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Diocesan
Diocese of Singapore • www.anglican.org.sg
MCI (P) 109/03/2018 Issue 270 | November 2018 DIGEST
total
dedicationFOR GOD'S MOMENT
14 ENGAGING
PRAYER
THE YEAR OF
22 CRISIS RELIEF IN LOMBOK 32 ST ANDREW'S JUNIOR
COLLEGE 40TH ANNIVERSARY
Psalm 126:5-6
5
Those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy!
6
He who goes out weeping, bearing the seed for sowing,
shall come home with shouts of joy, bringing his sheaves with him.
C o n te n ts
EDITORIAL TEAM 02 Editorial
ADVISOR
The Rt Revd 03 From The Bishop’s Heart
Rennis S. Ponniah
06 Communion News
EDITORS
Revd Canon Terry Wong 10 Provincial News
Ms Lucilla Teoh
Mrs Karen Wong
Ms Sasha Michael 13 Church in Singapore: Celebration of Hope 2019
DESIGNERS 18 Teaching Article: Lessons from Intimate
Ms Joyce Ho Conversations - Jesus & Nicodemus
Mr Daniel Ng
email:
digest@anglican.org.sg
website: from our ministry fronts
www.anglican.org.sg
21 Deaneries and Global Missions
cover photo:
illustration by Daniel Ng
29 Children
30 Youth and Young Adults
30 Anglican Schools Feature: SAJC’s 40th
Anniversary
34 Anglican Schools
36 Community Services
41 Indian-Speaking Work
42 Chinese-Speaking Work
46 Diocesan News
50 Diocesan Listings
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1
E DI T ORI AL
JUST AS I AM
I
f you were amongst the thirty thousand plus who gathered at the PraySingapore
event at the Sports Hub on 7 October, you would agree that the screening of the
short clip of Billy Graham’s rally in 1978 was a notable moment. We were transfixed
by his message. We were moved by how the crowds responded to the salvation
altar call, while his signature rally song, Just As I Am, rang out.
I felt myself transported back in time as I reflected on what the Gospel meant in
those days. Sin has caused the divide between man and God. God so loved the world
that He sent His only Son, Jesus Christ to die on the cross for our sins. He came to save
us and this offer of salvation is free. To be a Christian, one only has to turn from his sins
(repent) and “receive Christ.” One does that through praying the "sinner’s prayer.”
Undoubtedly, Billy Graham was one major reason why so many churches worked
together and gathered at the National Stadium. Beyond his magnetic personality,
however, was our shared conviction in the Gospel’s message - that we can come, just
as we are, responding to the bidding of the Lamb of God - which made those rallies
such a deeply spiritual and unique experience.
Christians invited many friends because of this conviction. That was the answer
to a gnawing spiritual vacuum. I happen to know personally some who entered the
stadium 40 years ago as non-believers. Some of them today are pastors while many
others are serving as key lay-leaders in churches. One of them became married to me.
I know it is easy to be nostalgic. Our society has changed so much. The Church has
gotten a lot more sophiscated. The ‘gospel’ is understood and preached in many ways.
We have become more sensitive to other faiths, and rightly so. We have also become
more sensitive to how information on social media can quickly rouse and divide our
society.
Incredibly, during the 1978 rallies, there were some Christians who positioned
themselves outside the stadium and tried to persuade the crowds that Billy Graham
was a heretic. Today, something like this would be the least of our concerns.
The Gospel is two thousand years old. As it traversed through time and culture,
each generation and society has had to re-articulate its message so that her people
can know and be drawn to it. With the advent of the internet, we have become more
connected to each other across the globe than ever before. With these innumerable
modern Towers of Babel, it may seem like God is not needed anymore. The community
in Singapore can be as diverse as the world herself as our citizens log into these towers.
And yet, the Gospel message remains unchanged. The creed, whether said or sung,
remains as the shape of what the Church believes.
It finally boils down to one’s conviction. It is less about the method. It is about
recapturing this Gospel conviction. It is not about churches making the Celebration
of Hope a success. It is the other way round: will churches and Christians be stirred to
share the Gospel in 2019 the way they did in 1978? It may have to be re-articulated, as I
have already said, but is there the same conviction of the uniqueness of Christ and the
power of the Gospel to change lives?
We pray so. We pray that during those evenings in May, many will stream down the
stadium steps, and come just as we are.
By Revd Canon Terry Wong
2
FRO M T HE B I S HOP' S HE ART
total dedication FOR GOD’S MOMENT
In the late 1960s, the United States entered the
Vietnam War for the manifest reason of stopping
the spread of communism. But the Americans
Gittite in 2 Samuel 15:17-22. King David is fleeing
Jerusalem on account of his son Absalom’s brazen
revolt. Those loyal to David flee with him, risking
encountered the Vietcong, a mass political their lives as Absalom steals the hearts of the
organisation with its own army, which stood in its majority. When David reviews the parade of those
way. In the analysis of why the militarily superior who have thrown their lot with him, he is utterly
Americans were unable to eliminate the Vietcong, surprised to see Ittai and his contingent of 600 folk
attention was drawn to the Vietcong’s effective with the little ones as well.
spread of revolutionary fervour and to their military David tries to persuade Ittai to go back and stay
tactics of stealth, concealment and patience. with the new king on the grounds that Ittai is only
There apparently was one more significant a new resident of Jerusalem, having just relocated
factor: the utter commitment of a Vietcong soldier from the Philistine city of Gath. To flee with David
to his commander and the fellow soldiers of his unit. is to plunge into the unknown and to court death.
The Vietcong field operative may not have even But Ittai answers David with these words:
known what the ideological battle (communism vs “As the LORD lives, and as my lord the king lives,
capitalism) was all about. He was merely fiercely wherever my lord the king shall be, whether for
committed to protect his leader and his comrades death or for life, there also will your servant be.”
from injury or harm. [2 Samuel 15:21; Ruth 1:11-17; John 11:16]
I learnt something about the social To be personally and totally committed to Jesus
organisation of the Vietcong during my student is to lay our whole life – “all that I am and all that I
days as a sociology-major at the then University of have” – before the Lord for Him to use. We place
Singapore. The powerful effect of personal loyalty, Jesus high above all else and hold back nothing
as in the case of the Vietcong, comes to mind as from him. Our time, our energy, our earning
I think about what is needed in God’s mission capacity, our loved ones, our own plans and
of love. By the grace of God, we are entering dreams, our hopes and fears – all are surrendered
the height of the Season of Prayer-Evangelism to him, in loving obedience and holy trust. Because
(2018-2020) marked out for our diocese. And the Jesus first loved us, and His love is steadfast to the
personal loyalty I am thinking about is each one’s very end. He is faithful and true. I was made to love
total dedication to the Lord Jesus Christ. Him and I was redeemed to glorify Him. Whatever
the cost, be it shame or discrimination, loss of
Total dedication to Christ Jesus comfort or loss of control, total dedication to Jesus
What does total dedication look like? I find an simply says, “Wherever you want me to be, Lord,
outstanding example in the story of Ittai the I will be there because I know that is where I will
3
most fully know Your presence. And Your presence Christians must be totally dedicated not only to
is what I treasure most”. the cause of Christ but also to the person of Christ.
