how blind and deaf we servants often prove to be. And yet here in Isaiah 43:10, the Lord declares: “You – yes, you who are often blind and deaf to my ways – You shall be my witnesses!” This is both humbling and inspiring. Despite our weaknesses and impediments, God says we can serve as His witnesses. Our stubborn streak does not disqualify us from being God’s servant. This is the grace and miracle of God’s ways. None of us is worthy, but God still calls every one of us to be His witnesses. Surprise number three: This verse says we are witnesses so that we may know and believe that God is truly God! We would have expected God to say that we are His witnesses so that other people may come to know and believe in God. But this verse surprises us, and perhaps in so doing, tells us that it is sometimes in trying to be a faithful witness that we will discover true faith for ourselves. Like a teacher who, in order to teach a subject, benefits by learning the subject for himself first, so too our blind eyes and deaf ears may be opened as we accept the call of God to be His witnesses. We are many, but one servant of the one Lord of all. We are blind and deaf, but still chosen to be God’s witnesses. As we try to be God’s witnesses, may we see, hear and believe more clearly in the God of surprises. n Picture by monkeybusinessimages/Bigstock.com METHODIST MESSAGE • MAR 2017

YOU & YOUR FAMILY

Through grit, the way forward 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.

n article in the papers caught my eye some weeks ago. It was interesting because it seemed to say something different about marriage – something that, intuitively, I agreed with. Much of what is written about marriage these days is geared towards helping readers improve it and make it “great”. The notion seems to be that if yours is not a fulfilling and exciting marriage, something is wrong. The expectation is that after spending so much on a near-perfect wedding, an allbut-perfect marriage should follow. The fairy-tale ending of “living happily ever after” is a dream many have bought into. So when our marriage does not live up to expectations, we feel disappointed and become disillusioned. We may even harbour the idea that if it is not perfect, something must be wrong with us and we are somehow at fault. Some may wonder if they made a mistake in getting married or in choosing their partners. When attempts to fix it come to naught, couples increasingly turn to divorce as a way to end their unhappiness, and perhaps get a second chance to find their “perfect ending”. Enter Megan McArdle, the author of the book The Up Side of Down: Why Failing Well is the Key to Success. Offering some fresh perspectives, her newspaper article made three points. First, many who choose divorce to solve their marital troubles may end up unhappier instead. This happens when they find that after divorce, living costs increase while access to children decreases, since they now have to live in and support two separate households. Second, McArdle pointed to research showing that some couples who had previously resisted the option of divorce reported that they were glad they stayed in the marriage. In fact, 64 per cent even said they were happily married.

The third point, and one with an important nugget of truth in it, is that most of us find some way to make the most of our situation, however imperfect it may be. This highlights how resilient people are in the face of tough choices and adversity. I want to add that McArdle did not say that her three points applied to all troubled marriages. She was referring to couples in low-conflict situations where there was no violence or abuse and some degree of functionality as a couple and as a family. For such couples, if they chose to stay the course, it was through grit and determination that they could perhaps stumble and find a way forward. Interestingly, persevering to find a way through is nothing new – it is often the first line of advice from family and friends. I find this true even of parents who may not initially have approved of their children’s choice of partners. Their perspective seems to shift from protecting family honour to concern about their children. On the other hand, counsellors and social workers tend to focus on helping individuals to have more choices in their lives, choices with greater freedom from the encumbrances of duty and obligations to others. This emphasis is perhaps influenced by the more Western value of Individualism (as opposed to Collectivism) which is embedded in much of psychology and counselling. Moreover, by the time couples go to see counsellors, the conflicts have usually become more entrenched and damaging. In short, a couple’s response to marital troubles should not be an either-or approach but one that may include both. The first line of response in finding a way forward could be trying to understand the other person’s needs and wants, and attempting to communicate and negotiate more calmly and clearly. Should this fail, seeking others’ perspectives, both of supportive family and friends and of objective helpers, may prove beneficial. When both of these responses lead to a dead end, more drastic measures could then be called for. n

Picture by imtmphoto/Bigstock.com

WELFARE SERVICES

Reaching out to families in distress By the Methodist Welfare Services Communications Team

“If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.” 1 John 3:17-18 (NIV)

n 2014, Madam Zhou was told the devastating news that she had breast cancer. While she had to commence chemotherapy immediately, physical pain was the least of her worries. As a single mother of two teenage sons, she had to face the emotional and financial stress of managing her illness and supporting her family all alone. Over the next two years, her savings were quickly depleted by this unforeseen crisis. With the cancer treatments taking a toll on her physical strength, she was also unable to sustain her regular earnings from her job. “Going for blood tests, medical reviews and scans cost hundreds of dollars each time,” said Mdm Zhou, recounting her experiences in an interview at her tworoom flat. She could ill afford her sons’ polytechnic education, although the elder one was on a scholarship. “We knew that we didn’t have the means to continue paying for school fees and other expenses if we didn’t receive help. When a volunteer from the Methodist Welfare Services (MWS) called me in November 2016 about their Family Development Programme, it came at the right time.” The MWS Family Development Programme (FDP), launched in April 2016, helps families living in poverty break out of the vicious cycle through holistic integrated intervention. Its focus is debt repayment and savings matching at a ratio of 1:2, up to $200 per month. Other supplementary components that assist the beneficiary in assetbuilding are: school support of $30 for Primary- and $40 for Secondary-level students; milk nutrition support for children and pregnant or lactating women; and cash assistance. To date, there are 163 families like Mdm Zhou’s on the programme. Besides running FDP through family service centres, MWS is also partnering with Methodist churches. Those on board have had members come forward to be trained as volunteers. During home visits, these volunteers befriend families, collect bills and documents, as well as provide them with financial advice, especially for beneficiaries who want to get out of debt. For these volunteers, the passion to demonstrate God’s love is their driving force. Mr Lim Ka Lai from Hakka Methodist Church (Hakka MC) is one example. In the last three months, he has been actively helping Mdm Zhou navigate out of her current financial hardship. “Volunteering is worth every minute of my time. It is very fulfilling to see her relief when she gets her bills paid,” he said. Outreach to disadvantaged families in the Whampoa district is the focus of Hakka MC’s Social Concerns & Outreach Ministry. Its Chairperson, Mr Jimmy Chua, said that collaboration is a cornerstone of their ministry. He believes that tapping on MWS’ resources, coupled with the grassroots effort of volunteers,

