Seremban Witness

PrayerGram 2012 1st Quarter

2012-01-29T19:35:00.002+08:00

PRAYERGRAM-1Q 2012

Family Newsletter_ 12/2011

2012-01-29T19:23:00.000+08:00

Family 12-2011

The 'Golden Rule' approach to persecution

2012-01-09T18:53:00.000+08:00

WEF callsfor 'Golden Rule' approach to persecution

By Dan Wooding

THE WORLDEvangelical Fellowship has called on the world community ofnations to apply the 'Golden Rule' when they deal with religious persecution.

WEF, which was grantedspecial consultative status to the Economic and Social Council of the UnitedNations in 1997, made its statement to the UN in Geneva, Switzerland March28th.

Its report began: "Humanrights and religious freedom are now at the centre of discourse ininternational affairs. The notion that certain rights are inherent to the humanexperience is reflected in the universal principle most often referred to as'the Golden Rule' that is present in various forms in every society andreligion."

The WEF report pointed outthat some of the major religious traditions articulate this principle asfollows:

Buddhism

Hurt not others in waysthat you yourself would find hurtful. (Udana-Varga 5:18)

Christianity

So in everything, do toothers what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and theProphets. (Matthew 7:12)

Confucianism

Surely it is the maxim ofloving-kindness: Do not unto others what you would not have done unto you.(Analects 15:23)

Hinduism

This is the sum of duty:Do naught unto others which would cause you pain if done to you. (Mahabharata5:1517)

Islam

No one of you is abeliever until he desires for his brother that which he desires for himself.(Sunnah)

Judaism

What is hateful to you, donot to your fellow man. That is the entire Law; all the rest is commentary.(Talmud, Shabbat 31a)

Taoism

Regard your neighbour'sgain as your own gain and your neighbour's loss as your own loss. (T'ai ShangKan Ying P'ien)

The report continued,"The Golden Rule is applied to religious freedom when the powerful anddominant religious and philosophical traditions, government leaders, and the elitein a society ask how they would want to be treated if they were the powerlessand minority faith. All minority groups, whether they are religious, ethnic,political, racial or gender-based, want equal and fair treatment before thelaw, and every group is a minority somewhere in the world.

"The temptationfacing those in power is to seek preferential treatment for themselves at theexpense of those who have little or no power. The Golden Rule counsels thepowerful to be sensitive to the powerless by treating them with the same careand respect that they seek for themselves in their country and in places wherethey are themselves the powerless.

"At the beginning ofthe new millennium, religion remains a deeply relevant and central aspect ofhuman life and behaviour despite the view of some skeptics who echo Nietzsche'stimeworn claim that 'God is dead.' Yet of the world's six billion inhabitantsonly three percent (150 million) identify themselves as atheists. With varyingdegrees of commitment, two billion Christians, 1.2 billion Muslims, 786 millionHindus, and 362 million Buddhists, not to mention adherents of hundreds ofsmaller religions, affirm the relevance and importance of a spiritual dimensionin life and society. In fact, the trend over the past few decades has been anincrease in religious commitment and activity in the face of growingsecularization."

The report went on to saythat religious freedom is the "lynchpin" or litmus test for all otherhuman rights because where there is no freedom of religion other fundamentalrights are always missing.

The WEF report then said,"Some of the rights most often compromised where religious freedom islacking are freedom of speech and press, freedom of association and movement,equality before the law, the right to life, liberty and security of person,freedom from torture and other cruel and inhuman treatment or punishment, andthe right to work. Recently, Norway's former Prime Minister Kjell MagneBondevik stated: 'Religious freedom and belief is one of the fundamental humanrights.'

"Actually, it is morethan that. . . . Without freedom to worship, there can be no real politicalfreedom -- nor freedom of thought and freedom of conscience. These areinterrelated.

"For people withdeeply held religious beliefs, religion is the essence of their very being. Itdefines the terms of their existence and determines the values they bring tobear daily in relationships and decisions."

The WEF report stated thatArticle 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights provides, perhaps, thebest summation of the scope of religious freedom in the international arena:

"Everyone has theright to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includesfreedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or incommunity with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion orbelief in teaching, practice, worship and observance."

It continued, "TheWorld Evangelical Fellowship (WEF) believes that its communities must not onlyseek to protect their own constituents, but should also assist others whosuffer for their beliefs. It recognizes that the first act of violence recordedin the Christian Scriptures, the killing by Cain of his brother Abel, was theill fruit of religious intolerance. Cain refused to accept Abel's mode ofworship and therefore chose to kill him. WEF believes that in the religiousfreedom arena we are indeed 'our brother's keeper' and should proactively speakon behalf of others who suffer persecution.

"At the same time WEFbelieves that it is necessary to pay particular attention to the sufferingfaced by Christians globally due to its sheer magnitude. No doubt, many peoplewould find it surprising, even unbelievable that at the beginning of the 21stcentury the largest faith group being persecuted is the Christian faith. It hasbeen estimated that over 200 million Christians in at least 60 countries aredenied fundamental human rights solely because of their faith. Moreover,persecution of Christians often serves as an indicator of the status of religiousfreedom for other minorities since where Christians are persecuted otherreligions tend also to suffer. Discrimination and persecution have been foundto follow a distinct pattern regardless of who is being persecuted. Thus,although the focus and examples used in this report relate primarily to theChristian community, the same analysis could be applied to other faiths.

"With respect toreligious freedom, the ideal society seeks to reach a place where all faithtraditions enjoy 'equal justice under law.' Even though religious tolerance isclearly preferred over intolerance, the notion of 'tolerance' suggests thatthose in dominance simply tolerate or allow other faiths to exist on amore-or-less equal footing. Tolerance is not synonymous with freedom but infersa top-down mindset rather than one of equality. It is our hope that thosenations where tolerance is embraced would continue to move towards full andcomplete equality before the law for all faiths."

The report then laid outthe pattern of religious persecution by saying, "There is a discerniblepattern in the societal evolution leading down the slope from tolerance tointolerance and eventual persecution of minorities.

The first slippery step isdisinformation that often leads to the second step, discrimination, which canfinally end in a slide into persecution. At each step, the role of the stateand its agencies may be passive or active."

The WEF report thencontinued with what it saw as the steps to persecution:

Step 1: Passivedisinformation

Passive disinformationoccurs when a minority group is slandered, vilified or unfairly attackedthrough the private, or not state-operated, media. The attacked group rarelyhas access to make an adequate response to these attacks and its opportunitiesfor redress may be limited.

Step 2: Activedisinformation

Active disinformationoccurs when the state uses its agencies, particularly the state-run media, topoison the well of public opinion against a minority faith. In so doing, thestate creates a nearly insurmountable barrier for a minority faith that has fewoptions to reply.

