THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN SINGAPORE
- ENGLISH PRESBYTERY
Rev Srimal Marthenis
EP Moderator
At our last 32nd Annual General Meeting, we heard God’s word from Revelation 2:1-7. I have always wondered what the “first love” (2:4) that the church in Ephesus had abandoned. It dawned on me that the answer could be in the following verse.
In verse 5, Jesus called the church to repent and “do the works you did at first”. The church used to be fervent in faith and works for the Lord. Jesus knew of their work, toil, patient endurance in the face of persecution, and their faith and commitment to following His word (vv2-3). Jesus’ rebuke indicates that the church has grown complacent in those areas, which were their first love.
As I reflected on the message, I thought it was appropriate that the English Presbytery's (EP) direction for the next two years be Strengthening Faith, Family & Mission in the Digital Age. This direction stems from Synod’s theme for 2025-2027. We will work in unity and grow together as one body in Christ. The EP strategy is to ride on Synod’s program and activities where possible and continue to build upon the good work EP has established over the past years.
Moderator’s Address
Strengthening Faith
If there is one event that could strengthen the faith of believers, lead pre-believers to have faith in Jesus, and strengthen our bond as an EP, that will be our Holy Week Convention. The theme for the 2025 convention is The Meaning of the Cross. Our speaker, Dr Roland Chia, will expound on the meaning of the Cross, uncovering what it reveals about God and the world, the transformative work it has accomplished, and the enduring challenge it poses to Christians and the Church today. Let’s set aside 16-18 April as an EP family to attend the service. May the Lord use this Convention to strengthen faith and lead many to turn to Him.
EP will also ride on some of Synod’s programs as part of Strengthening Faith. Here, I like to commend two courses for our churches: Know Your Presbyterian Heritage (12, 19 & 26 July, Sat 1 pm to 4.30 pm). This course is for all and covers theology, spirituality, polity, and missions of the Presbyterian Church.
The Synod will also conduct an Elders and Deacons Training Course (11 October, 1 pm to 5.30 pm). We will send out the registration details closer to the dates.
I am pleased to inform you that, starting this year, we now have a strong “ARM” in the EP. The Active Retired Ministry (ARM) aims to provide a fellowship for retired ministers, encourage them to work on useful projects, and be a resource for younger ministers on the challenges or issues that arise in their ministry.
We will also continue strengthening the faith of pastors, leaders, and co-workers through our Co-Workers Fellowships, Co-workers Retreat, and Senior Minister Fellowship.
Strengthening Family
Under Strengthening Family, we will have a Family Conference in March. We are grateful to the leaders and members of Adam Road Presbyterian Church (ARPC) for hosting this. In August, we will continue our EP Marriage Enrichment Retreat.
Recently, Salt & Light published an article entitled “The Church and Seniors: Demographic Time Bomb or a Season of Opportunity?”
This article highlights that Singapore is moving towards a super-ageing society. As we pay attention to this trend and help us to rethink seniors' ministry in our churches, we will have our first-ever dialogue on Senior Ministry (13 March, 6-9 pm).
Strengthening Missions
Finally, we wish to invite our churches to partner and collaborate with the EP on Mission in several ways. First, there are 10 EPJM trips spread across the year. Teams are sent to support local churches and pastors in Japan in their outreach and visitation.
Recently, a small group from our EP Mission Committee (EPMC) travelled to Klang to explore and discover what God is doing at Elshaddai Center Berhad. It was an eye-opening experience for the team to observe how acts of kindness can transform lives among refugees, undocumented, and stateless communities.
EPMC has also launched a new course, The Unfinished Story (TUS), which consists of two half-day sessions. The Unfinished Story provides an exciting overview of God's mission from Genesis through the gospels and more than two thousand years of the world Christian movement to where we are today.
A new initiative under Strengthening Missions is a partnership with YWAM -Operation Honour, which provides essentials for migrant workers and outreach. The Kairos course will include a mission trip as a praxis for the participants after they complete the course.
The EP Exco will continue to consider what strengthening faith, family, and missions looks like in the EP. Please pray that we will continue to be fervent in our faith and work for the Lord. May our faith and love for the Lord continue to be reflected in our service to Him, the church, and society.
