Bishop’s Message

I write these words on a date on which C. S. Lewis was born 123 years ago. Lewis, who taught English Literature at both Oxford and Cambridge Universities, is said to have walked into a room of religious academic experts who were discussing whether there was anything unique to the Christian faith. They ruled out […]

  “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” (Luke 2:14 NIV) Here are two short comments on this familiar Christmas verse. The first concerns the more recent English translations of the verse. The NIV translators avoided the traditional translation “peace to mankind”, presumably in […]

Pastor Tharwin (left) and Pastor Pisut (right) baptising a member from the preaching point of Santi Methodist Church at Mae Pun Lang Village. Kampong Kapor MC is one of the churches that has partnered with MMS to plant churches, and support education and community projects in foreign mission fields “Your mission, should you choose to […]

Surely God is with you… Surely… a God who hides. (Isa 45:14–15) “Now you see me, now you don’t!” Like the sudden disappearing act of a magician who delights an audience, God Who is with us suddenly disappears! The statement in verse 15 that surely God hides himself is preceded by the statement in verse […]

I was recently asked what advice I would give to young adults as they pursue or complete their university education. The natural assumption seems to be that young adults will play a crucial role in the shaping of our nation which celebrates her 56th birthday. I’m sure they will, as will the not-so-young adults amongst […]

“Kids and Education” is the theme for this issue of Methodist Message. Perhaps the most quoted Bible verse on this theme is Proverbs 22:6, and the English translation familiar to most people is reflected in the 1984 New International Version (NIV): “Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old […]

As our modern society celebrates Father’s Day in June, I remember the apostle Paul’s prayer to God, whom he describes as “the Father from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name” (Eph 3:15­–16, NIV 2011). I like the translation offered by Bishop Tom Wright1: “I am kneeling down before the father, […]

“I felt my heart strangely warmed.” These are the words which John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, used to describe his spiritual encounter with God on the evening of 24 May 1738. That spiritual heart-warming experience took place in a small group gathering somewhere along Aldersgate Street, London. Methodists celebrate 24 May each year as […]

“Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise– the fruit of lips that openly profess his name. And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.” (Hebrews 13:15-16 NIV) Good Friday commemorates the death of Jesus Christ on the Cross. […]

The Year of the Ox has begun. I confess my ignorance and indifference toward any supposed blessings or characteristics associated with the Year of the Ox. I know only that I happen to have been born a Chinese ox! (So Math wizards now know I celebrate a birthday this year that is a multiple of […]

“How could Paul write that ‘the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbour as yourself”’?” “What about that concerns you?” “Well, surely if Paul wanted to summarise the entire biblical Law, he would have used the summary which Jesus gave: the greatest commandment is to ‘love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength’.” (Matt 22:37–38)

“What are the plans and vision God has given you for the Church?” I was asked this eight years ago when I had been appointed to serve as President of TRAC. I was asked this again last month when I was elected to serve as Bishop of The Methodist Church in Singapore (MCS). My answer […]