PELITA - The Methodist Church Newsletter
Listed below are articles abstracted from past issues of PELITA
September 2008 - 9th Session General Conference
Bishop Hwa Yung Reelected
Rev Dr Hwa Yung was reelected bishop of the Methodist Church on the first ballot at the 9th Session General Conference held from 15 – 20 September 2008 in Kota Kinabalu.
In his brief speech afterwards he thanked the General Conference for the vote of confidence and affirmation in
re-electing him to the office of bishop. He reiterated what he had said in the Episcopal address for his thankfulness to God’s grace and strength sufficient for the work that had been put into his hands the past four years. He also thanked the Presidents of the Annual Conferences, the GC officers and all the GCEC members for their support.
Bishop Hwa Yung asked for the upholding of their prayers and giving themselves to work together to advance the work of the Gospel of Christ through the Methodist Church in Malaysia.
At the closing service of the General Conference, Bishop Dr Robert Solomon of the Methodist Church in Singapore officiated in the re-dedication of Bishop Hwa Yung in his office, together with Bishop Roy I. Sano of the United Methodist Church, USA, Bishop Albert Chiew of the Chinese Methodist Church in Australia and Bishop Amat Tumino of the Methodist Church in Indonesia.
In his sermon Bishop Solomon pointed out that being a bishop is a noble task. It is an important office where great things can be accomplished. But just as in warfare, often the most strategic places are also the most vulnerable and therefore needs to be guarded all the more. While the office of the bishop is one of elevation, yet it is also to carry the cross.
While Bishop Solomon spoke of the consecration of the bishop to his office and task yet he called on everyone, the clergy as well as the laity, to be willing to be consecrated to the work of God. We are called to build the temple of God but we must also be careful how we build, the quality of our work just as important as the task itself.
In his greetings to the congregation Bishop Hwa Yung ended with the call to pray and work towards renewal and revival in the Methodist Church, if it is to fulfill the theme for the new quadrennium. But he explained that revival does not necessarily mean huge crowds or sensational happenings. Instead he gave three pictures of what each local church in its own location can do to bring about this renewal. First, was the picture of John Wesley speaking and ministering to small groups in barns, telling them of God’s love for them. Second, was the picture of pastors preaching the Word every week to their congregations in every corner of the country. And third, the Christian who by his or her service to those around them can influence and shape their lives in ways that are often unseen and incalculable. In these small ways, with everyone doing their part, the nation can be impacted and holiness spread through the land.
Christopher Cheah