Even as I write these words, I know that total Total dedication to Jesus is going to be critical in
dedication to Jesus can only be a work of grace how God’s kairos moment unfolds.
that is effected through the power of the Holy
Spirit. The reason I share them with you is because How God has been preparing us
I believe that this God-appointed Season of Prayer- May I share with you some salient ways in which the
Evangelism is accompanied by a unique time of Lord has been preparing our diocese for this kairos
God pouring out His Spirit on all who are yielded moment of revival?
to Him. I am struck firstly by how the Lord has enabled
such a significant number of our churches to
God’s Kairos Moment expand our spaces, ministry points and facilities to
Together with several pastors of our city, as well as accommodate the coming harvest. Without trying
our own clergy and diocesan lay leaders, I believe to be exhaustive, let me just point out to you the
we are entering a momentous year of harvest. In vast spread of our recently completed and
Singapore, this harvest that God has appointed for upcoming building development projects.
us – this Kairos or God-purposed moment – takes The range is from Church of Our Saviour’s new
the shape of the Celebration of Hope evangelistic extension building in Singapore to the rebuilt
rallies in May 2019 at the National Stadium. church-cum-community centre structures in
We are trusting God and working towards a Nepal and to the recently acquired and renovated
mighty harvest. And I am believing that God will church-cum-kindergarten shophouse premises
bring about a mighty harvest of souls not only in Indonesia. God is giving us new and enhanced
in Singapore but in our work in the six deanery receptacles for church growth and congregation
countries too. For Jesus is the risen King and the multiplication. This expansiveness of facilities
Lord of all nations. includes the significant increase in nursing
God’s kairos moment is when His salvation homes and community service points run by our
purposes are accomplished. Such a moment is diocesan arms and parishes.
triggered by an event but not restricted to the More important than buildings and facilities
event. In the case of Celebration of Hope (COH), is the congregational life of a parish. In the grace
I invite you to see it as a step in the process of of God, for more than a decade now, most of our
God bringing revival to our land. The vast number parishes have been able to consistently work on
of new believers become ardent followers of the four components of a holistic and interwoven
Jesus committed to mission and His kingdom- life of a local parish: namely (i) Worship and Prayer;
righteousness. So COH is not just about filling our (ii) Discipleship and Pastoral Care; (iii) Evangelism
churches. It is about God transforming our society. and Outreach; and (iv) Deanery Engagement and
It is about the moral glory of God, the dawn of World Missions. These efforts, together with godly
righteous living and the joy of love filling our and competent pastoral leadership, have led to
homes, our offices and our streets. progress in the spiritual vitality of our churches. One
What God in His sovereign grace has appointed particularly significant marker is the involvement of
is a time when God repels and overcomes the our people in cross-cultural missions, crisis relief
“thick darkness” (Isaiah 61:1-3) over the nations of teams and voluntary community outreach.
the world and establishes His reign in the moral, A third way in which God has been preparing
ethical and communal life of a nation. That kairos us for the mighty harvest and ensuing revival is
moment has arrived for Singapore and we must the coming together of the body of Christ across
not miss it. God’s glory in the 'here and now' denominational, organisational and language
moment of history and the victory of light over boundaries. In Singapore, just over 30,000
darkness are at stake. To achieve God’s purpose, Christians gathered for a national day of prayer
4
and fasting at the National Stadium on 7 October. beseech God to prepare the harvest force, the
They came from across church groups, age groups harvest field and the harvest yield, so that “life
and language groups to seek God for the welfare in the name of Jesus” becomes a stunning and
of the city (Jeremiah 29:11). wonderful reality in 2019.
In addition to praying specifically for marriages
and families as God intended them (Genesis 1-2), (ii) Infilling and upsurging of the Holy Spirit
the assembly prayed for COH 2019, for God's The Spirit is indispensible to revival. All of us need
greatest gift to a person and to a community is to be freshly filled with the Spirit’s joy, energy and
persnal knowledge of His transforming love in boldness. May we experience upsurges of the
Christ Jesus. It was wonderful to come together Holy Spirit that lead to holy intimacy and miracle-
and stand as the one people of God, believing the filled ministry as the Lord does mighty works
promise of 2 Chronicles 7:14 that "if my people in our midst. People of God, avail yourselves of
who are called by My name humble themselves opportunities to learn more of the Holy Spirit and
and pray and seek My face and turn from their to experience the fullness of His power through
wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will prayer ministry. By His Spirit, dry bones will rise
forgive their sins and heal their land." like a mighty army to serve the Lord of truth
This coming together of the body of Christ and grace.
is extending beyond prayer to the joining of
our hands and the sharing of our resources for (iii) Involvement through local churches or
evangelism and follow-up. It takes my breath away marketplace ministries
to see Youth With A Mission (YWAM), Cru, Alpha Move from being generally supportive to being
Singapore, Ravi Zacharias International Ministries concretely involved through your own church
(RZIM) and several other groups, as well as larger or through a marketplace ministry you are part
churches with their built-up capacities come of. I thank God that as of October 2018 just over
together to work in sync with COH in mind. This 100 local churches and Christian organisations
is the life of God’s redeemed people reflecting a have signed up as “COH Partner Churches/
visible unity to the glory of God. Organisations”. It is already time to commit to
pray intentionally and to engage by training and
What is now needed practically by establishing contact with those you plan to
God is always ahead of us. He has laid the platforms invite. And soon it will be time to gather them to
for the revival He purposed. We are entering the hear the Gospel clearly proclaimed at the Stadium
climatic phase of His kairos moment. What is now with an opportunity to respond. Catch the vision
needed may be summarised as three ‘I’s: of a vast multitude that includes your loved one
or acquaintance, turning to Christ and shining
(i) Intensification of prayer and intercession for Christ. Let that vision propel you to become
We praise God for the build-up in prayer involved in God’s kairos moment of a mighty
momentum in 2018 that was anchored by the harvest and an ensuing revival.
