As the name suggests, the 50th Session of the Trinity Annual Conference (TRAC) that took place from 24 to 27 November 2025 is the latest edition of a regular, annual affair. As always, there were plenty of opportunities for mutual fellowship, sharing in prayer and an exchange of ideas. This was all accompanied by great food, a comfortable environment and welcoming smiles—all thanks to the leaders and volunteers from the host church, Wesley Methodist Church.
There were three highlights in the 50th Session: the President’s Address, Ps Edric Sng’s look at new ground based on statistical analysis and some practical activities.
President’s Address on “3-5-1”
TRAC President Rev Reuben Ng delivered his Address using a “3-5-1” framework: “Confront the Three, Commit to the Five, and Crave the One”. His message combined diagnosis with a rallying call, all centred on preparing the Church to face the future in dependence on God.
1. Confront the Three
Rev Ng identified three major challenges—none of them new, none unique to TRAC, yet all of them confronting TRAC directly.
First, he urged local churches not merely to manage, tap or utilise youths and young adults. Instead, he called on churches to truly connect with them and care for them—to give them space to try and fail, to learn and grow, and to support them through the messiness of becoming all that God intended them to be.
Second, he emphasised that seniors were not to be seen as burdens but reservoirs of faith and wisdom. He urged churches to keep worship accessible and warned against altering services so quickly that older members feel estranged from their spiritual home.
Third, he addressed the rising shortage of pastors. The statistics were sobering: the number of pastors available for church appointments continues to decline. But rather than asking, “Where are the pastors?”, Rev Ng reframed the issue: “Are we calling out those whom God has already called?” He urged every church—beyond just the pastors—to identify, invest in, and release individuals whom God may be calling into full-time ministry.
2. Commit to the Five
Despite these three challenges, TRAC’s purpose remains unchanged: to bring the good news of Jesus to Singapore and beyond. Rev Ng called on the Conference to remain committed to TRAC’s Five Ws—Word, Worship, Welcome, Witness and Wonder. These reflect the heartbeat of the early believers in Acts 2 and embody what Wesley described as “plain, old Christianity”. When the Five Ws are healthy, the entire Church thrives. Delegates were also given the opportunity to explore what the Five Ws look like in practice (see the section on Workshops below).
3. Crave the One
Rev Ng reminded delegates that confronting the Three and committing to the Five will amount to little unless we also crave the One—unless we deeply desire the presence of God. He pointed ahead to the upcoming TRAC Prayer Conference on 14 March 2026, a gathering intended to unite the Church in seeking God together.
In closing, Rev Ng invited all who long for renewal to stand and pray, asking God to move afresh within the Conference and “do it again”—a prayer famously uttered by Billy Graham when he visited the home of John Wesley at Epworth—in our day.
Looking at new ground based on data
On the second morning, special guest Ps Edric Sng, founder of Salt&Light platform and the Thir.st Collective, and Deputy Senior Pastor at Bethesda (Bedok-Tampines) Church, was invited to share at the morning devotions. He challenged the Conference to view the land of Singapore through fresh eyes. He reminded delegates that since Methodists in Singapore are more affluent and more highly educated, it is easy to inadvertently exclude or neglect many others in our society who need the good news. With a refreshing and insightful use of publicly available national statistics and geospatial data, Ps Sng highlighted numerous gaps and needs in various demographic segments and geographic areas. For instance, areas like Queenstown, Novena and Bishan are relatively “well-served”, with a ratio of less than 5,000 residents per church. In Woodlands, Jurong East and Yishun, however, that ratio rises to more than 20,000 residents per church. In Choa Chu Kang, Sengkang and Punggol, the ratio shoots up to more than 40,000 residents per church. These regions had few or even no Methodist churches.
Ps Sng challenged churches to break new ground by intentionally going to those under-reached areas and groups. He implored delegates to think creatively about new ways of “doing church”. He called on all to break out of typical Christian comfort zones, to step out and go where the gospel is needed.
Putting into practise
A new feature of the 50th Session was the three workshops on Worship, Witness and Welcome. Since these were workshops, participants did not merely listen to lectures but exchanged practical and personal experiences. Although each workshop covered different content areas, every session drew delegates’ attention to foundational issues, which are at the heart of being and doing church today.
In the Worship workshop by Rev Dr Bernard Chao, participants had their horizons expanded as they considered issues such as: where else does worship happen? Do we engage all the senses in worship? Can kopitiams, void decks or meeting rooms be places of worship? Who else are we excluding, who else should we be welcoming to worship? What is at the heart of our worship?
