Synod Youth Ministry 大会青年事工

Starry Starry Night Musical

2009-05-26T00:54:00.004+08:00

The musical is put together by one of our own youths. The songs that are sung are popular secular songs which the youths can easily identify with. The Gospel message is weaved into the storyline which is about the lives of 4 very good friends with different sets of problems they have to deal with. One of them eventually dies but it is her life that has the most impact on the rest.

Come and join us for the musical and it will be great if you can bring along people who have yet to know the Lord Jesus we all love!

For more information, check out in the above flyer:

Atheism is Probably Wrong

2009-05-13T16:19:00.003+08:00

This is the cover of a leaflet that respond to the new breed of militant atheists like Richard Dawkins who made famous the phrase: "There is probably no God". To read the entire leaflet, visit:
http://www.matthiasmedia.com.au/Samples/aidw/aidw_scroller.html
I would like to add this:"Atheists believe there is probably no God; Christians are confident there is. So would you like to base your life on a probable answer or definite answer?"

(below: an interesting atheism campaign in England)

Walking With Gay Friends

2009-05-13T15:55:00.002+08:00

The AWARE saga triggered lot's of conversations. One of which is what do we think about homosexuality? As youths, the bigger question is, "How do we love our gay friends since the church teaches that homosexual lifestyle is counter to God's design?" Here is one book that explores this area.
You may read its review at www.matthiasmedia.com.au/briefing/library/5574.

Butterfly, botanist or bee?

2009-04-14T14:59:00.001+08:00

John MacAuthur, Why Believe the Bible?

An old but graphic illustration tells of a man who looked out of his window at a beautiful garden full of plants and flowers. First, he saw a lovely butterfly, which would flutter from flower to flower, pausing only for a second or two before moving on. It touched many of the lovely blossoms but derived no benefit from them.

Next, he spotted a botanist, with a big notebook under his arm and a large magnifying glass in his hand. The botanist would hunch over one flower for a long time, peering at it through his magnifying glass in his pocket and walked away.

The third visitor to the flower garden was a tiny bee. The bee would light on a flower and sink down deep, extracting all the nectar it could carry. On each visit to a flower it went empty and came out full.

And so it is with Christians in their approach to God's Word. There are butterflies who move from stirring sermons to stirring sermons, from Bible class to Bible class, fluttering here, fluttering there, bringing nothing and gaining nothing but a nice feeling. And there are the spiritual botanists who take copious notes. They are trying to get everything straight - from each vowel point to each point in the outline. They go over the words but don't draw much out of the flowers. It's all pure academics.

And then there are the people who are like spiritual bees. They sink down deep into every flower, every book or page of the Scripture they come upon, and draw out the wisdom and truth and life that can be a blessing to them and those around them.

You? Butterfly, botanist or bee?

The Barber

2009-03-12T13:49:00.001+08:00

Siow Hwee, that was a good one. I'm trying to match you...

After twenty years of shaving himself every morning, a man in a small Southern town decided he had had enough. He told his wife that he intended to let the local barber shave him each day. He put on his hat and coat and went to the barber shop which was owned by the pastor of the local Presbyterian Church. The barber's wife, Grace, was working, so she performed the task. Grace shaved him and sprayed him with lilac water and said, "That will be $20." The man thought the price was a bit high, but he paid the bill and went to work. The next morning the man looked in the mirror, and his face was as smooth as it had been when he left the barber shop the day before. Not bad, he thought. At least I don't need to get a shave every day. The next morning, the man's face was still smooth. Two weeks later, the man was still unable to find any trace of whiskers on his face. It was more than he could take, so he returned to the barber shop. "I thought $20 was high for a shave", he told the barber's wife, "but you must have done a great job. It's been two weeks and my whiskers still haven't started growing back." The expression on her face didn't even change, expecting his comment. She responded, "You were shaved by Grace. Once shaved, always shaved."

(The above views is purely personal and does not reflect the views of the organization that host this blog site!)

Trying Too Hard

2009-03-12T11:00:00.007+08:00

"One of the greatest reasons people cannot mobilize themselves is that they try to accomplish great things. Most worthwhile achievements are the result of many little things done in a single direction." - Nido Quebin

I came across the below testimony on Bill Bright in the book "The Man in the Mirror" by Patrick Morley. Bill Bright must have left a great imprint on Morley. Hope he'll do the same for you. Anyway, I enjoyed the book. Pick one up too for yourself. I think it'll make good material for a small group of man to read and share together.

Synod Youth Games 2009

2009-02-17T09:18:00.003+08:00

Click on the image for a full-size look

On Barth

2009-01-09T15:22:00.001+08:00

Augustine, Calvin and Barth find themselves waiting outside the throne room on the Day of Judgment. Augustine goes in first, and after half an hour comes out and says to the others: 'It was wonderful! I had all the mysteries of sin, grace and salvation explained to me!'

Next, Calvin goes in, comes out an hour later and says to the others: 'It was wonderful! I had all the mysteries of election, predestination and divine sovereignty explained to me!'

Finally, Barth goes in. After two hours, God comes out and says to the others: 'I've still got no idea what he is talking about!'

From this Blog: http://thechurchofjesuschrist.wordpress.com/

2008-12-18T17:38:00.002+08:00

CHOOSE ONE CHAIR

There was a story about how the famous tenor, Pavarotti was able to be successful. "When I was a boy, my father, a baker, introduced me to the wonders of song," tenor Luciano Pavarotti relates. "He urged me to work very hard to develop my voice. Arrigo Pola, a professional tenor in my hometown of Modena, Italy, took me as a pupil. I also enrolled in a teachers college. On graduating, I asked my father, 'Shall I be a teacher or a singer?' "'Luciano,' my father replied, 'if you try to sit on two chairs, you will fall between them. For life, you must choose one chair.' "I chose one. It took seven years of study and frustration before I made my first professional appearance. It took another seven to reach the Metropolitan Opera. And now I think whether it's laying bricks, writing a book--whatever we choose--we should give ourselves to it. Commitment, that's the key. Choose one chair."

As young men and women, learning the seriousness of commit to one thing is very important. Whether you keep commitments to your family, your school, your friends, your church and to God, we must be focus on one thing and stick till the end. It is a very difficult lesson though, as there are still many adults who have not learned this lesson. That is because along the way, we meet temptations, distractions and hardships. We may give up and choose to go another route away from the destination. In the end, we are unable to reach the goal.

Dear young people, to be truly committed in your life will greatly please God and bring you great rewards. God does not like us to be lukewarm Christians. Being half hearted will get you nowhere. It will also frustrate your friends and people around you because you never keep to your commitment and persist till the end. God has made many commitments to us and keeps each and every one of them. God is always there even when there is no one who cares for us. That is why God values true commitments in our lives. Every aspect of your life requires a commitment on your part to some degree. You will encounter times when a very deep commitment is required, such as attending Church Service, Youth Group meetings every week, successfully completing a very difficult course in school or a musical project. If you keep a pet, you have a commitment to that pet and will try your best to take care of its life because that pet will rely on you for everything it needs to stay alive and happy. Likewise, God requires that we honor our commitments no matter how large or how small. We are bound to meet storms and obstacles in our lives, but if we are prepared to persist, we can do it by God’s grace no matter how tough the situation can get you to. God calls us to be a Christian 24/7. We need to be close to God at all times in order to be 24/7 true Christian.

I encourage all of you to do things in your best efforts, choose one chair, even when you think it's small, do it with commitment and focus, and the big results will surely arrive. Do it to shine for the Lord!

“Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.” (James 1:12)

Pr. Carol Ling (Bethel Presbyterian Church)

2008-12-18T17:34:00.000+08:00

ARE YOU A ‘BELIEVER’ OR ‘DISCIPLE’?

“Are you a believer?” It’s very easy to answer “Yes” if someone asks you this question. I tried this on my youth group and I could get a loud and clear answer “Yes” from them. But if we probe more by asking “Are you a disciple”? , it takes a moment for the youth group to answer. In a way, it is consoling to know that the youths are aware of the difference between being a believer and being a disciple. Being a believer and being a disciple is entirely different. Becoming a believer is simply a matter of trusting in Christ as your only hope of salvation. Becoming a disciple is working hard everyday to become more like Jesus and to bring people to the Lord.
However, I am not saying that we must work hard or behave like a saint to get to heaven. When we receive salvation through our faith in Jesus Christ, we are saved. But if we call ourselves a disciple, we need to live a genuine faith with our words and action in consistency. If we claim that we love Christ, we cannot say it only on our lips and not doing anything. In order to improve a relationship, we need to spend time with the person and do things and make efforts to please him or her. Likewise, in our relationship with Christ, we need to improve our relationship with the Lord. A true disciple will not be satisfied with just being a believer. An authentic disciple will make effort to spend time with the Lord and learn to be more and more like Jesus, whether in actions and words. An authentic disciple will also like more and more people to know the Lord that He loves deeply and want them to be close to the Lord.
Here is a list that makes a great starting point to "examine yourselves to see if your faith is really genuine" (II Corinthians 13:5).
A believer praises the Lord in good times, the disciple at all times.
The Holy Spirit resides in the believer but shines through the disciple.
A believer loves God with heart and mind, while a disciple commits the will.
A believer loves God and others, but they are the disciple's life.
A believer lives in hope, but for the disciple, God's hope is certain.
A believer seeks forgiveness for sin, but a disciple also determines not to walk that path again.
A believer had faith in God but the disciple's faith is tempered in the fire of testing.
A believer loves the Lord, but the disciple's love is unconditional.
The believer serves the Lord in strength, but the disciple is made perfect through weakness.
God is part of the believer's life, but the central focus of the disciple.
A believer forgives, but the disciple also forgets.
A believer communicates with God at his/her own convenience, but the disciple's heart is open to the Lord at all times.
I understand that we are afterall, weak and limited human beings. I encourage you to continue to work diligently as a true disciple even when we are still ‘work-in-progress’ disciple. Let’s continue to strengthen the areas that need to be improved in our actions and words, so as to be like Jesus.
Jesus said “ If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.” (Mark 8:34)

Pr. Carol Ling (Bethel Presbyterian Church)

2008-12-18T17:09:00.004+08:00

The 4th Synod Youth Leadership Camp (20-21 Feb 2009)

15th December 2008
Dear Senior Pastors, Ministers and Youth Pastors/Mentors,

The grace and peace of God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

The Synod Youth Council would like to invite you and your church youth leaders to attend the 4th Synod Youth Leadership Camp 20-21 Feb 2009 （Fri-Sat）at the Bethel Presbyterian Church. In this camp, Rev. Jimmy of Bethel Presbyterian Church will share on the camp’s theme： Spiritual Leader’s Competency and also round up the three-years cycle of leadership trainings: calling, character and competency. In addition, Rev. Dr. Danny Goh (Dean of School of Counseling, Singapore Bible College)
will train on “People Helping Skills”-a most wanted to learn topic which our youths feedback in 2008 camp. The details of the camp are as follows:

Main Theme: The Competency of a Spiritual Leader
Speaker: Rev. Jimmy Tan (Associate Minister, Bethel Presbyterian Church)
Sub-Theme: People Helping Skills
Speaker: Rev. Dr. Danny Goh (Dean of School of Counseling, Singapore Bible College)
Date: 20-21 Feb 2009 (Fri, 6:30pm – Sat, 6pm)
Venue: Bethel Presbyterian Church
Address: 12, Jalan Lateh, Singapore 359110.
Cost: $15 per person (inclusive of food and accommodation)
Age: 16 - 25 years old

Please contact Rev Vincent Koh, the Synod Youth Executive for more information.
Tel: 6338-7268 (DID) Mobile: 83335679 Fax: 63394076
Email: vincent@ presbysing.org.sg, vk2724@gmail.com
Website: www.presbyterian.org.sg, click “Youth Blog” or http://synodym.blogspot.com/

We hope you can include this leadership camp program into your 2009 church youth ministry plans
and encourage your youth leaders to participate.
Please submit the registration forms (Annex 1) and camp fees to Rev Vincent Koh by 10 Feb 2009.
Address: Presbyterian Church House, 132 Sophia Road, S (228186)
Cheques are to be written to "Synod of the PCS".
Please kindly indicate your church name and "For: Synod Youth Ministry" at the back of the cheque.