Step 3: Passivediscrimination

Disinformation preparesthe ground of public opinion for the next stage: discrimination. Here again thestate may be a passive or active party. The state passively discriminatesagainst minority faiths when it turns a b lind eye to discrimination takingplace against unpopular religious groups by private actors.

Step 4: Activediscrimination

The state is engaged inactive discrimination when it adopts policies and practices, throughlegislation or rules and regulations, that effectively deny members of minorityreligions opportunities to practice their faith with the same freedom as thatenjoyed by the dominant or accepted faiths.

Step 5: Passive persecution

When the state hasdiscriminated actively or passively against minority faith groups, the groundis fertile for persecution to take root and produce its evil fruit. Persecutioncarried out by private actors, such as religious extremists or fanatics actingsingly or as a mob, can range from the destruction of property to torture andmurder. Where the state stands by and does nothing to stop the law-breakers,the state becomes an accomplice to the perpetrated evil. A primary function ofthe state is to protect its citizens from lawlessness and when it fails to doso, it also falls short of the acceptable international standards ofgovernance.

Step 6: Active persecution

The slide towardpersecution hits bottom when the state and its agencies become activeparticipants in destroying or confiscating property, arresting or incarceratingreligious minorities, torturing or executing believers because of their faithtradition. At this point, the offending state not only violates thelong-standing universal principle of human behaviour as seen in the GoldenRule, but is in direct violation of international standards as expressed in theUniversal Declaration of Human Rights, the United Nations Charter andelsewhere.

WEF then made itsrecommendations to deal with the situation.

"It is unrealistic toexpect any country to change overnight from a situation where abuse of humanrights has been the rule to one where religious freedom is fully embraced andnurtured," said the report. "Our hope in publishing this report is toencourage countries to begin to take steps to move "up the slope"towards tolerance and religious freedom and away from disinformation,discrimination and persecution.

"When it comes toreligious freedom, there is no country in the world today that is free fromproblems. Thus, the recommendations put forth in this report apply to allnations. It is incumbent upon every state to affirmatively guarantee respectfor religious freedom and all human rights within its borders and also toremain vigilant in holding other states accountable to the broaderinternational community of nations."

The report then laid outthe following:

• The primaryresponsibility of each state is to ensure proper safeguards for the protectionof religious freedom and related human rights to its own citizens. Thus, eachstate should:

• Cease passive or activedisinformation, discrimination or persecution of members of any faithtradition;

• Review, repeal or reviselegislation impacting religious freedom to ensure that they meet internationalstandards;

• Focus on the need foropenness and transparency of its legislative, judicial, and law enforcementsystem;

• Evaluate enforcementpolicies and practices to make sure they conform to international standards;

• Provide training for thepolice and the judiciary focusing on religious freedom;

• Encourage dialoguebetween dominant religious institutions and minority traditions in order toreduce tensions and increase understanding;

• Establish communicationliaison with religious groups operating within the nation;

• Enc ourage andfacilitate dialogue with non-governmental organizations on religious freedom;

• Educate citizens aboutthe importance of freedom, human rights, tolerance, and respect for otherreligions.

WEF then said that thereare practical measures that nations can take to help promote religious libertyglobally:

• Work multilaterally tostrengthen international religious freedom laws;

• Establish a specialRapporteur or commission to monitor the development of religious liberty inother countries in the region and globally;

• Issue instructions todiplomatic posts to give more attention to religious freedom issues;

• Train diplomats inreligious liberty issues to increase their awareness of the problems and enablethem to be more effective and creative in finding soluti ons;

• Take into account theincreasing role of religion in internal conflicts by asking their ambassadorsand ministries of foreign affairs to report on developments regarding religiousrights in other countries;

• Inform internationaltrade delegations of the positive role they can play in raising religiousliberty constructive measures; and,

• Maintain a liaison withinternational non-governmental organizations specializing in monitoringreligious liberty and human rights organizations.

For further informationcontact:

World EvangelicalFellowship Box WEF, Wheaton, IL 60189, USA Phone: 630-668-0440 Web:www.worldevangelical.org Johan Candelin, Director WEF Religious LibertyCommission

The complete report is located at www.worldevangelical.org

Churches tell Najib: Respect law, remove anti-Christian rules, policies

2012-01-05T16:10:00.001+08:00

Malaysia

By Debra Chong

Jan 05, 2012

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 5 — Datuk Seri Najib Razak should respect the law and start removing rules and policies that have seen Christians being victimised by the bureaucracry, a national group representing over 90 per cent of churches said yesterday.

In a strongly-worded statement, the Christian Federation of Malaysia (CFM) called on the prime minister to check the growing systematic religious attacks against Christians nationwide over the past one year.

Ng heads the CFM. — Picture courtesy of egagah.blogspot.com

It also called on Najib to act and stop the attempts to “murder” and “destroy” his commitment and legacy to religious moderation he is championing.

Anglican Bishop Ng Moon Hing, who heads the CFM, urged the PM to set up a non-Muslim religious affairs ministry to safeguard and protect the interests and rights of not only Christians but Buddhists, Sikhs, Taoists and Hindus.

“We hope that there will be maximum consultation in respect of the structure and operations of the ministry,” he said, adding that it was only a first step as Christian leaders were not naïve enough to assume their religious issues would be solved without the commitment and collaboration of all other ministries and organs of government.

Ng, who is also the head of the Anglican diocese of West Malaysia, urged Najib to lift the government ban against Christians using the word “Allah” to also refer to their god.

He said Christians nationwide had been victimised enough by groups with “a selective reading of the Federal Constitution that is intentionally used to legitimise discriminatory laws and practices which favours one community over another.”

He said Christians were now resorting to raising their issues publicly because it was the most effective way for the government to take action.

He added church leaders have exhausted meetings with Putrajaya “at the highest ministerial level” and see inertia in resolving all remaining issues constructively and expeditiously.

“There is a very wide and alarming disconnect between what you intend to happen and what is happening on the ground.

“The policy of moderation which you uphold does not seem to have filtered down to all levels of government,” he said, just hours after sitting down to lunch with the country's sixth PM yesterday.

The government had also issued a statement after the lunch meeting, promising full engagement and consultation on Christian issues starting with the mission schools, Bible knowledge education and tax-exemption status for the creed’s organisations in what is seen as an attempt to repair relations with churches.

Christians say their constitutional rights have been systematically been eroded since winning a landmark court victory to use the word “Allah”.

Cabinet to act on several issues raised by Christian community

2012-01-05T15:58:00.003+08:00

The Star Online > Nation

Thursday January 5, 2012

By MAZWIN NIK ANIS and MARTIN CARVALHO
newsdesk@thestar.com.my

PUTRAJAYA: The Government will introduce several measures to address concerns raised by the Christian community.

