In conjunction with the 125th Anniversary of the Methodist Church in Malaysia, the Council of Archives and History (CAH) organised the Church History Symposium. It was held at the Wisma Methodist in Kuala Lumpur on 20 - 23 August 2010. Seventy participants from the various Conferences of the Methodist Church came to attend the Symposium. We also had participants from STM and the AEC office, including ten speakers. The TRAC President Rev Dr Ong Hwai Teik, Rev Dr Tan Jin Huat (Director of CTEE of STM) and Mr Anthony Row (General Conference Secretary) dropped by for some of the sessions.

In all, we had the privilege of listening to ten speakers, all renowned in their various fields in the Christian community, locally and internationally.

Rev Dr John Roxborogh delivered the keynote address “The Christian Presence in Malaysia in Retrospect – Faithfulness to Christ, Engaging the Nation”. Dr Roxborogh taught at Seminary Theoloji Malaysia from 1983 to 1990. He was involved with the Malaysian Church History Study Group which published Christianity in Malaysia: A Denominational History, which he co-edited with Lee Kam Hing and Robert Hunt.

Dr Lee Kam Hing gave an excellent response to Rev John’s address. Both of them reiterated the need and importance of the on-going project of writing the history of the Christian church in Malaysia. This is not only for Malaysian Christians to know our roots and
identity but also for the country to know the Church’s presence and contribution in and to the growth of our country. This is especially needed when our history is being written from a narrow, one-sided point of view today.

In relation to the theme of the paper, both writer and respondent helpfully pointed out the various dimensions of Christian engagement with the nation in its early history. From these early efforts and encounters lessons and models could be drawn for engagement in our socio-religious and political climate today. Much can also be learnt from the less than positive responses from the church in the past and the factors that hindered it so we may be wiser and bolder today.

In the second session Rev Dr Lau Hui Ming, from SCAC, spoke on ‘The Autonomy of 1968 and 1976: Its impact and challenges for the Methodist Church in Malaysia”. Rev Dr Hermen Shastri (General Secretary of CCM) was the respondent. This session was an eye-opener for most of us – learning of the events, the effects and consequences.

Rev Dr Lau brought our attention to some of the issues that came about with the attainment of autonomy. He detailed the emergence of our present structure of the episcopacy, presidency and the district superintendents in the annual conferences; and the emphasis of the role of the laity.

Rev Dr Shastri elaborated on the forces of nationalism and the drive for independence that played their part in our road to autonomy. But he also identified other factors like racial and linguistic issues that influenced the adoption of the structure of the annual conferences in the autonomous Methodist Church. It was an appropriate response to the socio-cultural climate existing then.

We had a most interesting panel of speakers among whom were pastors, lay leaders as well as a politician. Rev Dr Ezra Kok (CAC), Rev Dr Joseph Komar (TAC), Dr Samuel Ong (TRAC) and Datuk Ngeh Koo Ham (CAC) spoke on “Quo Vadis the Methodist Church in Malaysia: Learning from the past, coping with the present and planning for the future”. It was a challenging time of response from Bishop Hwa Yung, the respondent.

Datuk Ngeh spoke first, recounting the ways early Methodism served and contributed to the wider society besides being concerned for church and spiritual needs. He pointed out the continued need for the church to be relevant to society today. Rev Dr Komar highlighted the still existing distinctions along racial lines in our annual conferences after so many years of autonomy. Dr Samuel Ong raised the important issue of the current trends in worship that shape the understanding and life of worship of Methodist congregations. Rev Dr Kok raised a number of concerns for the future of Methodism: moving from evangelism to mission, being a witness for Christ in our multi-religious society, Bahasa Malaysia ministry and ministry among the indigenous groups, the need to raise pastor-teachers and pastor-scholars/theologians, and the rethinking of the relationship of the Methodist Church and STM.

In response Bishop Dr Hwa Yung added his own thoughts to those shared by the panel. Some of these were the reaffirmation for the need to engage with society as integral to our discipleship, the recovery of a more vibrant worship life of the church, the need for greater theological depth for both pastors and laymen. But he also added that we need to recover a fuller understanding and practice of our Methodist heritage and the spiritual gifts including those of prophets, evangelists and healers. And he called for the church to be an agent of reconciliation in our society wracked by racialism as much as, and perhaps even more than, religious and cultural differences.

We had two nights of widening, deepening and enriching our understanding of being committed Methodists as well as being faithful Christians standing firmly for God. We were already tired after a long day, but most stayed awake and alert to listen to the public lectures by Dr Ng Kam Weng, the Research Director of Kairos Institute, on “How Malaysian Churches can impact Malaysia”. What a great opportunity we had to be able to listen to this committed humble servant of God. Indeed, we, the participants, are reminded of our rich Methodist heritage as an integral part of the Church community in this country of ours. We are “to use this awareness to spur ourselves on to influence the direction of nation building. We need to stand firm for our God and His Word.

On the final day, the various Conferences brainstormed on what and how to take action on all that had been shared by the speakers. This was followed by a plenary session of sharing each others’ action plans. And after a good lunch at the 2 Fish and 5 Loaves Cafe (where we had all our meals) we said our goodbyes. About twenty-five participants took the optional tour to the National Archives Malaysia.

We encourage all churches to be more involved and more supportive of the work of their Archives and History Ministry. Have a place set aside to be an archives room or even a museum! Keep your church minutes and records well. Write your stories. They are God’s story – HIS-STORY! Let our story be --- “a heritage of faithfulness passed on through godly lives and may all who come behind us find us faithful.” (Jon Mohr).

We thank God for His providence, goodness and faithfulness. All glory to our Lord God Almighty!


Ms Vicky Lee, Mrs Goh Phing Choo and Christopher Cheah