LoveSingapore network of churches. We must Hence, I call you personally, and collectively as
not let the prayer baton slip. Christians are a family, small group or congregation, to a total
to gather in twos and threes, in their homes, dedication to the Lord Jesus Christ, who in His
schools, offices and churches to pray for a mighty mercy has appointed a kairos time that will not
harvest. Congregations and churches will do well leave our nation unchanged. Our total dedication
to include COH and revival as a standard prayer to Jesus, by the power of the Spirit, will lead to
item in their weekly services. Regional prayer God’s victory in terms of lives and communities
gatherings at eight centres spread throughout transformed by the power of the Gospel (Romans
Singapore have been organised to facilitate 1: 16-17). Join the march of truth and love with
assemblies of prayer across church lines that Jesus the Victor leading us on!
5
CO MMUNI O N NE WS
Global South Primates Discuss
Study Report on ‘Enhancing Ecclesial Responsibility
of Global South Churches: A Proposed Structure’
(excerpts from the Final Report of the Global South Committee Meeting
on 10 October 2018 in Cairo, Egypt)
by the Rt Revd Anis Mouneer, Bishop of the Diocese of Egypt with North African and the Horn of Africa
D espite the brokenness of the world around us,
and the division within the Church, we trust
in our Lord’s promise and faithfulness. We have a
The Primates present thoroughly discussed the
proposed structure and affirmed the purpose as
follows:
living hope because Jesus Christ is risen from the a. to guard well together the faith that was once
dead and He reigns at the Father’s right hand over for all delivered to the saints;
His Church and all the world. The Lord Jesus has b. to be effective in fulfilling God’s mission to
declared: “I will build my church, and the gates of the world;
hell shall not prevail against it.” (Mt 16:18). These c. to strengthen the Global South identity,
words of our Lord strengthen our resolve to co- its governance, its relational life and its
labour with the Holy Spirit in building the Global collective mission and formation of disciples
South Fellowship of Anglican Churches as a faithful to respond with humility and robustness to
witness to ‘the faith once for all delivered to the the social challenges and movements of
saints’ (Jude 3) and to be the Lord’s arm of mission thoughts in the larger church and the world;
and ministry in the world. and
In view of the recommendation of the Global d. to work for the wellbeing of our Anglican
South 6th Trumpet, in 2016, that reads as follows: Communion as we see ourselves as an
“… We recognise the need for our enhanced intrinsic part of the Communion.
ecclesial responsibility. We need to strengthen
our doctrinal teaching, our ecclesiastical The Primates also passed the following resolutions:
ordering of our collective life as a global 1. The Primates agreed in principle with the
fellowship and the flourishing of our gifts in the proposals of the Final Report.
one another-ness of our mission.” 2. The Study Group was asked to distil the
comments of the Primates and prepare a
“The Global South Primates will therefore form a summary of the Report, in consultation with
task force to recommend how these needs can the Steering Committee of the Global South
be effectively addressed.” (The Sixth Trumpet, Primates, for dissemination to the Global
October 2016 Communique, paras. 30, 31) South Provinces to enable consideration of the
document and its implications.
The Task Force (or Study Group) had worked
over the last 18 months to produce a report 3. The Chair to send a copy of this summary to each
entitled ‘Enhancing Ecclesial Responsibility of Global South Province and ask each Primate to
Global South Churches: A Proposed Structure’ check their provincial constitution’s consistency
(Singapore, 12 September 2018). The leader of this with the proposed Doctrinal Foundations of the
study group Bishop Rennis Poniah and his team Report:
presented the proposed structure to the Primates.
The foundational elements of the structure could a) to appoint an organising committee for the
be summarized as follows: 7th Global South Encounter*;
i. To have a doctrinal basis for our Fellowship b) to appoint a working committee to provide
ii. To express the group’s common life by way materials for provincial representatives at the
of relational commitments to one another. 7th Encounter; and
iii. To establish conciliar structures for the Global c) to recruit and appoint a full time secretariat
South Fellowship of Anglican Churches. to carry out the operational work of the
iv. The above three foundations ensure that Global South.
the Global South Fellowship of Anglican
Churches is an effective and coherent * tentatively scheduled to be in Kigali, Rwanda,
ecclesial body in full communion with each from 8 to 11 October 2019.
other.
6
CO MMUNI O N NE WS
From left to right:
• The Most Revd Nicholas Okoh (Deputy Chair), Primate of the Anglican Church of Nigeria
• The Most Revd Stephen Than Myint Oo, Primate of the Church of the Province of Myanmar
• The Most Revd Laurent Mbanda, Primate of the Province de L’Eglise Anglicane au Rwanda
• The Most Revd Foley Beach, Primate of the Anglican Church in North America
• The Rt Revd Sammy Shehata, Area Bishop of North Africa (Study Team)
• The Most Revd Ezekiel Kondo, Primate of the Province of the Episcopal Church of Sudan
• The Revd Canon Dr Michael Poon, Canon Emeritus, Diocese of Singapore (Study Team)
• The Most Revd Justin Badi, Primate of the Province of the Episcopal Church of South Sudan
• The Most Revd Bob Duncan, former Primate of the Anglican Church in North America (Study Team)
• The Most Revd Ng Moon Hing, Primate of the Church of the Province of South East Asia
• The Most Revd James Wong, Primate of the Anglican Province of the Indian Ocean
• The Rt Revd Mouneer Anis, Bishop of Egypt with North Africa and the Horn of Africa
• The Rt Revd Rennis Ponniah, Bishop of Singapore (Study Team)
• The Revd Canon Dr Phil Ashley, President of the American Anglican Council, ACNA (Study Team)
• The Most Revd Daniel Sarfo, Primate of the Anglican Church of West Africa
• The Most Revd Jackson Ole Sapit, Primate of the Anglican Church of Kenya
• The Rt Revd David Onuoha, Bishop of Okigwe South, Nigeria (Study Team)
• The Most Revd Stanley Ntgali, Primate of the Church of the Province of Uganda
• The Most Revd Dr Glenn Davies, Archbishop of Sydney
PRO V I NCI AL NE WS
The Diocese of
Kuching’s
New Assistant Bishop
The Diocese of Singapore
welcomes the Rt Revd Nelson
Ugas Bulang as the new
Assistant Bishop of the Diocese
of Kuching (also known as the
Anglican Church in Sarawak
and Brunei). His Consecration
and Enthronement Service was
25th Anniversary of the Anglican Church of Cambodia - a held on 30 September 2018, at
fruit of local leadership, Diocese of Singapore, and mission St Thomas’ Cathedral in Kuching.