Top: Mdm Zhou’s son Da Hai, Mdm Zhou, and Mr Lim Ka Lai during a visit. Above: Mr Jimmy Chua, Chairperson of Social Concerns & Outreach at Hakka MC.

makes it easier to exemplify God’s love. “It is not possible for the church to run programmes similar to the FDP on our own, and we are proud to be one of the first few churches in support of this,” he said. Acting on its own initiative, Hakka MC has introduced a befriender model of assigning two to three volunteers to care for each family. This allows volunteers to support one another, and the family to have a larger support network in times of need. With experience, members can eventually form their own independent care teams. Hakka MC’s Social Concerns & Outreach team had thought it would be difficult to recruit volunteers, but after sending out a call in church, they received the exact number of volunteer signups needed to kick-start the programme. “God supplied our needs all the way. Although this model we adopted is more manpower-intensive, we believe we can serve more people,” said Jimmy. Ka Lai added that he’s deeply moved by the resilience shown by Mdm Zhou, who is now on the road to recovery from cancer. “Despite her multiple challenges, such as her financial situation and her illness, she managed to remain strong. Through her, I’ve seen that life is not limited by hardship.” n

To support the FDP financially, or for more information on how you or your church can be involved, please email ce@mws.sg. Photos courtesy of the Methodist Welfare Services METHODIST MESSAGE • MAR 2017

MISSIONS

It’s cool to serve the Lord Sandra Kumarasamy worships at Grace Methodist Church and has been serving on the Methodist Missions Society Education Committee over the last five years.

“I

’m going on a short mission trip to Chiangmai.” The usual response to this is, “Cool place!” Sadly, not anymore, as deforestation has affected the climate of this northern Thai city. Vineyard Methodist School (VMS) in Chiangmai was set up by the Methodist Missions Society (MMS). The school’s mission is to be an innovative learning community with strong Christian values. VMS has both a kindergarten and primary school. It prepares students for the Grade 6 O-Net Examinations, which is somewhat similar to Singapore’s Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE). The MMS Education Committee has been supporting the school with English Proficiency lessons for all VMS staff. More recently, training in Mathematics and in school leadership for the middle management team (MMT) has been added. Since 2015, Ms Choo Hong Kiang and I from the MMS Education Committee have been conducting school leadership workshops. We have done training in the managerial functions of POLE (planning, organising, leading and evaluation). The MMT members had hands-on experience in planning and reviewing school events and programmes, and used case studies to discuss ways to manage difficult school situations. After being introduced to strategic planning, the MMT worked together to craft the school’s strategic focus, and strategies to achieve its goals. In June 2016, Ms Magdalene Kooi, another Education Committee member, and Ms Chan Lai Har, a volunteer, ran a Mathematics workshop for the staff (see sharing on the right). “I’m going on a short mission trip to Chiangmai.” Will you be saying this soon? Despite its warmer climate these days, Chiangmai is still a “cool” place to serve and glorify our Lord. n

The Education Committee is seeking volunteers to: u Conduct English Proficiency classes for Thai teachers and co-teach English, together with Thai teachers, to students u Co-teach and mentor Thai teachers in Singapore Mathematics u Teach or co-teach Mandarin to students Contact Mr David Khew at david.khew@ methodist.org.sg to find out more.

Lai Har had this to share of her experience volunteering to conduct a Mathematics workshop with Magdalene for VMS staff last year: “We spent two mornings with the teachers, observing their Mathematics lessons. The teachers were very enthusiastic about their lessons. We were particularly impressed with a new teacher. Though lacking in experience, she was full of enthusiasm to learn Singapore’s approach to the teaching of Primary Mathematics. In the afternoons, we provided feedback to the teachers on what they had done well. The feedback included suggestions for how to make their lessons more engaging. All the teachers came back on a Saturday morning for a Mathematics workshop. It was heartening to see some kindergarten teachers joining us out of their own interest and desire to learn something new. We introduced the CPA (concrete-pictorial-abstract) approach, and the model approach in solving Mathematics problems. We also explained the difference between the part-whole model and the comparison models. One teacher who had seen the Singapore Mathematics textbooks commented that she finally understood what all the diagrams in the textbooks meant. Others found the use of number bonds a good and easy way to help build confidence in mental calculation. The school’s Mathematics room is well equipped with a number of manipulatives (objects designed so a learner can perceive some mathematical concept by manipulating it). We decided to share how they could better use manipulatives like number cards in the teaching of the four operations, and Cuisenaire rods in the teaching of number bonds and explanation of bar models and fractions. We also shared with them some games to help pupils memorise multiplication tables and improve their skill in mental calculation. It was a fruitful time for all. For us, it was time well spent with dedicated teachers who were enthusiastic and willing to embrace change for the better. We were touched by their hospitality and warmth despite the slight language barrier. I first visited VMS five years ago and was very happy to visit it again. I could see the hand of God working, and much growth had taken place. The church has planted but God has given the increase. Glory to His name.”

Photos courtesy of the Methodist Missions Society

HOME

The delightful secret of a Walk to Emmaus James Tang is a member of Trinity Methodist Church. He is happily married to Susan and they have three lovely granddaughters.

