Opinion

  A RECENTLY PUBLISHED BOOK which all who are involved in “missions” should read is the recently published The Story of the Sengoi Mission by the Rev Dr Paul B. Means, edited by his son, the late Dr Gordon Means from original fragments, notes and photograph collection. It is an important reminder of the challenges […]

Polycarp (65-155) POLYCARP IS MORE INTERESTING as a man and a martyr than a writer. The great early Church historian Eusebius (260-341) believed that Polycarp was acquainted with the apostle John, and “others who had seen the Lord”. In fact, the most prominent theologian of early Latin Christianity, Tertullian, cites a tradition which says that […]

I WAS IN MY CAR and heard about a DJ interviewing an expert on how to excel in an appraisal meeting. Most of us are employed and being appraised is part and parcel of being employed. I would imagine that appraisals are highly stressful affairs. I picture myself sitting in a room at a table, […]

We begin this month with a new series entitled “Faith of our Fathers”. This series explores the rich theological and spiritual heritage of the Church by reflecting on the writings of the saints. These servants of God hailed from diverse backgrounds and lived in different historical and cultural contexts. They were pastors, elders, theologians, mystics, […]

WORD FROM THE EDITOR THE MOBILE/CELL PHONE, aka the “handphone”, is probably the world’s most used and fastest-growing “must have” gadget that has changed our habits – perhaps forever. From instant inter-continental communication between the rich and powerful, to the poor farmer who can now get instant information on commodity prices or weather forecasts, the […]

THE SALVATION ARMY was established in 1865 when William Booth, a minister from London, brought the Gospel to the homeless, the poor and the hungry in the streets of London. Booth’s original aim was to direct these converts to the established churches of his day. But when he found that these new believers were not […]

RICHARD DUNN in his book Shaping the Spiritual Life of Students wrote: “ There can be quite a gap between knowing a truth is meaningful and learning that truth meaningfully in one’s life.” What Dunn wrote provoked me to reflect and evaluate the way I do discipleship. Does our Youth Ministry provide a conducive context […]

Are there any bases for Christians to support communism as a political ideology? COMMUNISM MAY BE DESCRIBED AS AN IDEOLOGY that seeks to promote a classless society. It envisions a society where the full equality of its members is recognised and respected, and where the public owns the means of production. Communists believe that under […]

“I FEEL LIKE I’M HERE to change people’s hearts and minds, to say something that’s right for a change.” Reading this line, you would have thought that this is a passionate plea from a preacher or a youth worker. It is actually a quote from Kanye West, one of the most recognised American hip-hop rappers. […]

THE BIBLE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH (BPC) began in the United States in 1937 as the result of a schism caused by the Modernist-Fundamentalist Dispute. The origins of this dispute can be traced to the inaugural address delivered in 1891 by Charles Briggs, a minister of the Presbyterian Church of the United States of America (PCUSA) to […]

We need to see the church as a community of young and old living out their faith “KNOW YOUR YOUTH, KNOW YOUR SELF, a hundred battles, a hundred successes” (well, just a slight modification of Sun Tzu’s famous saying). Except for the fact that there is no guaranteed success in ministry (or in battles) – this […]

HIS GRACE is sufficient. Then why should I need fear, Though the testing be hard, And the trial severe? He tempers each wind at upon me doth blow, And tenderly whispers, “ Thy father doth know!” His power is sufficient, Then why should I quail, Though the storm clouds hang low, And though wild is […]