partners from the Global South (October 2018)
7
CO MMUNI O N NE WS
GAFCON delegates on the
Temple Steps in Jerusalem
GAFCON JERUSALEM 2018:
PROCLAIMING
CHRIST
FAITHFULLY TO
THE NATIONS
By Ven Wong Tak Meng
T he Global Anglican Future Conference, or
GAFCON, was first held in Jerusalem on 22-29
June 2008 as “a spiritual movement to preserve
Revd Canon Yee Ching Wah, Revd Canon Dr
Michael Poon, Revd Canon Dr Titus Chung, Revd
William Mok Wai Mung and his wife Deborah,
and promote the truth and power of the gospel Revd Gregory Whitaker, Mr Charles Leong,
of salvation in Jesus Christ, as we Anglicans have Mr Keith Chua and his wife Irene.
received it.” This was followed by the second From the Diocese of West Malaysia: The Very
GAFCON held in Nairobi in 2013. Revd Dr Andrew Cheah and Dato’ Stanley Isaacs.
At the 10th Anniversary of the movement, GAFCON Jerusalem 2018 was marked by
GAFCON III was held in Jerusalem on 17-22 exuberant worship, intimate times of small group
June 2018 with the focus of “Proclaiming Christ prayer comprising participants from different
Faithfully to the Nations”. The largest GAFCON so continents, as well as renewing old friendships
far, it was attended by nearly 2,000 people from and making new ones.
54 countries. Each morning began with in-depth Bible
Members from all four diocese represented studies on Luke 22-24, sharpening the focus on
the Province of South East Asia: Jesus: Tried and Rejected (Luke 22:66-23:25),
From the Diocese of Kuching: Bishop Danald Jute Crucified and Dead (Luke 23:26-49), Buried and
and his wife Julita. Risen (Luke 23:50-24:12), Appeared and Revealed
From the Diocese of Sabah: Ven Moses Chin, (Luke 24:13-35) and Believed and Ascended
Ven Yong Thiam Choy, Ven Lidis Singkung and (Luke 24:36-53). Bishop Rennis Ponniah brought
Revd Canon Lin Khee Vun. the Conference to a point of response to the
From the Diocese of Singapore: Bishop Rennis solemn charge, “You are witnesses to these things”
Ponniah and his wife Amir, Ven Wong Tak Meng, (Luke 24:48).
8CO MMUNI O N NE WS
Four visionary lectures were presented,
challenging us to envision afresh God’s
Gospel, God’s Church, God’s World and
God’s Strategy, calling us back to who we
are, why we are here and how we are to
fulfill the Great Commission.
The missional focus was maintained
throughout the Conference through
seminars and networking sessions on a vast
variety of topics. Canon Yee Ching Wah
and Ven Wong Tak Meng, together with
Dr Samuel San Myay Shwe from Myanmar,
shared on “Engaging with Buddhism”.
Canon Khee Vun presented on “What is the
work of the Spirit in the church? Holiness,
unity and mission”. Mrs Irene Chua spoke
at a seminar on “Equipping Women in
Ministry for Ministry”.
A leadership transition in 2019 was
announced at the close of the Conference.
The Most Revd Dr Benjamin Kwashi (Jos,
Nigeria) will succeed the Most Revd Dr
Peter Jensen (Sydney, Australia) as General
Secretary in January 2019, while the Most
Revd Dr Foley Beach (Anglican Church in
North America) will succeed the Most Rev
Nicholas Okoh (Nigeria) as the Chairman
of GAFCON in April 2019.
GAFCON Jerusalem 2018 concluded
with the reading of the Letter to the
Churches which may be found at https://
Top: Representatives from the four dioceses of the Province of South East Asia www.gafcon.org/news/letter-to-the-
Above left: Mrs Irene Chua speaking on "Equipping Women in Ministry for churches-gafcon-assembly-2018.
Ministry" May Christ reign supreme over His
Above right: Revd Canon Yee Ching Wah speaking on "Engaging with
Buddhism" Church and lead us in unity to uphold the
faith once delivered to the saints (Jude 3),
live out His Great Commandment (Matt
22:37-39), fulfill His Great Commission
(Matt 28:18-20), and be presented to
Himself without spot or blemish (Eph 5:27)
at His imminent return.
GAFCON 2018 in session
9PRO V I NCI AL NE WS
First Provincial Synod of the Province of South East Asia
PERSONAL REFLECTIONS
on our Province of South East Asia By Keith Chua
Keith Chua was part of the team from our diocese who participated in the final stages
of the formation of the Province of Southeast Asia. He served, from day one, in the Provincial Synod
and Provincial Standing Committee, and was Provincial Treasurer for 18 years, under five archbishops.
As he steps down from these roles after 22 years, he shares his reflections.
A Divine Step regarding challenges to biblical truth confronting
The formation of Church of the Province of South the Anglican Communion. Not everyone saw the
East Asia as the 37th Province in the Anglican existing and growing threat; and where we did, we
Communion was a divine step in God’s plan. sometimes had differing levels of concern.
The Province brought together four dioceses Participation in discussions at synod meetings
connected by geographical proximity, common was often in deference to our respective diocesan
cultural and family ties: the dioceses of West bishops. I often came away feeling that there were
Malaysia, Sabah, Kuching (Sarawak) and Singapore. many gifts around the table that were not fully
Singapore also brought along five other exercised. This is a strength that can be tapped
deaneries, Indonesia, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos further and indeed, a much closer compact
and Vietnam. The Deanery of Nepal was added surrounds provincial meetings in recent years.
a few years later. Early in the inception of our We had to depend on reports. In the early years
province, these nations became the focus for these were many verbal reports that required trust
collective mission. in each other and in our primate. Such trust was
In these 22 years, God has used us to fend off built sometimes over painful moments. Building
the revisionist tide sweeping through the Anglican trust is a continuing work in progress. Our province
Communion. Despite being a young and small must strive to guard, preserve and strengthen this.
province, our successive primates, supported by work
the Provincial Synod, have been vocal in words Unity is not necessarily unanimity. The value of
and committed in action. The battle continues and alternative perspectives must be acknowledged.
our Province must keep up this stand. Prayer and However I have found that we often try not to
intercession will be critical in fighting this spiritual ‘rock the boat’ and I admit that I often take this
battle. It is my prayer that our province will maintain path. As a mature province, we can accommodate
this position and continue to uphold the truth. a breadth of input, robust respectful discussions
and appropriate ways to ensure we are constantly
Building Unity and Trust moving in God’s Will.
