John Flavel 1963:193

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

John Flavel 1963:193 SPIRITUALITY, MEDICAL SCIENCE AND HEALTH: THE SPIRITUAL EFFECTS OF A SENSE OF ENTITLEMENT IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALING IN THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH by Marlene Lorraine Martin submitted in accordance with the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Theology In the subject Christian Spirituality at the University of South Africa Supervisor: Professor C.J. Lombaard November 2013 . 1 CONTENTS ABSTRACT KEY WORDS ACKNOWLEDGMENTS 1 THEME OF THE DISSERTATION 9 Introduction to chapter 1 9 1.1 Objective of the study of entitlement and the problem outlined 10 1.1.1 Background to the research 10 1.1.2 Research problem 14 1.1.3 Objectives and aims of the research 14 1.1.4 Placing the study in the Spirituality Discipline 15 1.1.5 Discussion of the spirit of entitlement 16 1.1.6. Discussion of spiritual and physical duality of humanity 17 1.2 Description of terms 19 1.2.1 Christian Spirituality 19 1.2.1.1 Spirituality as a human sense 21 1.2.2 Divine healing 22 1.2.3 Entitlement 25 1.2.4 Pathology / Physiology 27 1.3 Literature reviewed 28 1.4 Research framework and methodology 29 1.4.1 Scope of the research 29 1.4.2 Research fields 30 1.4.3 Positionality 31 1.4.4 Focus on pastors 32 1.5 Methodology 33 1.6 Qualitative research 37 1.6.1 Purpose 37 1.6.2 Ethical considerations 38 1.6.3 Methods 41 1.6.4 Process 41 1.6.4.1 Interviews 42 1.6.4.1.1 Interviews related to child research 42 1.6.4.1.2 Interviews related to the elderly 43 1.6.4.2 Direct observation 45 1.6.4.3 Participant observation 45 1.6.5 Interpretation of the data 46 1.6.6 Limitations of the research 46 1.7 Contribution of the study 47 1.8 Outline of chapters 48 Summary of chapter 1 49 2 SPIRITUALITY 51 Introduction to chapter 2 51 2.1 Introduction 51 2.2 Definition and classification of spirituality 52 . 2 2.3 Spirituality as a human trait 55 2.4 The influence of spirituality in human history 57 2.5 Current theories and trends 62 Summary of chapter 2 68 3 HUMAN TEMPORALITY 70 Introduction to chapter 3 70 3.1 The inevitability of physical decline and death 72 3.2 Medicine and spirituality 72 3.2.1 Human paradigms, superstition and hidden agendas 77 3.2.2 Spirituality and psychology 81 3.3 Alternative medicines and quackery 83 3.4 A brief overview of modern medicine 85 3.5 Basic physiology 89 3.5.1 Introduction 89 3.5.2 Cellular function 90 3.5.3 Immunity and allergy 90 3.5.4 Vaccines 90 3.6 Systematic pathology 91 3.6.1 Definition 91 3.6.2 Cancer 92 3.6.3 Lifestyle diseases 94 3.6.3.1 Drug and alcohol abuse 95 3.6.3.1.1 Alcohol abuse 95 3.6.3.1.2 Drug abuse 96 3.6.3.2 Obesity 98 3.6.3.3 Diabetes 99 3.6.3.4 Auto immune disease 100 3.7 Conclusion 101 Summary of chapter 3 101 4 ENTITLEMENT AS A HUMAN TRAIT 102 Introduction to chapter 4 102 4.1 Entitlement 102 4.2 Narcissism 103 4.2.1 Definition 103 4.2.2 Characteristics 105 4.2.3 Causes 105 4.2.4 Pathogenesis 108 4.2.5 Conclusions 115 4.3 Ingratitude 116 4.4 Economic consequences of entitlement 118 4.5 Entitlement from a Biblical perspective 122 4.6 Summary and conclusions 125 4.6.1 Narcissism 125 4.6.2 Entitlement 126 4.6.3 Ingratitude 127 4.6.4 Conclusion ` 128 Summary of chapter 4 129 . 3 5 RESEARCH CONCLUSIONS 131 Introduction to chapter 5 131 5.1 Outline of chapter 131 5.2 Background of the two cases selected for the study 136 5.3 Factors influencing methodology 138 5.4 Factors influencing the pastors’ response 140 5.4.1 Entitlement as a human characteristic 142 5.4.2 Teaching that encourages a sense of entitlement 144 5.5 Factors influencing human responses to the realities of disease and death 156 5.5.1 Age 157 5.5.2 Gender 161 5.5.3 Ethnic factors 162 5.5.4 Education 166 5.6 An examination of the importance of a ministry of healing in both case studies 170 5.6.1 Prayers in services and invitations for prayers during the services 172 5.6.2 Hospital and hospice visits 175 5.7 An examination of the consequences of unmet expectations 176 5.7.1 Apostasy 179 5.7.2 Guilt 182 5.7.3 Estrangement from and blaming of the pastor 182 5.7.4 Spiritual decline 183 5.8 Conclusion 186 Summary of chapter 5 6 SPIRITUAL EFFECTS OF MEDICAL CRISIS 190 Introduction to chapter 6 190 6.1 Sense of abandonment 190 6.2 Spiritual hope in times of medical crisis 192 6.3 Spiritual symptoms of loss of hope 197 6.4 Spiritual promise in times of medical crisis 199 6.5 Conclusion 200 Summary of chapter 6 201 7 SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION 202 Introduction to chapter 7 202 7.1 Summary 203 7.1.1 Spiritual results of entitlement for pastors 203 7.1.2 Spiritual results of entitlement for the sick 207 7.2 Conclusion 211 8 THE WAY FORWARD 215 Introduction to chapter 8 215 8.1 Focus on the disenfranchised 215 8.1.1 Children 215 8.1.2 The elderly 216 8.2 Burnout 217 8.3 Formalised teaching on divine healing 217 8.4 Conclusion 218 . 