Asian Methodists Meet in Johor Bahru the Asian Methodist Council (AMC) General Assembly
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KDN:PP3233/01/2009(020147) Volume 33, No 7 & 8 / July & August 2008 Asian Methodists Meet in Johor Bahru The Asian Methodist Council (AMC) General Assembly delegates from 13 Asian 120 Methodist Churches met for the General Assembly of the Asian Methodist Council (AMC) from 24- 27 June in Johor Bahru. This is the second assembly since its formation in June 2002. However, the Executive Committee has met every year except in 2005. At this General Assembly the Bangladesh Methodist Church was formally accepted as a member of the AMC. The theme of the Assembly was:"Let the Light Shine: Uniting Asian Methodists for Missions". Two theme talks were given by Bishop Dr Robert Solomon and Procession of flags at the opening service. Seated front row from the right are Bishop Shin Bishop Dr Hwa Yung. Kyuong-Ha, the outgoing Chairman of AMC, Dr John Barrett, Chairman of the World Methodist Council, and Bishop Hwa Yung. Nature and Identity of the Church in Asia had its doctrinal roots in Anglicanism but there is no tension or division between In the first theme talk Bishop Robert also in tension with its missional societies. the persons of the Triune God. Solomon gave statistics to show that the And in Wesley himself we see both a Church was growing in Asia as in other churchman who held a high view of the And finally, Bishop Solomon asked parts of the non-Western world. Although Church but also showed an adaptive genius what is missing in the Body? He gave Methodists are not the biggest or fastest to the context in which he worked. In three images in answer. (1) Blood that growing church yet it has a strong describing the nature of the Church Bishop signifies the willingness to die for the presence in many countries in Asia. Solomon added that “mission is one of the Lord and the faith. (2) Head that is the primary marks of the church.” acknowledgment of Christ as the Lord Speaking specifically of Methodist of the church and (3) the Spirit without ecclesiology he noted that early Methodism Bishop Solomon saw the biblical whom there cannot be unity and the descriptions of the church as the power to proclaim the gospel. Bride and Body of Christ as the most appropriate for the Asian Church. The Mission of the Asian Methodist As the Bride she is to show the Church in the 21st Century “beauty of holiness”, the character of Bishop Hwa Yung, in the second theme faithfulness and loyalty, and to wait talk drew on John Wesley’s clearly in anticipation for the Lord’s return. stated goal for Methodism: “To reform As the Body of Christ, the church the nation and … the Church; to spread is to manifest unity, diversity and scriptural holiness over the land.” community to the world. These are Colourful presentation from Korean ladies. founded on the Trinitarian God and >> continue on page 7 1 Tamil Settlement Centennial Celebration 1908 Centennial 2008 Greetings from TAC President Bright lights of celebration The shofar team Choir leading the worship he Tamil Methodist Church, Tamil President, Rev. P.Tevaraji, TAC Perak greetings and in his speech reminisced TSettlement celebrates its 100th District Superintendent, Rev. Dr. A.E. the time when he was a young boy in Anniversary this year as a church in Joseph, TAC Lay Leader, Mr. Steven this church. Buntong, Ipoh. To commemorate this Solomon, State Assembly Speaker milestone event, the leaders of the church and Assemblyman of Tronoh, Y.B. It was an honor to have our Bishop decided to have a year long celebration. Encik Sivakumar and Assemblyman of preaching God’s word on that special The theme for this Centennial Celebration Buntong, Y.B. Encik Sivasubramaniam. day. The message text was taken from is “Century of Grace”. Joshua 24:1-18 and the message title The service started with the wail of the was “Remembering Our Promise”. Tamil Settlement launched its centennial shofars. It was a call for self-reflection In his message, he challenged the celebrations on 1st January 2008 – a New and repentance. The surround-sound church on three important things, i.e. Year Service that would be remembered of shofar blasts was simply awesome to focus on evangelism and church by many who attended the service. It and instantly filled the atmosphere planting, to reach out to the poor and began with the Watch Night Service and that prepared everyone for worship. needy and to avail our children for full carried over to the New Year. A special choir was formed for this time ministry. Thanksgiving Service under the An original anniversary theme song was leadership of Mr. Anbalakan. After the service, all were treated to a set to music by Ms Nishabel Anbalakan sumptuous dinner. It was a wonderful