The Provincial Synod comprises of 32 elected
representative – eight from each diocese. Meeting Truth
each other for the first time, relationships take time Defending the truth took its toll in the earlier years.
to form and forge. Unity requires trust, and trust I think it had to do with the expectations of each
forges and strengthens unity, so I have placed diocese when we united as a province. Several
these two words together. Trust inevitably flows members felt that discussions on Communion
from relationships. issues were receiving inordinate attention and
We had to move quickly in the early years of time at provincial meetings, leaving insufficient
the province to agree on the position to take time to attend to needs within our own province.
10PRO V I NCI AL NE WS
Today we seem to have arrived at a good this has been surfaced in the past: the House of
balance in addressing both. This delicate balance Bishops could consider sharing more broadly and
will likely be tested time and again in our calling regularly on issues concerning the province which
to defend truth and build up the mission of the are not private or sensitive. In the nature of our
Church. provincial structure, it is possible for a lay person
or clergy to attend only one or two meetings
Collaboration and Partnership in Mission before being replaced. It would be helpful and
The Lord has brought together the dioceses in a meaningful for incoming diocesan representatives
wonderful way, given the significant rural mission to be briefed and updated especially on significant
efforts required to reach the deaneries. When we and continuing provincial issues.
began our provincial journey, I was rather naive in
my expectations that every diocese will respond Transparency and Accountability
readily to overseas mission. I have since realized It has been a joy to trace how we have moved
that ourdioceses are at different stages in their toward much greater levels of transparency.
ability to be involved. Over the years we have discussed how best our
PROSEAMS (the Province of South East Asia dioceses should update each other at provincial
Mission Services) was formed under the first meetings. The early format was designed on the
archbishop (Moses Tay). However, it was around a CCEA reporting format. A quick review of this
decade later that we began to see the scaling up of at this stage will help all dioceses to gain better
collaboration and partnership in mission. Building understanding of each other with the sharing of
this up will be crucial in our common provincial relevant and helpful information.
vision to reach the millions who have yet to hear We have agreed to be mutually accountable to
the Gospel message. each other as a province.
We have been rightfully careful in bringing in It is commonly reported that other provinces face
mission partners from the wider communion. We the challenge of dioceses acting independently
need to keep a careful guard in this area as our and unilaterally. Often this relates to the matter of
work scales up. finances and support received from more liberal
We have also concurrently developed outward factions. As our province grows, we may want
collaboration and partnership with like-minded to reflect on establishing simple frameworks to
provinces in the Global South. In the short share information to guard against inappropriate
existence of the province, all four dioceses can partnerships developing and taking root in our
echo the words that we have been blessed to be province.
a blessing.
The Deanery of Indonesia has become a good Fellowship over Makan
model of the framework for provincial mission I cannot reflect on the province without highlighting
initiatives where every diocese is involved. this: the provincial meeting several years ago
Our dioceses are our first-level partners in in Terengganu became a watershed meeting
mission and we need to increasingly engage over an unforgettable meal. The main dish was
ourselves as we work out mission plans and seven layers of different items. Table by table, we
strategies within our deaneries. Parts of Indonesia discovered ingenious ways to work through the
is shares the same island with the dioceses of dish, collaborating and guiding each other and
Kuching and Sabah in Kalimantan. West Malaysia then together; we shared the best part which was
has a common border with Thailand. The growth at the bottom, soaked in the myriad of sauces and
of budget travel has brought all these countries juices. That was only the start as the evening went
within easy and affordable reach for our dioceses. into rousing moments of solo and group singing.
Food is the common tool we use to foster
Communication and Structures fellowship and sharing. Some of the best and
Our provincial structure consist of shared most affordable seafood can be found in remote
leadership between bishops, clergy and laity. The parts of our sister dioceses. As treasurer, I can
House of Bishops meets more regularly, followed attest to these most non-extravagant moments
by the annual Provincial Standing Committee (four of enjoyment thanks to the inside knowledge
representatives per diocese) and the bi-annual of resident clergy and the hospitality of the host
Provincial Synod. The bishops provide leadership diocese.
and guidance in between these meetings. Fellowship also extended outside meetings
The Provincial leaders also get to meet on – over teh tarik or in a quiet corner of the
special diocesan events such as anniversaries, meeting venue. These casual occasions often
consecration services for bishops and provincial enabled valuable sharing, building relationships
gatherings. There face-to-face meetings and and understanding. For continuing provincial
fellowship build relationships more effectively representatives, make time for this and you will
than other forms of communication. reap the benefits. Leave your individual diocesan
If I may share one observation respectfully and work aside and immerse yourself in cultivating
11PRO V I NCI AL NE WS
new friendships during these precious moments discussions and decisions as a province.
at provincial meetings. This structure works well in our diocesan
representation. However I feel that the Lord wants
Mutual Learning and Respect us to harness this strength as a collective provincial
Bringing our four Dioceses under one province resource.
required us to learn to respect each other. I have
learnt so much from the other dioceses. For one, I New Dioceses
have seen the shallowness of my faith compared Some of us may feel that we should by now have
to the faith of my fellow Anglicans in our sister planted at least one new diocese. I would have
dioceses, who face challenges on issues we take been very pleased if this had happened during my
for granted. Their churches end up stronger, tenure. However, the issue of new dioceses is not
more committed, more dependent on God, more a small matter.
resilient, and as a result possibly bearing more In the many years of participating in the province
fruit. I feel we have not yet found the platform to pray,
The Singapore Church has often been share, formulate strategies and plans for this to
commended for being faithful and “having fire.” happen. Constitutionally this is a provincial matter.
We have been riding on the prophetic call as the It follows then, that this should be a provincial
Antioch of Asia. However as we prepare ourselves level topic. While we remain aware of the possible
for Celebration of Hope we are confronted with plans from sister dioceses, I think it will serve the
sobering statistics. province well to intentionally engage and seek the
At the onset of the formation of our province, mind of the Lord. Beyond diocesan boundaries we
the Diocese of Singapore was often upheld as a are His Church.
model diocese. Over the years I have regularly
shared with our Singapore provincial team that Concluding Thoughts
we have much to learn from our sister dioceses in I have other in-depth views about our province
mission and ministry. Our sister dioceses have the vis-a-vis the Anglican Communion, the Global
experience in rural mission and have the fruit to South and GAFCON, which I hope to find another
show for this. Each diocese have unique features opportunity to share.
in their liturgy, worship styles and ministries. There There is much to give thanks to the Lord for and
is much we can learn from each other. there remains much work to be done.