4 BIBLIOGRAPHY 220 APPENDIX 1 Aim of Pastor interviews 243 2 Social effects of a fatherless generation 244 3 Statement of Faith Methodist Church of Southern Africa 248 4 Statement of Faith Afmin African Ministries Network 250 . 5 ABSTRACT The human trait of entitlement, although currently very topical, has only recently come under serious scrutiny by behavioural psychologists (Campbell, Bonacci, Shelton, Exline & Bushman 2004:30). This study examines the modifying effects of these psychological elements on the spiritual aspects of disease and healing. Other modifiers are the personal spiritual beliefs or dogmas of the clergy within the paradigm of a particular denomination, and the beliefs and expectations of the adherents. Two Christian denominations were chosen for the study: The Methodist Church of Southern Africa, in particular the home church of the writer, The Bedfordview Methodist Church, and Afmin, an organisation that trains and equips students, mainly African, for Christian ministry. Structured face to face interviews were conducted with pastors and church leaders, interviews with medical professionals were conducted and a wide ranging review of relevant literature undertaken. It was found that while the trait of entitlement was a constant in human nature, there were modifying factors. These included the personal beliefs of pastors and youth leaders, often founded on personal experience instead of denominational dogma. The influence of Pentecostal / Charismatic teaching was very evident. It was also found that the church, in a drive to become increasingly relevant to current norms and social trends, tended to have a rather confused understanding of biblical healing and the role of God in disease and suffering. While the inevitability of death, suffering and disease cannot be denied, the role of the church is complex and controversial. Unrealistic expectations, based on teaching that encourages a sense of entitlement can lead to great challenges regarding faith in both the clergy and adherents. 6 KEY TERMS Spirituality, entitlement, narcissism, ingratitude, arrogance, pathology, physiology, physical, spiritual, medical, disease, illness, death, suffering, abandonment, ministry of healing, faith, prayer, Pentecostal, Charismatic, miracles, cures, healing, health. 7 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS I wish to express my gratitude to: 1. The people who were challenged by ill health, who granted me interviews and answered my questions frankly and openly and were not constrained by the trauma, both physical and emotional, of their illness. 2. The pastors and church leaders, as well as the pastoral students, who graciously co- operated in this research project. 3. Professor Christo Lombaard, whose guidance and advice not only steered me past many obstacles, but who embodies the concept of Christian spirituality. 4. The members of the medical profession who advised and informed me, and who displayed a keen fascination with the concepts under discussion. 8 1 THEME OF THE DISSERTATION Introduction Chapter 1 Chapter 1 introduces and discusses the theme of this dissertation and suggests that Christian Spirituality has to do with the whole man1 as humanity struggles with physical decline as a natural consequence of the makeup of the human frame. Sickness, disease, suffering and death are not unique to Christians. Many people outside the Christian religion rail at circumstances that they perceive to have led to their fate when they become ill; they blame their partners, blame the environment, and accuse the medical fraternity of being inadequate or uncaring. Many who are not Christians believe that they have a right to challenge the God they never knew nor had they ever approached while they were not physically sick. Christians on the other hand frequently react differently; they look to a God that they have served, some all their lives, and petition and even frequently demand answers from Him for their plight.2 The research framework for this dissertation identified the starting point of the research problem as being a sense of entitlement to healing in the Christian Church and questioned whether this sense of entitlement had a negative effect on the spirituality of the sick that were not healed by God.
