Growing up in a dysfunctional family, my childhood was far from a fairy tale. As a young girl, I often felt abandoned and unloved. The emotional, physical and sexual abuse that I endured haunted me for years. Both my father and mother had their own extramarital affairs, which only added to the instability at home. Fear became my constant companion, and I often found solace in locking myself in the bathroom.
New picture book by ODB explains the concept of sin to young children
Zoey and Robey’s Big Fix is a children’s picture book designed to help parents, churches and Christian organisations share the gospel with young children. This book is the first of five titles that Our Daily Bread Ministries (ODB) is producing under its Gospel Before 6 campaign. It was launched on 13 July at the recent Bible Conference, titled The Daunting Privilege: Reaching Children with the Gospel.
Disciples, the Bible and politics
We don’t have kings in Singapore, but we do elect leaders to receive authority to govern our nation. The Bible here urges us to pray with thanksgiving for our nation’s leaders. May God grant them the wisdom and discernment so “that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness”.
Chapel and devotions at ACS(J) planted the seed of faith in me
Coming from a non-Christian family, I was only exposed to Christianity when I started attending ACS (Junior) and heard about Jesus through chapel and morning devotions. I remember Pastor Barnabas Chong preaching about Jesus every week, and we also used to have Fun Time where we would watch VeggieTales and sing and dance to Christian songs.
The Bible doesn’t talk about 21st century politics, so what should we do?
Every Christian aspires to obey God, avoid evil and do good. But some modern-day predicaments are not discussed specifically in the Bible. How, then, can we apply biblical principles to our lives? In this 9-part series, The Methodist Church in Singapore shares reflections on its Social Principles which, more than ever before, can help believers live by God’s firm principles in today’s volatile and complex world. This instalment discusses The Sphere of Politics. Here, Rev Dr Nathanael Goh looks at how the Church can respond to political discourses of the day through a biblical lens, by the grace of the Holy Spirit.
Politics and John Wesley’s urban mission
The word “politics” is derived from the Greek word politiká, which means “affairs of the cities”, and is based on the word polis, meaning “city” or “city-state”. The main idea is about governance, organisation and the affairs of communities and societies. Enter John Wesley proclaiming, “The Gospel of Christ knows of no religion, but social; no holiness but social holiness.” I pray that readers here will include this Wesleyan norm for cross-border missions in increasingly urbanised fields.
My friends accuse me of things and fat-shame me
I had a big breakup with two of my secondary school friends. Since the start of the year, we had multiple one-sided arguments and they hurt me unknowingly (or maybe not). I stay in the northeast, and they stay in the central area. Once, they scolded me for not compromising to their request to meet in the central area, but most of the time, I do, in fact, meet them there. Recently, I gained a lot of weight due to health issues and they have been fat-shaming me, saying my ugliness and weight gain is the cause of my singleness. What should I do?
Can a divorcee remarry in a Methodist church?
My friend (a Catholic) divorced her husband because he had lied to her regarding a loan shark. For more than four years, she faced a horrible life in debt. She managed to help him and save him from the debt, but she couldn’t forgive his behaviour and was traumatised by the experience. Now, after years of trauma and trust issues, she is interested in a Methodist guy and wants to remarry. Will this be allowed in Methodist churches?
Worship leadership – learning from biblical and secular wisdom
Leadership is not just a title; it is an attitude and a commitment to serving others. In the context of worship, everyone takes a leadership role wherever they are placed. This means taking the initiative without being told. This includes the choir, musicians, ushers and even the flower arrangers, each contributing to the collective worship experience.
AldersgateSG 2024: Created to be good, to do good
The roots of Methodism can be traced to John Wesley, after his heart was strangely warmed on Aldersgate Street in London on 24 May 1738. We are reminded of God’s faithfulness to The Methodist Church in Singapore (MCS) through our annual Aldersgate celebrations, and how the three Annual Conferences are united as one Church to be a beacon of God’s light in our society.