Two-day Seminar 11 - 12 March 2010

Once again our Church is priviledged to have Pastor Ben Wong from Hong Kong to teach and guide us as we move from the old to the new.

The leaders of our Church all attened, there were about 25 to 30 members.

Pastor Ben asked many pertinent questions about the Church past, and also how the leaders see the Church going forward. From the discussions he summarised the follwoing Core Values:

1. Strong Relationship
2. Equipping and empowering
3. Focus on Jesus
4. Compassion for the lost
5. Networking with others
6. Structure of the Church

We were asked to formulate the ethos of each value.

It was a very good meeting and thanks to Pastor Ben in guiding us. Our Chairman Dr. Tiong said he was very pleased that so many leaders took leave to attend this two-day seminar.

Thank You- Katinas

Thank You Lord for all you have done in my life. Thank you for the many blessings. Thank You. Amen.

Shane Claiborne

Shane's Short Intro from The Simple Way on Vimeo.

Shane’s Bio

Shane's headshotBestselling Author, Prominent Christian Activist, Sought-after Speaker and Recovering Sinner

With tears and laughter, Shane Claiborne unveils the tragic messes we’ve made of our world and the tangible hope that another world is possible. Shane graduated from Eastern University, and did graduate work at Princeton Seminary. His ministry experience is varied, from a 10-week stint working alongside Mother Teresa in Calcutta, to a year spent serving a wealthy mega-congregation at Willow Creek Community Church outside Chicago. During the recent war in Iraq, Shane spent three weeks in Baghdad with the Iraq Peace Team. Shane is also a founding partner of The Simple Way, a faith community in inner city Philadelphia that has helped to birth and connect radical faith communities around the world.

Shane writes and travels extensively speaking about peacemaking, social justice, and Jesus. He is featured in the DVD series “Another World Is Possible” and is the author of the several books including The Irresistible Revolution, Jesus for President, and Becoming the Answer to Our Prayers. Shane speaks over 100 times a year in a dozen or so countries and nearly every state in the US. Shane has given academic seminars at Vanderbilt University, Duke University Pepperdine University, Wheaton College, Princeton University, Goshen College and Harvard University. Shane also speaks at various denominational gatherings, festivals, and conferences around the globe. Shane’s work has been featured in everything from Fox News and the Wall Street Journal to CNN and National Public Radio.

Source:www.thesimpleway.org

Sunday Service

Dr.Tommy Chung sermon was on Haggai.

The Consequences of Spiritual Neglect

1. God has not changed. God has not changed and His Word had not change. His Word will be fulfilled. The old testament is as relevant to us today as in the past.


2. Operation of Holy Spirit. The Book also teaches under the new covenant, the operation of the Holy Spirit. When the Holy Spirit comes, it manifested in Spiritual gifts. It helps discouraged people in Haggai’s time as well as our time. The Israelites gone back to Israel from Babylon and they felt defeated. They were not ready to rebuild the Temple. They started to build their own house instead of God’s temple. They wondered what were they going to build the temple with as they had nothing.
- The Word of God was addressed to the leadership of the local government as well as religious leader. Haggai 1:1. These represented “faith” and “work” working together.
- There was a suggestion of divine rebuke, God calling the Isrealites “these people..” verse 2 instead of my people.
- There was a lack of direction because they did not have the materials to rebuild the temple.
- The Israelites were playing delay tactics in wanting to delay the building of the temple.
- They were bargaining with God.

3. God made us think. God made people think about their priorities Haggai 1:4. They were building their own luxurious house first instead of God’s temple, therefore God’s questioned the Israelites. God told the Israelites that they were struggling in vain if they did not put him first, Haggai 1:6. The same applies to us Christians. Put God first and all will be given to you. The Israelites were instructed to repent and obey God, Haggai 1:8 – 10 and to build God’s house. When the Israelites obyed God, He brought revival and renewal, Haggai 1: 14.

4. God will not forget us. God told the Israelites that He will
remember them. God will not leave nor forsake us.

Dr. Chung ended with a Jewish saying, “You will be chasing a living if
you are not chasing God”.

Friday - Life Group Meeting

Yesterday evening we had our Life Group meeting at Dr.Wong's residence. Once again many thanks to Dr.Wong and Sister Chiue Lian for opening their home for our meeting.

We studied the sermon of the previous Sunday, that was Titus Chapter 3. It was about doing good. we had a very lively and interesting discussion. Many sharings by members I believe blessed many.

One important aspect of the study is what we all take away from the dicussion? I call it what had we "ta pua?". Well, our group reconded that there were two areas, that was a) doing good work b) our motive must be godly and not self promoting.

Henri Nouwen on Relationship

The Balance Between Closeness and Distance

Intimacy between people requires closeness as well as distance. It is like dancing. Sometimes we are very close, touching each other or holding each other; sometimes we move away from each other and let the space between us become an area where we can freely move.

To keep the right balance between closeness and distance requires hard work, especially since the needs of the partners may be quite different at a given moment. One might desire closeness while the other wants distance. One might want to be held while the other looks for independence. A perfect balance seldom occurs, but the honest and open search for that balance can give birth to a beautiful dance, worthy to behold.

source: Ramdom musings blog of Dr.Alex Tang

Win or Lose, Do Good

Last Sunday, Brother Ho shared on Titus Chapter 3. The main theme was doing good no matter whether we agree with the people or not. This can be difficult but Paul stressed that we must do good in this chapter. Read below an article on this subject.

Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work. —Titus 3:1

When the results of today's presidential election are known, US citizens will either be glad or sad, depending on their political persuasion. Those who voted for the winner are likely to accept the authority of the government he establishes. Most others will submit, though grudgingly.


Christians are to go beyond mere submission to governing authorities and follow the guidelines given in the Bible. In writing to Titus, Paul said we should also be peaceable and considerate, and we should do good without slandering anyone (3:1-2).
Titus was working among believers in Crete, a place notorious for its unruly inhabitants. There were good reasons to say bad things about the people living and ruling there, but Paul warned Christians not to do it.
In fact, seven times in his short letter to Titus, Paul mentioned the importance of doing good: loving what is good (1:8), teaching what is good (2:3), doing what is good (2:7,14; 3:1-2,8,14).


Paul's letter is a timely reminder that as Christians we are to do what is good for people, regardless of whether we approve of their values and agree with their policies. It may not be easy, but it's the right thing to do.
— Julie Ackerman Link


From the example of Jesus,
Who went about doing good,
We are to honor our Savior
By helping wherever He would. —Hess

Christians can be constructive if they refuse to be destructive.

Source: Our Daily Bread