The 22nd World Methodist Conference (WMC) met in Gothenburg, Sweden from 13 to 18 August 2024. The WMC, a global gathering of the Methodist-Wesleyan family, is held every five years. However, the 2021 session was cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic, making this year’s conference the first since 2016. The host was The Uniting Church in Sweden with support of the Danish and Norwegian United Methodist Church.
The Singapore delegation of Council Members and participants led by Bishop Dr Gordon Wong included the three Annual Conference Presidents, office holders from the General Conference, pastors, staff, leaders and members of Faith Methodist Church, Fairfield Methodist Church and Trinity Methodist Church.
The theme “On The Move” and its sub-themes Migration, Pilgrimage and Guiding Lights, was fitting in the midst of new wars and many facing unrest or economic insecurity. Forced migration—a recurring theme since biblical times—was especially poignant as those facing wars were forced to settle elsewhere.
Finding forgiveness, reconciliation and hope amid war
Dr Ivan Rusyn, President of the Ukrainian Evangelical Theological Seminary, gave a first-hand account on how the Russians had destroyed the seminary, and how the upheavals of war had changed the work of the seminary’s staff.
A moving story he shared involved having to collect bodies from the morgue and using the seminary bus to deliver them to the cemetery. “This is not the typical ministry of a church or seminary,” Dr Rusyn said solemnly.
“I also conducted communion for soldiers. Some of those soldiers were having communion for the very first time, while others would be taking communion for the last time. But the Holy Spirit was most certainly present.”
In these experiences, Dr Rusyn saw that the role of the Church in providing comfort was crucial and called for the Church to serve the community in better and new ways. Today the perception of the Church in Ukraine has changed from being “a cult” to being a positive presence, “because the Church has demonstrated solidarity and compassion, being with the people”.
Dr Rusyn admitted that it was frustrating when well-meaning Christians advised him to forgive his enemies, especially if these Christians had not experienced the war first-hand. However, although he was not ready to so, he still aspired to forgive his enemies because of the example of Jesus: “I obey the commandments of Jesus because only he commands from the cross.”
The commandment to love one’s neighbour had taken on a new meaning as well. Dr Rusyn said, “Now, every Ukrainian is my neighbour, regardless of gender, religion or political affiliation. Where there is suffering, then there is my neighbour.”
The sessions with Dr Rusyn were moderated by Bishop Christian Alsted, the Nordic- Baltic-Ukraine Area Bishop, who also received the World Methodist Peace Award 2023 at the Conference, in recognition of his work in Ukraine. After Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, Bishop Alsted, who is from Denmark, stepped up when it became impossible for Moscow-based United Methodist Bishop Eduard Khegay to provide oversight in Ukraine and neighbouring Moldova.
“I am honoured and deeply humbled to receive this [award] on behalf of the United Methodists in Ukraine and Christians in Ukraine,” said Bishop Alsted. He also said that while he was able to return to his home country with peace, Ukrainians lived with the daily stress of war. “Right now, peace in Ukraine seems far away but we must practise peace—speak the truth in love, realise our own flaws, claim and practise freedom … and that day will come.”
“Second-class citizens in our own homeland”
Two Palestinian Christian ladies, Areej Masoud and Lamma Mansour, shared about the plight of the Palestinians in Gaza during their session, “What is happening in the Holy Land?”. Giving a historical backdrop to explain what has led to the conflict today, they highlighted the travel restrictions faced by Palestinians, which varied depending on where they lived. The inability to meet freely and easily has had an impact on daily life and they fear the effect of eradicating family traditions over time.
According to them, “illegal Jewish settlements” had led to the forced displacements of the Palestinians and their becoming “second class citizens” in their own homeland. The “two-state solution” that is often suggested was not possible due to these Jewish settlements sprouting up all over the land where they were living.
The two speakers also spoke out against “Christian-Zionism”, a view that is popular in many Christian circles which supports Jewish nationalism and the right of Jews to return to their “homeland”. This belief, according to the speakers, has informed political views and policies in favour of Israel, which in turn hinder the peace process.
Responses from MCS
In response to these sessions, Bishop Dr Wong said, “My understanding of Christian faithfulness was broadened as I listened to the stories of two Palestinian women living in the Promised Land, and how the so-called chosen people of God have filled their lives with despair and discrimination. As I listened to Ukrainian rector Ivan Rusyn, I could not help but be filled with empathy for Ukrainians who have lost their homes and loved ones. One can understand why he no longer feels any kinship with these whom he once regarded as Christian brothers.”
Mr Guan Yeow Kwang, the Secretary of Trustees of MCS said, “I can’t help but feel that in Singapore we are indeed living in a bubble, insulated from upheavals, injustice and sufferings that permeate the world. We should be very grateful but it is not enough. We need to be a more compassionate, generous and charitable people.”
Bishop’s keynote address on peace
In this context, Bishop Dr Wong’s clarion call for peace as one of the Conference keynote speakers hit the right notes. Preaching from Isaiah 59:7-8 and James 3:18, his sermon, “Pilgrims on the Path to Peace”, was about Isaiah’s vision of peace. The leaders in Isaiah’s day were pursuing a “crooked path” to peace, deceiving people with what they claimed to be pursuing and praying for—what Habbakuk described as a “perverted justice”. Through the story of The Grass Eater by Trevor Dennis, Bishop Dr Wong illustrated that the path to peace might require sacrifice and letting go of what one holds dear. Finally, Bishop Dr Wong reminded the congregation that God’s path to peace is a path of peace.
Attending the next WMC
The WMC can be attended by Methodists in Singapore and is not reserved for clergy or lay leadership. Anton Moses, who chairs the Council of Episcopacy (the Council under the General Conference that reviews the work of the bishop and attends to his well-being), said, “I was delighted and felt blessed to attend WMC. WMC was very meaningful in many ways and opened my eyes to the global perspective of our calling as Methodists. I want to encourage more youth and young adults to attend WMC in the future to learn and understand God’s bigger plan for us Methodists.”
On the sidelines of the Conference, members of the World Methodist Council met to vote in new council members and pass resolutions on matters concerning Methodists and Christians around the world. Mr Kim Seah, Assistant Secretary of the Trustees who also chaired MCS’ Discipline Revision Commission up until recently, was elected into the Nomination Committee of the World Methodist Council.