Thank You.
Yours sincerely,

Rev. Dr. Lim Boon Young
Synod Youth Council Chairman

____________________________________________________________________
Annex 1 附件I :
报名表格
参加者姓名： ___________________________ 登记号码：_____________ 年龄：________
住址：_________________________________________ 住家电话号码：______________
手机号码：________________ 电邮地址: _______________________________________
教会名称：____________________________ 在青年事工担任的职份：_______________
紧急事件联络人姓名： ____________________ 联络电话号码： ______________

家长承诺书 (对于18岁以下的参加者)：
“我意识并了解到领袖营可能会有冒险，危险及困难情况。经过考虑，我允许我的孩子参加此领袖营和其中的活动。”

家长或监护人的姓名：_______________
家长或监护人的签名: ________________ Date: ________________
请将报名表格（见附件1）与营费 ($15) 交付给许联发牧师，地址：The Presbyterian Church House, 132 Sophia Road S(228186). (截止日期：10 Feb 09)
支票抬头请写：“Synod of the PCS”，请在支票后面注明您的教会名字及“付于大会青年事工”，谢谢您。

Please cut along this line
Registration Form
Participant Full Name: ___________________________ NRIC No. : _____________ Age: ______
Home Address: _________________________________________ Home Tel: _______________
Mobile Tel: ________________ Email Address: _______________________________________
Church: ____________________________ Position in the Youth Ministry: ___________________
Contact person in case of emergency: ____________________Contact number: ______________

For the parents or guardian of the participant (under 18 years of age):
"I am aware of, and understand the risks, dangers and hazards associated with leadership camps. In consideration of this, I hereby give permission for my child to participate in the camp and its activities as mentioned above."

Parent or Guardian‘s Name and Signature: ________________________________________ Date: ________________

Please submit registration form (Annex 1) and camp fee ($15 each) to Rev. Vincent Koh by 10 Feb 2009.
Address: The Presbyterian Church House ， 132 Sophia Road, S(228186)

Cheques are to be written to "Synod of The PCS"。Please kindly indicate your church name and "For: Synod Youth Ministry" at the back of the Cheque
____________________________________________________________________

Annex 2 附件II :

Time-Table
时间表

21 Feb 2009 (Saturday)
2009年2月21日（星期六）
7:00 – 8:00 am
Wakey, Wakey! 起身
8:00 – 9:00 am
Breakfast 早餐
9:00 – 9:30 am
Morning Devotion 清晨灵修
(Pr Foo Yuk Yee, ARPC ）
9:30 – 10:00 am
Worship崇拜
Bethel Presbyterian Church
长老会伯特利堂
10:00 – 12 noon
Workshop: People Helping Skills(Part1)
工作坊：辅助人的技巧
(Rev Dr Danny Goh, SBC)
12 noon – 1:00 pm
Lunch 午餐
1:00 – 3:00 pm
Workshop: People Helping Skills(Part2)
工作坊：辅助人的技巧
(Rev Dr Danny Goh, SBC)
3:00 – 3:30 pm
Pack Up 收拾行李
3.30 – 4.30 pm
Group Sharing/ Feedback 小组分享
4:30 – 5:30 pm
Dedication and Benediction
(Rev Jimmy Tan陈文才牧师)
5:30 – 6:00 pm
Clean up and Home Sweet Home
清理；回家
____________________________________________________________________
20 Feb 2009 (Fri)

6:30 – 6:45 pm
Registration 注册
6:45 – 7:00 pm
Opening Ceremony
开幕礼
(Rev Vincent Koh 许联发牧师)
7:00 – 7:30 pm
Worship 崇拜
Bethany Presbyterian Church 长老会伯大尼堂
7:30 – 9:00 pm
Talk : The Competency of a Leader
主题讲座 : 属灵领袖的领导力
(Rev Jimmy Tan牧师)
（Interpreter: Rev Vincent Koh）
(通译员: 许联发牧师)
9:00 – 10:00 pm
Group Sharing and Prayer
小组分享和祷告
10:00 – 11:00 pm
Night Games
(Pr Wilson Tan 陈永昇传道)
11:00 pm
Supper and Sleep 宵夜；晚安
____________________________________________________________________

Things to bring 必备之物:
- Bible 圣经
- Writing materials, note-book, etc. 书写材料，笔记本等
- Personal Medications (if any) 个人服食药物（若有）
- Clothes enough for two days 两天用的衣服
- Wind-breaker, sweater, or jacket (optional) 挡风衣，毛衣或夹克（若有需要）
- One set of outdoor attires 一套外出的衣服
- Sport shoes or sandals (for outdoor activity) 户外使用的运动鞋或拖鞋
- Bathing and cleaning necessities (tooth-brush, tooth paste, shower gel, soap, towel, etc.)
- 冲洗必备之用品（牙刷，牙膏，沐露液，香皂，毛巾等等）
- Slippers to use in the showers 洗澡所用之拖鞋
- Individual sleeping bags 个人睡包 (no mattress will be provided) 没有供应床褥
- At least one set of clothes for over-night stay 至少一套过夜穿之衣服
- pillows, (optional) 枕头（若有需要）

2008-12-18T16:54:00.000+08:00

第四届大会青年领袖训练营 20-21 Feb 2009

亲爱的主理牧师，教牧和青年教牧、导师们：

愿恩惠、平安，从神我们的父，并主耶稣基督归于你们。

大会青年理事会邀请您和您的教会青年领袖来参加将于2009年2月20-21日（星期五至星期六）假长老会伯特利堂主办的第四届大会青年领袖训练营。在这营会里，长老会伯特利堂的陈文才牧师将会传讲营会主题“属灵领袖的能力”和总结三年领袖训练的课题：“属灵领袖的呼召”， “属灵领袖的品格” 与“属灵领袖的能力”。除此之外，我们也特别邀请新加坡神学院辅导部门主任吴永成博士（Dr Danny Goh）将会传讲关于“辅导浅谈”的专题- “一门最想学习的课题”- 在2008年营会里青年的回应。营会的详情如下：

主题：“属灵领袖的能力”
讲员：陈文才牧师（长老会伯特利堂的同理牧师）
专题：“辅导浅谈”
讲员：吴永成博士（新加坡神学院辅导部门主任）
日期：2009年2月20-21日（星期五傍晚6：30点--星期六傍晚6点）
场所：长老会伯特利堂
地址： 12， Jalan Lateh, 新加坡 359110.
营费：$15 –个人（包括食物和住宿）
年龄：16-25岁

若您想知更多详情，请联络许联发牧师（大会青年干事）。
电话：63387268(办公室)，83335679（手机）；63394076（传真）.
电邮：vincent@presbysing.org.sg，vk2724@gmail.com
网址：www.presbyterian.org.sg, 进入网页 “Youth Blog” 或 http://synodym.blogspot.com/

盼望您能在您的2009年教会青年事工计划书中列入此领袖训练营的时间表，并鼓励您的青年领袖报名参加。请将报名表格(附件1)和营费在2009年2月10日之前交于许联发牧师。
地址：, 新加坡长老大会所，132 Sophia Road, S (228186)。
支票抬头请写 "Synod of the PCS" 和背后注名 “教会名字“和“大会青年事工”。

谢谢您。
呈敬

林文远牧师
大会青年理事会主席

二零零八年十二月十五日

Informal Group for Youth Workers on Facegroup

2008-11-10T12:06:00.002+08:00

I've started an informal networking group on Facebook called "Presbyterian Youth Workers". If you are on Facebook and is a youth worker (volunteer or paid-staff), please join!
I hope there can be a lively online community where we share woes and joys with each other!

Lessons from my fishing trips

2008-11-10T11:54:00.002+08:00

(Queenfish caught at Bedok Jetty!)

Picked up fishing a few months ago. The experience brought me through a roller-coaster-like discovery of myself. Here are just some lessons that I’ve learned.

Fishing technique matters
To the casual observer, fishing is just a fishing rod, a hook on a line, and a piece of meat on the hook. Try using that method and you should be prepared to wait for eternity without a catch.
There are details to the kind of rod, line, hook and bait to use. Furthermore, your ability to land a fish is greatly affected by the skill of operating all the above.
You want to be a fisher of man? Sharpen your skills.

You thought you’re catching the fish, actually the fish is catching you
Fishing is an addictive activity. For every fish you catch, you want to go back for the next one. Before you know it, the fish has caught you!
Enter the fishing-for-man industry with your eyes wide open. Because you’ll be addicted to changed lives!

God brings the fish
This is the most important lesson for me at fishing.
All the enthusiasm and good techniques would come to naught if there is no fish in the waters! But when God sends the fishes, and your lines and hooks are ready, you’ll get tight lines all the way!
Don’t be discouraged when all your efforts at fishing for man seemed to yield no result. God has his timing. Use your waiting time to pray and hone your skills. The fishes are coming…

(for lighter stuffs on my fishing trips, visit lkyfish.blogspot.com)

2008-10-17T17:39:00.001+08:00

LESSONS OF FAITHFULNESS

How do you keep praying when you don't hear an answer? How do you cope when your problems won't go away . . . to the extent of your life is at stake? When I was preparing for the Bible study of Daniel, I asked myself these questions. As I was reflecting upon reading the book of Daniel, I realized that even I, as a long time Christian could not answer these questions readily.
Sometimes, there are many reasons for trials and difficulties in our lives which we cannot understand. Imagine that we are Daniel and the 3 friends, we are put in the fire and lions’ den, do we still continue in our faith and be thankful to God? It is indeed hard. Nevertheless, the book of Daniel has been a great encouragement for Christians. I was reminded that no matter how strong our faith is, it does not mean that we will never be subjected to a harsh ruler or boss. It does not mean that we will never be unjustly treated or not suffering a great loss. However, we must remain true and faithful to our God regardless of what happens.

Despite our harsh circumstances, we can trust God even when there is no visual evidence that God is at work; Being true to God no matter how difficult the pressure, threats, or punishment. We know that God can deliver us from anything, but that we must be faithful whether he does so or not.
But this resolve to trust God must be nourished daily. We get nourishment as we feed on God's Word and we pour out our hearts to Him. Our trust in God is cultivated through prayer, through listening the Word of God, and also mutual encouragement from our friends. Friends are blessings who stood by me and help to restore my confidence. Each of our friends will be strength to help us to keep trusting God, especially when we are at our wits’ end.
Let us start this lesson of trust and faithfulness from today onwards, by focusing on His Word and His voice. Let us also remember how God has been faithful to us in the past, in the present and future. He has not quit on us when we needed Him. Let us also encourage each other to continue to trust in Him, no matter how bad shape we are in now. We will preserve to serve Him to the end. One day, the Lord will congratulate us, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” (Mt 25:21)

"Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior" (Hab. 3:17–18).

Pr. Carol Ling
Bethel Presbyterian Church

2008-09-16T16:54:00.002+08:00

Alien behaviour

Recently, it saddened me when I read about the response of a family towards foreign workers. Apparently, they felt uncomfortable that a foreign worker, who had his face covered with a piece of cloth while clearing debris, would stop his work and look at them. Subsequently, the mother had a word with the man’s supervisor and the man removed the cloth. After that, every time this family passed by, the worker would stop his work, move to a corner and turn his back to show that he was not looking at them.

To be honest, I think this smack of racism and snobbishness. After all, how can our personal comfort be of such importance that we can deprive another person of his rights to a healthy work environment? Is the foreign worker a lesser being and therefore undeserving to set his gaze upon on a Singaporean?

While the foreign worker covered his face with a cloth to protect himself from potential health hazard arising from the dust and dirt, I fear that sometimes we may have hidden behind our mask of supposed social propriety when it is actually a thinly veiled hypocrisy and prejudice.

It is clear from the Bible that God loves the alien (Deut 10:18) and that Christians are called to show compassion and to act justly towards the foreigners in our midst. It would be most tragic when those of us who have received grace from God no longer know how to extend grace to others. For a start, the next time we pass by a foreign worker who is cleaning up our HDB void deck or who is simply taking a breather from his back-breaking work, we could pray a word of blessing over him instead of labeling the person as a potential law-breaker. I think a smile or nod in acknowledgement of the person’s presence would also go a long way rather than turn your nose up to someone.

