PELITA - The Methodist Church Newsletter
Listed below are articles abstracted from past issues of PELITA
32nd Session Trinity Annual Conference
24-27 November 2007, Penang
In his address to the Conference, President Ong Hwai Teik gave a snapshot overview of the past year according to the mission and vision framework of TRAC. The past two years its mission statement - Open Heavens, Global Missions – encapsulates the dual need for receiving the abundance of God’s blessings to the church and going out as God’s people into all the world. Its vision is to be a Transforming, Redeeming, Abiding, Community (TRAC) in Christ.
In its on-going task to realize the vision this is focused on five essential areas, namely Leadership Development, Building Community, Missions and Outreach, Discipleship and Spirituality, Family: Children, Youth and Seniors Ministries.
There were many things to be thankful for in the achievements and progress made. There were also newly started projects and on-going plans that need commitment, diligence and perseverance to see them through. But there were challenges as well that members and the church need to respond to.
Some of these were important issues in our nation. Accordingly, this year’s Conference theme was “The Church and Society”, a topic that raised the awareness of the church’s responsibility, indeed, mission in society.
This topic was addressed by Bishop Hwa Yung in three teaching sessions. They were challenging, inspiring, insightful and thought provoking. As spiritual descendants of Abraham, we are blessed by God but we must not forget that we are also called to be a blessing to the nation. To be a blessing to the nation, we ourselves have to strive for exemplary Christ-like living, demonstrating the highest level of holiness and integrity, ridding ourselves of bitterness and extending forgiveness.
The church is responsible for nation building as she is called to be “salt of the earth” and “light of the world.” Nation building is our responsibility and we have to believe that the gospel is the answer to many of the nation’s problems. We have to do our part to help shape her moral and social vision. However, this cannot happen if the church is unengaged, comfortable, middle class, focused on itself and unwilling to pay the cost of commitment.
As TRAC grows according to its vision it will become the kind of church able to fulfill its mission in society. Therefore, the continuing need remains for prayerful and deep transformations, disciplined and caring small groups, Christ-like authentic pastors, lay leaders and members.
Based on the President’s speech and
report from Ms Lily Ch’ng