These include the appointment of heads of mission schools, teaching of Bible Knowledge and tax exemption status for Christian organisations.

The decision made by the Cabinet yesterday was announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak at a luncheon hosted for senior leaders of the Christian Federation of Malaysia (CFM).

Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon said the Education Ministry would engage and consult the respective school boards so that school heads appointed would be suitable and acceptable.

Cordial meeting: Najib and Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin with Christian leaders (from left) Bolly, Murphy, Ng, CFM vice-chairman Rev Dr Eu Hong Seng and Tsen before the luncheon at Seri Perdana, Putrajaya yesterday. Najib spent nearly two hours with the leaders who were also joined by 13 Cabinet ministers.

On Bible Knowledge for Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia, Dr Koh said the subject would be taught in schools after school hours upon parents' request.

A procedure would also be put in place to ensure donations to churches recognised and certified by CFM would be given tax exemption.

“The Prime Minister gave due recognition to the tremendous contributions of mission schools and their wish that the ethos and traditions of such schools be maintained.

“The Prime Minister also reiterated the support given by the Government to mission schools with a total of RM240mil allocated over the past four years, including RM100mil under the 2012 Budget,” Dr Koh said.

Among those who attended the luncheon was CFM luncheon chairman Bishop Datuk Ng Moon Hing, Catholic Archbishop of Kuala Lum-pur Tan Sri Murphy Pakiam, Catholic Archbishop of Kuching John Ha, Council of Churches of Malaysia president Datuk Thomas Tsen and president of the Association of Churches of Sarawak Datuk Bolly Lapok.

Ng thanked Najib for the opportunity to have an open and constructive dialogue.

“Christians have been experiencing a roller coaster year since 2010 that has been fraught with both blessings and painful encounters.

“We Christians would like to work with the Government for the sake of our beloved Malaysia,'' he said.

Jonah Part 3: The Prayer of a Repentant Witness

2012-01-01T16:54:00.003+08:00

For the next piece of our Jonah series I want to focus in on Chapter Two of the book of Jonah. After spending 3 days and 3 nights in the belly of the whale, Jonah, the reluctant evangelist is now a repentant one. Chapter 2 records his prayer of repentance. No doubt Jonah records this private prayer between him and the Lord for our instruction. It has helped reluctant evangelists and, I must say, disobedient believers throughout history to move forward along the path of obedience when they finally come around to God’s way of thinking.

I called to the Lord (v1)
The repentant evangelist firstly returns to his Lord. In his running away from his commission, he had called on anything and everything but the Lord. He called for the ship, he called for the fare and he called for the port of Tarshish (which incidentally is a port in Spain, the other direction!) Now he is looking at the correct direction – upwards. The repentant evangelist must look to his Lord for a fresh commission. In v4, Jonah says, “I will look again toward your holy temple.” We can only do the work of God when we have a heart for God.

I have been banished (v4)
Jonah recognizes that his current adverse circumstances are not accidental. He acknowledges the hand of God in his present uncomfortable situation and he recognizes God’s action to “banish” him, to expel him and to cast him out.

I sank down (v6)
Next, Jonah recognizes the effect of God banishing Him for his disobedience. He has “sank down.” Jonah had “rose up” to flee from the presence of the Lord but after that everything had been going “down.” He went “down” to Joppa, and he went “down” into the ship. Finally he prays, “I sank down!”

I remembered you, LORD, (v7)
Jonah acknowledges the Lord. He calls to God, to get right with Him, and waits to be re-commissioned. He may have sank down but now he prays, “my prayer rose to your holy temple.” He now recognises that “those who cling to worthless idols forfeit the grace that could be theirs (v8). He had clung to the idol of self, of selfish ambitions and had fled God’s presence and call on him. Accordingly, the grace of God, that power that God gives to all to do His will, had been forfeited. He no longer had that spiritual energy that would make him strong enough to stand the pressures of life. Not only does he remember the Lord, he also remembers His grace.

I will sacrifice to you. (v9)
Jonah now begins to produce the fruit in keeping with repentance. He will move towards reinstating his relationship with the Lord, to worship and to sacrifice to Him. He will make plans to go to Nineveh and to preach to its citizens. He will make that sacrifice.

I will make good my vow. (v9)
He reassures the Lord that this time, he will come good. There will be no more going down to Joppa, no more going down into the ship, no more of sailing to Tarshish. Why? Because salvation comes from the Lord and not from anywhere else. Only God can save Jonah, only God can save the Ninevites.

When was the last time you shared your faith?

FGT Seremban Christmas Service

2011-12-14T00:55:00.000+08:00

FGT Seremban

Christmas Service

Venue: FGT Seremban, Off Jalan Temiang (click Maps section on right column for address and location map)
Date: Sunday 25th December 2011
Time: 10am-12noon
Featuring: Song items from children, youth and adults/Video on church family activities/Christmas Message: How to experience "peace on earth."
Message and songs in English/Mandarin

Light refreshments will be served after the service.

All welcome.

Jonah Part 2: A Ship, A Storm, and A Fish

2011-12-12T11:08:00.001+08:00

Jesus commands that believers share their faith. Sadly, we believers often disobey and treat the Great Commission as merely the Great Suggestion.

Like I mentioned in the first post about Jonah, I have been reading again the book of Jonah and it is exciting how this book on sharing our faith stands up in the Old Testament canon. Jonah had received God’s call to preach to the people of Nineveh, but he refuses to go. Like so many modern day believers, Jonah just heads in the opposite direction. He would have nothing to do with God’s will for Him to share his faith.

I would like to point out 3 things that happen to believers when we refuse to obey God and to share their faith.

Opportunities to Sail Away Appear Instantly

If you do not want to share your faith, there will always be a ship waiting to take you the opposite direction. In other words, if you are looking for an excuse not to share your faith, you will quite easily find one. Perhaps the person you wish to share with is busy, or may not be interested. Perhaps, you might have some other more pressing engagements. You might even be very busy with church work. Maybe tomorrow night is a better time. After all, tomorrow is only a day away! Perhaps your friend just called you and needed your help. There are many well-meaning distractions, but they are distractions none the less. Getting on that ship means you are further away from sharing your faith.

God Lovingly Sends Resistance to Get You Back on Track

If you do not want to share your faith, a great storm will appear to upset your life. The Bible says that the Lord sent a great wind on the sea, and such a violent storm arose that the ship threatened to break up. God wants us to obey Him for our own good. The path of obedience helps transform our character to be more like His Son’s. When we disobey, God lovingly sends adversity to gently lead us back to God’s predetermined path for our lives. Due to our stubbornness, God often sends a great wind and whips up a violent storm. Everything we do seems to go wrong when we’re running away from doing what God wants.