with lyrics by Mrs Helen Simson. A The church in commemoration of its and joyful time of fellowship. celebration logo was designed by Miss Centennial Celebration established Fireworks display was the last event Selina Wilson. a benevolence ministry known as the of the day. The display was beautiful Centennial Benevolent Fund. The and spectacular to watch and everyone The Centennial Thanksgiving service purpose of the fund is to provide enjoyed it. It was a fun way to end the was celebrated on 31 May 2008 at 5.00 assistance for needy members in the momentous occasion. p.m. It was truly a day of glory and event of financial crisis, hardship or praise that brought more than 1,600 emergency situation. members and friends of the church Vilson Daniel together. The main guests of this service Rev. P.Tevaraji, the President of the Centennial Committee Chairman were our Bishop Dr. Hwa Yung, TAC Tamil Annual Conference extended his T.M.C. Tamil Settlement, Ipoh. 2 What is Happening in our Contents Annual Conferences? Page 4 The Ten Commandments: Precepts for God’s People (2) Worshipping The Invisible God August – Rev Victor Vethamani 8-10 Fri-Sun 9th Session GC Methodist Women Page 6 Serundong Laut - Partnership In Ministry Between 8-10 Fri-Sun TAC 33rd Session Methodist Women The Conferences 9 Sat SCAC Celebration of 40 Years as Autonomous Page 7 AMC 2nd General Assembly Statement Methodist Church Page 8 Words of Life: Teaching SPM Bible Knowledge 15-21 Mon-Thu SCAC Training on Christian Listening Page 9 Karnival Pembangunan Belia 3K 18-21 Mon-Thu SCAC Emmaus Walk (in English for men) Page 10 News From SCAC 20-23 Wed-Sat CAC Southern Bell 80th Anniversary and Pastors’ Wives Retreat Literature Camp SCAC Raises Relief Fund For Myanmar and Sichuan 25-31 Mon-Sat TAC MW Week of Prayer and Self-Denial 29 Aug – 1 Sept TAC MYAF Camp Page 12 “They Call Him A Hero …” Kerk Zi On: 1982 – 2007 30 Aug – 1 Sept SPAC MW 3rd Annual Meeting 31 Aug – 2 Sept CAC Youth Camp September 1-4 Mon-Thu SCAC Emmaus Walk (in Chinese for men) 8-11 Mon-Thu SCAC Emmaus Walk (in English for women) Pelita Methodist is published monthly, 12 issues per year. 13 Sat TAC Malaysian Missionary Movement Malaysia Celebration • RM20.00 for 1 year, inclusive of postage Overseas 15-20 Mon-Sat 9th General Conference Session • US25.00 for 1 year, US40.00 for 2 years 25 Thu TRAC Board of Ministry Meeting inclusive of Air Mail For Personal or Church Subscription contact: 26-28 Fri-Sun TRAC Joint Boards / Executive Board Meeting Pelita Methodist • 69 Jalan 5/31, 46000 Petaling Jaya, Selangor DE. Tel • 603-7954 1811 E-mail • [email protected] All correspondence and enquiries Pelita Methodist to be directed to: Publisher / Pelita Methodist Bishop Dr. Hwa Yung 69 Jalan 5/31, 46000 Petaling Jaya Advertise with Pelita Selangor Darul Ehsan Chief Editor / E-mail Organizations and individuals are welcome to advertise Bishop Dr. Hwa Yung • [email protected] in Pelita Methodist. Businesses, Churches, Conferences, Website Executive Editor • www.methodistchurch.org.my events, personal greetings/messages can be considered. The Mr Christopher Cheah rates per issue are: Designed by Editorial Board / Creative Thumbprint Sdn. Bhd A4 Size Paper B/W Colour Rev Ling Heu Uh 23, Jalan Radin 2 Full page RM600 RM1,000 Rev Steward Damat Mambang Bandar Baru Seri Petaling Rev Khon Weng Joo 57000 Kuala Lumpur Half page RM300 RM600 Mr Wong Meng Lei Quarter page RM150 RM400 Mr Tung Kam Seng Printed by Ms Lily Ung Percetakan Meiji A discount of one issue is given for a year’s advertisement. 45, Jalan PBS 14/2 Please contact the Pelita office. Taman Perindustrian Bukit Serdang 43300 Selangor Darul Ehsan Tel: 03-7954 1811 E-mail: [email protected] Contents 3 The Ten Commandments: Precepts for God’s People (2) Worshipping The Invisible God Rev. Victor Vethamani hile there may be a general they did during Moses’ short absence up with rivalry (sharing of worship) or Waversion to rules and regulations, (less than forty days) from their midst. unfaithfulness (shifting of allegiance). God it should be noted that as human beings The Israelites were severely punished is possessive of His people with whom He we would have a sense of security and for their act. They could not restrain has come into a covenant relationship. confidence when we know where our themselves, for their hearts and minds Their devotion or dependence should limits are. This is not only true for little were not captured by the love and truth not shift to an idol, which has no life. children but more so for adults. God in of God. It was at such a time in their While it may be argued that the idol giving His Commandments to His people history that this Commandment was is not the object of worship but rather made His expectations and demands given to them by God.