In the Witness workshop, Rev Dr Aaron Tay invited participants to exchange experiences, asking them what evangelism tools have worked well, and what challenges impeded sharing and witnessing. He reminded delegates that witness involves proclamation to those facing great need and great troubles, through the power of the Holy Spirit who heals, overcomes oppression and convicts hearts. At the heart of witnessing is the gospel, the good news of the Kingdom of God and of its Messenger Jesus, who went to the Cross.
The workshop on Welcome by Rev Ivan Tan included this incisive quote from Coleen Cook: “Artificial hospitality is postured toward the host, but real hospitality is postured toward the guest.” Through the sharing of real-life stories, participants confronted the question: what is at the heart of our welcome and hospitality?
What did the clergy and laity delegates say about the workshops?
[WORSHIP]
“No matter what the form of worship is, we should point all disciples towards the One Thing. Jesus is the focus of all our worship.” ~ Pastor
“I appreciated the diversity of styles and practices in different local churches.” ~ Laity
[WITNESS]
“The workshop helped me reconsider whether we are drawing artificial lines between the various forms of church outreach.” ~ Pastor
“The workshop focused on how to share the gospel to cater to a particular stage of crisis and address core needs. These concepts were practical in nature and it gave me added confidence in my future witnessing endeavours.” – Laity
[WELCOME]
“Welcoming newcomers should not be left to the ushers or pastoral staff.” ~ Pastor
“Churches can facilitate and create space (e.g. set up coffee corners) to help build deeper connections among members so that newcomers can feel the love and warmth of the church community and naturally, they would want to start connecting and be part of it.” ~ Laity
Closing Service
At the Closing Service, the ordination of two deacons, Ps Rufus Chan and Ps Joshua Kwok, and one elder, Rev Isaac Tan, was conducted by Bishop Philip Lim.
This was followed by the reading of appointments for 2026
Trinity Annual Conference 50th Session
PASTORAL APPOINTMENTS FOR THE YEAR 2026
Rev Reuben Ng
PRESIDENT
| District 1 District Superintendent Rev Dr Kow Shih Ming |
District 2 District Superintendent Rev Kenneth Huang |
District 3 District Superintendent Rev Khoo Kay Huat |
District 4 District Superintendent Rev Dr Aaron Tay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Barker Road MC Pastor-in-Charge Rev Dr Wendy Watson Pastors Assistant Pastor Bedok MC Pastors Christ MC Pastors Assistant Pastor Christalite Methodist Chapel Assistant Pastor Kampong Kapor MC Pastor |
Ang Mo Kio MC Pastor-in-Charge Rev Chan Siew Chye Pastor Living Hope MC Pastors Methodist Church of the Incarnation Paya Lebar MC Pastors Assistant Pastor Pentecost MC Pastors Trinity MC Pastors |
Agape MC Pastor-in-Charge Rev Jason Phua Pastor Cairnhill MC Pastor Assistant Pastor Fairfield MC Pastor Toa Payoh MC Pastor Wesley MC Pastors |
Aldersgate MC Pastor-in-Charge Rev Benjamin Lee Pastor Covenant Community MC Pastor Assistant Pastor Faith MC Pastors Assistant Pastor Holland Village MC Living Waters MC Pastor
|
| SPECIAL APPOINTMENTS | APPOINTMENTS MADE THROUGH THE BISHOP’S OFFICE |
|---|---|
| Director, Truthmin Rev Allan Lee Assistant Directors, Youth Ministry Director of Young Adults Ministry Director, Lay Equipping and Development Institute (LEAD) Assistant Director, Lay Equipping and Development Institute (LEAD) Director, Seniors’ Ministry TRAC Crisis Relief Coordinator TRAC Chaplains to TRAC TTC Students Lecturers, TTC On Sabbatical Leave Supernumerary Leave Study Leave Coordinator Peranakan/Indonesian Ministry |
Director, Ministry in Schools Rev Anthony Lee Associate Directors, Ministry in Schools METHODIST MISSIONS SOCIETYMissionary Pastor (Thailand) Missionary Pastor (Vietnam) Missionary Diaconal Minister Consultant (Timor-Leste) Missionary Diaconal Minister (Thailand & Laos) |
Text by Rev Gilbert Lok. / Photos courtesy Daniel Ong and Hon Chee Seng