Recommended publications
  • Rethinking Discipleship at Faith Methodist Church in Singapore: Making Disciples Through Effective Small Groups
    Please HONOR the copyright of these documents by not retransmitting or making any additional copies in any form (Except for private personal use). We appreciate your respectful cooperation. ___________________________ Theological Research Exchange Network (TREN) P.O. Box 30183 Portland, Oregon 97294 USA Website: www.tren.com E-mail: [email protected] Phone# 1-800-334-8736 ___________________________ ATTENTION CATALOGING LIBRARIANS TREN ID# Online Computer Library Center (OCLC) MARC Record # Digital Object Identification DOI # Ministry Focus Paper Approval Sheet This ministry focus paper entitled RETHINKING DISCIPLESHIP AT FAITH METHODIST CHURCH IN SINGAPORE: MAKING DISCIPLES THROUGH EFFECTIVE SMALL GROUPS Written by MOH-YING WONG and submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Ministry has been accepted by the Faculty of Fuller Theological Seminary upon the recommendation of the undersigned reader: _____________________________________ Kurt Fredrickson Date Received: December 13, 2015 RETHINKING DISCIPLESHIP AT FAITH METHODIST CHURCH IN SINGAPORE: MAKING DISCIPLES THROUGH EFFECTIVE SMALL GROUPS A MINISTRY FOCUS PAPER SUBMITTED TO THE FACULTY OF THE SCHOOL OF THEOLOGY FULLER THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE DOCTOR OF MINISTRY BY MOH-YING WONG DECEMBER 2015 ABSTRACT Rethinking Discipleship at Faith Methodist Church in Singapore: Making Disciples through Effective Small Groups Moh-Ying Wong Doctor of Ministry School of Theology, Fuller Theological Seminary 2015 The goal of this paper is to develop an intentional communal disciple-making process at Faith Methodist Church that will help foster life transformation among its members. At Faith Methodist Church, a transformed life is defined as one growing in the areas of Fellowship (community), Adoration (worship), Involvement (service), Transformation (discipleship), and Harvest (evangelism).
    [Show full text]
  • Scgm Annual Report 2018
    SINGAPORE CENTRE FOR GLOBAL MISSIONS A N N U A L R E P O R T 2 0 1 8 WHY CITIES MATTER TO THE CHURCH CONTENTS 7 SCGM 2018 Events Highlights 2 About us 8 SCGM Annual Lecture 2018 3 SCGM Strategic Thrust 9 GoForth 2018 Media Release 4 National Director's Report 2018 12 SCGM 38th Anniversary Dinner 2018 14 Missional Business Forum 2018 15 SCGM Calendar 2019 16 SCGM Partners & Donors 2018 17 SCGM Budget 2019 18 SCGM Council 2018-2019 19 SCGM Annual Lecture 2019 20 SCGM 2018 Snapshots Catalysing missions in Singapore SCGM ANNUAL REPORT 2018 Singapore Centre for Global Missions (SCGM) is a centre for world missions established in 1980 by a team of local pastors and missions leaders in Singapore. Previously known as SCEM, we have been serving to coordinate the efforts of our local churches in missions and promoting partnership in our missionary endeavours from Singapore. V I S I O N SERVING THE LOCAL CHURCH IN MISSIONS MOBILISATION IN THE 21ST CENTURY It’s heartening to see SCGM continuing to be a driving force for Singapore churches to keep on the cutting edge of what God is doing in the 21st Century. May God’s hand continue to work powerfully as SCGM creates even greater opportunities for God’s Kingdom and empowers His people to be God’s light in our turbulent world. Rev Dominic Yeo General Superintendent, Assemblies of God, Singapore Senior Pastor, Trinity Christian Centre, Singapore M I S S I O N CATALYSING THE NATIONAL MISSIONS MOVEMENT IN SINGAPORE SCGM has been faithful to its mandate to serve the church in promoting missions and partnership in their missionary endeavours.
