The Methodist Church in Singapore

Assessing Israel’s actions in Gaza, Dr Roland Chia urges us, “For the Christian, war must always be met with sorrow, lament and repentance.” Click here to read the full article: https://www.methodist.org.sg/methodist-message/collateral-damage-or-moral-breakdown-assessing-israels-actions-in-gaza/

In the first issue of Malaysia Message (the old name of Methodist Message) after World War II, a new editorial team was appointed. They recount the painful years of the Japanese Occupation and its impact on the church, and also pay tribute to the leaders of the Church at that time: "And so we face forward to a new day but we cannot easily obliterate the past four years of darkness when our people suffered the tragic upheaval of all of life. … Death has prematurely mowed down many of our leaders and those in prospect. ... Our Primary children have grown up without a knowledge of Church fellowship; our Intermediates, without church training. Only our Youth, now become our Young Adults, grounded in the faith, seem to have sustained the hardships, the depravations and to have matured spiritually. To them and to that older group, both ministers and laymen, who bore the responsibility of holding together and carrying forward our Church in such hazardous times, we owe a last gratitude.”

The August issue of Methodist Message is out! • From prison gate to church door As followers of Christ, how can we serve in this mission? Prison Fellowship Singapore Executive Director Chua Kok Wan shares how they help prisoners, ex-offenders (especially mentally-challenged), and their families, offering second chances through community support. • The Christian as citizen What does it mean to be both a Christian and a citizen? How does our faith as Christians shape our understanding and practice of citizenship? Read more as Dr Roland Chia tackles these questions. Read the stories here: https://www.methodist.org.sg/message For the full PDF version, access it here: https://www.methodist.org.sg/flipbook/ You can also pick up the print edition at your church.

What legacy are we building today? As we celebrate 60 years of Singapore’s independence and 140 years of Methodism in Singapore, we give thanks for God’s faithfulness through the generations. Methodists have long contributed to education, social care, and spiritual life in our nation. In his message, Bishop Philip Lim invites us to reflect on this rich heritage—and challenges us to build a faithful future. How will we continue to be salt and light in our communities, churches, and marketplace today? https://www.methodist.org.sg/methodist-message/mcs-and-60-years-of-nation-building/

A murdered daughter. An abusive husband. Still, God was writing a different ending. Read more about Flourish — the ministry that began as a simple passion project, and how God has carried it this far, touching the lives of many women like Chab Nern. Click the link to read the full article: https://www.methodist.org.sg/methodist-message/a-handicraft-mission-field-the-journey-of-flourish/

You may feel unworthy, but God calls you worth it. Jesus didn’t wait for us to be enough—He gave everything because He loved us first. #MethodistMonday

How important is the environment to you? A government poll showed that it’s a top concern for Singaporean youths—so what does God say about climate and sustainability, and how can you, a young follower of Christ, make a godly impact? Come join us to rediscover our role in God's creation! Date: 30 August 2025, Saturday Time: 11.30am-5.00pm Venue: Covenant Community Methodist Church

Why would God let me suffer? We don’t always get answers right away. Like Job, we may cry out. Like David, we may feel too unworthy to even ask. But as the fog lifts and the flowers come into focus, we begin to see: what we go through shapes who we are. And sometimes, it’s only after the pain that we realise — we were being formed for something deeper, truer, and more beautiful. May this reflection remind you: your story is not forgotten. Your cries are heard. And your healing is coming into focus. Read the full reflection here: https://www.methodist.org.sg/methodist-message/a-counsellors-perspective-on-suffering/

Through this prayerful hymn, Charles Wesley reminds us that healing is more than treating the body — it is pointing the brokenhearted to the mercy of Christ. As we serve or suffer, may we not forget the deeper wounds of the world, and may we look to the One who truly restores. Let us mourn with the hurting and intercede with compassion — not in pride, but in love. 📸: @thebirdingdude (IG) #MethodistMonday

Benjamin Tan wrestled with this impossible question after his twins were born prematurely and diagnosed as neurodivergent. His honest struggle, his questions, and the answer he found years later remind us that faith is not always about easy answers — but about trusting the God who loves all His children deeply. Read the full testimony here: https://www.methodist.org.sg/methodist-message/did-god-love-my-children-less-a-discovery-of-purpose-and-faith-amidst-trials/

Dr Benjamin West came to Malaya to work as a missionary and served alongside Bishop Oldham. He founded Telok Ayer Chinese Methodist Church, the first church under the Chinese Annual Conference. Although he is reported to have given of himself unstintingly to anyone in need, there were moments of struggle. Catherine Jackson, another Methodist missionary who served in Malaya said of Dr West: "Once, I heard him say that many a night, he had walked the streets of Singapore, and had fully made up his mind to go down the next day, take passage on the first boat leaving Singapore, and go home. When asked why he did not do it, his reply was characteristic of the man. He said, 'Because I could never quite get the consent and approval of my conscience to actually do the thing.'"