He Will Get Your Attention Eventually

If you do not want to share your faith, God will confine you in some enclosure where you can do some serious thinking! In Jonah’s case, God provided a great fish to swallow Jonah. From within the belly of the great fish, Jonah could do nothing but reflect until he got around to God’s way of thinking. Often we can be so busy and so stressed out that we lose focus. We conveniently forget to share our faith. Sometimes our health is affected badly. Then, we have no choice but to rest, recuperate and reflect. Finally God has our attention. Sounds familiar?

Let’s go out and meet someone today to share our faith! That’s what the Lord has called us to, and he’ll do a work within us through this active obedience.

FGT Seremban _ activities

2011-12-12T08:57:00.001+08:00

Christmas Party, FGT Seremban.

2011-12-10T14:25:00.001+08:00

Christmas party this afternoon. 135 attendance. Many guests.

Shared the Real Meaning of Christmas "Eternal life -- the gift of God through His Son."

Jonah!

2011-12-06T11:07:00.001+08:00

Not many people arenamed Jonah. More take on names like Peter, James and John. Or even Tom, Dickand Harry. But the biblical Jonahis a hero too. Let me tell youwhy.

When we think ofJonah, we invariably think of the person inside the whale[i]. But the Bible focuses on what is insidethe heart of Jonah!

Jonah was asked toshare his faith to the people of Nineveh, the capital of the evil Assyrianempire. He knew God to be holy andrighteous, who punishes sin and rewards those who do good. And God commanded that he, Jonah,should go to preach to the people of Nineveh, so that they would repent oftheir sins in order that God can spare and save them.

Would Jonah go? No! He ran in the oppositedirection! Why? He wanted nothing to do with this evilgroup of people (sounds familiar, doesn’t it?) And the story might have justended there.

But God not only lovesthe people of Nineveh. He lovesJonah as well. He has a plan forJonah, for Jonah to share his faith and for Jonah to learn something about Himand about life. So God arrangesfor the violent storm and the great fish so that Jonah can have some time outand do some serious reflecting.

Finally, our friendJonah decides to do what God wants. Better he had done that from the start so that he needn’t have toexperience the slime and smell of a whale’s belly. But now, he will go to Nineveh. There is an entire chapter in the Book of Jonah about hisprayer to God from inside the whale. No doubt Jonah recorded this to let us know what went inside his heart.

You see, sharing withthe people of Nineveh was daunting. He had too many obstacles to surmount.

First, there was the prejudice of race. Then the people ofNineveh were of a different religious and cultural background. There was ageographical problem too, because Nineveh was some 900 km away. (In those days,it would involve a week or two of travelling by “camel express.”) Then therewas the economic obstacle. Ninevehwas described as “the great city.” It was THE city of the day. Nineveh was the capital city of the great Assyrian empire. Its citizens were rich, stayed in bigmansions, have well-paying jobs, rode on branded camels … you know what Imean. And Jonah was a “nobody.” Weknow his father’s name and where he was born, but that’s about it. Boy, of all people, he really had goodreasons for not obeying God’s command to share his faith.

But in the end heovercame all the obstacles. In theend, he went to Nineveh and shared his faith. In the end, he became a hero. Will you be a hero too?

Then he (Jesus) toldthem: “Go and preach the good news to everyone in the world.”

Mark 16:15 (CEV)

[i] I know thewhale is not a fish, but let’s not get too technical. The sun doesn’t actually “rise” and “set”, does it? ;-)

Hindu Sangam Statement on Sacrifing Cows in public schools

2011-11-01T09:53:00.001+08:00

Press Statement Hari Raya Haji

2011-10-18T07:07:00.001+08:00

The time is… not yet? (The Problems and Peculiarities of Proselytization)

By Rev Eu Hong Seng

Opinion

Humanity has made great strides in the world, even as most forms of totalitarian rule lie in their death throes. Within the last three decades, the Berlin Wall has collapsed; the Cold War ceased; and apartheid crushed. Yet, in the midst of such unprecedented liberation, my heart aches to see the last bastion against true freedom still standing ominous – the denial of an individual’s right to choose his/her God.

Far from being a Malaysian anomaly, the resistance to religious freedom is actually a world-wide phenomenon, especially in most Islamic nations. Try espousing this basic principle say in Dubai, Islamabad or Abu Dhabi, and we can expect to encounter vehement responses there similar to what we have witnessed in our own country.

The truth is, the world’s human rights record is skewed and politically motivated. Short of a direct divine intervention, not every citizen of this world will enjoy the “right to choose his God”, just because a few enthusiastic zealots rant and rave, or even make public prayers for it.
This is obvious in the way world powers and the United Nations has not displayed any will power to even meekly suggest a change in this direction.

Nearer home, the infamous JAIS raid at a church has brought to the fore, the issue of proselytization.

Sadly, this issue cannot be rationally resolved when we have an “I-can-do-it, but-you-can’t” mentality. A restrictive enactment which allows for selective proselytization only highlights the uneven playing field – hardly helpful to solve a multifarious problem.

Our Constitution guarantees all faiths the “right to manage their own affairs.” If we want the right to manage our religion, we must accord others the right to manage theirs. Islam is surely no exception.

This simply means we must respect what each faith does and teaches their members, even be it through “corrective” teachings at “religious camps”. As such, Islam has every right to tell their adherents, “you cannot convert”, especially so when millions of Malaysian Muslims still choose to remain Muslim.

As a pastor, I, too, adamantly tell my members, “don't convert out”. I suspect every priest and religious leader worth his salt would do likewise.

But a reality check is needed. With the advance of modern technology and global travel, almost anyone can “log in and read what they want to read” and “be influenced” – be it in the interior of Mongolia or suburbs of Mecca.

The unthinkable is taking place today. For example, the Middle Eastern people are now deciding their own governments to determine their own destinies. In this day and age, no matter how repressive the regime or restrictive the legislations or teachings, people can twit and blog their way out.

While people all over the world now have the liberty to learn and be exposed to all forms of teachings, it is unfortunate that in Malaysia, the Church has become the favorite punching bag each time a Muslim chooses to reconsider his faith.

One can no longer simply “police” what goes on in the heart anymore. Regrettably, this fact still seems like rocket science to many governments.

Early this year, high definition TV (HD) was introduced on Astro. I watched the National Geographic HD Channel – and as every visual played across the screen, I saw the real balloons, the real glitter, the real fire, the real ballerina, the real flower… accompanied by the tagline, “the real world redefined”.

Indeed, technology has presented us with the gift of “new sight” of the real world.