    [Show full text]
  • John Wesley's Eucharist and the Online Eucharist
    John Wesley’s Eucharist and the Online Eucharist By KIOH SHIM A thesis submitted to The University of Birmingham for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy Department of Theology and Religion College of Arts and Law The University of Birmingham March 2013 University of Birmingham Research Archive e-theses repository This unpublished thesis/dissertation is copyright of the author and/or third parties. The intellectual property rights of the author or third parties in respect of this work are as defined by The Copyright Designs and Patents Act 1988 or as modified by any successor legislation. Any use made of information contained in this thesis/dissertation must be in accordance with that legislation and must be properly acknowledged. Further distribution or reproduction in any format is prohibited without the permission of the copyright holder. Abstract Since the late 20th century information technology has changed the lives of individuals and relationships at local, nation and even global levels. In particular the internet is used by many religious groups for theological and spiritual purposes. Some parts of Christianity have confronted the issue of how to deal with the use of internet. As a result, an internet church has emerged, offering Eucharistic services online across the globe. Even though the numbers of internet churches/Eucharistic groups have sharply increased in the last two decades, the attitude of the established churches does not appear to have taken account of this change yet. To achieve this it is necessary for such initiatives to be guided by certain theological norms or church regulations. This may relate to the definition of church, Eucharistic theology, or how to deal with emerging cultures.
    [Show full text]
  • A History of Millburn Township Ebook
    A History of Millburn Township eBook A History of Millburn Township »» by Marian Meisner Jointly published by the Millburn/Short Hills Historical Society and the Millburn Free Public Library. Copyright, July 5, 2002. file:///c|/ebook/main.htm9/3/2004 6:40:37 PM content TABLE OF CONTENTS I. Before the Beginning - Millburn in Geological Times II. The First Inhabitants of Millburn III. The Country Before Settlement IV. The First English Settlements in Jersey V. The Indian Deeds VI. The First Millburn Settlers and How They Lived VII. I See by the Papers VIII. The War Comes to Millburn IX. The War Leaves Millburn and Many Loose Ends are Gathered Up X. The Mills of Millburn XI. The Years Between the Revolution and the Coming of the Railroad XII. The Coming of the Railroad XIII. 1857-1870 XIV. The Short Hills and Wyoming Developments XV. The History of Millburn Public Schools XVI. A History of Independent Schools XVII. Millburn's Churches XVIII. Growing Up file:///c|/ebook/toc.htm (1 of 2)9/3/2004 6:40:37 PM content XIX. Changing Times XX. Millburn Township Becomes a Centenarian XXI. 1958-1976 file:///c|/ebook/toc.htm (2 of 2)9/3/2004 6:40:37 PM content Contents CHAPTER I. BEFORE THE BEGINNING Chpt. 1 MILLBURN IN GEOLOGICAL TIMES Chpt. 2 Chpt. 3 The twelve square miles of earth which were bound together on March 20, Chpt. 4 1857, by the Legislature of the State of New Jersey, to form a body politic, thenceforth to be known as the Township of Millburn, is a fractional part of the Chpt.
