Book of Discipline 2022

from Methodist Message: November 2022

Soundings: Technological prudence

I think we can applaud Wesley's willingness to bring God's love and hope to his neighbours by working with the best available medicines and technologies of his age (which even included an appropriate dose of electricity as therapy for several conditions). Wesley's booklet also repeatedly, and responsibly, stressed the importance of seeing a physician for serious ailments. Let us take time this month to pray, with thanksgiving to God, for all who work responsibly in the fields of science, technology and the digital universe. May their labours bring blessings to our world and glory to God, whether they know God or not!

The whole earth is full of his glory!

Isaiah 6:3

1 https://quoteinvestigator.com/2011/09/08/640k-enough/. 2 There are many spelling variants of 'physick', including 'physic'.

News

By MCS Discipline Revision Commission and MCS Communications Team

2022 Revised Edition of Book of Discipline available now

The Book of Discipline (BOD) of The Methodist Church in Singapore (MCS), 2022 Revised Edition, has been published. For the first time since its inception, an electronic version (e-version) to this edition will be made available to those buying the printed version. Instructions on how to access the eBOD system will be included in the cover letter accompanying the hardcopy of the BOD.

First published by the Methodist Episcopal Church in the United States of America in 1784, we have had our own version of the BOD since we achieved autonomy in 1968. The BOD is the Methodist rulebook that has guided Methodist ministers and laypersons as they carry out their duties in local churches, the Annual Conferences, and at the General Conference. MCS' BOD is published by the Discipline Revision Commission (DRC).

The 2022 edition of the BOD incorporates the amendments made by the General Conference since the last edition was published in 2017. Most of the amendments were made by the General Conference during its quadrennial regular session in 2020. This 323-page publication comprises the laws and doctrines of MCS and includes our Constitution, Doctrinal Statements and General Rules, Social Principles, and the organisational rules for the Church in Singapore at all levels. In the BOD 2022 edition's Episcopal Foreword, Bishop Dr Gordon Wong exhorts members to uphold the principle and spirit of the apostle Paul's instruction to the early church (1 Cor 14:40 NIV): "But everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way."

Bishop Dr Wong states this instruction "addresses the problem of people voicing their individual opinions and exercising their own giftings at their own discretion and time" during a season when disputes and arguments over different matters surfaced. "It is my prayer that this BOD will help The Methodist Church in 21st century Singapore win the respect of those outside our Church and guide those inside the Church to conduct everything 'in a fitting and orderly way'," he adds.