After all, we are to be aliens in this world, living a life that is radically different, lest we find ourselves becoming aliens in God’s Kingdom.

Pr. Edwin Wong
Covenant Presbyterian Church

破除迷信2

2008-08-01T13:39:00.000+08:00

我们若想回答上个星期的问题，我们必需先从两个名词先着手。第一个，“大众式的基督教”（Popular Christianity），和第二个，“知识式的基督教”（Intellectual Christianity）。什么是“大众式的基督教”？这是一种跟风式的基督教信仰。人怎么说，那人就怎么做。例如，当有个非信徒听到有信徒告诉他说：“信基督教很好！信了一定有平安！”那人就因着需要找平安而信了耶稣。这样信耶稣不是错！而是那人若只因为信了耶稣找到了平安，之后不读经，不祷告，也不参加崇拜，这人的信仰是经不起考验和挑战的。当有一天他感觉不到平安后，他可能就会离开信仰，到别处去寻找他要的平安。这样的人是个“大众式的基督徒”。他不知所信的是什么，只是跟风。但第二种的基督徒就不一样了，他是“知识式的基督徒”。这样的信徒深知他所信的是什么。他的信仰和人生能经得起外面的大风大浪。对这样的人来说，基督教绝对不是迷信。上帝是又真又活的信仰，虽然肉眼不见上帝，这人却深知自己所信的什么。你希望成为一个“知识式的基督徒”吗？这一点也不难！你只是需要常常阅读圣经和属灵书籍，不要认为信主之后就等同买了一张通往天堂的机票，信主之后什么都不理。此外，参加教会的主日学也是一个很重要的环节。我们能从主日学中学习更多有关我们信仰的知识，并对上帝有多一点的认识。那么你的信仰也因此更加的坚固。希望这篇段文能够激励大家常常读经和祷告，并参加教会的主日学，成为一个“知识式的基督徒”，让我们的信仰有根有基，破除信仰的迷信。
陈瑞福

破除迷信1

2008-07-22T16:30:00.000+08:00

想问问大家一个问题，“宗教是否是一种的迷信？”若你说是，那基督教也一个宗教，那么基督教也是一种的迷信了。但我想大致上的基督徒不会同意基督教是一种迷信吧。可是另一方面你若回答不是的话，试着想想圣经是如何诠释“信心”？信心是基督教信仰核心的课题。若问大家什么是信心的话，我们立刻能想到的就是希伯来书１１：１来回应我。“信心是一个看不见，但却深信所信的的存在”，那么若基督教的信心是这样的，我们的信仰不就成为迷信了吗！因为我们的上帝是看不见的，也无法在实验室里被验证的。那么，基督教就成了迷信的宗教了吗？我们该怎么办？我们该怎么回答这个问题？先让大家想想，下个星期才回答大家。
陈瑞福

2008-07-04T16:16:00.000+08:00

Roots

So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. (Colossians 2.6, 7)

Roots have two functions. First they help to absorb nutrients and water. Second, they help to keep the tree upright. These two phenomena have spiritual parallel. As we dig deep into the Word of God, we will be able to absorb the spiritual nutrients and refreshment in order for us to grow into healthy trees where we can bear fruit of godly character. As we dig deep into the Word of God, it will also give us resources to stand upright in the midst of the storms and typhoons that can hit us suddenly. Many trees are usually uprooted during such natural disasters because the roots are just not deep enough to weather the fierce impact of those winds. You see, you cannot wait for the disaster to happen then you start growing your roots – too late! You must grow your roots steadily over time so that when it hits you, you won’t have to fear toppling over. Dig deep into the Word of God!

Rev. Lee Kien Seng
TWPC

2008-06-27T10:54:00.003+08:00

Are we plugged into the Holy Spirit?

Are we plugged into the Holy Spirit? We should if we have the Spirit living inside us. Yet how is it that some of our lives are as dark as those of the world? Aren’t we supposed to be the light of the world? Think of a very dark room, even if the light source is small, light can never be overwhelmed by darkness. Agree? And the first thing that will catch a person’s attention if he or she is in that room will be that light. Are we living our lives so that they catch peoples’ attention (of course in a good way) or are our lives no different from the world’s so much so that we merge nicely with the rest? If we are the latter, maybe the Spirit is not in us!

Rev. Lee Kien Seng
TWPC

2008-06-26T16:23:00.000+08:00

Crucifixion

The thing about crucifixion is that it produces death not suddenly by gradually. When we say that our sinful nature has been crucified on the cross, that sinful nature does not die suddenly. It is not immediately destroyed and we will not succeed in completely destroying it while we are on this side of heaven. Nonetheless, as long as we have fixed it to the cross and we are determined to keep it there, it will expire. The goal of the war against the sinful nature is final execution. It may be a slow death but it should die eventually. This is what sanctification is all about – becoming more and more like our Lord Jesus Christ, being transformed into His likeness as we embark on this journey of faith. If we don’t see that happening in our lives or if we don’t even have the desire to see that happening in our lives, maybe the sinful nature is no longer affixed to the cross! Did the sinful nature manage an escape? If so, I will be terribly concern!!!

Rev. Lee Kien Seng
TWPC

2008-06-25T18:20:00.000+08:00

Why do we detest seat belts?

Recently, there has been a number of accidents where people were badly hurt or even died because they were not buckled up. I guess we don’t quite like seat belts because they are restrictive – they restrict our movements, curtail our freedom and we feel stifled. Yet they serve a very important function. They protect us from being flown out of the car or from any form of concussion whenever we are involved in an accident. Yes, seat belts restrict us in order to protect us.

Likewise, we always think that God’s laws are very restrictive. They curtail our freedom and they stifle our adventurous nature. I hear some people put up such a defence: God’s laws DO NOT serve to restrict. They serve to protect. My response: God’s laws DO serve to restrict and I will not apologise for that but they serve to restrict in order to protect. Given our sinful nature, we need God’s laws to rein us in. Otherwise, we will have a natural inclination to pursue evil to the detriment of both body and soul.

Comments?

Rev Lee Kien Seng
TWPC

2008-06-23T18:36:00.000+08:00

让我们“去”吧！

我在当兵的时候有一位的回教朋友问我一个问题，“为什么耶稣需要道成肉身住在人中间呢？”当时我对他的答案是，神是为了要体恤人类的痛苦和为了人的罪而来。可是我的答案对我回教朋友而言是完全不符合逻辑的。因为站在回教神学的角度来看，一个全能的神是无需贬低自己来了解人类的痛苦，因为既然神是全能的，是全知的，所以他一定能够知道甚至体恤人类一切，也能在一声令下把所有人类的罪洗尽，也无须死在十架上。因此若耶稣的动机是为了体恤民情和赦罪的话，耶稣就不是上帝，因为他所行的是多此一举。当时他的回应把我击倒了。之后我一直找寻一个满意的答案但找了几年都找不到，直到念神学后才明。答案其实很简单，原来人类所知道的一切都只是现象，在现象以外的本体不是人们理性所能了解的，所以福音的本体就是耶稣。因此当耶稣这个的“道”来到人间时，是要向人表现神最高，最真实性的启示，也就是使人真正了解“道”与“爱”的本体。如果耶稣不这么行的话，人类只能永远知道现象而不可能真正的认识本体（耶稣或真道）。所以耶稣来不只是为要了解人类的痛苦那么简单，而是为了突破人知道的范围，让人类能够真正的认识真神。耶稣“去”为了让人认识他。那么这对我们有什么学习呢？有些教会有个不整全的布道神学，他们认为传福音一定要“去”（太28：19），而这个“去”的布道法一定要作街头布道，而不能使用其他的方法。即使街头布道的效率低，此方法始终是不能换的，因为此法才合乎圣经。我并非小看街头布道法，而是信方法可以圆滑，而且从整个教会的历史来看，我们看见上帝一直允许信徒以多元化的方法发展教会。而马太福音中的“去”这个字是个观念但并非方法论，换句话说不是只有街头布道才合乎圣经。传福音的方式、地点、听众因时代的原故在改变，所以基督徒需要灵活的把福音传给人。注意！方法可以变，可是福音的本质是不可改变的。这个字“去”表示基督徒应当有积极行动把福音传开，我们需要知道非信徒是不会自动走进教会来听福音。信徒是需要把道带给他人的！如果信徒不主动，不行动，非信徒将永远不能听闻福音。请你想想，若不是基督的“去”，世人是不能认识他的。若不是使徒们的“去”，以色列和欧洲地带的人们就不能认识耶稣。若不是欧洲伟大的宣教士“去”了东南亚一带，我们也不能认识耶稣。弟兄姐妹你们愿意“去”吗？现今还有许多人没有听闻福音，信徒若不去传，他们怎能认识耶稣。历代以来，许多伟大福音的使者都“去”了，你愿意吗？我也希望将来也会有人将你们伟大“去”的行动写下，成为后人的勉励。

（陈瑞福传道著作恩泽堂）

Synod Games Day 08 Clues Reveal!

2008-06-12T16:25:00.000+08:00

Starting today (I finally have a breather), I will be revealing one clue a day, and the answer the following day. I will also talk about the clue so that future game designers will learn from my experience.

There are all together 10 routes. I will describe Routes A-D in One Body, E-G in One Spirit and H-J in One Faith. Have fun solving!

Synod Games Day 08 is over!

2008-05-31T22:34:00.001+08:00

Visit One Spirit, One Faith and One Body for more details.

On evolution

2008-05-14T16:26:00.002+08:00

The debate on evolution is about macroevolution. Most theists have no problems believing in micro-evolution. But to argue that man and other primates are descended from the same ancestor gives many the creeps. It is unfortunately sad that many do not know enough about evolution and the doctrine of creation to decide for themselves what they choose to believe. For example, have you ever heard of theistic evolution? But whatever your stand, I firmly believe that the right way forward is to have a proper understanding of the issues.

In that regard, I highly recommend that you are familiar with the modern evidences for Macroevolution, because the theory of evolution has come a long LONG way from Darwin. At the same time, be learned about the true controversies surrounding evolution, and be knowledgeable but highly careful about the intelligent design arguments.

There is nothing wrong with believing by faith. But it should always be faith seeking understanding.

Where to go?

2008-05-05T17:47:00.002+08:00

One of my favorite places to go for cell group outings is the ice-cream place. Lots of places now have the cosy and casual environment just right for cell members to unwind and to open up. Many of them can now be found in Singapore in secluded corners so that you can have your non-intrusive discussions and sharings. Here is a link just for you.

Book Recommendation : "The Biblical View of Self-Esteem, Self-Love, Self-Image" by Jay E Adams

2008-05-02T11:08:00.003+08:00

Jay E Adams, “The Biblical View of Self-Esteem, Self-Love, Self-Image”, Harvest House Publishers, 1986.

Who am I? Why am I here? Where am I going? Familiar questions in our day and age. But has our search for answers led us too far in the wrong direction: away from our true position in Christ and toward a dangerous emphasis on self such as “self-image”, “self-esteem”, “self-worth” and “self-love”?

Now well-known biblical counselor and noted author Jay E Adams brings much-needed clarification to the area of self-esteem and offers the church and every believer a truly biblical view of self. “.…Jesus sets forth self-denial rather than self-affirmation as the way to enter into a proper relationship with God. Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake shall find it.” (Matt. 16:24-25)………”

Synod Youth Games Day

2008-04-26T23:26:00.003+08:00

To all,

1. Pls ask your youths to fill up their NRIC no. in the registration form. This is to allow randomization of grouping.

2. Pls encourage your youths to invite 1 or more unbelieving classmates/friends to participate this Games Day. Later they can be invited to our Synod Musical Rally on 27-29 Nov 08.

Thank you for your participation.

Vincent Koh

My latest poem

2008-04-25T12:35:00.002+08:00

I call it The Philosophy of Time, enjoy.