How does a child of God operate in a world which rewards visibility, certainty and control? Having served two decades in the public service, and more recently serving as Chairperson of Methodist Welfare Services (MWS), the social concerns arm of The Methodist Church in Singapore, it’s a recurring question for Eugene Toh. He shares his imagined conversation with three kings, and lessons gleaned from them. Read the full conversation here: https://www.methodist.org.sg/methodist-message/a-leadership-roundtable-with-three-kings-saul-david-and-solomon/

Throughout his illustrious public service career, Lim Siong Guan had exhibited exemplary leadership and wisdom. He takes the time to share his thoughts on what it means to be a leader and how leadership in the house of God should look like. Read the full article here: https://www.methodist.org.sg/methodist-message/leadership-for-the-church/

Oftentimes, we forget to pray. But John Wesley reminds us that prayer is where the action is. It’s not the backup plan—it’s the battle plan. Let’s start each day with prayer, trusting that God moves through it. #MethodistMonday

Press. Hold. Double tap. Sometimes, the quietest things speak the loudest in love. How can you love today? Here are 5 simple ways to silently help someone — based on the 5 love languages by Gary Chapman. You don’t need to be loud or flashy to love like Jesus. Just be present. Be kind. Be faithful in the little things. Happy Youth Day.

Do you feel like an NPC in church? You serve. You show up. But your effort often goes unseen. Still, you keep going — faithfully, quietly, week after week. The apostle Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 12 that every member of the body is indispensable — no matter how visible or hidden their role may be. This Youth Day, we see you. More importantly, God sees you. Here’s to the ones behind the scenes — the sound crew, event planners, ushers, bubble tea buyers and many more who aren’t often mentioned. You’re not just an NPC. You’re part of how God is moving in His Church. Send this to someone who serves quietly — and thank them this Youth Day. Their service may be unseen by many, but it brings glory to the One who sees all. https://www.instagram.com/p/DLtj-Mqymq4/

In a world that urges us to hustle, learning to slow down can be the wisest choice. Here’s a reminder that you don’t have to earn your worth and be constantly productive. Chloe Toh from Hakka Methodist Church 卫理公会客音天恩堂 shares her reflections on Finding Your Place (FYP), a three-month youth discipleship programme by the Chinese Annual Conference. Read the full story here: https://www.methodist.org.sg/methodist-message/examining-my-worldview-as-a-christian-student-in-singapore/

The July issue of Methodist Message is out! • Lessons on leadership from Kings Saul, David and Solomon In this candid article, Eugene Toh, Chairperson of Methodist Welfare Services, pens an imagined conversation with three kings from the bible. • Lim Siong Guan shares his thoughts on leadership for the Church Throughout his illustrious public service career, Lim Siong Guan had exhibited exemplary leadership and wisdom. He shares what it means to be a leader and how leadership in the house of God should look like. • "Did God love my children less?" This is the question foremost on the mind of Benjamin Tan, CEO of World Vision Singapore, when he faced a personal crisis that eventually shaped his faith and life purpose. Read more about Benjamin's personal journey and how it bears witness to God's ongoing work in his life. Read the stories here: www.methodist.org.sg/message For the full PDF version, access it here: www.methodist.org.sg/flipbook/ You can also pick up the print edition at your church.

Do you agree with this statement? "Making Christ known in the marketplace can be more difficult than preaching the gospel in the mission field." In his message, Bishop Philip Lim shares how we can be Christ’s ambassador to the people around us. Read more: https://www.methodist.org.sg/methodist-message/being-a-leader-in-the-marketplace/

May we all be Methodists who love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. Let’s focus on helping one another grow in this love more and more each day. #MethodistMonday