Since Merdeka in 1957, thousands in our country have converted to Islam. But, when a few chose to “re-convert” or one or two decided to “convert out” of this faith, their action triggered a national crisis. Why? Is it not because we have yet to learn and see what the “real world” is?

For years, our church has been strengthening our own members, and counselling every soul we lost. I vividly remember when one of our own became a Muslim. We took it in our stride, and accepted the reality out there.

Looking back, I suppose we could have ridden motorbikes into the compound of the mosque, following the JAIS modus operandi. But good sense prevailed and we took time to re-examine where we went wrong.

Barely noticed and perhaps intentionally disregarded, are the pain and the social trauma wrought on the thousands of non-Muslim homes who have lost their family members to Islam.

It is with utter amazement and disbelief to see the hue and cry over the one or two and “the twelve” (if the JAIS report is to be believed), who have merely shown some inclination towards other faiths.

I long for mature days to come in all camps.

I was heartened when some Muslim groups suggested that they evaluate why Muslims would go to Christian NGOs for help and aid, and when another even proposed a seminar be jointly organised with the Christian Federation of Malaysia (CFM) to study the various approaches to “social work” (by this I assume they would like to learn what Christians do).

If only we had this mature attitude before the JAIS raid and childish posting of its video on YouTube.

In Malaysia, we also have the added problem of entrapment. According to Wikipedia, in criminal law, entrapment is conduct by a law enforcement agent, inducing a person to commit an offence that the person would otherwise have been unlikely to commit.

When one knowingly enters the place of worship of another faith or enrolls in an explicitly Christian kindergarten, only to turn around to accuse the Church of inappropriate undue influence, it is indeed ludicrous. In church, we do “churchy stuff” – how simple is that?

During the Alkitab fiasco, we had a few calls from purported Muslims at our church office asking for help on how they could become Christian. One caller even identified himself as an imam and requested for an Alkitab!

If only we spent as much time governing our country a bit more seriously instead of devising such “games of entrapment”.

I can just imagine some well-meaning Christians assisting “poor Muslims” who in addition to asking for social aid, may then ask for “help” in faith matters. No doubt, such incidents of “proselytization” will be exposed at the appropriate time, perhaps, coincidentally, just before a general election.

Today, while the United States has lost its “Triple A” rating, we the Church in Malaysia have been unceremoniously bestowed a “Triple A” quandary – we have had the Allah issue, then the Alkitab issue, and now the Apostasy issue.

The present crisis in Europe and the US mostly centres on economics and politics. I believe Malaysia is facing a similar crisis, except that religious strife has been a good cover-up for harder issues.

In December 1998, during the CFM’s annual Christmas function held at the Catholic Cardign House, I recall asking our then Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohammed, if he felt there would ever come a time when Muslims could decide for themselves what to believe in. He quipped, “The time is … not yet.”

I was inclined to agree with him … then.

Interestingly, in his Malaysia Day live telecast speech this year, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak announced the long-awaited repeal of the ISA, stressing that the changes were to “accommodate and realise a mature, modern and functioning democracy”. The unimaginable has indeed arrived!

My prayer is that this aspiration towards a “mature, modern, functioning democracy” would spur both the state and federal governments to take bold steps towards reviewing all enactments that affect matters of the heart.

To balance the religious ambitions of the state and the rights of the individual, is no easy task. For too long, we have boasted of being a tolerant nation when we are, in actual fact, nothing more than a pseudo-model of religious freedom, in denial of the realities on the ground.

We respect the wishes of our Rulers and the people. We respect the laws, albeit the wisdom behind some legislation is suspect. But surely, no non-Muslim is going to be one ounce less happy if all Muslims remain Muslim.

And we should also note that restrictive enactments on faith did not exist back in 1957. So, is it so unpatriotic or treasonous to yearn for the good old days of the Merdeka era once again?

Our PM was spot-on when he told the nation it was “not too early or too late for initiatives to be introduced.” After all, it’s not about a piece of legislation -- it’s about matters of the heart.

Pastor Eu Hong Seng is Senior Pastor of the Full Gospel Tabernacle church and chairman of the National Evangelical Christian Fellowship (NECF).

(Rev Eu Hong Seng does not believe that if the “doors were open” there would be an exodus of Muslims from their faith. On the contrary, the Bible teaches that in the last days, there would be a “great falling away” (2 Thess 2:3) i.e. there will be an “outflow” not an “inflow.”)

MCCBCHST Statement on Hudud in Malaysia

2011-10-12T17:15:00.002+08:00

Mccbchst Media Statement-11.10

Memory Verse _ October 2011

2011-10-11T19:41:00.001+08:00

As you share your faith with others, I pray that they maycome to know all the blessings Christ has given us. Philemon1:6 (CEV)
How true it is that love is the great sustainer. It conquers all and holds everything together. It is what binds relationships, marriage, and family. It encourages and lifts others up, keeping us going day to day. It refreshes and makes us feel alive, giving us a purpose to keep living. It is the same emotion and will that allowed Onesimus to return and have Paul send him gladly. And it is what gave Paul the wisdom to ask if he could be rejoined by his former master not as a slave, but as a dear brother. I pray that this same love will overflow from me to be able to share my faith with boldness and confidence. I don't want to back down when opportunities arise, but I want to share the love that has been given to me. I am sorry for the times where fear has overcome courage in situations of sharing my testimony. Why have I let awkwardness or discomfort control my actions? I should only be controlled by You and led by the Spirit. Let the active participation of sharing my faith give me a more complete understanding of every wonderful and abundant thing that has been given me. - JD Russell

The Story of Tommy

2011-10-10T12:47:00.001+08:00

The Story of Tommy

As told by David Brandt Berg

This is the story that inspired us to begin 'Tommy's Window'