    [Show full text]
  • “A MUCH MILDER MEDIUM”: ENGLISH and GERMAN WOMEN WRITERS in ITALY 1840-1880 by Federica Belluccini Submitted in Partial Fulf
    “A MUCH MILDER MEDIUM”: ENGLISH AND GERMAN WOMEN WRITERS IN ITALY 1840-1880 by Federica Belluccini Submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy at Dalhousie University Halifax, Nova Scotia December 2011 © Copyright by Federica Belluccini, 2011 DALHOUSIE UNIVERSITY INTERDISCIPLINARY PHD PROGRAM The undersigned hereby certify that they have read and recommend to the Faculty of Graduate Studies for acceptance a thesis entitled ““A MUCH MILDER MEDIUM”: ENGLISH AND GERMAN WOMEN WRITERS IN ITALY 1840-1880” by Federica Belluccini in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. Dated: December 2, 2011 External Examiner: _________________________________ Research Supervisor: _________________________________ Examining Committee: _________________________________ _________________________________ Departmental Representative: _________________________________ ii DALHOUSIE UNIVERSITY DATE: December 2, 2011 AUTHOR: Federica Belluccini TITLE: “A MUCH MILDER MEDIUM”: ENGLISH AND GERMAN WOMEN WRITERS IN ITALY 1840-1880 DEPARTMENT OR SCHOOL: Interdisciplinary PhD Program DEGREE: PhD CONVOCATION: May YEAR: 2012 Permission is herewith granted to Dalhousie University to circulate and to have copied for non-commercial purposes, at its discretion, the above title upon the request of individuals or institutions. I understand that my thesis will be electronically available to the public. The author reserves other publication rights, and neither the thesis nor extensive extracts from it may be printed or otherwise reproduced without the author’s written permission. The author attests that permission has been obtained for the use of any copyrighted material appearing in the thesis (other than the brief excerpts requiring only proper acknowledgement in scholarly writing), and that all such use is clearly acknowledged. _______________________________ Signature of Author iii In Memory of Dr.
    [Show full text]
  • Members of the National Council of Churches (Ncc) Singapore [
    MEMBERS OF THE NATIONAL COUNCIL OF CHURCHES (NCC) SINGAPORE [http://welcome.nccs.org.sg/NCCS/Members.html] Taken from the website of NCC Singapore on 08 February 2012 History of the NCC – “The Malayan Christian Council, which was established in 1948 to promote Christian unity among the Churches and Christian organizations in Malaya and Singapore, was succeeded in 1961 by the Council of Churches of Malaysia and Singapore. “Later, in view of Malaysia and Singapore having separated and become independent sovereign nations, it was considered desirable to have separate Councils of Churches for each nation and, therefore, the National Council of Churches of Singapore was duly constituted in Singapore on 24th July, 1974 to carry on and fulfill the vision and aspirations of the founders.” The Bible verse quoted to support the NCC – “For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many are one body, so it is with Christ. For in one Spirit, we were all baptized into one body.” - 1 Corinthians 12:12-13 FULL/FOUNDER MEMBERS The Diocese of Singapore (Anglican) • All Saints’ Church • Chapel of Christ the King • Chapel of Christ the Redeemer • Chapel of the Holy Spirit • Chapel of the Resurrection • Church of Our Saviour • Church of the Ascension • Church of the Epiphany • Church of the Good Shepherd • Church of the True Light • Holy Trinity Church • Light of Christ Church Woodlands • Marine Parade Christian Centre • My Saviour’s Church • Parish of Christ Church • St Andrew’s Cathedral • St Andrew’s City Church
    [Show full text]
  • UNIVERSITY of CALIFORNIA Los Angeles Female Biographies In
    UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA Los Angeles Female Biographies in Renaissance and Post-Tridentine Italy A dissertation submitted in partial satisfaction of the requirements for the degree Doctor of Philosophy in Italian by Sienna Star Hopkins 2016 © Copyright by Sienna Star Hopkins 2016 ABSTRACT OF THE DISSERTATION Female Biographies in Renaissance and Post-Reformation Italy by Sienna Star Hopkins Doctor of Philosophy in Italian University of California, Los Angeles, 2016 Professor Massimo Ciavolella, Chair This dissertation explores the development of female biography in Renaissance Italy, particularly highlighting the thematic changes the genre experienced as a result of the Counter Reformation, and how the female ideals it portrayed often conflicted with the societal expectations of the donna illustre. The first chapters lay the groundwork for this investigation by providing a survey of the biographical genre in Italy and its ancient Greek and Roman influences, then highlighting the cultural attitudes about women as portrayed in querelle literature and female conduct manuals of 16th and 17th-century Italy. These communicate the standard of expected behavior for women in the Italian Renaissance, by which the female protagonists of biographies are measured, and the juxtaposition reveals that while the protagonists in the earlier biographies generally conform to the standards of contemporary conduct manuals, those in Post Tridentine ii biographies do not. Their protagonists are instead lauded for their fervent, often extreme, religious practices and for their inward search for humility. The investigation thus reveals the genre’s shift in focus to be one that moves from the civic to the religious, from the public donna illustre to the private donna umile.
