Scriptural holiness is a teaching prevalent among Methodist churches. John Wesley believed that the unique design of Methodist preachers (and by extension, all Methodists), is “to reform the nation, and in particular the Church, to spread scriptural holiness over the land”.
The Methodist Church in Singapore (MCS) will be celebrating its 140th anniversary this year with several events and initiatives. “MCS 140” will be launched on 16 February 2025 as part Wesley Methodist Church’s Anniversary Service.
Twelve-year-old Alex (not his real name) has faced significant challenges throughout his life. Diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and dyslexia, he struggled in school, found it difficult to focus in class and was failing English. His difficulties were compounded by very difficult family circumstances.
It is said that the birth of the modern and postmodern era has resulted in the demise of many concepts and ideals that were once cherished. While this phenomenon is witnessed in many aspects of culture, it is arguably most discernible in the realm of morality.
At Wesley’s death on 2 March 1791, Methodism had grown to 294 preachers and 71,668 members in Great Britain, 19 missionaries and 5,300 members on mission stations and 198 preachers and 43,265 members in America.
A friend has a daughter who is lesbian and has a live-in partner … in my friend’s home. My friend is Christian but her daughter is not. My question is not about my friend’s or her daughter’s choices, but mine, as a parent. Should we bring along my primary-school aged daughter to visit her during Christmas and Chinese New Year, as we used to do? Part of me does not want to expose my daughter to a non-Christian model of family, but yet, to shield her from it seems futile. ~ Awkward
As Methodists, hymnody is more than musical faith expression—it is theology set to music. Having served in the music ministry since the millennial turn, sacred music has helped deepen our faith. A decade ago, heeding the call to “sing to the Lord a new song”, we started composing pieces that we hoped would reflect timeless Christian truths, faith journeys and spiritual struggles.
“What do you want to say sorry for?”
I asked the children this question during a session on “Saying Sorry to God” at the Children in Worship programme run by Methodist School of Music last year.
I am in my 40s and married with teenage children. My mother passed away from illness about six months ago. Recently, I found out that my 75-year-old father is dating a foreign lady who is younger than me. He introduced her to us at a family dinner and privately told us that that he plans to let her move into our family home. He then asked me to clear out my old room so she could move her things in. I was very angry and upset. I also do not feel comfortable with this lady, and I feel suspicious of her. I expressed caution to my father, but he is totally caught up with her. I understand my father is grieving, lonely and seeks companionship, but I want to protect him from being taken advantage of. ~ Suspicious
Honouring our parents is the fifth of the Ten Commandments. While some of us may struggle with keeping this commandment completely and constantly, my client had a particularly tough challenge—how to honour one parent without upsetting the other.