“...plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

“W

hat is this Walk to Emmaus retreat? I know some of you went last year but you were so hushhush about it, I didn’t dare to ask you anything! Where can we walk to in Singapore? Must I pay? And I’ve just been baptised! Am I qualified to go?” These were some of my initial Jeremiah 29:11, NIV responses when I was invited to attend the Walk to Emmaus retreat some years ago. Although some of my small group and DISCIPLE class members had taken this ‘Walk’, no one breathed a word about it or their experiences after that – until that Sunday when my DISCIPLE class facilitator approached me. “Well, it’s just a retreat,” was his response. “There’s one for men and another for women. There’ll be time for silence, time for personal prayer and silent reflection, time for group discussion and fellowship, and time for makan. Don’t worry, you’ll enjoy yourself! We all did, and we want to share this experience with you!” The Walk to Emmaus retreat, led by a team of clergy and laity, is a programme offered by The Upper Room, a unit of the General Board of Discipleship of The United Methodist Church, and is a unique experience of spiritual formation with emphasis on God’s grace. It originated from the Roman Catholic Cursillo movement, and the first Walk to Emmaus weekend was held by The Upper Room in USA in 1977. The Walk is now an international movement covering all continents. It came to Singapore

in 2000 and, to date, the Singapore Walk has been attended by nearly 1,800 pilgrims, many of whom are Methodist. Essentially, it is a four-day three-night retreat, starting from evening on the first day to late afternoon on the last day, covering about 72 hours. Just as the two pilgrims learned more about “what was said in all the Scriptures” (Luke 24:27, NIV) in their walk with Jesus along the road to Emmaus, the programme included a structured series of 15 talks from both clergy and laypersons. Indeed, I was surprised to recognise three men from my church among the presenters! Besides sharing about aspects of Christian life, the presenters also related their experiences with God, and it was clear that some of their testimonies touched quite a few among us. As we had to share rooms with other participants – or fellow pilgrims, as we were called – my room-mate (a member of the clergy) and I also shared our life experiences, as well as family and work matters affecting our personal walk with God. It was most heartening to realise that the difficulties and challenges in our faith journeys are also experienced by others, even the clergy. Personally, my heart and mind were opened to the many aspects of God’s grace – in the written and spoken word, and in the gracious love which covered all of us during the Walk. I had the opportunity to reflect upon God’s Word as presented through the talks and the testimonies of the presenters, as well as to share my ideas and thoughts during the group discussions. Indeed, among the groups of men, the discussions were often quite boisterous and loud. It was fascinating to hear several opinions popping up, and humbling as we learned that there could be other ways to relate the Word to our experiences in the secular world, because Continued on page 10...

Picture by rparys/Bigstock.com METHODIST MESSAGE • MAR 2017

HOME ... continued from page 9

“...we have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us.” Romans 12:6a, NIV we all come from different backgrounds and different stages of maturity in our faith journeys. Through it all, it was clear that “where two or three gather in My name, there am I with them” (Matthew 18:20, NIV). Prayer is also an important focus of the Walk, and we spent time in the chapel and elsewhere reflecting and praying about our circumstances and even for each other. “They all joined together constantly in prayer” (Acts 1:14a, NIV) was an apt verse that came to mind. And, just like the two pilgrims did, there were times to ‘break bread’ and renew afresh our communion with God, reflecting upon the themes presented as we approached the Communion table. It is also heartening to witness first-hand a band of brothers (and sisters) from the Emmaus Community planning and preparing for each of the annual Walks, giving of their time and sharing their myriad tasks unstintingly in fellowship and teamwork. All these are qualities which we in turn bring back to our own churches and our communities – our families and the marketplace. We are revitalised as members of the body of Christ, refreshed and eager to offer our gifts as indeed we discover that “we have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us.” (Romans 12:6a, NIV)

Some of my fellow pilgrims were already leaders in their home church. Some, like me, were newcomers. But, in line with the mission statement of the Walk to Emmaus – “empowering leaders to be the hands and feet of Christ” – all of us returned from the Walk with a deeper commitment to Christ. Of course, there are some specifics of the Walk that are not shared (hence the secretive “hush-hush” nature). This is to ensure that the pilgrims do not anticipate how God may choose to encounter them, just as the two pilgrims did not realise they were walking with Christ. I was sponsored by my mentor in terms of payment for the board and lodging and, in line with the Christian love I experienced, I have since sponsored others to the Walk and reexperienced the joy of God’s love in the Emmaus Community environment. I have also developed further in my personal discipleship journey over the years, in terms of helping out in various aspects of organising the Walks. Hearing and presenting the message of God, and actually witnessing the working of God in the lives of fellow Christians, has certainly led me to a deeper understanding of different aspects of Christian life. Having been through a few rounds of the Walk and helping in different capacities, I am strongly convinced that God’s hand is at work before, throughout and after the Walk. Indeed, who knows what His plans for us are? To all those who receive invitations or want to find out more about the Walks, just know that His plans are “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11, NIV) n

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HYMNS & SONGS

Let us all stand up for Jesus Dr Yeo Teck Beng is Principal of the Methodist School of Music, and a member of Telok Ayer Chinese Methodist Church.

“I

must tell my Master’s errand, and I would rather that this right arm were amputated at the trunk than that I should come short of my duty to you in delivering God’s message,” said the 29-year-old Episcopalian clergyman, the Rev Dudley Tyng, who was known as a bold and uncompromising preacher from Philadelphia.1 This was part of a sermon that the Rev Tyng was delivering at a noonday service at the downtown Young Men’s Christian Association in Jayne’s Hall (then at 621 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, USA) on 30 March 1858.2 Five thousand men gathered for that noon mass meeting and when it was over, one thousand men committed their lives to Christ. The entire city was aroused and a great revival swept across Philadelphia. Nearly two weeks later on 13 April, back home with his family in the country, the Rev Tyng was watching the operation of a corn-threshing machine in his barn. The long sleeve of his shirt was accidentally caught in the mechanism when he raised his arm to place his hand on the head of a mule, which was walking up the inclined plane of the machine.3 His arm was severely lacerated, its main artery severed and the median nerve injured. Two days later, due to the great loss of blood and shock, the Rev Dudley Tyng died. On his deathbed, his last words were: “Tell them to stand up for Jesus!” On the following Sunday, the Rev George Duffield, Jr., pastor of Temple Presbyterian Church and a close friend of the Rev Tyng, preached a sermon from Ephesians 6:14 – “Stand, therefore, having your loins girt about with truth” (Young’s Literal Version). Inspired by the dying words of his co-worker, the Rev Duffield wrote a six-stanza poem as a tribute to his departed friend, which became the hymn text for one of the most rousing hymns of all time. ‘Stand Up, Stand Up for Jesus’ has inspired millions through the years in their spiritual walk with Jesus. Let us stand up and obey the “trumpet call” to be “soldiers of the cross”, and engage in the “mighty conflict” not with “arm[s] of flesh” but with the strength of Jesus. Even though we do not always move from “from victory unto victory” in our daily lives, Jesus has assured us of the final victory, when we will acknowledge that “Christ is Lord indeed”. n