    [Show full text]
  • Diva Rivalry for Fun and Profit: an Examination of Diva [Mis-] Conceptions Via the Rivalry of Maria Callas and Renata Tebaldi
    DIVA RIVALRY FOR FUN AND PROFIT: AN EXAMINATION OF DIVA [MIS-]CONCEPTIONS VIA THE RIVALRY OF MARIA CALLAS AND RENATA TEBALDI A thesis submitted to The Graduate School of the University of Cincinnati in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of MASTER OF MUSIC in the Division of Composition, Musicology, and Theory at the College-Conservatory of Music 2013 by Sarah Pozderac-Chenevey B.A., Mercyhurst College, 2009 Committee Chair: Jeongwon Joe, PhD ABSTRACT The [in]famous rivalry between Renata Tebaldi and Maria Callas is part of a long tradition of diva competition and comparison. This thesis examines the historiography of prime donne and their feuds and then explores in turn the major components of this diva rivalry: the women’s public careers, their personal lives, and their depictions in media. Though the popular image of the two posits that Callas and Tebaldi were in direct competition for roles but strikingly different offstage, the facts suggest that they were far more similar in personality than generally acknowledged and that their repertoires had little overlap and thus sparse motive for direct professional conflict than widely assumed. I argue that much of the common knowledge about Callas and Tebaldi is the result of preconceived expectations and skewed representations rather than reality. Copyright © 2013 by Sarah Pozderac-Chenevey All rights reserved To Ben CONTENTS ABSTRACT ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS vi INTRODUCTION 1 CHAPTER 1: DIVA [HER]STORY 5 CHAPTER 2: THE PUBLIC 32 CHAPTER 3: THE PRIVATE 58 CHAPTER 4: DIVA REPORTS 84 CONCLUSION 105 BIBLIOGRAPHY 110 v ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This project grew out of a paper I wrote for a seminar on Opera and Gender, led by my advisor, Dr.
    [Show full text]
  • CHURCHES, SYNAGOGUES and TEMPLES
    This 261-page report only includes System installations made since 1999. Prior installations were manually archived. from DAMPP-CHASER U.S. & CANADIAN CHURCHES, SYNAGOGUES and TEMPLES Click a state or province CA AB NB QC US AK CA FL IN MA MN ND NY PA TN VT WY BC NS SK AL CO GA KS MD MO NE OH RI TX WA MB ON YT AR CT IA KY ME MT NJ OK SC UT WI AZ DC IL LA MI NC NM OR SD VA WV Canada Acme United Church Acme AB Amisk Christian Fellowship Amisk AB Barrhead Canadian Reformed Church Barrhead AB Barrhead United Church Barrhead AB Christ Lutheran Church Barrhead AB Bonnyville Baptist Church Bonnyville AB Brooks United Church Brooks AB Fairfield Baptist Church Brownfield AB Bow Valley Christian Church Calgary AB Christian Life Assembly Church Calgary AB Country Hills Community Church Calgary AB Crescent Heights Baptist Church Calgary AB Crossroads Community Church Calgary AB Deer Park United Church Calgary AB Emmanuel Christian Reformed Church Calgary AB Foothills Alliance Church Calgary AB Garden Church Calgary AB Hawkwood Baptist Fellowship Calgary AB Korean Presbyterian Church Calgary AB Oak Park Church of Christ Calgary AB River Park Church Calgary AB Southview Alliance Church Calgary AB Southwood United Church Calgary AB St Andrew United Church Calgary AB St Gerards Catholic Church Calgary AB St Peters Roman Catholic Church Calgary AB St Thomas Moore Catholic Church Calgary AB St Thomas United Methodist Church Calgary AB Temple B’nai Tikvah Calgary AB Westminster Presbyterian Church Calgary AB Woodcliff United Church Calgary AB 1 Woodgreen
    [Show full text]
  • SCGM ANNUAL REPORT 2016 Singapore Centre for Global Missions ANNUAL REPORT 2016