- PowerPoint Slideshows with Motivational & Inspirational Messages -

Tommy was a little crippled boy, whose mangled body lay almost helpless on a pitiful pallet by the third story window of an old rickety tenement on a busy street of a large city! He'd asked a newsboy friend of his to bring him the book about a man who went about everywhere doing good! The little lad searched and searched for this unnamed book for his crippled friend, until one book dealer finally recognized that he must be

talking about the Bible, and the story of Jesus! The tiny lad scraped together the little money he had, and the kindly bookseller gave him a copy of the New Testament, which he rushed back to Tom on his third-floor pallet!
They began to read it together, till Tommy was saved through the word that he read in the Book, and he, too, wanted to do good, like the Man in the Book--but he was crippled, and could not even leave the little one-room apartment of his old aunt with

whom he lived! So he prayed and asked God to help him, and the Lord showed him a plan! He began to scribble laboriously, helpful verses from the Bible on tiny scraps of paper, which he would then drop out of his third-floor window to flutter to the busy street below! Passers-by would see them fluttering down and curiously pick them up to see what they were, only to read the words of a Man who went around everywhere doing good--Christ Jesus! Many were helped, encouraged, comforted, and even saved, through this simple little ministry of this little lad and his Bible and tiny window!
One day a wealthy businessman was wonderfully saved through reading one of these little verses. After finding Christ, he returned to the spot where he had found the tiny scrap of paper that had led him to the Lord, seeking some key as to how it got there! Suddenly he noticed another little bit of paper fluttering down to the sidewalk from above; and a poor, tired, old woman stooped painfully to pick it up, and he watched her countenance brighten as she read it--and there seemed to be new strength in her

step, as she journeyed on! The businessman now, transfixed to the spot, kept his eyes glued upward, determined to find the source! He had to wait a long time, for it took poor little, crippled Tommy many painful minutes to scrawl even one verse on one of those bits of paper! Suddenly the businessman's eyes were riveted to a certain window, as he saw a thin, little, scrawny hand reaching outward to drop a like piece of paper, as the ones he had seen before, and the one that had brought a whole new life to him! He carefully noted the location of the window, dashed up the stairs of the dirty tenement, and finally found the little one-room hovel of tiny Tom, the sidewalk missionary!
This is a true story and I wish I could remember the man's name, but as I recall, he was a hat manufacturer in the city of Philadelphia! He and Tom immediately became fast friends, and he brought Tom all the help and medical attention that he could, and finally invited Tom to come live with him in his palatial mansion in the suburbs! But much to his surprise, Tom answered, "I'll have to ask my friend about it "--meaning Jesus!
The next day the businessman returned, eagerly awaiting Tom's reply! Oddly enough, Tom asked him some strange questions: "Where did you say your home is?" "Oh", said the businessman, "It's far out in the country on a large and beautiful estate: you'll have a beautiful room all your own, and servants to care for you, delicious

meals, a good bed, every comfort and attention, and anything your heart desires; and my wife and I will love you dearly, and rear you as our own son." Hesitantly Tom queried again, "ARE THERE ANY FOLKS THAT WOULD PASS UNDER MY WINDOW?" Surprised, and somewhat baffled, again the businessman replied, saying, "Why, uh, no, only an occasional servant, and perhaps the gardener! You don't understand, Tom, this is a gorgeous estate, way out in the country, far from the busy noise of the city, and the tumult of people! You'll have quiet there, and be able to rest, and read, and do all you want--away from all this filth and smoke and noise and busy throngs."
After a long and thoughtful silence, Tom's face looked very sad, for he hated to hurt his new-found friend; but finally he said quietly, but firmly, with tears in his eyes, "I'm sorry, but you see, I COULDN'T LIVE ANYWHERE WHERE PEOPLE DON'T PASS UNDER MY WINDOW."
Here's the true life story of someone ignorant, so helpless, and so isolated, you might never have thought they could have had any ministry at all, and would seemingly have had every excuse for not ministering to others, but rather needed to be

ministered unto; BUT LOVE FOUND A WAY!
Someone is passing under your window right now! Has your love found a way to help them? HAS HIS LOVE SHOWED YOU HOW YOU CAN HELP THEM? HE WILL, IF YOU WANT TO, NO MATTER WHAT THE CONDITIONS, OR YOUR LIMITATIONS--for God has a window, too, and He has promised that, if we obey Him, and open the windows of our lives upon others, He "will open the windows of Heaven, and pour out such a blessing, there will not be room enough to hold it." (Mal.3:10)

PrayerGram 4Q 2011

2011-10-01T18:52:00.000+08:00

PRAYERGRAM-4Q 2011

Seremban Prayer Rally _ Friday September 9, 2011

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Some 518 members from 20 different congregations in Seremban met last night at the Agape Gospel Assembly for a time of worship and prayer in conjunction with this year's Malaysia Day celebrations and the 40-Day Fast and Prayer mooted by the NECF.

The theme for this year's Prayer Rally was "Be Agents of Change." The meeting started with everyone singing the National Anthem with gusto followed by a time of worship led by the team from Agape, after Bro Stephen Pereira from Sanctuary of God church had led the opening prayer, interpreted by Bro David Teh from the Evangelical Free Church of Seremban.

The worship was conducted via a mix of Bahasa, English and Mandarin songs, interwoven harmoniously together.

The Prayer Rally this year was chaired by Rev Paul Christie (Wesley), and the word of exhortation was delivered by Rev Eddy Marson from the SIB church and interpreted into Mandarin by Rev Paulus Wong from Agape.

The prayer time was engaged with personal and private prayer, those led from the front and also in groups as follows:

PRAYERITEMS

“Be Agents ofChange” – This year, we prayed and sought the Lord for His blessingsupon the nation and God’s leading upon His Church to be agents of change andtransformation. We prayed for the 7 important areas of concerns.

¹⁴ifmy people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seekmy face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and willforgive their sin and will heal their land. – 2 Chronicles 7:14

1. CHURCH (Prayer led by Bro David Teh from S’banEFC) in Mandarin

· The Church within the differentspheres of influence (community, schools, workplaces and etc) to arise to be aliving witness and agent of change for the transformation of the nation.

· God’s anointing, blessings andleading to be upon the Cell Group Leaders, Sunday School Teachers, MinistryLeaders and others as they obey the call of God to serve in the respectiveareas of ministry.

2. GOVERNMENT (Prayer led by Ps Gan Kim Swee, Amazing Grace) in English

· Against the evil practice of moneypolitics or corruption in our nation. Corrupt politicians and ministers wouldbe exposed and prosecuted and replaced by men and women of good standing whocan effectively carry out their duties.

· God’s leading to be upon thecoming General Election. For fair and clean elections with no manipulation ofphantom voters and postal votes. Against any elements that will try to disrupt orcreate problems during the election.

3. JUDICIARY (Prayer led by Ps. Balang, SIBS’ban) in Bahasa Malaysia

· Royal Malaysian Police and theMalaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) will eradicate the evils ofcorruption & bribery, to eradicate the use of excessive force and powerabuse within her ranks.

· Police to always enforce law andorder and maintain peace and security in the nation and the MACC to investigateand prosecute corruption cases with diligence and integrity. Againstabuse, threats or intimidation during the interviewing of suspects.

4. MARKETPLACE (Prayer led by Sis Kala Bro from Emmanuel Care Centre) in Tamil

· To repent for conforming to theworld instead of being transformed by the renewing of our minds.

· Christians in the marketplace tobe spiritually strong in the Word, having the courage to be the agent ofchange, and wisdom to know the difference when confronted with ethical issues.