The days are long,
even longer than the years.
Killing time is tough,
recalling yet an instant disappear.
Allow me to count the seconds distinct,
money in the hands of a cautious cashier;
attempts yet so foolish when considered,
keeping time for moments so dear.
Keg of beer, O keg of good cheer,
ever a companion,
the friend without peer.

My latest and last poem for a long, long time. It's not hard to see why. ;)

Internet Debates

2008-04-21T11:41:00.003+08:00

This is an interesting comic from www.xkcd.com

This is a common scenario for me. Over time, I learn to be respectful and cautious with my debates online, especially on religious issues.

I read this somewhere:
The bottom line - this is an internet discussion on a boardgame site. Little to no progress will be made, people will disagree with each other and say rude things about each other's cherished beliefs with little to no justification and a huge dose of ignorance (this goes for both sides in these sorts of debates). People will make impassioned claims based on limited, distorted experience and will dogmatically hold to their positions come hell or highwater. That's an internet discussion about religion or politics in a nutshell.

Comments?

4th Synod Youth Games Day

2008-04-08T12:32:00.001+08:00

3rd April 2008

Dear Ministers, Youth Pastors and Youth Mentors/Co-ordinators,

The grace and peace of God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

Thank you for your support and participation in our 3rd Synod Youth Leadership Camp held on 7-8 Mar 08. We hereby want to invite you and your church’s youths to attend our 4th Synod Youth Games Day: “An epic race across physical space, mental space and cyber space!” The event will begin at Kuo Chuan Presbyterian Secondary School and it will take the youths to 60 different locations. The theme and purpose of this Games Day is to enable the youths of different Presbyterian Churches to network and interact with one another.

We are delighted to have Rev. Wong Siow Hwee to be the main organizer of this Games Day. This event promises to be a truly unique and memorable activity that synod has ever held.

The rest of the details of the Games Day are as follows.

Main Theme: An epic race across physical space, mental space and cyberspace
Date: 31st May 08 (Sat), 10am-6pm
Meet-up Venue: Kuo Chuan Presbyterian Secondary School ，10 Bishan St 13, Singapore 579795. Tel: 6259-3811
Cost: free (But each person must bring money for meals, “ez link” card for transport and umbrella just in case it rains.)
Attire: Sports wear
Age: 13 - 25 years old

Please contact the following persons for more information:

1) Rev Vincent Koh
Tel: 6338-7268 （O） Fax: 63394076 Mobile: 83335679
Email: vincent@presbysing.org.sg
Synod Youth Ministry homepage: http://synodym.blogspot.com/

2) Rev. Wong Siow Hwee
Tel: 6223-5203 (Church) Fax: 6227-2671 Mobile: 97261553
Email: siowhwee@jubileechurchsingapore.org

Please submit the registration forms (Annex 1) to Rev Vincent Koh by 17 May 2008 (Sat).
Address: Presbyterian Church House, 132 Sophia Road, S (228186)

Note: No late applications will be accepted because grouping arrangements have to be finalized before the event to ensure successful game implementation. Thank You.

Yours sincerely,

Rev Dr Lim Boon Young
Synod Youth Council Chairman

_______________________________________________________________________________

Annex 1 Presbyterian Church of Singapore (PCS) Synod Youth Games Day（31 May 08） Registration Form
Participant Full Name: ____________________________ Gender: M/F
NRIC No. : ___________________________ Age: ______
Home Address: _________________________________________ Home Tel: _______________
Mobile Tel: ________________ Email Address: _______________________________________
Church: ____________________________ Position in the Youth Ministry: ___________________
Contact person in case of emergency: ____________________Contact number: ______________

For the parents or guardian of the participant (under 18 years of age):
"I am aware of, and understand the risks, dangers and hazards associated with games day. In consideration of this, I hereby give permission for my child to participate in the games day and its activities as mentioned above."

Parent or Guardian‘s Name and Signature: ________________________________________ Date: ________________

Please submit registration form (Annex 1) to Rev. Vincent Koh by 17 May 2008.
Address: The Presbyterian Church House ， 132 Sophia Road, S(228186)

4th Synod Youth Games Day

2008-04-08T12:24:00.000+08:00

亲爱的主理牧师，青年牧师/传道和青年导师/协调者们，

愿恩惠`平安从我们的父神和主耶稣基督临到你们。

首先，我们很感谢你们的支持来参加在二零零八年三月七日-八日的大会青年领袖训练营。现在，我们邀请你们和你们的教会的青年来参加第四届大会青年运动会/游戏日：“一场无与伦比，斗智斗勇，跨越时空的竞赛 ”。这活动将会从国专长老会中学开始，然后带我们的青年走过六十个不同的地方。这次运动会/游戏日的主题和目的是让来自不同长老教会的青年们能互相交流和建立网络。

我们很荣幸的有王晓辉牧师为这次运动会/游戏日的主办者。这活动承諾将会是大会举办过的活动中一个真正独特和值得回忆的活动。其他有关这次运动会/游戏日的详情有如下：

主题：“一场无与伦比，斗智斗勇，跨越时空的竞赛 ”
日期和时间：二零零八年五月三十一日（早上10点到傍晚6点）
聚集的地点：国专长老会中学，10 BishanSt.13， SG 579795. 电话：6259-3811.
费用：免费（但每一个人需带用餐的钱， “EZ Link”交通卡和雨伞（若有下雨时用）
服装：运动装
年龄：13-25岁

请联络以下的人来询问更多的详情：

1）许联发牧师 6338-7268（办公室），6339-4076（传真）， 8333-5679（手提）
电邮：vincent@presbysing.org.sg ; 大会青年事工网站：“synodym.blogspot.com“

2）王晓辉牧师 6223-5203（教会），6227-2671（传真）， 9726-1553 （手提）
电邮：siowhwee@jubileechurchsingapore.org

请把报名表格（附件一）在五月十七日（星期六）以前寄给许联发牧师，长老大会所，132， Sophia Road, SG（228186）。

注：迟交的报名表格将不会被接受。这是因为组别的安排需要在活动之前预先安排好来促进游戏的成功。谢谢您。

敬上

林文远牧师
大会青年委员会主席

二零零八年四月三日

-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Annex 1 附件1 : 新加坡长老大会运动会/游戏日（31 May 08）报名表格
参加者姓名： ________________________性别:男/女登记号码：_____________ 年龄：________
住址：_________________________________________ 住家电话号码：_____________
手机号码：________________ 电邮地址: _______________________________________
教会名称：____________________________ 在青年事工担任的职份：_______________
紧急事件联络人姓名： ____________________ 联络电话号码： ______________

家长承诺书 (对于18岁以下的参加者)：
“我意识并了解到运动会/游戏日可能会有冒险，危险及困难情况。经过考虑，我允许我的孩子参加此运动会/游戏日其中的活动。”

家长或监护人的姓名：_______________
家长或监护人的签名: ________________ Date: ________________

请将报名表格（见附件1）在五月十七日（星期六）以前交给许联发牧师，地址：The Presbyterian Church House, 132 Sophia Road S(228186). (截止日期：17 May 08) 谢谢您。

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Get ready for this!

2008-03-28T10:25:00.002+08:00

Synod Youth Leadership Camp 2008

2008-03-24T16:57:00.001+08:00

www.flickr.com

Remembering Martin Jr. King

2008-01-22T16:59:00.002+08:00

Inspired by this.

Let's all do it.

I have a dream.

I have a dream that the church will be in unity in support of one another, and in work and evangelism to the world.

I have a dream that we can accept one another in authenticity and serve the ministries with humility and joy.

I have a dream that we will enjoy learning, and yearn to express the truth with beauty and a compassionate heart.

I have a dream that we will all work together to bring back the lost, and to cherish what we have now.

Past it on, and leave a comment if you will.

Devotion: 10/1 - The Opened Sight

2008-01-10T17:24:00.001+08:00

Today's reflection explains why some people still are the same after their "conversion" experience. There needs to be regeneration. And regeneration is to receive true forgiveness of sins in your heart. It is not your decision to follow Jesus that saves you. It is the forgiveness of your sins by the blood of Christ that truly saves you. If we do not receive this gift, we are still sinners. This is what it means to be truly born again. Many people look for the "conversion" experience, or the "religious" high when they go to church or some evangelistic events, but we must not forget that conversion does not save you. It is merely the Spirit opening our eyes to see God for the first time. We need to take the next step to leap into faith to be renewed by God, shaped by His own mighty hands.

Devotion: 9/1 - Prayerful Inner-Searching

2008-01-10T17:22:00.000+08:00

Thanks to Gordon who has kicked start our devotion group on Facebook. I'll be in Japan for the next two weeks, so may be hard for me to update online but will write my thoughts all down while I am there and will post them when I return.

I was always puzzled if we can ever be forgiven for sins which we are not even aware of. Today's message answered this for me. This is the power of God's forgiveness, the cleansing of ALL our sins, known or unknown, revealed or hidden. The height and depth of God's love that searches out for us goes beyond what our cognitive mind can ever fathom. God is not only powerful, He is always merciful. Not only does He punishes but He also forgives and loves. No greater love is there then he who gives his life for his friends. I'm sure glad that He's on our side. Jesus is our Friend for Life!

Synod Youth Camp 2007

2007-12-24T17:17:00.000+08:00

www.flickr.com

synod youth camp 2007

2007-12-10T01:32:00.000+08:00

Jubilee Church Cell Leaders' Training (Open to All Presbyterians Youth Leaders)

2007-11-14T17:04:00.000+08:00

This is the Cell leader training I am opening to all Presbyterian Youth ministry youth leaders. It will be based on a discussion from the book "Making Small Groups Work" by Cloud and Townsend. It will be every 2nd Tues night 8-9.30pm in Jubilee Presbyterian Church.

8 Jan How small groups help people grow
12 Feb What happens in a good group (I)
11 Mar What happens in a good group (II)
8 Apr What happens in a good group (III)
13 May Starting a small group
10 Jun The responsibilities of group facilitators(I)
8 July The responsibilities of group facilitators (II)
12 Aug The responsibilities of group facilitators (III)
9 Sep The responsibilities of group members (I)
14 Oct The responsibilities of group members (II)
11 Nov How to deal with problems in groups (I)
9 Dec How to deal with problems in groups (II)

I will be leading the sharing and discussions.

Rev. Wong Siow Hwee
Jubilee Presbyterian Church
97261553

coming soon !!!

2007-10-13T22:25:00.001+08:00

have you heard of the latest happening in singapore?

no? no one told you about it?!?!?!? hmm... -.-

keep scrolling down...

well.... let me tell you.

click on this!

SYNOD YOUTH CAMP 2007 is coming to town!!!

it's a gathering of many like-minded, fun, energetic youths like you and me for a 4 days 3 nights camp!

so what are you waiting for?

join us today! :D

The faithful prayer warriors of the Synod Youth Camp

2007-09-24T23:31:00.000+08:00

SYCamp2007 Video!!!

2007-09-21T22:35:00.000+08:00

SYCamp2007 Poster

2007-09-21T22:24:00.000+08:00

The peaceable kingdom

2007-09-17T16:09:00.000+08:00

All of creation belongs together in the arms of its Creator. The final vision is that not only will all men and women recognise that they are brothers and sisters called to live in unity, but all members of God's creation will come together in complete harmony. Jesus the Christ came to realise that vision. Long before he was born, the prophet Isaiah saw it:

The wolf will live with the lamb
the panther lie down with the kid,
calf, lion and fat-stock beast together
with a little boy to lead them.
The cow and the bear will graze their young will lie down together.
The lion will eat hay like the ox.
The infant will play over the den of the adder;
the baby will put his hand into the viper's lair:
No hurt, no harm will be done
on all my holy mountain,
for the country will be full of the knowledge of
Yahweh as the waters cover the sea
(Isaiah 11:6-9)

We must keep this vision alive.

(Taken from Bread for the Journey by Henri Nouwen)

Looking for more local presbyterian youth blogs...

2007-09-14T13:51:00.000+08:00

Hello youths in our Presbyterian churches...if you know of any local presbyterian youth blogs, please send me the links. I will like to consolidate all here at our Synod Youth Ministry.