enneth W. Osbeck, Amazing Grace: 366 Inspiring Hymn Stories for Daily K Devotions (Grand Rapids, Mich: Kregel Publications, 1990), 298. 2 Frank Colquhoun, A Hymn Companion: Insight into Three Hundred Christian Hymns (Wilton: Morehouse Barlow, 1985), 122. 3 Ibid., 122. 1

Picture by PHOTOCREO Michal Bednarek/Bigstock.com METHODIST MESSAGE • MAR 2017

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MCS FOCUS: DISCIPLE AGENCY

Building the Body – through spiritua Grace Toh is the Editor of Methodist Message. She put this article together with valuable input from the Rev David Gwee, Chairperson, and Ms Chng Siew Geok, Manager of Disciple Agency.

“E

very athlete exercises self-control in all things,” noted the Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 9:25. The sportspersons among us can attest to this – regular training, proper nourishment, and good technique are mainstays of any athletic training programme, allowing them to build the right muscles and skill sets that enable optimal performance. “But,” Paul continues in 1 Corinthians 9:27, “I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified” – drawing a clear link between the physical discipline exercised by athletes, and the spiritual discipline that Jesus’ disciples should exercise for their continued spiritual growth. What, then, are the factors that can help build our “spiritual muscles”? The DISCIPLE Bible Study course is one such “spiritual training programme” that can do so. It takes the form of weekly study and discussion sessions, provides solid study materials for spiritual growth, and trains participants to read the Bible by themselves and apply its lessons to their lives. In fact, DISCIPLE was developed in response to a felt need for Christians to engage with the Bible in small groups. “As a pastor in the early 1980s, I became aware how isolated and lonely people were becoming and how ignorant they were of the Bible,” shared Bishop Richard Wilke, who authored the DISCIPLE material with his wife Julia. “We started new adult Sunday School classes, but that only reached a few – and it was hard to find teachers.” “Then I remembered how John Wesley reached out to people with little class meetings: A handful of folks – many poorly

educated, farmers and hard-working people – meeting in homes. They would gather like the early Christians in Acts 2:42 who ‘devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship’. The ‘apostles’ teaching’ meant Scripture study and the ‘koinonia’ meant sharing life experiences together. I dreamed of starting small group Bible studies – but had neither the materials nor the lay leadership to do it.” Bishop Wilke later had the opportunity to develop the DISCIPLE material as part of a ‘dream team’ of 18 pastors, theologians, laypersons, Christian educators, Bible scholars, publishers, editors, and marketers. The programme spread quickly throughout The United Methodist Church in the USA, and soon reached Singapore’s shores in 1991. Shortly after, Disciple Agency (DA) was set up by The Methodist Church

Together as one in spirit and purpose

“I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified” 1 Corinthians 9:27

al training in Singapore, and secured an agreement to develop DISCIPLE in Cambodia, China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan, and Vietnam. DA has since been instrumental in providing regional training in DISCIPLE, and translating the material into languages like Mandarin, Cantonese, and Bahasa Indonesia, which received special mention during DISCIPLE’s 30th Anniversary celebrations at the World Methodist Conference in 2016. What makes DISCIPLE Bible Study attractive as a discipleship programme for small groups? Firstly, it pioneered the use of video in Bible study – now a key feature in other programmes such as the Alpha Course. This enables small groups to “draw on thework of scholars to aid understanding of the Bible”. Secondly, DISCIPLE: ◆ Assumes that the Bible is the key to renewal in the Church; ◆ Calls on persons to submit themselves to examination by Scripture, to put themselves under the power of God’s Word, and to be changed by God’s Word;| ◆ Invites persons to bring their experiences and struggles to Scripture. Shared Mr Koh Yong Jing, a recent “graduate” of DISCIPLE: “One of the lessons I learnt from this course is that there is always more to learn from the same biblical events that I felt I knew so well. Be it the bravery of Esther, the faithfulness of Daniel or the signs performed by Jesus, there are still many other lessons which I can learn from these events.”

“I have been shown by God that learning as a group can give me so many other insights to His Word. With the different interpretations of verses from my fellow coursemates, I have learnt to see things more effectively through different points of view... I thank God for giving me this chance to gear myself up to be a better disciple of His. I know now that actions are more important than knowledge. I will try my best to apply what I have learnt and hope that I will not be like the seed that lands on the thorny soil, unwilling to live out what I have learnt.” Apart from providing DISCIPLE materials and training, DA also offers other programmes for continued spiritual formation of Christian disciples, such as the Companions in Christ series. Its mission, after all, is “to build the Body of Christ through the promotion and development of the DISCIPLE Bible Study materials and other related programmes”. What better way to do so than through this regular, nourishing, and rigorous programme of spiritual training? n . Want to train up your “spiritual muscles” in order to “build the Body of Christ”? Enquire at your local Methodist church for their DISCIPLE course schedules, or contact Disciple Agency at 6478-4755

disciple.methodist.org.sg Tel.: 6478-4755 Email: disciple@methodist.org.sg

Photos courtesy of Disciple Agency METHODIST MESSAGE • MAR 2017

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Achievements include: •  17 Top of the World awards in IGCSE examina9ons over each of the past seven years •  Pathway to strong universi9es: PSLE and Singapore GCE ‘O’ level students achieve outstanding valueadded examina9on results for the IB Diploma •  Four students accepted to Oxford and Cambridge universi9es for 2015 / 2016