We started with a blank sheet of paper that very
Forgiveness and Healing quickly became filled. Much of this was external to
I have just attended a recent Anglican meeting the Province and some may even be reactive but
where there was clearly the need for forgiveness necessary.
and healing in many parts of our Anglican We started without assets with just an initial
Communion. contribution from each diocese. We now have
Whenever we gather in forums and discussions adequate resources for the current work. As
there will inevitably be statements or comments the work grows, our member dioceses should
made that could hurt, whether intentionally or regularly review this area.
unintentionally. As we continue to run the race, I believe that
We had this at various points within our our Province of South East Asia will be well guided
province as well. I am not sure if we have by the words of Jesus in the Great Commandment
adequately addressed some of these past, and (Matthew 22:37-39) and the Great Commission
possibly latent, issues. Hurts must not be allowed (Matthew 28:18-20). The Lord continues to prepare
to fester. As our province pushes into the future and resource us. As we respond, let us remember
let’s perhaps make an effort to heal any remaining the urgency of His Call.
hurts, seek forgiveness from the Lord and each Taking the time to reflect on God’s provision ha
other. The upcoming Provincial Gathering could been helpful for me to connect the dots to gain a
be one opportunity. better understanding of His purposes. We move
As I write, my thoughts also drift to the need forward in faith, believing that God is leading in a
for me to seek forgiveness if my statements, certain direction. The outcomes of our responses
comments and actions have brought hurt to my become clear over time. Our common challenge is
provincial colleagues over the years. hearing Him correctly, and responding obediently.
I am reminded of many aspects to thank God for,
Bishops, Clergy and Lay despite missteps and missed opportunities.
We are structured on this basis for representation As we press onwards, let us be assured, as
and governance. My prayerful observation here in Romans 8:28,“And we know that for those
is that we need to continue to bring this into a who love God, all things work together for
provincial dimension. The collective gifts and good, for those who are called according to His
wisdom need to be brought to the table to be purpose.”
prayed over and thought through provincially, for
12C HURCH I N S I NGAPO RE
“THE GLORY OF GOD IS AT STAKE,”
declares Bishop Rennis Ponniah at PraySingapore 2018
By Rachel Phua
A t this year’s PraySingapore celebration on
October 7, Bishop Rennis Ponniah called on
Christians to pray for opportunities to proclaim the
“That injures the God who desires that none
shall perish,” he said. “That stabs us in the heart.
That must propel us into action.”
good news to their friends and family in order to “Another reason we need a revival is there
transform their homeland. is a lack of righteousness in the land,” said the
Bishop Ponniah said that he, along with Bishop. Issues such as divorce, abortion, gender
other pastors in Singapore, believe that God is confusion, sexual brokenness, gambling and other
orchestrating a season in which “many people vices permeate the culture, he said. “It paints a
are going to find their way back to God through picture of how much we must cry out for God to
Jesus Christ”. He declared, “It’s going to be a great come upon the land.”
homecoming!” But only God can change the conduct and
To galvanise Christians in Singapore to share the ethical life of the people here and bring them to
Gospel, several churches and Christian organisations saving faith in Christ, Bishop Ponniah said.
have come together to organise the Celebration of Christians in Singapore must acknowledge
Hope, a three-day mass evangelistic event to be their brokenness and the fractures in the local
held at the Singapore Sports Hub in May 2019. body of Christ, and to pray for churches and
“We’re praying that every Christian in every organisation to work together “with one heart and
church will arise and share the good news of Jesus, mind for the harvest” and for God to lead them to
personally, with relatives, friends and acquaintances, spiritual victory.
so that they may know Him in whom alone is life,” he He also told the attendees to pray for
said. “thousands upon thousands” of souls to be saved,
However, believers should not just view the that they will be ready to be discipled, and out of
event as merely just another evangelistic rally, but a these new believers there would be a fresh batch
“vital step in God’s process of revival” in Singapore, of missionaries that would help the Church fulfil its
Bishop Ponniah said. Antioch call.
“People of God, we need revival. We need revival
because the ground is hard, dark and opposing Singapore needs prayer
forces are many. And most important of all, the glory “The single most important factor for revival –
of God is at stake,” he said. God’s revival – is prayer,” said Bishop Ponniah. “Let
it be believing prayer, in a mighty God, whose love
Singapore needs revival knows no bounds. Let it be beseeching prayer –
A key reason why the Church in Singapore needs to we beg God and we don’t let go until it happens.
make evangelism a priority again is because of the And let it be body-of-Christ prayer. Whether it’s in
lack of growth in the Christian population here, he twos or threes, in your churches, or in gatherings
said. such as these. Let us have beseeching prayer, that
In the decades before 2010, the number of His glory may be seen in this mighty harvest.”
Christians in Singapore grew by 2% to 4% every Bishop Ponniah closed quoting Psalm 126:5:
decade. However, in recent years, church growth “’Those who sow in tears will surely reap with
has plateaued, with the Bishop noting that the shouts of joy.’ That’s our confidence in God.
number of Christians grew marginally from 18.3% That if we cry out to God, we shall surely shout
of the population in 2010 to 18.8% in 2015. with joy.”
Reproduced with permission from www.saltandlight.sg
13C HURCH I N S I NGAPO RE
joining his members in worship and prayer. “My
heart was warmed by the sense of family, unity,
and purpose among those gathered.”
Revd William Tham, Vicar of Light of Christ
Church Woodlands, said, “I trust that God is
depositing His desires in our hearts, and aligning
us back to loving and hearing from Him.”
It was a unique and historic first for the Body
of Christ to pray in this manner. We were united
indeed by one Lord, one faith and one baptism.
We shared a common desire to see our nation’s
destiny fulfilled – for Singapore to be a blessing to
the nations.
THE DAY OF HIS POWER
The 40.Day Solemn Assemblies culminated in the
Day of His Power on 8 August at the Singapore
Indoor Stadium, where the number of participants
A focus for prayer and a necessary step to Celebration of
Hope-Calling down a different kind of fire-the Pentecostal exceeded the Stadium’s capacity.
fire of God's love “Your people shall be willing in the day of Your
power.” Psalm 110:3 Bishop Rennis Ponniah spoke
ENGAGING
on a different kind of fire. He emphasized that the
fire God wants to bring for revival is not the fire
THE YEAR OF
of antagonism (Luke 9:51-56) but the Pentecostal
Fire of God’s love (Acts 2:1-11). Such a fire can
PRAYER
surely come through the Holy Spirit in response to
the fervent prayer of God’s people.