    SCGM ANNUAL REPORT 2016 Singapore Centre for Global Missions ANNUAL REPORT 2016 ! CONTENTS Our Mission: ! Catalysing the National SCGM Strategic Thrust 2012-2016 2 National Director’s Report 2016 3 Missions Movement in SCGM 2016 Programme Highlights 6 Singapore! Singapore Resolution on Diaspora Missiology 7 SCGM Ministry Highlights 8 ! SCGM Fundraising Concert 9 Our Vision: SCGM Annual Lecture 2016: Social Holiness Transforms 10 Serving the Local Church SCGM Church Missions Strategy Consultation 2016 11 SCGM Urban Missional Business Forum 2016 12 in Missions Mobilisation Asia Evangelical Alliance Assembly /Mission Congress 13 in the 21st Century SCGM 2017 Programme 14 SCGM Budget 2017 15 SCGM Partners in 2016 16 SCGM Council 2016-2017 17 National Christian Children Ministry Retreat 2017 18 Certificate in Mission Practice 19 SCGM 36th Anniversary Dinner Snapshots 20 ! ! ! ! catalysing missions in Singapore !1 SCGM ANNUAL REPORT 2016 SCGM Strategic Thrust 2012-2016 Singapore Centre for Global Missions (SCGM) is a centre It’s heartening to see for world missions established in 1980 by a team of local SCGM connuing to be pastors and missions leaders in Singapore. Previously known a driving force for as SCEM, we have been serving to coordinate the efforts of local churches in missions and promoting partnership in our Singapore churches to missionary endeavours from Singapore. keep on the cu;ng edge of what God is Strategic Thought Leadership in Missions doing in the 21st SCGM serves to bring the best of missiological strategic Century. thinking and best practices to Singapore from all around the May God’s hand connue to world as we keep abreast with what God is doing in the 21st work powerfully as SCGM Century.
    [Show full text]
  • ALPHA MALAYSIA MINISTRY HIGHLIGHTS REPORT 2019 Thank You for Your Support in 2019
    ALPHA MALAYSIA MINISTRY HIGHLIGHTS REPORT 2019 Thank you for your support in 2019 4783 97 272 146 325 people Alpha training churches/ churches/ churches/ participated in events were organisations organisations organisations Alpha related conducted were trained to have reported have run Alpha events to be run Alpha to run Alpha for equipped to the first time run Alpha National Director’s Message At Alpha, we believe everyone should have today. Alpha created a place to openly and the opportunity to explore a relationship authentically explore faith and wrestle with with Jesus wherever they are in Malaysia questions and doubts within a community for free. We exist to equip and serve the of friends. One of my friends Janice, then church in its mission to help people discover invited her fiancé to the next round of Alpha, and develop a relationship with Jesus. and he gave his life to Jesus! One of the greatest privileges of my past 7 We believe now is the time for the church to years in Alpha is witnessing how God is at rise up together, and moving quickly, we can work today, building his church in Malaysia. help introduce thousands of young people I have the joy of working with church to Jesus over the next decade. We have only leaders in many contexts (Youth, Campus, just begun. We are at an exciting point on Church, Workplace, Seniors, Prison and our journey, a pivotal moment, where we are Rehab) and languages (English, Mandarin, shaping our strategy and processes for even Tamil and Bahasa Malaysia), where we more growth.
    [Show full text]
  • On TRAC Together for God’S Word, Worship, Welcome, Witness and Wonder
    On TRAC Together for God’s Word, Worship, Welcome, Witness and Wonder 2 nd 9 ISSUE 201 On TRAC together Rev Dr Gordon Wong TRAC President’s Message On TRAC Together “From (Christ) the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.” (Ephesians 4:16) The apostle Paul pictures disciples as belonging to YMLC that brought together almost 300 of our one body, growing and developing together, with young adult members over three days of learning, each member playing its part. Paul is clear that there laughing, crying, praying and growing together. are many different parts in a body, and different parts play different roles. The body grows best when each But this issue looks beyond past events to the very near member plays its particular part. future as well. There are many different and edifying ways to celebrate Christmas, and none of us can This picture of members working together, and offer everything to everyone. But together, we can supporting each other, is what we try to encourage celebrate Christmas, and invite others to celebrate with in the phrase: On TRAC Together. We hope to help us, in many different parts of Singapore, at different each other by working together for the good of the times, and in many different ways. So let’s be OnTRAC whole body. Together in celebrating Christmas in at least one of many ways this December, to the glory and pleasure This issue of OnTRAC features some of the events of God.
    [Show full text]