Two new editions this week:
1) GUM (Glory Presbyterian Chinese YM)
2) Prinsep Lighthouse (Prinsep YM)

Keep it coming! Thanks

Synod Youth Camp 2007: Plug-In

2007-08-11T12:01:00.000+08:00

Brief details of the Synod Youth Camp 2007:

Theme: Plug-In

Date: 5^th – 8^th December 2007

Venue: Kuo Chuan Primary and Secondary School

CWM News: Malaysian Christians raise new religious freedom concerns

2007-07-29T20:45:00.000+08:00

Malaysian Christians have expressed fresh worries that the government may be infringing their religious freedom after the country's deputy prime minister described Malaysia as an Islamic state.

The Christian Federation of Malaysia issued a statement on 19 July urging Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak to retract comments he made two days earlier when speaking to reporters. The deputy prime minister had said: "Islam is the official religion and Malaysia is an Islamic state, an Islamic state that respects the rights of non-Muslims, and we protect them."

Head of the Christian Federation of Malaysia Bishop Paul Tan Chee Ing said: "The Christian Federation of Malaysia appeals to the deputy prime minister to retract his aforesaid remarks, and to the government to refrain from the use of the term Islamic state in the description of Malaysia, and instead to vigorously advocate the description of Malaysia as a secular constitutional democracy."

The federation said the description of Malaysia as an Islamic state contradicted the country's constitution, which guarantees the right of all religious communities to co-exist and relate with each other on an equal basis as citizens of a one and united country.

Recently, in a number of high-profile cases, some Malaysians have failed in attempts to get the state to stop recognising them as Muslims.
Ecumenical News International

Video of the Synod Youth Games Day (by Yih Hwa of Amazing Grace PC)

2007-07-02T12:08:00.000+08:00

Yahoo Videos

Equipping Course: Presbyterian Distinctives

2007-06-26T12:37:00.000+08:00

Synod Staff 2007

2007-06-19T12:19:00.001+08:00

20070619_SynodStaff 1
Originally uploaded by silverthorn11

Front Row - Eld Richard Chong (Synod Executive Secretary), Rt. Rev Tan Cheng Huat (Moderator), Rev May Tan (Synod Development Executive Secretary), Pr. Kim Tan (CP Executive Secretary)

Back Row - Pr Wilson Tan (Synod Youth Executive), Ms See Siew Kee (Synod Finance & Admin Manager), Pr. Lim Chye Peng (Synod Education Executive), Miss June Phoon (Synod Development Admin Asst), Ms Lau Jen Sin (Synod Communication Executive), Ms Goh Huey Huey (Synod Admin Asst), Ms Hao Bao Hui (CP Secretary), Mr Eddy Leo Kasman (Care-taker)

Not in picture - Rev Timothy See (EP Executive Secretary)

The Impact of the Digital World on our Youths Today!

2007-06-06T17:11:00.000+08:00

Report on the Youth Mentors' Get Together
Speaker: Dr. Liu Yi Jiang (Asia Theological Centre), in Mandarin
Date: 7th Apr 2007
Time: 7:00-9:00pm (snacks provided)
Venue: Glory PC

This year, the Synod Youth Ministry specially prepared for two sessions of Youth Mentors' Get Together (one in Apr for CP churches and another one in November for EP churches). The first one conducted on 7th Apr 2007 at Glory Presbyterian Church and it was largely attended youth leaders and some youth mentors from 4-5 CP churches. Many churches received news of this event late because there was a email communication failure which I only knew about about a week before the event. And also the date clashed with many churches' celebration of the Easter event and so many mentors were not able to come.

Nonetheless, about 30 odd people came and Dr. Liu Yi Jiang spoke passionately on, "The Impact of the Digital World on our Youths Today." Intermingled with his own life stories and interesting anecdotes, Dr. Liu shared that as mentors' or teachers in youth ministry today, there is an urgent need to engage our youths in their digital world if we want to minister to them. We also need to re-assess our old methods of doing ministry. Take for example, encouraging our youths to read the Bible during quiet time has always been a difficult task for many churches and mentors, but maybe by first encouraging them to build up a personal relationship with God through prayer might be more suitable. And when they form this closeness with God, they would eventually want to read what God says in the Bible in their quiet time.

Dr. Liu offered many practical and insightful suggestions into how we mentor our youths in the digital world. For example, firstly learning what their world is all about through enagaging in their "plugged in" activites, the iPod generation, blogging, MSN chat, online gaming. The need to stay relevant in our ever-changing culture is much stronger today but the core of our identity stays unchanged. That is, we are still called to be a disciple of Christ, even in the digital world. We must stay true to our calling and help our youths to find this identity.

In designing a game (Part 1a)

2007-06-05T17:33:00.001+08:00

I know I have promised to submit Part 2 of my installment soon, but it will take a while more.

Meanwhile I chanced upon a website that is exactly what I endeavor to do when I design a puzzle hunt, just like the one I did for the games in Youth Leadership Camp 2006.

Enjoy, but please keep the methods to yourself so that I can get to use them when the need arises.

Synod Youth Ministry - Adventure Race

2007-06-05T16:33:00.001+08:00

Synod Youth Games Day 2007

2007-05-29T15:47:00.001+08:00

IMG_9403
Originally uploaded by silverthorn11

What a wonderful day of fellowship and games last Sat, 26 May 2007, at Kuo Chuan Presbyterian Sec. School. On paper, we have close to 280 youths from 11 churches participating in this year's Synod Youth Games Day 2007. Praise God that it all went smoothly as planned and the rain clouds came and went very quickly too. Thank you all for participation and we look forward to next year's challenge. Many thanks to Pastor Kien Seng and his team of helpers from True Way PC! You guys were simply amazing! Thank you all!

It's our third year running this friendly competition. In our first year in 2005, we did not even had a trophy and we played football and basketball. In the following year, we added two trophies for football (guys) and capt's ball (girls). This year, we divided the age group further (13-18, 19-25) for both games, soccer for boys and mixed gender for capt's ball (only girls can score though) and added two more trophies to our tally. The winners this year for the following category are:

Boys Soccer 13-18: Amazing Grace PC (first time participants!!!)
Boys Soccer 19-25: Ang Mo Kio PC (defending champs for the last three years, but count as two because first year no trophy. Next year, if they win again, they can keep the trophy)

Mixed Capt's Ball 13-18: Covenant PC (I think Covenant youths play Capt's Ball every week issit? A clean sweep of top honors for Capt's Ball)
Mixed Capt's Ball 19-25: Covenant PC (also defending champs for the last two years, as the first year we did not have capt's ball. Next year, if they win, they can keep the trophy)

The Runners' Up are:
Boys Soccer 13-18: Glory PC English
Boys Soccer 19-25: Glory PC Chinese

Mixed Capt's Ball 13-18: Glory PC English
Mixed Capt's Ball 19-25: Glory PC English

Glory PC combined English and Chinese wins the most overall runner's up prize! Amazing! Hopefully next year they can win the top honors!

See ya next year!

TTC Public Lecture: The Peace that Surpasses All Understanding: A New Testament Theological Reflection' by Dr John Yieh

2007-05-25T16:48:00.000+08:00

Dear Alumni,

INVITATION TO A PUBLIC LECTURE

I bring you warm greetings from Trinity Theological College.

I would like to invite you to a public lecture on Wednesday 30 May at 8pm at the TTC Chapel. The speaker is Dr John Yieh. Dr Yieh is Associate Professor in New Testament at Virginia Theological Seminary and obtained his PhD from Yale University. He will speak on 'The Peace that Surpasses All Understanding: A New Testament Theological Reflection'.

Dr Yieh researched on the Dead Sea Scrolls at the W. F. Albright Institute of Archaeological Research in Jerusalem. He also compiled a Concise Greek-Chinese Dictionary of the New Testament (1989), commissioned and published by the United Bible Societies and contributed to the drafting and editing of a study edition of the Chinese Bible.

He has published essays, articles, and reviews in the area of Gospels studies and cross-cultural hermeneutics and his most recent book is entitled "One Teacher: Jesus’ Teaching Role in Matthew’s Gospel Report ". He is now writing a book tentatively entitled: The Sermon on the Mount: a history-of-effects inquiry.

This public lecture is part of the programme of the Second International Congress of Ethnic Chinese Biblical Scholars (ECBC) to be held at TTC from 29 May – 1 June 2007, the first being held in Hong Kong's Chung Chi College in 2004. The theme for the Congress 2007 is Shalom: Biblical and Chinese Perspectives.

The public lecture is open to all and we encourage you to invite other interested persons to attend as well.

Yours in His Service,

Ngoei Foong Nghian

Principal

What is Intellectual Pride?

2007-05-10T14:28:00.001+08:00

We are supposed to be praying against intellectual pride on 19th May. This sermon by Phillips Brooks should be of great help to us. The relevant section begins with the paragraph "I would speak again on what is called intellectual life..."

Creative Youth Ideas

2007-05-10T11:51:00.000+08:00

Do check out this amazing youth resources website. It's absolutely free!

http://blog.creativeyouthideas.com/

Who was greater, Thomas A. Edison or his mother?
When he was a young lad his teacher sent him home with a note which said, 'Your child is dumb. We can't do anything for him.' Mrs. Edison wrote back, 'You do not understand my boy. I will teach him myself'. And she did, with results that are well known.

Hee! Hee! Quite funny!

"Bringing Significance Back Into Leadership" by Pamela Simpson

2007-05-10T10:36:00.000+08:00

Leadership is a common word. We hear it used in business, church, politics, and everywhere else imaginable. So what? What's the big deal? Why is this word so common...and the real question is, how many times is it used with virtually no significance?

It's time to change that. "Leadership is influence...nothing more, nothing less." This phrase, used by many and coined across the globe by Dr. John C. Maxwell, really brings this word into focus. Leadership = Influence. Seems simple, right? And yet so many of us feel like we fail as leaders so often...or, even worse, feel like we've never even gotten to the point of being a leader.

But if this is true--that leadership is influence, then neither of these statements is really truth. No matter if we fail or not, we are still influencing. No matter if we have a leadership position or not, we are still influencing. Therefore, its no longer a question of success or position and this one truth becomes clear--everyone is a leader!

Everyone will influence someone in their lives and chances are that they will influence a whole lot more than that. In fact, some studies have shown that even the shyest of people will influence 10,000 people in their lifetime! Did you hear me? 10,000 PEOPLE! That's a whole lot! So, the question is no longer IF we will influence, but HOW we will influence.

I don't know about you, but I want to influence for good, not evil. I want to influence on the positive side, not the negative one. And even more than this, I want to influence those that will then influence even more...so that my 10,000 becomes not just 20,000 but multiplies into 100,000 and more! And even more than this...I want to influence the next generation of leaders, our youth, so that their influence will go beyond my lifetime. That's leadership. Let's make this word significant. Are you ready?

Pamela Simpson is the Project Coordinator for Equipping Leaders for Asia. She is currently coordinating 3 local events here in Singapore that will being the process of youth leadership training, with author and speaker of leadership, Dr. Tim Elmore. Check out the events! www.equippingleadersasia.org.

Synod Youth Games Day

2007-04-13T14:56:00.000+08:00

Registration Form and Rules are on the right!

Date: 26 May 2007
Venue: Kuo Chuan Presbyterian Sec. School
Time: 1:30-6pm

Dateline: 12 May 2007

Each church can only send in max four teams, one for each of the four categories:

Boys only (street soccer style, boots required on the field)
- 7 aside soccer (13-18 year-olds)
- 7 aside soccer (19-25 year-olds)

Girls (min 3 girls) and Boys Mixed (only girls can score!)
- 7 aside capt's ball (13-18 year-olds)
- 7 aside capt's ball (19-25 year-olds)

Please contact Pastor Kien Seng for future enquires:
HP:
Email: kienseng@trueway.org.sg

In designing a game (Part 1)

2007-03-30T12:02:00.001+08:00

Games and fun are part and parcel of youth ministry. I hope that I could help your church in this area by sharing about the making of "WWCD (What Would Calvin Do)" and "Who is Johnny C?".