Bishop Rennis also spoke of the grace-
filled unity between NCCS (National Council
by Karen Wong of Churches of Singapore), EFOS (Evangelical
Fellowship of Singapore) and Love Singapore and
M ajor prayer movements have swept across
Singapore this year – The Year of Prayer.
LoveSingapore organised the 40.Day
how the Solemn Assemblies contributed to that
night’s overflowing turnout.
Solemn Assemblies, which started on 1 July and PRAY SINGAPORE
culminated on National Day, 9 August. Two months later, on 7 October, the Body of Christ
gathered in prayer again at a larger venue - the
Declare a holy fast; call a sacred assembly. Singapore Nation Stadium. PraySingapore was
Summon the elders and all who live in the land a nation-wide call to fast and pray for Singapore,
to the house of the Lord your God, with the theme Seek the Welfare of the City, and
and cry out to the Lord. Joel 1:14 a special focus on praying for families as building
blocks of our society.
Premised on Joel 1:14, it rallied Christians
across Singapore to pray in twenty-four host Wave 1 – The Church “One Heart One Voice”
churches from various denominations. These Wave 2 – The Family “One Foundation One
included a few Anglican parishes. Future”
Church of our Saviour hosted seven consecutive Wave 3 – The Nation “One People One Destiny”
evenings of prayer in their newly renovated Wave 4 – The Harvest “One Name One Hope”
sanctuary. Nearby parishes, including Church of
the Good Shepherd helped to lead one of the In Wave 1, Rev Edmund Chan, the Leadership
evenings. Mentor at Covenant Evangelical Free Church,
St James Church also hosted a week of prayer. exhorted the crowd to be united in repentance,
St John’s - St Margaret’s Church and the Singapore because when His people repent, miracles
Anglican Indian Board led some of the evenings. happen.
St Andrew’s Cathedral hosted three assemblies In Wave 2, Pastor Lawrence Khong, Senior
on the last week, facilitated by its youth and Pastor of Faith Community Baptist Church (FCBC)
language congregations. Bishop Rennis led one of and Chairman of Love Singapore, explained from
the evening assemblies in knelting and repenting Jeremiah 29 that the welfare of the city involved
on behalf of the wider Body. her family, foundation and future. Various church
For Revd William Chee, Vicar of Yishun Christian leaders led the crowd in prayers for godly
Church (Anglican), it was a joy to see “strangers” marriages and blessing the next generation.
14C HURCH I N S I NGAPO RE
In Wave 3, Pastor Eugene Seow, Executive and inspiring to be reminded of how the crowd
Director of TOUCH International, asked believers responded to the Gospel as the choir sang Just
to seek the shalom of Singapore through good as I am. Pastor Lawrence Khong led the crowd in
works. “Singapore needs sons and daughters who passionate prayer for a new work of the Lord in
reflect the character of God by compassionately our nation. PraySingapore prepared the hearts of
caring for her weak and vulnerable, serving the those present for the Celebration of Hope that will
common good.” take place next May at the same venue.
In Wave 4, Bishop Rennis said, “The single
most important factor for revival – God’s revival – is REGIONAL PRAYER MEETINGS
prayer. Let it be believing prayer in a mighty God, The Year of Prayer continues with regional prayer
whose love knows no bounds. Let it be beseeching gatherings. With the theme Sow in Tears, Reap
prayer – we beg God and we don’t let go until with Joy, these will take place throughout the
it happens. And let it be body-of-Christ prayer. remaining months in the run-up to Celebration of
Whether it’s in twos or threes, your churches, or in Hope. Eight churches will host these gatherings.
gatherings such as these. Let us have beseeching “Prayer is not an accomplishment,” said our
prayer that His glory may be seen in this mighty bishop. “Prayer is continuous! So we thank God for
harvest.” He quoted Psalm 126:5, “Those who sow building up the prayer momentum in 2018, which
in tears will surely reap with shouts of joy.” led to The Day of His Power, and PraySingapore. Let
The crowd of over 30,000 got to see a short us keep up the momentum by mobilizing prayer in
clip of Billy Graham’s rally in 1978. It was moving local churches and in cell groups.”
REGIONAL PRAYER MEETINGS
‘Sow In Tears, Reap With Joy’ Psalm 126:5-6
Come to a Regional Prayer Meeting near you to join other Christians in praying for a bountiful harvest of souls.
CENTRAL: 1st Thursday of the month, 7:30 pm Bethesda (Bedok-Tampines)
St. Andrew’s Cathedral (except in February) Church
11 St Andrew’s Road, 3 January 2019 300 Bedok North Avenue 3,
Singapore 178959 *14 February 2019 Singapore 469717
1st Wednesday of the month, 7 March 2019 1st Friday of the month, 8:00 pm
7:30 pm 4 April 2019 2 November 2018
7 November 2018 2 May 2019 7 December 2018
5 December 2018 1st Friday of the month, 8 pm
Last Friday of the month, 7:30pm Lighthouse Evangelism 4 January 2019
25 January 2019 (Woodlands) 1 February 2019
22 February 2019 81 Woodlands Circle, Singapore 1 March 2019
29 March 2019 738909 5 April 2019
26 April 2019 1st Tuesday of the month, 7:30 pm 3 May 2019
6 November 2018
Faith Community Baptist Church 4 December 2018 WEST:
3 Marine Parade Central, 3rd Thursday of the month, 7:30pm St James Church
Singapore 449409 (except for May) 1 Leedon Road, Singapore 267828
3rd Wednesday of the month, 17 January 2019 4th Friday of the month, 8:00 pm
8:00 pm 21 February 2019 23 November 2018
21 November 2018 21 March 2019 28 December 2018
19 December 2018 18 April 2019 4th Friday of the month, 8 pm
3rd Wednesday of the month, *2 May 2019 25 January 2019
8:00 pm 22 February 2019
16 January 2019 EAST: 22 March 2019
20 February 2019 St. Hilda’s Church 26 April 2019
20 March 2019 41 Ceylon Road, Singapore 429630
17 April 2019 1st Wednesday of the month, Covenant EFC (Bukit Panjang)
15 May 2019 7:30 pm 10 Jelapang Road, Singapore
7 November 2018 677740
NORTH: 5 December 2018 1st Wednesday of the month, 8 pm
Yishun Christian Church 2nd Wednesday of the month, 7 November 2018
(Anglican) 7:30 pm (except for May) 5 December 2018
10 Yishun Avenue 5, Singapore 9 January 2019 1st Friday of the month, 8 pm
768991 13 February 2019 4 January 2019
1st Wednesday of the month, 13 March 2019 1 February 2019
7:30 pm 10 April 2019 1 March 2019
7 November 2018 *3 May 2019 5 April 2019
5 December 2018 3 May 2019
1517-19 May 2019 • National Stadium http://www.celebrationofhope.sg
PRAY REGIONAL PRAYER MEETINGS
Check the COH website at celebrationofhope.sg for latest updated timings
Come to a church near you to pray for the Celebration of Hope!