“The different teaching methods, the high quality of teaching, •  Admissions to top universi9es in the UK, US, the promotion of individual character and personality, Australia and Singapore and the obvious enjoyment of school … made our daughter’s transfer most worthwhile.” – Vincent and Germaine Leong •  Successes at na9onal level this past year in Archery; Touch Rugby; Cycling; Swimming; Chinese “We love the smaller class sizes … Drama; Deba9ng; Fencing; Football; Golf; String Orchestra; Taekwondo; Volleyball; Wushu. and the many approachable, friendly, passionate,

and dedicated teachers.” – Cecilia Chau

HOME

Taking our faith seriously at TTC By the Trinity Theological College Faculty Publicity Team

few years ago, an intriguing programme was aired on the BBC radio channel. It was about an “atheist church” in London called the “Sunday Assembly”, which was led by two stand-up comedians. One commentator opined that the Sunday Assembly’s proceedings were too frivolous for his liking. In contrast, he said that the Christian churches took their faith much more seriously as evidenced in the years of formal theological education a person has to undergo before qualifying as a pastor or church worker. To this atheist, the rigour of a formal course of theological education was one demonstration of how seriously Christians took their faith. He was right on this score. The Christian faith claims to tell us who the transcendent God is, how He relates to the world He has created, and how we human creatures should respond to Him. Here, we are dealing with the most wide-ranging and complex of all fields of study since it purports to view reality from the most “macro” of levels. We also have here the most important of all disciplines because it provides meaning and purpose to all other fields of study, and to human existence itself. If formal training for entering professions such as law, medicine and engineering is a requirement, should not a formal course of education in the Christian faith be all the more vital and valued for Christians? Established in 1948, Trinity Theological College (TTC) was the first seminary in Singapore to offer such a formal course of education in Christianity. TTC is called a “union college” as it was jointly set up by the mainline Protestant denominations (Anglican, Lutheran, Methodist and Presbyterian). By God’s grace, after almost 70 years, TTC continues be at the forefront of theological education in Singapore, equipping persons for Christian ministry both in the mainline Protestant denominations and numerous independent churches. While local students make up the bulk of our student population, we do have significant numbers of international students from South-East Asia, China and the Indian subcontinent. At TTC, we take the task of theological education very seriously. Recognising that the Christian faith has an impact on every area of our lives, we seek to equip our students in a holistic manner. Firstly, students are trained to employ their minds rigorously as we impart to them vital knowledge about the history and beliefs of Christianity. We also focus on strengthening handson practice as we instruct our students in key ministry skills such as Biblical interpretation, preaching and pastoral care. Finally, we work hard to nurture the heart by cultivating in our students a living relationship with God in the way they live and relate with others.

It is also our belief at TTC that all Christians, both laypersons and those involved in full-time Christian ministry, would benefit immensely from a stint of formal theological education. We therefore have degree and diploma programmes designed for both groups. The college also conducts regular evening courses, public lectures (see photos at the top and below) and weekend spiritual retreats (see photo above) to cater for the needs of different segments in our churches. The Christian faith is wide-ranging and has a profound impact on individuals as well as society. If we are willing to devote substantial resources towards the pursuit of formal tertiary education in other fields, is it not time that we also take our education in the Christian faith seriously? n For more information about TTC and its programmes, please visit our website at www.ttc.edu.sg

Photos courtesy of Trinity Theological College METHODIST MESSAGE • MAR 2017

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METHODIST MESSAGE, JULY 2013

BOOK REVIEW

God’s cure for the cares of your soul Andrea Low worships at Christalite Methodist Chapel. She works in Communications and enjoys reading, writing and walks in the green corners of Singapore.

ate last year, I experienced bouts of anxiety over the smallest matters. Did I lock the door when I left the house? Did I send a confidential work email to the wrong recipient? This made me second-guess my actions and crippled my mind with worried thoughts, replaying scenarios to figure out if I had made a mistake. After a few weeks of this, I decided it was time to take hold of the problem and raise it up to God. I should have done so earlier. God was gracious as always, and brought to my attention a book by John MacArthur, titled Anxious for Nothing. Through the readings, God revealed to me new truths and reminded me of lessons that I had picked up in the past. Prayer is key (Philippians 4:6-7) God has provided the gift of prayer for us as a bridge to communicate with Him. In the well-loved scripture passage Philippians 4:6-7, He commands us to be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving to present our requests to God. And God promises to grant us His peace which will guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Worry and anxiety is best dealt with by grateful prayer, knowing that all our difficulties are within God’s purposes, and that His power and promises have already been made available to us. Being thankful is a real demonstration of entrusting our situations under God’s sovereign control. Turning our minds to greater things (Philippians 4:8-9, Colossians 3:2) What we go through on earth is ultimately temporary, and will pass. In light of this, God calls us to focus on what is eternal, the things above. Often, we get caught up in daily worries and short-term concerns, and we end up expending our energy on these things instead of the greater things that God calls us to. We who are caught up with worry believe that God can rescue and redeem us from the shackles of sin and grant us eternal life, and yet we don’t have sufficient faith to believe that God can take us through the next couple of days? That doesn’t make sense. If we can trust God for the greater calling to live as a disciple of Christ and believe in eternal life with Him, let us trust Him for the lesser daily things as well. God calls us to the mental discipline of right thinking. MacArthur highlights that worry does not mean people are thinking too much, but rather that they are not thinking in the right direction. As outlined in Philippians 4:8-9, let us take hold of this truth, to think about whatever is true, honourable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, excellent and worthy of praise – let us think about these things instead of our worries. God is forming us in Christlikeness Taking a step back, if we understand that God is using all the difficulties we face to perfect us and form us in Christlikeness, we will be at peace that all we go through is not for nothing. We can trust in God’s loving character and be encouraged that there is a good reason for the challenges we face (Romans 8:28).

