13-16 November 2007, Sibu

The SCAC Conference was held at Wei Kok Hall, Sibu. The SCAC has adopted the theme “Disciples in Missions” for two years, 2007 and 2008. In this vein President Su Chii Ann, in his speech concentrated on the direction of spiritual formation.
 
He emphasized on life-long learning by training the pastors, lay preachers, teachers and group leaders, and by providing different levels of training and teaching materials and seminars.

The Conference started a Disciples Academy that runs programmes over two to five days at different levels for the training of church members. Topics on Prayer and Bible, Life-Focus Seminar, Emmaus Walk cater to the diverse aspects of maturity for disciples of Christ. Three year programmes, online correspondence courses, leadership training courses are being promoted at Conference, District and local church level.

There are also longer term training programmes that members are encouraged to take – the Disciple 1, 2 & 3, lay preacher course, Short Term Missions School, and others. Each church was encouraged to start a programme to build mature disciples, beginning with converts right through to maturity, by running programmes in the church itself or making use of programmes offered on the Conference level.

In the area of missions too there have been advance and development. 2008 is Missions Year planned by the Board of Missions. 32 short term missions trips to 15 different countries have been planned. Church members were encouraged to seek the opportunities to experience missions. A special course on missions will be made available for the youth and adult Sunday schools. Each church was also encouraged to raise at least one missionary by 2020.
 
On the local scene 16 short term missions trips have been planned to reach the indigenous peoples. These will go out to mostly unreached areas. The Chinese churches are encouraged to reach out to the smaller towns and villagers identified by the Board of Evangelism. 

Ordination Service
The Conference saw the ordination of eight Elders and six Deacons. This was conducted by Bishop Hwa Yung. It was a night of reverence and joy as these 14 pastors pledged their lives to God in front of their family, friends and church members.
 
Rev. Dr. Tie King Tie preached on humility from 1 Peter 5:5. He said, “Humility is a lesson to learn for life. We need to put on humility and subject to one another ... As an Elder, your stole is a symbol of servanthood. God has ordained you to serve the flocks with a humble and submissive heart.” 

The Conference also commissioned one new missionary, Ms Emily Ho, to serve in East Asia. 

Compiled from reports in Connection
30 November 2007