I was given the project of handling 2 games in the Synod Youth Leadership Camp 2007. Here are some key concerns.
1. Objective - This is always the primary concern. In last year's camp, the objective is interaction between different participants of the different churches, hence a puzzle-solving game design. This year, the objective is knowledge-acquiring and interest-building in the subject matter (John Calvin). Hence, it was determined that it would be a trivia game.
2. Quality of the Participants - Quality of participants means the type of players we have. Since they are youth leaders, it is possible and necessary to have a more complex rule-set. Else, they will be bored by simplistic objectives and a "been-there, done-that" feeling. However, since it is a Calvin-trivia, and not a pop culture trivia, (it is not a game among Presbyterian pastors), a high degree of randomness is essential. This means that the game design should not be highly dependent on an extensive knowledge of Calvin. Instead, the participants just have to be good enough to make intelligent guesses. Take special note that pure randomness (like snakes and ladders) in a game is to be avoided at all cost, because participants need to feel involved, like their decisions matter. Hence the key idea: a game design that allows for good guesses.
3. Quantity of Participants - This means the number of players we have. The ideal game situation for a strategy game is 2-6 players. The higher the number of players, the higher the amount of decision-making situations needed so that all players will feel involved. In a situation of 100 players, it is necessary to form teams (unless you are playing games like Bingo). I decided on 10 teams of 10 members. 10 teams would mean that the situation will not be overly chaotic (more teams=more chaos, more chaos=strategy more meaningless). 10 members per team means every member can still be reasonably involved (more members = less responsibility, less responsibility = less involvement). It is not the ideal situation for a trivia guessing game, but it is the best that I can make do.

Until next time, I will share the Part Two of The Making of WWCD and Who is Johnny C? where I will share about the strength and weaknesses of the two games.

The Prayer of Ezra

2007-03-24T13:22:00.000+08:00

My dear friend, Wilson Tan, finally becomes a father. he named his son, "Ezra". A powerful and godly person in the OT. Congrats to you =)

"Ezra" reminds me of a sermon i preached in the church and i would like to share with you:

The Scripture tells us that Ezra was a priest and he was a learned man in matters concerning the commands and decrees of the Lord for Israel (Ezra 7:11) He proclaimed praying and fasting just before going to Jerusalem (Ezra 8). Once, they reached Jerusalem and completed their given tasks and then sacrificed burnt offerings to God, the leaders came to Ezra with bad news. By now, the temple had already rebuilt but there was a problem. The problem was that people are not going to the temple to worship God (Ezra 9).The people of Israel have not separated themselves from the neighbouring people. He was told that the leaders including priests and Levites had broken a command of God by intermarrying with women from the neighbouring people. (9:1-2)(read) As a result, the verse says that they have mingled the holy race with the people around them. There is a decline in true religion because of intermarriage, the people of Israel have adopt their wife/husbands’ religion. Their hearts have turned cold and they have compromised their faith. They became indifferent towards worship of the True and Living God.

What did Ezra do after hearing this? Look at Ezra 9:3.That was really a usual behaviour that Ezra had demonstrated. Why behave like that? Ezra’s heart was immediately gripped by a deep concern for the people. Scripture actually says that he was utterly shocked, and horrified at the terrible sins of the people. This was indicated by his tearing his clothing and pulling his hair and beard. It was the custom of that day to express one’s grief in this way. Ezra’s heart was filled with sorrow, sadness, and depressed. Apparently Ezra had gone to the temple to express his grief and to seek the LORD. Naturally, the worshippers wanted to know what was troubling him so deeply. Soon all the faithful believers, those who feared God and trembled at His Word, joined Ezra in mourning over the sins of the people. In utter dismay, Ezra sat there in the temple until the evening sacrifice.

When it was time for the evening sacrifice, Ezra offered up his prayer of confession (9:5-15). He rose from where he had been sitting, fell to his knees, then lifted up his hands to the LORD in prayer and intercession for the people. What did he prayed about? Firstly, he recognize how far Israel had fallen by confessing their sins (2) he recognize God’s goodness and grace towards Israel (3) he recognize the need for repentant.
J. C. Ryle said, “Christ is never fully valued, until sin is clearly seen” Thus our first reaction to sin must be to see it clearly from Scriptures. Then, realizing that it put our Savior on the cross, we should mourn over it. Finally, we should confess it without excuse to the God of mercy, appropriating His cleansing for our consciences, that we might be renewed to serve Him in purity.

As we grow in godliness, like Ezra, we will react more strongly to our own sins and to the sins of God’s people. We will dwell more consistently at the foot of the cross of Jesus Christ, where God’s mercy flows to repentant sinners.
So when I confess my sins to God, I will
- Acknowledge the severity of my sins so that I will not take my sins lightly.
I will
- Remember God’s grace and goodness towards me so that I will be honestly ashamed that I have sinned against my Gracious God.
I will
- Express my repentance so that I will resolved to turn from my sinful ways.

I trust that this is simple enough for us to remember how we can confess our sins and also simple enough for those of us who are parents to explain to children how they can confess their sins.

"Reflection on Presbyterian Synod Youth Leadership Camp" by Jonathan Giang (Jubilee Church)

2007-03-15T17:12:00.001+08:00

SYM_LeadershipCamp_26-27Jan2007 367
Originally uploaded by silverthorn11.

The 2nd Annual Presbyterian Synod Youth Ministry Leadership Camp was held on the 26th to 27th January, 2007, at Bethel Presbyterian Church. It was a significant event which brought together youth leaders from various Presbyterian churches. This year, youth leaders from 13 different Presbyterian churches participated in the event.

The camp kick started with a welcome speech from Pr. Wilson Tan and a worship session led by Chen Li Presbyterian Church worship team. It was a great sight to behold, seeing youths of all ages from different churches worshipping God together in the cosy hall. This was just a prelude to the high levels of learning and fun we experienced during the camp.

The speaker for this year’s Synod Youth Ministry Leadership Camp was Rev. Jimmy Tan Boon Chai from Bethel Presbyterian Church. The main focus of his sermons was on “The Calling of a Spiritual Leader”. The sermons were split into 3 sessions. And through these sessions, we, the youths would learn about the Christian Perspective on Leadership. We learnt that to be a Christian leader, there is a need for a calling by God, character after God followed by competencies enabled by God. Rev. Tan told us that God’s calling may be come as an internal or external calling that we as youths will experience and that we must possess Christ-like character such as humility and love. We also got to know that the virtues of Christ can be developed over time by God. Lastly, Rev. Tan also shared that we must possess competency to be able to serve with God. Through these sermons, we have a clearer picture of the requirements and functions of a youth leader, which may act as a guide to our journey as a Presbyterian youth leader. Hence, this enhances our understanding and knowledge as Christians.

Simultaneously, we also experienced fun and interaction during the course of the two-day camp from games organized by Rev. Wong Siow Hwee. Trivia games such as “Who is Johnny C?” and “WWCD?” which tested our wits and anticipation as each group racked their brains to outsmart the others. Everyone experienced much fun and laughter during the course of the games. However, most importantly, is that through these games, all of us were able to learn more about the 16th century theologian John Calvin (founder of the Presbyterian or Reformed Church) as well as his influence and ideas which are important to the modern day churches.

Last but not least, the camp wrapped up with the Grand Finale, which consisted of 5 stations of Tug of War games. Each station required all of us to display our physical prowess as well as our teamwork and support for our peers. This enabled our teams to bond together. Finally, the Grand Finale ended with a final Tug of War which pitted the boys against the girls. Subsequently, the girls won the Tug of War, landing the boys in defeat. However, the main focus is that we all managed to have fun and gel together through the games.

The 2nd Annual Presbyterian Synod Youth Ministry Leadership Camp may have just been a two-day camp. However, we have definitely benefited much through these two days as we all grew spiritually as fellow brothers and sisters in Christ and gained much knowledge in the aspects of service to the church. Not to forget, barriers have been broken and new bonds have been built between youths of different churches. As a result, we have made buddies from other churches, enabling all of us to spread the love and concern for one another from one church to the other. Hopefully this camp will not only gel the youths from different churches, but will also foster closer togetherness between adjacent Presbyterian churches and act as a steeping stone for greater unity in the Singapore Presbyterian community.

- Jonathan Giang

Synod Youth Ministry Leadership Camp 26-27 Jan 2007 @ Bethel PC

2007-02-11T20:05:00.001+08:00

SYM_LeadershipCamp_26-27Jan2007 414
Originally uploaded by silverthorn11.

It's finally up! check out the rest of the photos (right)! You will need a yahoo account.

FEBA Concert

2007-01-23T15:28:00.000+08:00

聘请青年传道之计划书 Employment of a Pastor/Pastoral Worker for Holy Grace Presbyterian Church Chinese Christian Youth Ministry

2006-12-22T10:47:00.000+08:00

We are looking for a full-time pastor or pastoral worker who has the vision to serve the Lord in the Youth Ministry. The applicant should be degree qualified in Theology or equivalent, recognized by the Presbytery and Synod. He/she should be fluent in speaking and writing Chinese and English. The successful applicant's main duties are to preach the Gospel and to exercise pastoral care to the youth of the Youth Christian Fellowship.

1. Job Specification
- Provide counselling & follow up for youth, parents & teachers, and make necessary referral when needed.

- Network and establish rapport with parents to encourage strong parental support and involvement in the emotional and spiritual care of the youth.

- Work closely with the Church Reverend, Pastors, Elders Deacons Court, church co-workers.

- Work under the supervision & direction of the Reverend and report to the Reverend.

2．工作要求：(Job Requirements)

I. 学历：至少拥有长老宗受承认之神学院毕业证书
Qualification: Should be degree qualified in Theology or equivalent, recognized by the Presbytery and Synod.

II. 年龄：介于21岁至35岁之间
Age: Between 21 to 35 years old.

III. 具备基本的电脑知识，通晓中英文（口头与书写）；对青少年事工具有强烈的委身与热忱更佳。 Possess Computer Skills in MS, bilingual (written and spoken). We require someone who has the calling and passion for youth's work.

3．薪金与福利：(Salary and Benefits)

I．依据长老大会2006年议会所修正的教牧薪酬标准（参阅附件）。
Salary and Benefits is based on the Presbytery and Synod Revised Salary Scales and Benefits for Pastoral Staff 2006.

If you are interested, please apply with resume to:
Holy Grace Presbyterian Church
408B Upper East Coast Road
Singapore 466484
Tel: 6241-1154, Fax: 6443-0102
Email: hgpcs@singnet.com.sg

第二届大会青年领袖营 - 2nd Synod Youth Ministry Leadership Camp 2007

2006-12-14T12:45:00.000+08:00

Registration Form can be downloaded from the sidebar at the right ===>

joke...

2006-12-12T10:23:00.001+08:00

A certain someone goes to the post office to buy stamps for her Christmas cards.

She says to the clerk, "May I have 50 Christmas stamps?"

The clerk says, "What denomination?"

She says, "God help us, Has it come to this? Give me 6 Catholic, 12 Presbyterian, 10 Lutheran and 22 Baptists."

The Problem of Evil

2006-10-05T11:11:00.001+08:00

Premise 1: If God exist, then he would eradicate evil.
Premise 2: Homework is evil.
Premise 3: I have to do homework, hence evil exist.
Conclusion: God does not exist.

If you are a reader of this blog, please send in at least 1 comment on the above argument. We look forward to an interesting discussion.

Awesome

2006-09-29T17:25:00.000+08:00

Some things can make me cry. Some things as simple as the imagery of 4 candles. How about you?
Try out by viewing this flash animation:
4Candles

CWM News: My career - a lesson in God's care (Eld Richard Chong)

2006-09-29T11:27:00.000+08:00

CWM deputy moderator and administrative secretary for the Presbyterian Church in Singapore Richard Chong looks back on a career in which God's grace has always been a step ahead.

While in the Singaporean army on national service, I joined an Institute of Biblical Study course conducted by the Campus Crusade for Christ. Confronted with my helplessness, my depravity and the wonderful grace of Jesus Christ, I needed no further prompting to bend my knees to ask him come into my life.

I found inexpressible joy in reaching out to the recruits at evangelistic meetings and learning from the witness of my Bible study group on weekends.