Anxious for Nothing God’s Cure for the Cares of Your Soul by John MacArthur, Jr. Published by David C. Cook

While reading this book, I had a conversation with a good friend, with whom I shared about the irrational anxiety I had been facing. My friend commented that the ability to take a step back to reflect is God demonstrating His mercy to me. The next day as I continued reading, I came across this paragraph: “The ability to think clearly and correctly is a tremendous blessing from God. It all begins with the gospel, which is the power of God for salvation (Romans 1:16). The Lord uses the gospel to illuminate the mind of the unbeliever.” When I read this, I was moved by how God was using His Word, His teachings and His people to encourage and remind me that He was working through my weaknesses and helping me overcome through Him. Indeed, journeying with Christ is the most precious gift and our goal is to be more like Him daily. I would recommend this book to all who have had anxious thoughts at one point in time or another. The teachings in the book are eye-opening, soul-enriching reminders of God’s character and how He works in the lives of disciples. There is also a discussion guide at the back of the book with questions to go in-depth on each chapter. In addition, the appendix includes a compilation of Psalms related to dealing with anxious thoughts. Do pick up a copy, read with God in mind, and be blessed by His grace in every situation. n

METHODIST MESSAGE • MAR 2017

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METHODIST MESSAGE, AuGuST 2013

SOUNDINGS

Bonhoeffer and discipleship 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/).

“C

hristianity without the living Christ is inevitably Christianity without discipleship, and Christianity without discipleship is always Christianity without Christ.” These words eloquently summarise the central message of Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s influential book, The Cost of Discipleship, first published in 1937. This book began life as a series of lectures about the Sermon on the Mount, delivered by Bonhoeffer at Finkenwalde, a seminary that trained ministers for the “Confessing Church” during the Nazi period. Bonhoeffer later joined the conspiracy to assassinate Adolf Hitler, a crime for which he was arrested and executed at the age of 39. In this book, Bonhoeffer tried to disabuse his readers of the idea that they could take God’s grace for granted just because they have received it freely and unconditionally. Hence, in the pages of The Cost of Discipleship we find the oft-repeated refrain that although grace is free, it is never cheap. “Cheap grace is the deadly enemy of our Church,” Bonhoeffer insists. “We are fighting today for costly grace.” By “cheap grace” Bonhoeffer is referring to a religion that makes no demands on its adherents, a religiosity that gives a polite nod at commitment but refuses to pay the price it exacts. “Cheap grace is the preaching of forgiveness without requiring repentance, baptism without church discipline, Communion without confession, absolution without personal confession. Cheap grace is grace without discipleship, grace without the cross, grace without Jesus Christ, living and incarnate,” he writes.

The free grace of God is costly because it is made available through the sacrificial death of Christ on Calvary’s cross. But this grace is also costly for Christians because it “calls us to follow Jesus Christ”. For Bonhoeffer, then, at the heart of Christian discipleship is obedience to Christ. No one can claim to be a Christian – a believer – if he is not also a disciple, that is, if obedience does not characterise his life: “… only he who believes is obedient, and only he who is obedient believes.” The obedience demanded of the believer is also not something open to negotiation or bargain, but absolute, without reservation or hesitation. For if you are only partially obedient – which means that you occasionally acquiesce to sin – “you are trying to keep some part of your life under your own control”. True obedience therefore requires self-denial, the resolve to remove the self with its ambitions, passions and wants from the centre of one’s life so that Christ may take His rightful place there. To obey is to smash the idol of the “sovereign self ” and to bring the self into humble submission to the true Sovereign.

“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.

Only when we are determined to deny our selves can we embrace the suffering that comes with discipleship. Bonhoeffer writes movingly: “To deny oneself is to be aware only of Christ and no more of self, to see only him who goes before and no more the road which is too hard for us.” In this book, Bonhoeffer also explores the profound relationship between discipleship and the moral law of God by drawing creatively from the Lutheran tradition that shaped his theology. To be obedient is to live our lives according to the purposes for which God created us; it is to bend our wills to God’s. And since God’s will is revealed in His moral law, the disciple must order his life according to it. But the divine law points to the holy God who, in giving it, invites His people to commune with Him. This means that the divine law, which is purposed to usher us into an intimate covenant relationship with God, can never be reduced to rules – the dos and don’ts – that govern external behaviour. The Christian can never be an antinomian (who regards the moral law of God as unimportant) or a legalist (who thinks that the Christian life is only about rule-keeping). In other words, discipleship is not just about doing what is required by the law; but if one ignores God’s law one ceases to be a disciple. Discipleship therefore has to do with obedient love. “If you love me,” Jesus said to His disciples, “you will keep my commandments … Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me.” (John 14:15, 21) n Picture by AndreyPopov/Bigstock.com METHODIST MESSAGE • MAR 2017

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HOME

Watch your waste line Mickey Chiang has been blessed with six children and four grandchildren. He enjoys keeping in touch with family and friends.

any of us love buffet meals and barbecue cookouts. Buffets that offer “eat all you want for one fixed price” tempt us with a wide array of meats, sausages, seafood, tofu, noodles, vegetables and various other forms of protein and carbohydrates, which are unhealthy when taken to excess. To “get our money’s worth” we tend to gorge ourselves until full, and then stuff in another 20 per cent for good measure. As for barbecues, the nightly feeding frenzies around barbecue pits in public parks and beside condominium swimming pools are evidence of more overeating. Serious overeating also takes place at hot pot or steamboat restaurants. Wasting food A lot of what we eat at buffets, barbecues and hot pot feasts is wasted. The body cannot use so much food eaten at one time and the excess is passed out as waste, or deposited as fat in the wrong places of our bodies, to the detriment of our health and appearance. Substantial amounts of leftovers are thrown away. It is said, and it is sad, that the amount of food wasted in affluent countries is enough to feed all the starving people in the less fortunate parts of the world. Eating too much has led to a high incidence of obesity in developed countries, and obesity is associated with diabetes, high blood pressure, kidney and liver problems, and other medical problems increasingly common today. The sale of overlysweetened beverages, “upsizing” of portions, and sheer human greed to want more than we need, are compounding the problem.

