ASIAN Methodists now have a common platform to do mission work and a voice in world forums with the recent formation of the Asian Methodist Council (AMC).
The AMC was established at the First Asian Methodist Convention in Seoul. Some 300 participants from 14 Asian countries attended the convention from June 14 to 18, 2002.
The Methodist Church in Singapore was represented by a 14-member team led by Bishop Dr Robert Solomon. He delivered the keynote address on the opening day. His topic, “Asian Methodism: All to Jesus, Together for Christ“, was received with a round of applause and complimented.
The historic convention was held in the middle of the epoch-making World Cup, which was being jointly staged in Asia for the first time — in South Korea and Japan. And like the South Korean World Cup team, which was becoming a world force, the AMC will be making its presence felt globally.
— Methodist Message picture.
Besides preparing to head for the world stage, the AMC will form one united front in spearheading its mission work throughout Asia.
The inaugural session of the AMC was held at Kwang Lim Seminar House on June 15, the second day of the convention, with Bishop Datuk Dr Peter Chio Sing Ching of Malaysia presiding.
It began with the entrance of bishops from the 14 participating countries. Bishop Kwon Yong-Kag of South Korea gave a report outlining the background to the formation of the AMC.
Bishop Datuk Dr Chio then presented the constitution of the AMC which the Fellowship of Asian Methodist Bishops had drafted. He said that it was a working constitution and would be improved upon and presented at the first General Assembly of the AMC which would be held three years later.
The delegates affirmed the working constitution and the formation of the AMC. The AMC logo was also released to the delegates.
Bishop Chang Kwang Young, President of the Council of Bishops of the Korean Methodist Church, was elected the first Chairman of the AMC Executive Committee. Bishop Datuk Dr Chio was elected Vice-Chairman, and Bishop Dr Solomon was elected Secretary.
To applause, Bishop Chang called members of the first Executive Committee of the AMC to the front. They are: Bishop Datuk Dr Peter Chio Sing Ching/Layperson Mr John Ling (Malaysia); Bishop Dr Robert Solomon/Mr Kim Seah (Singapore); Bishop Philip Tseng/Mr Jack Chung (Taiwan); the Rev Dr Li Ping-Kwong/Dr Reymond Chung-I Chan (Hong Kong); Bishop S. V. Sampath Kumar/Mr John N. Hanchinmani (India); Bishop R. P. M. Tambunan/Mr Ibrahim Sidik (Indonesia); Bishop Zothan Mowia/Mr Maung Maung Kha (Myanmar); Bishop Dr Leo A. Soriana/Ms Dadice Cruz (the Philippines); Bishop Noel P. Fernando/Layperson to be named later (Sri Lanka); Bishop Chang Kwang Young/Mrs Choi Eun Young (South Korea).
Congratulatory messages were then given by Mr Jin Nam Kung, South Korea’s Minister for Culture and Tourism, and Mr Anthony Row, President of the Christian Conference of Asia (CCA).
In his opening address on the first day of the convention, June 14, Bishop Chang Kwang Young, President of the Council of Bishops of the Korean Methodist Church, declared: “Today is the day when we proclaim the life of prophets who spread the Word of Salvation. Today is the day when we start to build up the Asian community.”
He pledged to give of his best to help evangelise Asia.
The 67-year-old bishop, who was later elected President of the AMC, said he would “put in all my effort whenever love and care are needed to attain the duty which the AMC Constitution decides and commands”.
“I believe this is my first duty,” he said.
He outlined three duties which, he said, Asian churches should perform to help build God’s Kingdom. The first duty is to expand the mission area; the second, to be disciplined and diligent in faith even as they reach out through social services; and the third, to foster solidarity and to co-operate and exchange information among Asian churches.
Highlights of the five-day convention included a cultural evening at which delegates performed traditional dances and songs, a Dawn Prayer Meeting at a local church at 5 am, and a Welcome Dinner followed by a Special Convention at Immanuel Church, an all-glass church in downtown Seoul.
Morning devotions with Bible study sessions, followed by plenary sessions, were the order of the day throughout the convention.
A Convention Statement was issued on the last day of the convention. The statement noted that Asia first experienced Methodism about 180 years ago and since then it has spread rapidly, so much so that its presence is felt in several Asian countries.
It said: “The face of Asia is rapidly changing and there are so many challenges confronting it both regionally and globally that there needs to be a greater working together of Methodists within this region to address these issues.
“Realising this great challenge, Asian Methodist Bishops discussed the need to establish an Asian Methodist Council at the Bishops’ meeting in Malaysia in February 2001 …
“The Asian Methodist Council was formally established during the First Asian Methodist Convention on 15 June, 2002 in Kwang Lim Seminar House, Seoul, Korea. It is our hope that through this Council, Asian Methodist Churches will strengthen their connection with one another and fulfil God’s mission in a more cooperative and effective way.”
The convention ended with a closing worship service presided by Bishop Suk Joon Mo of the Korean Methodist Church. After the benediction was pronounced by AMC head Bishop Chang, the delegates exchanged fond farewells and gifts. And it’s “See you in Malaysia in three years’ time!”
Peter Teo, the Editor of Methodist Message, was a member of the Singapore delegation to the First Asian Methodist Convention in Seoul.