When I left the army, God used me to set up bible study groups in and outside my workplaces. I decided that there could be nothing more fulfilling in life than to serve God in the ministry of evangelising, training, and equipping people to spread the gospel. God had other plans!

I slowly learned there is a difference between being driven and being called

For 11 years, I worked in the printing industry, working hard to bring up a young family, and manage priorities at workplaces and in church. My work involved reviving a loss-making company of 50 staff and building it up to an international and profitable corporation of 300 employees.

Pride
I began to believe that there was nothing I could not achieve with commitment. I left the company to partner with a friend in a completely new business. But we soon faced setbacks after my friend had to pull a big part of his capital from the business.

So I started again with a completely new business. Again lack of capital was a constraint.

With depleted savings I went back to the printing firm I had left feeling beaten and discouraged. God revealed to me how dependant I am and how fragile and transient these businesses are!

It was also during this time that I took up eldership in the church with the view to help the church serve effectively. I was humbled at the attempt. I slowly learned there is a difference between being driven and being called; that people are more important and enduring than structures and methods.

Knowing that I needed to reflect and live my life meaningfully, I sought God for relief. I took the step of faith to invest my time in the church's service as administrative secretary for the Presbyterian Church in Singapore.

I have never been happier in my work and walk with God. He provided me the opportunity to put my administrative gifting to work with our church leaders; expanded my worldview through engagement with world mission bodies and missionaries; challenged me to take bold steps into new missions and entrepreneurial initiatives through prayer and faith.

Free visualisers!!!

2006-09-28T14:58:00.000+08:00

Dear Pastors/Church Managers/Admin Support

A Home for the Aged in East Coast has 7 visualisers (used) to give away. Anyone interested please contact Br Ricky Seah at HP no: 97439717.

CWM News: Good shepherds to Zambian youth

2006-09-27T15:19:00.000+08:00

Delinquency and poverty are major issues for Zambian youth found returning missionary Rev Fereti Tutuila. The church can provide direction and care for them.

Flowers laid on gravestones don't last long in Lusaka. Children scour cemeteries for flowers hoping to resell them. Others roam around looking for a chance to steal.

Day by day children are on the streets begging. They accompany blind people asking for help, getting their meals from trash bins, sleeping by the roadside with plastic bags tied round them for warmth.

Young people are in a critical state in terms of moral values. Debate is raging as to why this is so and who is responsible.

Church youth are addressing the problems their generation faces

The youth are also crying out for the kind of equality where anyone's problem is everyone's problem and where nobody is marginalised.

As CWM missionary Rev Fereti Tutuila ministered at St Andrew's Church in Lusaka he noted that elders and clergy are only minimally involved with the youth. "With our 100 per cent involvement we will know them and they will follow our direction because they recognise our voice," he says.

St Andrew's Church youth department comprises of Sunday school, youth fellowship and a Boys' Brigade and Girls' Brigade. Church youth are addressing the problems their generation faces by getting involved in a wide range of church activities such as small projects, fundraising, visitations and counselling.

Tutuila says: "Although HIV/AIDS, TB, malaria and high poverty levels are hitting them, their faith is firmly anchored onto the Lord, leading to growing in mission."

Tutuila helped respond to youth problems by putting in place a social welfare committee to give whatever the church could manage to homeless children, and creating youth projects, such as a brick-making scheme.

He tried to be with families grieving over sick children, and constituted an HIV/AIDS committee to work with the church marriage guidance committee.

"I still have a passion to go back to the ministry in Africa," he says.

Rev Fereti and Sosefina Tutuila from the Congregational Christian Church in Samoa served the United Church of Zambia at St Andrew's Church in Lusaka for five years.

The Inklings' Cafe: Worship Symposium 2006 (3 - 5 Sep) - Graham Kendrick and team

2006-09-12T16:53:00.000+08:00

The Inklings' Cafe: Worship Symposium 2006 (3 - 5 Sep) - Graham Kendrick and team

Worship Symposium 2006

2006-08-30T13:46:00.000+08:00

Friends, not sure how manyof you have already signed up for this, but for those who hasn't, I would really encourage any worship leaders and musicians to attend this Worship Symposium. Many youth ministries struggle with balancing between using hymns and contemporary music in our worship. Struggle no more, as Graham Kendrick and his worship team will be sharing with us what blended worship is all about, and leading the various musical clinics and the worship concerts in the evening. For those who does not know who he is, you can find out more about him and his music here.

Graham Kendrick, the son of a Baptist pastor, was born in Northamptonshire in 1950. He trained as a teacher but launched out as a singer/songwriter in 1972. His songs and hymns are sung by millions of people in numerous languages around the world.

The song Shine Jesus Shine has been the UK's most popular contemporary worship song and is frequently featured in the BBC's Songs of Praise programme. He is married with four daughters and lives in South London. Graham received a Dove Award in 1995 for his international work and is listed in Who's Who. In 2000 he received an honorary doctorate in divinity from Brunel University in recognition of his contribution to the worship life of the church.

Graham is a co-founder of March for Jesus. This prayer, praise and proclamation event became global on June 25th 1994, with over 12 million people from 177 nations taking to the streets to proclaim their faith in Jesus Christ. His recent album What Grace
was the UK's number 1 best selling praise and worship album of 2001.

Simply put, he is a very well-known contemporary Christian music and song composer and worship leader. For those who cannot come for the entire symposium, i strongly encourage you to at least come for the night worship concert, which is free for all. (Sunday: 5:30-7:30pm, Monday and Tuesday: 7:30-9:30pm) Graham Kendrick will be incorporating the elements of blended worship during his Monday night worship; while on Tuesday, he will be speaking on the Prophetic aspect of worship.

Date: 3-5 September 2006 (Registration on 3 Sep, Sunday, at 1-2pm)

Main Venue: Church of the Resurrection, St. Andrew's Village, Pontong Pasir

Worship Undivided --- that is the theme of a specially organised worship symposium. The symposium hopes to bring worship teams from various churches to together to have a shared and deeper understanding of worship.

Who should attend:
Experienced and budding worship leaders, musicians, vocalists and support teams

For more information about the symposium, please visit Worship Undivided or call Priscilla on Tel: 6337 3222 ext 26 or email: bem@bible.org.sg

Testimony

2006-08-25T11:32:00.000+08:00

A university undergraduate in Swansea, Wales, who fought with a sense of being unwanted came to faith in July, rejoices CWM missionary Molly Chua.

Undergraduate Cathleen Zhang is the only child of a well-to-do family, but she grew up feeling very rejected and unloved by her paternal grandmother especially, who was hoping for a grandson to carry on the family line.

Her grandma even suggested having someone else care for her in the countryside, thus not recognising her existence, so that her parents could try again to have a baby boy.
As I was praying I felt the pain and anguish in her heart

When she came to Swansea she came to know my husband Charles and I as a Christian family and later the Welsh church family. She felt very loved and that people do sincerely care for her. She talked to her mum about us and the happenings in Swansea almost every day. Even her non-Christian mother asked her: "When are you going to become a Christian?"

She faithfully went to church, the English corner language lessons and weekly Bible study. But all that time I sensed there was a mental block.

We continued to reach out to her with God's love and help her when she faced difficulties.

Invitation
One Sunday in July as usual she came over to my house for lunch after church. Later she asked to talk to me in private and unveiled her story.

She had come to me that Sunday because she could not carry the burdens of her heart any longer and was looking for help. She knew the Bible teachings were good for her, but felt helpless because she was not able to follow them.

We prayed together and as I was praying I felt the pain and anguish in her heart and we both wept. It was through the release of the pain in her heart that the Lord brought about healing, peace and rest. She left my house a very happy and peaceful person.

Rev Charles and Molly Chua from the Presbyterian Church in Singapore are mission enablers to the Presbyterian Church of Wales. Among their activities are Bible studies for people who are interested in Christianity, many of them students from China.

Adventure Race - 19 Aug 2006

2006-08-23T11:14:00.000+08:00

Adventure Race - 19 Aug 2006
Originally uploaded by silverthorn11.

Praise God for another wonderful Presbyterian Youth event! From this race, we managed to raise $14,000.00 for PCS. Everyone who participated really enjoyed themselves.There was much interaction among the 11 churches who came. Thank you to all who helped raised the funds, and also for the organising comm.. and pastoral advisors. You know who you are.

To see the rest of the photos, click here. You may need a yahoo account to sign in.

You can download the photos individually, but if you want to download the entire set of photos from flickr.com, you would need to download and install FlickrDown 2.30 from here. It's fantastic!

You would need Microsoft .NET 2.0, which you can download here.

The Earliest Church in Singapore

2006-08-21T11:42:00.000+08:00

For an amazing article on the history of early Singapore chuches, please visit verbum dei. It is still work in progress, but the section on the Presbyterian Church in Singapore is well-worthed reading as it is.

Part 2 to the "Simple Story"

2006-08-17T12:43:00.000+08:00

Anyway, the moral of the story about the boy and girl being separated at the cinema is this: Are you living your life having 2nd-hand relationship with God?
I mean if we just listen to people teach us about God (sermons / B.S. / etc.) on Sunday, it is like having relationship with God with someone in between...
Why not build up the habit of having Quiet Time daily? You'll find yourself very intimate with God... Ha ha, that simple. All the best.

AN INTERESTING CONVERSATION - ABOUT GOD

2006-08-07T10:25:00.000+08:00

An atheist professor of philosophy speaks to his class
on the problem science has with God, The Almighty. He
asks one of his new students to stand and.....

Prof: So you believe in God?
Student: Absolutely, sir.
Prof: Is God good?
Student: Sure.

Prof: Is God all-powerful?
Student: Yes.
Prof: My brother died of cancer even though he prayed
to God to heal him. Most of us would attempt to help
others who are ill. But God didn't. How is this God
good then? Hmm?
(Student is silent.)

Prof: You can't answer, can you? Let's start again,
young fellow. Is God good?
Student: Yes.
Prof: Is Satan good?
Student: No.

Prof: Where does Satan come from?
Student: From... God...
Prof: That's right. Tell me son, is there evil in this
world?
Student: Yes.

Prof: Evil is everywhere, isn't it? And God did make
everything. Correct?
Student: Yes.
Prof: So who created evil?
Student does not answer.

Prof: Is there sickness? Immorality? Hatred? Ugliness?
All these terrible things exist in the world, don't
they?
Student: Yes, sir.
Prof: So, who created them?
Student has no answer.

Prof: Science says you have 5 senses you use to
identify and observe the world around you. Tell me,
son... Have you ever seen God?
Student: No, sir.
Prof: Tell us if you have ever heard your God?
Student: No, sir.

Prof: Have you ever felt your God, tasted your God,
smelt your God? Have you ever had any sensory
perception of God for that matter?
Student: No, sir. I'm afraid I haven't.
Prof: Yet you still believe in Him?
Student: Yes.

Prof: According to empirical, testable, demonstrable
protocol, science says your GOD doesn't exist. What do
you say to that, son?
Student: Nothing. I only have my faith.
Prof: Yes. Faith. And that is the problem science has.

Student: Professor, is there such a thing as heat?
Prof: Yes.
Student: And is there such a thing as cold?
Prof: Yes.
Student: No sir. There isn't.
(The lecture theatre becomes very quiet with this turn
of events.)

Student: Sir, you can have lots of heat, even more
heat, superheat, mega heat, white heat, a little heat
or no heat. But we don't have anything called cold. We
can hit 458 degrees below zero which is no heat, but
we can't go any further after that. There is no such
thing as cold. Cold is only a word we use to describe
the absence of heat. We cannot measure cold. Heat is
energy. Cold is not the opposite of heat, sir, just
the absence of it.
(There is pin-drop silence in the lecture theatre.)

Student: What about darkness, Professor? Is there such
a thing as darkness?
Prof: Yes. What is night if there isn't darkness?
Student: You're wrong again, sir. Darkness is the
absence of something. You can have low light, normal
light, bright light, flashing light.... But if you have
no light constantly, you have nothing and it's called
darkness, isn't it? In reality, darkness isn't. If it
were you would be able to make darkness darker,
wouldn't you?

Prof: So what is the point you are making, young man?
Student: Sir, my point is your philosophical premise
is flawed.
Prof: Flawed? Can you explain how?