CENTRAL NORTH EAST WEST
Faith Community Lighthouse Bethesda Covenant Evangelical
Baptist Church Evangelism (Bedok-Tampines) Free Church
(Marine Parade) (Woodlands) Church (Bukit Panjang)
3rd Wednesday of each 1st Tuesday of each 1st Friday of each 1st Wednesday of each
month, 8pm month, 7.30pm month, 8pm month, 8pm
St Andrew’s Yishun Christian St Hilda’s Church St James’ Church
Cathedral Church (Anglican) 1st Wednesday of each 4th Friday of each
1st Wednesday of each 1st Wednesday of each month, 7.30pm month, 8pm
month, 7.30pm month, 7.30pm
ENGAGE EVANGELISM EQUIPPING 2019
Centralised evangelism training will be NORTH 23 Feb Covenant EFC (Woodlands)
conducted in locations across Singapore CENTRAL 2 Mar St Andrew’s Cathedral
to equip you to PRAY, ENGAGE and EAST 9 Mar Lighthouse Evangelism (Tampines)
GATHER for the Celebration Of Hope! WEST 16 Mar St John’s-St Margaret’s Church
GATHER COH RALLY SCHEDULE
Guest workers outreach will take place on Sunday, May 19, at decentralised venues
FRIDAY, 17 MAY SATURDAY, 18 MAY SUNDAY, 19 MAY
7.30PM ENGLISH 10.30AM CHILDREN & FAMILIES 10.30AM FILIPINO/ENGLISH
NATIONAL STADIUM NATIONAL STADIUM NATIONAL STADIUM
7.30PM CHINESE 7.30PM TAMIL 7.30PM ENGLISH
NATIONAL STADIUM OCBC ARENA NATIONAL STADIUM
Like to give towards covering the operation costs of the event? Cheques can be made payable to Celebration of Hope.
Mail your cheque to: Celebration of Hope c/o The Diocese of16
Singapore, 1 Francis Thomas Drive #01-01, Singapore 359340
A4 advertisement.indd 2 31/10/18 2:53 PMC HURCH I N S I NGAPO RE
How You Can Be Involved in
CELEBRATION OF HOPE
By Karen Wong
C elebration of Hope is about believing in God
for a mighty harvest of souls. It is a city-wide
endeavour to unite our churches to pray for
sessions will be held from 9:00am to 12:30pm on:
• 23 February 2019, at Covenant EFC
(Woodlands)
revival and proclaim the life-transforming Name of • 2 March 2019, at Bethesda (Bedok-
Jesus. It is about Christians in Singapore rallying Tampines) Church
together to pray and share with friends and • 9 March 2019, Lighthouse Evangelism
relatives the message that Jesus Christ is the one (Tampines)
Name that can provide solid hope. The vision is Publicity matterial such as banners and mobile
to see personal evangelism exercised on a mass apps are being prepared. Look out for Celebration
scale, culminating in three days of Gospel rallies of Hope hong baos for 2019 Chinese New Year
at the 50,000 capacity National Stadium, from 17 distribution.
to 19 May 2019.
GATHER
PRAY The Celebration of Hope rallies will cater to
There has been a build-up of prayer throughout various groups of people, to reflect the multi-
this year. Island-wide Regional Prayer Meetings cultural landscape of Singapore, and the many
will take place every month and into next May people groups we have in our midst. You and
for grassroot prayer momentum to continue to I are the ones to gather our family members,
intensify. Please refer to the schedule on the friends and acuqintances to hear the Gospel
previous page for dates and venues. clearly proclaimed at the Celebration of Hope rallies.
De-centralised gatherings for guest workers
ENGAGE are also being planned for four language groups:
Engage in personal evangelism through The Bangladeshi, Indonesian, Myanmese and Thai.
Andrew Initiative: Think of five people you want May His Church in Singapore arise to reach
to share the Gospel with. Pray regularly for them the lost and bring a blessing of immeasurable
by name. Engage by caring, sharing and blessing magnitude to our land. And may Singapore fulfil her
them. Invite them to the Celebration of Hope. destiny as the Antioch of Asia, and be a blessing to
Centralised training will be conducted to equip the nations around us.
Christians with tools to pray, engage and gather For the latest news and updates about
for the Celebration of Hope. These equipping Celebration of Hope, please go to these links.
www.facebook.com/ www.instagram.com/ info@celebrationofhope.sg
celebrationofhope.sg/ celebrationofhope.sg/
17
:53 PMT E ACHI NG ART I CLE
Lessons from Intimate Conversations:
JESUS AND NICODEMUS by Keith Leong
Keith Leong is a member of St Andrew’s
Cathedral. He has graduate degrees in
theology and religion from Durham and
Oxford Universities
I
ntimate conversations litter the scriptures. These
conversations allow us to enter the thought Now there was a Pharisee, a man named
worlds of the speakers, follow the logic of their Nicodemus who was a member of the Jewish
dialogue, and find meaning in the answers ruling council. He came to Jesus at night and said,
offered. The Book of John is known for the many “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has
intimate conversations Jesus engages in. come from God. For no one could perform the
Jesus speaks first with Nicodemus, then signs you are doing if God were not with him.”
with the woman of Samaria, the nobleman of John 3:1-2
Cana, the paralytic in Jerusalem, the blind man,
and, finally, Mary and Martha at Bethany. These Coming to Jesus by night, Nicodemus might
intimate conversations are unique to the Book of have been afraid of public association with Him.
John. They represent different classes of society, Or, he might have wanted the luxury of a private
and, in keeping with the explicit purpose of the and uninterrupted evening. We also know from
Book – to help the reader “believe that Jesus is history that it was customary for Rabbis to study
the Christ, and by believing, have life in his name” and debate long into the night.
(John 20:31) – each illustrates the nature and John also uses the imagery of the dark,
consequences of belief. including that same word for night, nuktos, to
In this article, we will explore the first intimate symbolize death and spiritual darkness elsewhere
conversation in the Book of John between in his Book. Therefore, there is an added element
Nicodemus and Jesus. of spiritual darkness that is being suggested about
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