We have to learn not to waste food. It is good that some bakeries and restaurants in Singapore and some other major cities donate their unsold food at the end of each day to old folks’ homes, children’s homes and charitable organisations that feed the poor and needy. The food is still fresh and clean, and of good quality. But more needs to be done. Wasting water We also waste water. The drought of February 2014, which affected Singapore and parts of Malaysia, saw the water levels of ponds, lakes and reservoirs reaching very low levels. It drove home to us the message of how precious water really is. Water consumption in Singapore is about 150 litres per person per day. To put that in perspective, in semi-desert areas of the world, people survive on less than 5 litres per person per day. Obviously, we can cut down our water consumption by a large margin. Some 30 per cent of the water we use literally goes down the drain when we shower, and another 10 per cent is used at the sink when we wash our hands, face, kitchen utensils and so on. The figure goes up if we have to water the garden, lawn and house plants. We tend to leave the water running unnecessarily while we apply soap on our bodies or our hands, wash utensils, water plants and clean motor vehicles.

Turning off the tap would save many litres of water a day. Using a tumbler when we brush our teeth can save as much as 9 or 10 litres of water a day. Taking extra care to save water when we shower, and not soaking in the bathtub, can save dozens of litres. It is that simple. We should therefore teach our children and everyone at home to save water, and not to waste food. It is wise to remind ourselves that food and water, and all the other resources of this earth, come from God. God has created and left for us various resources that are limited in amount, and they are precious gifts that are not to be wasted. We are seeing the rapid depletion of metals like copper, and fuel sources like petroleum reserves. After Jesus fed the 5,000 men on the far side of the Sea of Galilee, there were many leftovers from the five barley loaves and two small fish He used to feed the multitude. So He said to His disciples, “Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted.” (John 6:12, NIV) In so doing, Jesus set an example for His disciples, and for us, in not wasting – in this case, food. Wasting materials But it is not only food and water that are being wasted. Heavy usage of packaging, bottling and widespread use of plastics have resulted in huge amounts of trash needing to be disposed of every day. These used to end up buried in landfills, but so much trash is being generated that many cities are running out of land to bury trash. Rubbish is being dumped into rivers and streams running through cities and towns, clogging waterways, and posing a health hazard to people living nearby. This is not a major problem in Singapore, but despite our good reputation as a country with less litter, we still see some floating litter on the Singapore River and other waterways, which needs to be regularly skimmed away. With little land available for trash landfills, recycling is the obvious way to go. However, the recycling culture is still weak here and Singapore lags behind many developed countries.

Cardboard boxes, bottles and empty aluminium cans are collected for recycling by retirees or people in need, who sell these items to earn some income. Trash collection companies also separate collected trash into piles of recyclable plastics, metals, glass, and other categories. Paper and other flammable materials are burnt to generate electricity. Rubble is reused to make cement blocks and mixed with asphalt and broken pieces of old roads to make new roads. Little goes to waste. Many condominiums now have separate recycling bins for paper, bottles and others. But I was amused to hear of cases where the cleaners, out of ignorance, cleared out the separate bins and dumped everything into the same bin. Obviously, there needs to be better education and supervision of cleaners in the area of recycling. Wasting time With modern technology, there are now many more opportunities to waste time. We spend a great deal of time checking our e-mail, Facebook, WhatsApp, Twitter and other accounts, and replying to the many messages that flow in each day. We have also become slaves to our mobile phones, at the beck and call of relatives, friends, bosses, subordinates, telemarketers and others, to a degree never seen before. Hardly a week goes by without someone inviting me to play some fascinating and time-consuming online game. Having seen a few of my children becoming addicted to such games and computer games, which occupied them until the wee hours of the morning, my policy is to stay clear of such games. I have informed everyone of my policy, and life has been so much less stressful and more relaxed. God has given us only so many days on this earth, and we should not waste any of the precious time we have left. n Reprinted with permission from IMPACT Magazine, Jun/Jul 2014, Vol. 38, No. 3.

Picture by PANYA KUANUN/Bigstock.com METHODIST MESSAGE • MAR 2017

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POEMS

Healing Dr Oliver Seet is a member of Wesley Methodist Church and a Board Director of the Metropolitan YMCA. There is healing in total darkness when the garish light of public life strains the retina of insight and the glare of the noonday sun of harsh reality overwhelms, when acrid light casts a jaundiced hue on every dainty glen and lush bower that should bring delight; when light choked with the smog of callousness stings the eye: there is healing in the total darkness of the night. There is healing in complete silence for ears weary of incessant chatter, the clacking of the mahjong chips of the transactions of chance, the blare and roar of traffic, the inroads of noise and loud disco music jangling the tendrils of the inner ear, the vileness of daily gossip and aspersions: there is healing in the silence of solitude. There is healing in total abstinence when taste buds are cloyed with too much pastry or with a surfeit of feasting, when indulgence plagues the belly with indigestion or flatulence: there is healing in abstention for a season.

There is healing in sleep when eyes bloodshot through lengthy hours at the desktop or through long sittings of heart-rending serials begin to itch and vision is blurred; when too many deadlines weigh down on the mind till thought-processes are impaired; when onerous tasks cause shoulders to stoop, and symptoms of illness flash red: there is healing only in long sleep. There is healing in prayer, when the tides of change sweep away the sandcastles of material wealth, when the limits of drugs and surgery are breached and the measure of human knowledge falls short; when the loss of a loved one is aspic to the soul bringing grief inconsolable; when a pall of darkness drapes each day without relief, the spirit turns to its Creator out of mind in times of spice and fatness but a very present reality and source of comfort; He alone can bring transformation and the miracle of healing if He wills it. There is true healing in prayer.

There is healing in death for those who believe in the redemptive power of the Blood of the Lamb, for the Gates of Paradise are open to those whose names are inscribed in the Book of Life; there are no more tears, nor suffering, nor pain but youthful and abundant bliss in the presence of the Father for all Eternity: there is ultimate healing in death.