Student: Sir, you are working on the premise of
duality. You argue there is life and then there is
death, a good God and a bad God. You are viewing the
concept of God as something finite, something we can
measure. Sir, science can't even explain a thought. It
uses electricity and magnetism, but has never seen,
much less fully understood either one. To view death
as the opposite of life is to be ignorant of the fact
that death cannot exist as a substantive thing. Death
is not the opposite of life: just the absence of it.
Now tell me, Professor. Do you teach your students
that they evolved from a monkey?

Prof: If you are referring to the natural evolutionary
process, yes, of course, I do.
Student: Have you ever observed evolution with your
own eyes, sir? (The Professor shakes his head with a
smile, beginning to realize where the argument is
going.)
Student: Since no one has ever observed the process of
evolution at work and cannot even prove that this
process is an on-going endeavor, are you not teaching
your opinion, sir? Are you not a scientist but a
preacher? (The class is in uproar.)

Student: Is there anyone in the class who has ever
seen the Professor's brain?
(The class breaks out into laughter.)
Student: Is there anyone here who has ever heard the
Professor's brain, felt it, touched or smelt it? No
one appears to have done so. So, according to the
established rules of empirical, stable, demonstrable
protocol, science says that you have no brain, sir.
With all due respect, sir, how do we then trust your
lectures, sir?
(The room is silent. The professor stares at the
student, his face unfathomable.)

Prof: I guess you'll have to take them on faith, son.
Student: That is it sir... The link between man & God
is FAITH. That is all that keeps things moving &
alive.

A simple story

2006-07-23T16:11:00.000+08:00

There was once a boy who secretly admired a girl. After many months, he finally plucked up the courage to invite the girl to the movies. Guess what? She consented! They decided on the show, the cinema and the time. Everything seemed to be going smoothly for the love-struck boy. But bad-fortune finally struck! The boy realized he could not get adjoining seats to the show they planned to watch! Not wanting to give up the precious chance to meet the girl, he bought 2 seats on the same row, separated by 5 seats in between. So you could imagine how they interacted during the show. When they wanted to tell each other something, they have to pass the message through the 5 people in between. And when they wanted to share kachang puteh (Indian roasted peanuts), they too have to pass the cone through 5 people - by which time, those 5 people have also eaten their fill of the peanuts…
Want to know the moral of this story? Stay tuned...

Breaking Through the 200 Barrier (courtesy of Rev. Peter Poon)

2006-07-14T14:09:00.000+08:00

Breaking Through the 200 Barrier
by Dan Reiland
The Pastor's Coach

It's been a long time since I've seen a "run" of conferences based on this topic. It got me thinking, is this just an old and tired idea which has long since been replaced by "emergent" language and related issues, or is there still a reality to this idea of breaking through 200 in worship attendance?

It didn't take much digging to learn that this "breakthrough" point is still alive and well. The intriguing thing is that there is no supportive research on a literal or physical barrier. This barrier is more psychological and socio-emotional. There is a sort of relational gravitational force that pulls churches trying to get through that 200 mark back under that line. This is not an imaginary force. It's real and it is strong. It need not, however, be seen as a actual barrier, meaning one that cannot be broken. It is human nature to keep things within our control. When a church is moving close to 200 it is no longer easily able to be "controlled" by one person or a small group of people.

Many years ago I served for a brief time before seminary at a church in this attendance bracket. The church averaged about 150 people give or take. The church was located in Lakeside, California and I still have fond memories of my part-time youth / associate, wet behind the ears, teeth-cutting experience. I delivered my first sermon there at Lakeside Wesleyan and I have considered going back to stand in that pulpit and say "I'm sorry, please forgive me for anything I may have said or done!" They were gracious to give me my first opportunity, and since I did use scripture, it couldn't have been all bad!

The following thoughts are not comprehensive in nature, nor are they "how to" steps and programs. They are guiding principles that if followed, over the long-haul, I'm convinced your church will make progress.

Place vision over needs.

If you are a seasoned pastor of a church under 200 you may have flinched as you read this first guiding principle. You, like most of us, are likely a people person and a shepherd at heart. The idea of not responding to people's needs is just wrong to you. I am with you. We are all here for people. But this is an issue of stewardship. If God would allow you to reach and meet the (spiritual) needs of 300 people instead of 150, wouldn't you want to do that? Part of the way to get there is to place the vision for people over the needs of people. Double talk? No. Keep reading.

The difference is who is driving the agenda. If you are a needs first leader, the people are driving the agenda. If you are a vision first leader, you are driving the agenda. Actually, I wish it was that simple, but it's not. Ultimately the people drive the agenda because we serve for their good, but that is not the same as the entire congregation setting the direction, agenda and making key decisions. Serving for the people's good often means saying no to their immediate wants; for example, of a new program, staff member or a certain sermon series. Those kinds of things are the responsibility of the key leaders. If the key leaders do a good job with that, you will reach more people and ultimately meet more of people's needs. So, bottom line, invest your energy in initiating and implementing vision!

Focus on changed lives more than attendance goals.

We all love to see the charts show Kingdom success, but there are some things more important than numbers - for example, serving your community. And what you focus on is what you are most likely to achieve.

In my consulting with a number of churches it is quick and easy to see which ones "go for numbers." Their approach is very different than those who are going after changed lives. From printed goals, to strategy, to how you reward people, it is all very revealing as to what you are going after.

We all know this is not a mutually exclusive idea. No church worth its salt ignores numbers. I love talking with staff members who don't want to "mess with numbers" because "you can't box the Holy Spirit in a natural container". I say to them: "OK, tell you what, you don't have to mess with numbers and I don't either. So, when it comes to your paycheck, I'll just `go with how the Spirit leads' each week." Yea, I know, that never goes over very well, but sometimes I just can't help myself.

So which is it, numbers or not? Yes. It's an issue of focus. If you truly focus on changed lives, the numbers nearly always take care of themselves. If you focus on numbers, you will likely sacrifice realizing changed-lives.

In the nearly five years I have been at Crossroads we have never set an attendance goal. But we look at attendance all the time. We focus on baptisms (conversions), people serving and joining a small group. We focus on compassion, serving the community and engaging the culture. We believe that if lives are genuinely touched with the transforming power of Jesus Christ - people come back for more!

Make your best possible choice for your first staff hire.

We could spend hours here, in fact I have done just that in past conference environments, but I'll spare you from that in this article! Let's keep it brief for now. Staffing is mostly art, at least 51%. The art portion of staffing is comprised largely of experience, intuition, common sense, hard work, a little luck and a lot of prayer. Candidly it is more like 80% art. The remaining 20% deals with Human Resource laws and regulations, legal issues, finance and policy. I say this because if you want a cook-book formula for staffing you won't find one. Helpful "how-to's" and guiding principles are good, but they are for your guidance only, they are not law. So now that I've over set this up . . . let me share a couple thoughts with you.

First, always go for the best person you can hire, even over the position you want to fill. For example, there are a number of good choices for your first hire; such as an administrative assistant, a children's leader, an associate pastor, a worship leader etc. Remember it's an art not a science. I would reduce the list to the top three needs and then pray for God best and highest talented person to come on your radar. Begin to put out feelers and get the word out informally. It a "God talent" doesn't surface, then choose the one position you want to go after and focus on it formally. Even then the principle stands. Hire the best candidate possible. Pay as much as you can. Staff is not the place to cut corners.

Second, go for the greatest need of the church's ministry. (In this case you have your first staff member, but they leave.) For example, let's say you have a youth pastor, but he or she decides to move on to another church. Your immediate response is likely to hire another youth pastor. That may well be the right answer, but take enough time to make sure. Perhaps there is a lay leader who could take over and give excellent leadership to your student ministry which would free up monies to hire a much needed children's leader.

Do not add programs, increase evangelism and compassionate outreach.

You will be under great temptation and pressure to add more programs as your church gets larger. Don't cave in. I'm serious. Don't do it. Unless the Holy Spirit lights a bush on fire and tells you to start another program, stay lean and invest your "extra" energy in to reaching people who are not pursuing God or part of a local church.

Invest in leadership.

Everything rises and falls on leadership." (Maxwell) I know many Godly leaders who pray much (as we all need to) who serve in small churches that do not grow. There are many mature believers who focus on depth of discipleship which is also important, but their churches aren't growing. There are churches with long and sincere worship, but they don't grow. We need prayer, depth and worship, but without leadership (connected with the power of God's Spirit) let's be honest, the local church doesn't move forward. Again, this is not about a static size, it's about impact in your community and subsequent growth.

Get around leaders of larger churches. Take them to lunch and ask well thought-out and written questions. Read great leadership books. Attend leadership conferences. Read the Pastor's Coach. Ask God to increase the size and scope of leadership within you. In other words, work at becoming a better leader in the same way you work at writing and delivering better sermons. But don't stop there! Take all the good leadership "stuff" you are learning and teach it to "apprentice" leaders in your church. Pass it on and teach them to pass it on to others as well!

Practice these ideas or guiding principles and, they will help you break-through 200 in attendance.

Recommended Reading: (2006 Leadership Network Publications)

The Missional Leader - Equipping Your Church to Reach A Changing World, Alan Roxburgh and Fred Romanuk; Jossey-Bass, A Wiley Imprint

Practicing Greatness - 7 Disciplines of Extraordinary Spiritual Leaders, Reggie McNeal; Jossey-Bass, A Wiley Imprint

Update on our beloved Boon Young

2006-07-05T13:31:00.001+08:00

I just met him for lunch and it looks like things are progressing quite smoothly. Please continue to pray for his recovery, comfort and support. He is speaking a lot more spontaneously, and his thoughts is pretty clear. His walking is quite steady and his hand movement is continuing to improve. He can pick up a 10 cent coin, use a chopstick and do a minor tug-of-war with a piece of paper. In terms of physiotherapy, his improvements is nothing short of miraculous, though it will still take a while for full recovery.

Dear AMKPC and Covenant PC...

2006-06-14T16:12:00.000+08:00

please remember to bring back the trophies next year! You only get to keep it if you win the same trophy three years in a row! hee! hee! i am serious.

Carol and Joyce from Bethel PC

2006-06-14T15:48:00.000+08:00

Thanks brother Desmond...

2006-06-14T15:29:00.000+08:00

for helping with coordination of the games!

a jump, a catch, and a turn - all in one smooth motion...

2006-06-14T15:20:00.000+08:00

no wonder they are the well-deserved champ! There was no need for even a Capt's Ball final - first and second prize went to Covenant PC.

the best cheer-leading team goes to...

2006-06-14T14:49:00.000+08:00

Jubilee Church!!!

beautiful...

2006-06-14T14:43:00.000+08:00

i like this shot quite abit!

2006-06-14T14:11:00.000+08:00

it captures the fast action movement between players, and makes it artistic! oh well, maybe it's just me!

great team spirit and sportsmanship from all teams!

2006-06-14T14:10:00.000+08:00

Prinsep Street PC (red) and Katong PC (mix colours)!

"Get ready to get trashed!"

good save!

2006-06-14T14:09:00.000+08:00

I couldn't believe that we even had a penalty shoot-out in one of our semi-finals!

Prinsep Street PC won Katong PC by just one narrow penalty goal!

some supporters from Katong PC

2006-06-14T14:08:00.000+08:00

KPC's soccer boys did pretty well to enter into the Semi-finals, but was knocked out eventually by Prinsep Street PC - of all things, via sudden-death penalty kicks!

the most supporters award goes to...

2006-06-14T14:06:00.000+08:00

Glory PC in all glorious blue!

Ming Jun...

2006-06-14T14:05:00.000+08:00

this boy has got potential!

the bravest goal-keeper goes to...

2006-06-14T14:04:00.000+08:00

the boy in blue from Providence PC!

a final show-down between...

2006-06-14T14:03:00.000+08:00

Ang Mo Kio PC (blue) and Prinsep Street PC (red)!

Is she laughing at her own team-mate?

2006-06-14T14:02:00.000+08:00

evil...pure evil...

images from the past?

2006-06-14T14:01:00.000+08:00

Prinsep Street PC...the oldest Presbyterian church in Singapore!