10TH SESSION OF THE GENERAL CONFERENCE OF THE METHODIST CHURCH IN SINGAPORE:
SEPT 3-8, 2012
“WHAT IS GOD’S PURPOSE for His people?” This question, which perplexed writer John Stott and his friends as young Christians, was shared by Bishop Dr Robert Solomon at the Opening Service of the 10th Session of the General Conference of The Methodist Church in Singapore.
In contrast to the renowned Westminster Shorter Catechism that says “Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy Him forever”, and the well-known summary of the Old Testament Law, “Love God and love your neighbour”, John Stott found peace in the knowledge that “God wants His people to become like Christ, for Christlikeness is the will of God for the people of God.”
This, said the Bishop, was in line with the theme of the Session, which was “Becoming partakers of the divine nature”, taken from 2 Peter 1:4. He noted that this was different from a casual, informational knowledge of God, pointing out in Matthew 7:22-23 how Jesus drove away people who performed miracles in His name but did not know Him personally.
Bishop Dr Solomon cautioned the delegates that “all that we do in church must focus on producing and deepening the relational knowledge of God and of Jesus. If that is not taking place, then we are wasting our time, efforts and money. Everything else, our institutions, programmes, rules and meetings, are only means to an end and must not become ends in themselves.”
How can we reflect on whether we are becoming partakers of the divine nature? The Bishop drew answers by studying 2 Peter 1:2-11. First, we need to accept God’s gift of grace through His promises and power. God’s promises are utterly reliable because they are based on His glory and virtue, as stated in 2 Peter 1:3, and His power is transformative.
The Bishop said: “A measure of whether God’s promise and purpose is in the centre of our attention is how much we talk about God during our Conference, and how central He is in our discussions and decision-making. A measure of how focused we are on becoming Christ-like is how much of our discussions and programming is intentionally and consciously in that direction. How much of our conferencing reflects the character and maturity of Christ?”
Second, although we depend on God’s grace, we must cooperate with God through process and practice to live a disciplined life that reflects a vibrant discipleship. The Bishop pointed out that Christians are asked to grow “in increasing measure” in the qualities listed in 2 Peter 1:5-7, which act as milestones along a journey from faith to love.
He asked: “What have we added to our character since we last met? What evidence have we that we are growing in Christlikeness? Are our members who come to worship growing in Christlikeness? What are they adding to their character? In what ways is our ministry in church (preaching, teaching) truly serving to add these qualities in their lives?”
Finally, he noted that “our true effectiveness and fruitfulness depends on keeping focused on God’s grace and our related disciplined efforts to become like Christ. Are we effective? Are we productive? Are we harvesting? If not, what are the problems? What is hindering us?”
As a church body, our goal is to become more like Christ through God’s promise of grace and our disciplined perseverance leading to spiritual harvest.
Grace Toh is the Assistant Editor of Methodist Message.
Six honoured in Memorial Service
THE REV DR GEORGE WAN TIAN SOO was a “great reminder to live life doing important things that are of eternal significance”, said Bishop Dr Robert Solomon in his sermon at the Memorial Service, held at Barker Road Methodist Church on Sept 7, 2012.
The service is an “ancient tradition”, held every four years during the General Conference (GC) session of The Methodist Church in Singapore.
In this service, which commemorates preachers (including missionaries) and their spouses who have died in the past quadrennium, the Bishop highlighted the Rev Dr Wan, who passed away on March 22, 2010, for his tireless involvement in missions and evangelism even after his retirement, demonstrating what a great joy it was to bring people to the Lord.
Also honoured with citations during the service were:
§ The Rev Eugene McGraw, who passed away on July 6, 2009;
§ The Rev Tracey Jones Jr, who passed away on Dec 16, 2009;
§ Mrs Wu Chao Chi nee See Peck Guat, wife of the late Rev Wu, who passed away on May 17, 2010;
§ Mrs Janet Wong nee Lee Soon Neo, wife of the Rev Michael Wong Chee Wun, who passed away on Jan 2, 2012;
§ The Rev Dr Ivy S T Chou, who passed away on Aug 27, 2012. The Bishop, whose sermon was based on 1 Corinthians 15:50-58, drew from the passage words of encouragement which he offered to the families of the honoured dead as well as friends and GC delegates who attended. The context was fitting as Paul had been writing about death and resurrection.
Paul’s first injunction was to “stand firm” and “let nothing move you”. This, said the Bishop, was an issue of conviction about what we believe, not moving from the truth that Scripture teaches us.
Secondly, Paul encouraged the believers to always give themselves fully to the work of the Lord, demonstrating commitment.
The Bishop gave the example of Adoniram Judson, who worked in Burma for 18 years without a furlough, in which the first six years did not see a single convert. He endured torture and imprisonment, and separation from his wife when her health broke and she had to leave for home. Yet, he gave himself fully to the work of God.
Finally, Paul assured the believers that nothing we do in the Lord is in vain, giving us confidence that nothing is wasted if done “in the Lord”. Thus, said the Bishop, through the lives of those whom we memorialise, we are “reminded of God’s wonderful purposes and grace”.
After the service, families and friends of the honoured dead had a time of fellowship over a buffet dinner at Oldham Hall.