For any collective body, rituals embody its memories and fulfill certain conditions. For instance, there is no society whose rituals are open to outsiders. Likewise for the Church, rituals have specific purposes: to serve as a unifying experience for all who identify as Christians; to differentiate between insiders and outsiders; and to remind us of […]
Telugu Methodist Church (Singapore) celebrated its 10th anniversary in July 2018. We give thanks to God for His faithfulness during our amazing journey. The pioneering ministry among Telugu-speaking friends in Singapore officially began in April 2000 at the Tamil Methodist Church on Short Street. The Rev R. Prabhu and the then-pastors of the church brought […]
Jesus commanded us to “make disciples of all nations” (Matt 28:19). To do so, we must first become disciples ourselves. After all, Jesus did not call us believers, nor did He call us Christians—instead, He called us disciples. “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples.” (John 8:31) The mission of Disciple […]
In their book, As Iron Sharpens Iron,1 Howard and William Hendricks emphasise the importance of spiritual mentoring before the idea became fashionable in evangelicalism. Stressing the cruciality of this work of spiritual direction in the Church, they state emphatically that mentoring is not an option “but an essential”. They write, “At their best, mentors nurture […]
The flight was unusually turbulent, with the seatbelt sign flashing frequently and the pilot urging everyone to stay seated. Due, perhaps, to having watched too many documentaries on air crash investigations, I imagined the plane’s wings being ripped off from all the shaking, bringing imminent death. I began to wonder: Who would miss me? Would […]
During the annual Bible quiz, which was held in August this year, seven of the eight churches in ETAC gathered to test their knowledge of the Bible. This is an event that is much loved by the ETAC members. The questions for the Bible quiz are usually set by the pastors with the view of […]
I know it, sing it and acknowledge it. God’s faithfulness has been ever so real in my early experiences of serving as a MMS missionary in Thailand. My wife and I have discovered that we truly have a generous God. When we commit to His plans, we will never be in want nor have to […]
Lonely and socially-isolated elderly living in Geylang East can now relive their kampong days at MWS Senior Activity Centre (SAC)–GreenTops@Sims Place. GreenTops SAC is located at Sims Place, which was known as Sar Kong Village, one of the many villages that sprang up along the Kallang River in the early days of Singapore. Today, the […]
When we think about the head of a Christian denomination, we often imagine an aura of importance bestowed by the mantle of leadership. Bishop Dr Chong Chin Chung will have none of that; instead, he sees himself as someone who has been put into his leadership position to serve. So down to earth is he […]
Developing successors not only takes time—good role models are also needed. The book of Acts (13:1) presents the five leaders of the early church at Antioch: Barnabas; Simeon; Lucius; Manaen; and Saul. Barnabas is familiar to us, as is Saul. The former was first among the five to follow Jesus; he sold his land and […]