5. EDUCATION (Prayed led by Rev. Christopher Mun, Tabernacle of Worship) in English

· Christian Fellowship to be allowedand encouraged in schools. Christian teachers and students to be bold and takethe initiative to start prayer cells in schools that are without ChristianFellowship.

· Urgent call for churches toencourage younger Christians to capture teaching as a mission and vocation. Thecurrent Christian principals and teachers to continue to maintain highstandards of professionalism and teaching, and to be salt and light in theirschool.

6. MEDIA (Prayer led by Rev. Paulus Wong, AgapeAssembly) in Mandarin

· Touphold moral, ethical, and professional in all advertisements that does notdisplay any racist elements. An effective and non-bias TV advertisement topromote civic consciousness and national unity. Media and journalists to upholdethical, professional and truthful reporting.

· Christianinvolvement in the media is low – to fund and develop of Christian productionhouse, producers and artists (Christian movies and programs).

7.FAMILY (Prayer led by Ps. Param, Sanctuary of God) in Bahasa Malaysia

· Marriedcouples to place God in the centre of their marriages and to each other so thatjoy and freshness will overflow. Couples to submit to each other and for open,transparent communications and understanding.

· Parentsto guide and impart godly values to their children for a future generation ofresponsible citizens who will love and serve God, family, society and nationregardless of race and religion.

The Prayer Rally ended with a word of thanks to Agape for the use of their Church Sanctuary by Rev Voon Yuen Woh on behalf of everyone present. He commented that everyone present at the Prayer Rally last night had made a statement that Jesus is still on the throne and that there are so many who are united in loving our nation and were willing to come together to pray for its well-being.

After the benediction and the closing song, it was fellowship time over supper catered for everyone and sponsored by the participating churches.

Dated: 10th September 2011

Memory Verse _ September 2011

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Memory Verse _ September 2011

²¹We may make a lot of plans,

but the LORD will do

what he has decided. Proverbs 19 CEV

How many times have you made plans in your head, gotten your heart set on those plans, saw those plans fall to pieces, and then looked back on it later and realized they weren’t the Lord’s plans and that you are glad they didn’t come to fruition? For me, this has happened so many times…jobs that I didn’t get, awards I didn’t receive, a girl that I didn’t marry (one I dated in high school), being a millionaire and a famous professional sports athlete, etc.

A few years ago, I learned a technique that has helped me to not get my heart so set on my own plans but to have my heart open to the Father’s plans. I’m sure you’ve heard The Lord’s Prayer in Matthew 6:9-13, and you’ve probably prayed it in church or somewhere else. Years ago, I began praying this prayer in my own words at least once per day. The second part of the prayer goes like this: “Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:10). When I pray this verse in my own words to the Lord, I talk to him about my circumstances.

For example, this next week I’m starting a new summer mission project where students will be coming to Charleston from around the country to work and serve in the community for the whole summer. Now sure, my plan would be that the project would go smoothly, that everyone would have the summers of their lives and that the entire community would be impacted. However, there’s a good chance that God’s plan is that this project will not go smoothly, that there will be many challenges and that we will persevere only bytrusting in the Lord. So that’s what I pray to God: “Lord, I don’t know your plans for this summer project. I do ask you to guide us through the little details and help everything run smoothly. However, I also acknowledge that you are sovereign, completely in control. If some things don’t go as we plan them this summer, I pray you will use the circumstances to teach us to trust in you. I pray you will transform our lives.”

My challenge for you today is to learn to pray as the Lord taught us to pray in Matthew 6:10: “Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.“ Give God your circumstances, and trust that his plans are so much better than ours. When we have this attitude, we see trials in our lives as opportunties to grow and know Christ better rather than as failures. We begin to trust God more.

(with thanks to Chad Young)

CFM Statement _ Walk the Talk - 26th August 2011

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CHRISTIAN FEDERATION OF MALAYSIA (PERSEKUTUAN KRISTIAN MALAYSIA)

Address: 10, Jalan 11 / 9, Section 11, 46200 Petaling Jaya, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia

Telephone: (03) 7957 1278, (03) 7957 1463, Fax: (03) 7957 1457 Email: cfmsia@yahoo.co.uk

CFM MEDIA STATEMENT MERDEKA DAY AND MALAYSIA DAY 2011

WALK THE TALK

Together with all Malaysians we join hands in celebrating and rejoicing over Merdeka Day and Malaysia Day this year. Let us offer our prayers in thanksgiving to Almighty God for the blessings showered upon us and for His kind mercies over these past 54 years of celebrating Merdeka Day and over the past 48 years in auspiciously marking Malaysia Day.

We must continue to uphold the constitutional framework which embodies the principles of democratic freedoms and institutions first set down by our Founding Fathers irrespective of race, religion or creed so that each generation will be able to advance and progress as Malaysians.

We have also embraced the principles of the Rukunegara and the fundamental liberties including the Freedom of Religion which allows us freedom to believe and personal liberty to ensure we live in peace and harmony and for us to seek the welfare and well-being of all who dwell in Malaysia.

The diversity of faiths expressed in the many places of worship throughout Malaysia is a testimony to the spiritual vitality of all our peoples and their desire to be connected to the Almighty God. Therefore, we must hold to the sanctity of all our places of worship and also our freedom to believe and not allow such to be violated in any way.

As Malaysians we must continue in the sharing of our religious traditions, spiritualities and festivities with one another in the spirit of mutual respect. We must not allow actions which are insensitive, arrogant and disrespectful to prevail nor to derail us from our living in harmony and love amongst all religions and communities in Malaysia.

Malaysians value justice and righteousness and therefore expect such values to be exhibited and practiced by the leaders of our nation and by one and all. Malaysians desire that our leaders act justly, do rightly and to love mercy. This spirit will help us build a great nation for ourselves, our children and our children’s children.

Therefore, we expect and call our nation’s leaders to show consistent and sustainable leadership in the Prime Minister’s unifying theme of 1Malaysia : People First, Performance Now to the end that the theme will not be just more talk than action but become a concrete reality so that we can all enjoy its fruits.

As our nation grows we need to build stronger democratic institutions which will give Malaysians a greater say in the affairs of state. Today, Malaysians as concerned citizens want our voices to be heard and wish to speak on the issues of the nation and how it is administered. Many Malaysians desire electoral reforms to ensure a fair and equitable electoral system and the government’s response of a parliamentary select committee to look into this crucial matter is a step forward in the right direction.

As Malaysians we need to build on the positives that we have in our land rather than the negatives that divide us on the basis of race, religion or creed. Malaysians need to come together to reject all extremisms as they were never what our Founding Fathers saw and desired for Malaysia. In particular, we reject extremist speeches and statements and irresponsible reporting in the media.