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March IS THE MONTH FOR

ATTENDING “ADVENTURE WITH DAD” URBAN CAMP

Camp 1: 12-13 March (Sunday & Monday) Camp 2: 13-14 March (Monday & Tuesday) The Float @ Marina Bay

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Adventure With Dad celebrates the bond between fathers and sons through events online! this urban camp. This programme is exclusively customised to help you connect and build a deeper level of trust through outdoor challenges, fun activities and memorable conversations. The newfound discoveries about each other and memories created will be a significant and treasured milestone in the father-son relationship. A son who grows up with an involved and nurturing father is likely to be courageous, confident and able to channel his masculinity in positive ways.

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Organised by Focus on the Family in conjunction with iLight Marina Bay. Camp fee of $360 per father-son pair. For more info and registration, visit www.family.org.sg/AwD

LEARNING ABOUT APOLOGETICS FOR THE GOODBYE GENERATION 16 March (Thursday), 3 – 5 p.m. 7 Armenian Street, Bible House, Level 4, Seminar Room

Christian apologetics plays a vital role in strengthening the faith of believers and their evangelism by offering a defence of Christianity using reason, logic, and evidence. Join two renowned Christian apologists, Dr Craig Hazen and Dr Clay Jones from Biola University and Reasonable Faith Singapore, as they explain how pastors, leaders of children or youth, and parents can effectively use apologetics to address these concerns. The speakers will also share on the reasons why young people leave the Church and how churches can incorporate apologetics into their ministries. Organised by The Bible Society® of Singapore. Entry by registration only. Free admission; love offering will be collected.

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ATTENDING TTC COURSE: MISSIO DEI – HISTORICAL AND HOLISTIC PERSPECTIVES

8 Wednesdays beginning 22 March, 7.30 – 9.30 p.m. St Andrew’s Cathedral, South Transept Hall (Level 1, Main Sanctuary)

This course surveys the expansion and development of Christianity as Missio Dei (mission of God), from both historical and holistic perspectives. The salvation and renewal of all creation, the proclamation and practice of His Word, and the growth and witness of the Church are essentially understood as God’s mission. The first part of the course outlines the significant events or movements in transmission of the Christian faith. The latter half of the course sketches the significant themes of holistic mission, all of which are understood as God’s mission in bringing the whole Gospel to the whole world. Organised by Trinity Theological College. Fee: $100.00 ($80.00 for returning students). Free for TTC alumni and TTC full-time students.

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For more information on TTC Evening Courses, and to register, visit www.ttc.edu.sg/ academics/centres/cdcm/evening-courses

INVITING FRIENDS TO “ONE DAY” MUSICAL

24 & 25 March (Friday & Saturday), 7 p.m. Toa Payoh Methodist Church Sanctuary Level 2

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TRACKERS 2017 is pleased to present “One Day”, a musical which explores the search for identity, self-worth and significance in the lives of youths struggling to make sense of their purpose in life. This performance will feature songs, dance, and drama, and present an evangelistic message with a call to response and commitment. Do invite your friends and loved ones! Presented by Trackers 2017 (TRAC Youth Ministries). Free admission.

METHODIST MESSAGE • MAR 2017

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THINK

Discipleship and the spiritual disciplines The Rev Ivan Tan, OSL is Pastor-in-Charge of Living Hope Methodist Church and Director, Young Adult Ministry of Trinity Annual Conference.

he practice of discipleship is well-known among Christians. There are books describing it and materials to help us. But a key question is this: Is our practice of discipleship just technique or does it really help us become disciples? The Greek for “disciple” means “learner”, persons who discipline their life to learn from a master or teacher. Learners follow the teacher’s teaching and pattern of life so that these become their own. Jesus gives this call in Matthew 16:24 (NIV): “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.” Dietrich Bonhoeffer boldly echoes this: “When Christ calls a man, he bids him come and die.”1 Those who want to be Jesus’ disciples not only assent to His teaching — they are willing to die to follow Him! Serious learners know that they must work hard in order to learn from their teacher. But it is not a matter of reading the book or going through the materials. Nor is it a mindless imitation — the learning must be intentional and heartfelt. Disciples of Christ understand why He carries out certain practices, so that they can be clear why they follow Him. They practise the disciplines so that they can become like Him. Or using Jesus’ words in John 15:4, so that they will “remain in me, as I also remain in you” (NIV). Remaining in Christ speaks of a deep, intimate relationship with Him. And it is an intimacy that He also desires with us. This is the very heart of the Christian disciplines.

Before He began His ministry, Jesus fasted 40 days and nights in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1-2). He was accustomed to worshipping in the synagogue and Temple (Mark 1:21; Mark 11-13). Early in His ministry, we read that Jesus got up very early in the morning to pray (Mark 1:35). This seems to be the pattern of His life, leading His disciples to ask Him to teach them how to pray (Luke 11:1). It was also His practice to pray in times of decision (choosing of the Twelve, Luke 6:12-13), on important occasions (Transfiguration, Luke 9:28-29), and when facing crises (before His arrest, Luke 22:39-44; on the cross, Luke 23:34, 46). Clearly Jesus adopted a pattern of life so as to maintain intimacy with his Father (John 15:10), and calls His disciples to do likewise with Him. A pattern or rule of life is “a pattern of spiritual disciplines that provides structure and direction for growth in holiness”.2 They are disciplines we adopt and practice, and require effort and hard work. But we have His assurance that the Spirit who lives with us and is in us will teach us all things and remind us of everything Jesus has said to us (John 14:15-27). The disciplines help us draw close to Him, so that we may grow in His love and His friendship (John 15:9-17). Discipleship involves a disciplined life. Will you die to self to follow Christ? Will you adopt a rule of life that invites the Spirit to help you be His disciples and friends? May the Lord draw you into intimacy with Him and the Father through the power of the Holy Spirit! n

Serious learners know that they must work hard in order to learn from their teacher. But it is not a matter of reading the book or going through the materials. Nor is it a mindless imitation — the learning must be intentional and heartfelt. 1 2

ietrich Bonhoeffer, The Cost of Discipleship, trans. RH Fuller (New York, NY: MacMillan, 1955), 80. D Marjorie Thompson, Soul Feast: An Invitation to the Christian Spiritual Life (Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox, revised edition 2014), 150.

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