IN TODAY’S world with so many voices competing for attention, is it still possible to affirm the centrality of the Gospel? Can Christians still believe in Jesus Christ? Is faith even rational?
These concerns will be addressed at the Aldersgate Convention 2003 from May 21-24 when Dr William Abraham speaks on the topic, “Faith and Reason: Wesleyan Insights”. Organised by the Bishop’s Office, the Convention will be held at the new Methodist Centre and Barker Road Methodist Church.
Dr Abraham, Albert C. Outler Professor of Wesley Studies at Perkins School of Theology, will speak on three evenings (May 21-23) on these topics: “Faith and the Promises of God”, “Faith and Personal Experience of God”, and “Faith and the Power of God”. All the programmes will be held at the sanctuary of Barker Road Methodist Church at 7.45 pm.
Marking the 300th anniversary of John Wesley’s birth, this year’s Convention promises to be a special event. In addition to the three evenings of talks, there will be a two-day worship seminar, a Pastors’ Fellowship and the concluding Aldersgate Service, which will also be the occasion for dedicating the new Methodist Centre. The Aldersgate Service will be held in the auditorium of ACS Barker Road.
Two prominent speakers on worship and theology will address the worship seminar, entitled “Methodist Worship in Context: Principles, Forms and Freedom”, on May 23 and 24. Dr Geoffrey Wainwright, the Robert Earl Cushman Professor of Christian Theology at Duke Divinity School, and Dr James F. White, Bard Thompson Professor of Liturgical Studies at Drew University, will explore the historical, theological and cultural contexts of Methodist worship.
The seminar will begin at 9.30 am on both days at the sanctuary of Barker Road Methodist Church, and end in the afternoon.
All the three speakers have written numerous books, taught at various leading universities and seminaries, and won several awards and honours.
Dr Abraham, a member of the Southwest Texas Conference, has been conducting seminars and workshops across the United States in the last 15 years.
Dr Wainwright, an ordained minister of the Methodist Church in Britain, has lectured all over the world, and his work has been received in many countries and languages.
Dr White, an ordained elder of the California-Nevada Annual Conference, has written 19 books and is the co-author of another three.
Through lectures, workshops and worship experiences, participants at the worship seminar will discover ways to lead authentic Christian worship in the Singapore context. Workshops include such topics as communion, baptism, Sunday worship, weddings, funerals and actions in worship.
Pastors, lay leaders, worship leaders and church musicians are especially encouraged to attend. The registration fee for the seminar, which includes two lunches and three tea sessions, is $70.
Both Dr Abraham and Dr Wainwright will also address the Pastors’ Fellowship on May 22 at the Methodist Centre’ Sophia Blackmore Hall from 8.30 am to 12.30 pm.
For more information, contact Ms Goh Li-Ern at tel. 6478-4782. Registration forms for the worship seminar are available at the Methodist Centre, local churches and on-line at www.methodist.org.sg