We call on every Malaysian to contribute towards the process of nation-building without thought of reward. Churches and Christians should continue freely to do works of charity to contribute towards nation-building in diverse ways so that the benefits can be reaped by the poor and the needy, irrespective of race, religion or creed.

As Malaysians, let us pledge to work for the betterment of all Malaysians, to further the cause of national unity, to promote mutual respect of all peoples and religions, to foster a caring and compassionate society, to maintain democracy, to enable a vibrant economy for the well-being of all, to see to the good of all Malaysians and to ensure that our public institutions are transparent, accountable and serving the people.

The churches join all Malaysians in praying for the good health and well-being of our beloved King and Queen, the Rulers, the Prime Minister and his Cabinet, the Mentris Besar and Chief Ministers of the states, our parliamentarians, all members of the state assemblies, the police and those who defend our nation.

It is our desire to see continued prosperity with peace, justice and righteousness and the strengthening of our common bonds of friendship and harmony amongst all peoples and religions in Malaysia.

Dated this 26th August 2011

Bishop Datuk Ng Moon Hing Chairman

Bishop Datuk Dr. Thomas Tsen Vice-chairman

Bishop Antony Selvanayagam Vice-chairman

Rev. Eu Hong Seng Vice-chairman

CHRISTIANS APPALLED BY JAIS CHURCH RAID

2011-08-05T02:14:00.000+08:00

CHRISTIAN FEDERATION OF MALAYSIA
(PERSEKUTUAN KRISTIAN MALAYSIA)
Address: 10, Jalan 11/9, Section 11, 46200 Petaling Jaya, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia
Telephone: (03) 7957 1278, (03) 7957 1463, Fax: (03) 7957 1457
Email: cfmsia@yahoo.co.uk

4th August 2011

CHRISTIANS APPALLED BY JAIS CHURCH RAID

The Christian Federation of Malaysia is deeply shocked and appalled at the raid by the officers of the Selangor Islamic Religious Department (JAIS) and the police conducted on the premises of the Damansara Utama Methodist Church (DUMC) on the evening of 3rd August 2011.

The dinner function organised by Harapan Komuniti, a community development NGO, is an annual thanksgiving celebration to commemorate its efforts on its numerous community projects for the benefit of Malaysians.

It is ironic that such a celebratory gathering of volunteers, leaders, supporters and members of the community should be disrupted by the high-handed and repugnant actions of the state religious enforcement officers.

This arbitrary action of the JAIS and the police officers is an affront to the values of mutual respect and harmony which should be accorded to every person, regardless of religious, cultural or ethnic background in Malaysia.

We also wish to question the legality of the raid and the subsequent interrogation and harassment of the guests present at the dinner as to whether the officers were acting within their legal jurisdiction.

Christians are shocked and saddened at this deplorable action. In recent times, we have witnessed an increase in incidences where Christians have been singled out and targeted with unjustified accusations and prejudice from various groups as well as certain mainline media who have made inflammatory statements against the spirit of 1Malaysia.

We call upon the relevant authorities, including His Royal Highness the Sultan of Selangor, to conduct a thorough investigation over this unjustified raid.

We also call upon the government and all Malaysians to work together to build a truly cohesive and harmonious society based on mutual respect, dialogue and understanding.

In this holy month of Ramadan, we Christians wish to extend our heartfelt greetings and felicitation to our Muslim friends.

Yours sincerely,
Bishop Datuk Ng Moon Hing Chairman and the Executive Committee,
Christian Federation of Malaysia

RAID OF ISLAMIC RELIGIOUS OFFICERS ON A CHURCH IN PETALING JAYA ON 3RD AUGUST 2011

2011-08-05T01:52:00.002+08:00

MAJLIS GEREJA-GEREJA MALAYSIA
COUNCIL OF CHURCHES OF MALAYSIA
10, Jalan 11/9 46200 Petaling Jaya, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia Tel: 03-79567092/79608926 Fax: 03-79560353 E-Mail: cchurchm@streamyx.com

MEDIA STATEMENT
RAID OF ISLAMIC RELIGIOUS OFFICERS ON A CHURCH IN PETALING JAYA
ON 3RD AUGUST 2011

The Council of Churches of Malaysia (CCM) strongly condemns the raid conducted by officers of the Selangor Islamic Religious Department ( JAIS) in the compound of the Dream Center where the Damansara Utama Methodist Church ( DUMC) carries out a number of religious and social services.

At the time of the raid, a Thanksgiving Dinner was held for all those involved in social services which covered a number of community projects.
The Council of Churches finds it totally unacceptable that enforcement officers from JAIS , accompanied by the police, had entered the premises of a church to carry out a raid without a search warrant.

Their action sets a dangerous precedent and makes a mockery of the sanctity of religious places, a view strongly upheld by all religious communities. It is also a violation of religious freedom as all religious communities are entitled to carry out activities within their premises without interference.

The manner the officers barged into the compound had caused undue trauma to all guests of the different ethnic communities , who were present to celebrate a goodwill dinner.
The raid does not vouch well for our country that seeks to promote itself as a land where the various religious communities live together in peace and harmony.

It also undermines the I Malaysia spirit that is promoted by our current Prime Minister and his government.

The CCM calls for an immediate investigation into the raid and for an explanation as to the powers under which the enforcement authorities based their action.

The CCM further seeks an assurance that such conduct will not be repeated by any enforcement authorities, whether JAIS or the police, in a religious compound.

In the light of this incident, the CCM joins leaders of all the different religious communities in asserting and upholding the sanctity of religious places.

We seek to send an unequivocal message to the authorities that such raids will not be tolerated by peace loving Malaysians.

The CCM calls upon all churches to join together in prayers for the peaceful resolution of this matter as soon as possible.

REV. DR. HERMEN SHASTRI
General Secretary
Council of Churches of Malaysia
4th August 2011

Member Churches:·Anglican Diocese of Kuching · Anglican Diocese of Sabah· Anglican Diocese of West Malaysia· Basel Christian Church of Malaysia· Evangelical Lutheran Church in Malaysia· Lutheran Church in Malaysia & Singapore· Mar Thomas Syrian Church· The Methodist Church: Chinese Annual Conference· Sabah Provisional Annual Conference· Sarawak Chinese Annual Conference· Sarawak Iban Annual Conference· Tamil Annual Conference· Trinity Annual Conference· Orthodox Syrian Church· Presbyterian Church in Malaysia· Protestant Church in Sabah· The Salvation Army·

Associate Members: · Bible Society of Malaysia· The Boy’s Brigade in Malaysia· Girls’ Brigade Malaysia· Interserve Fellowship· Malaysian Care· Mobilization Fellowship Malaysia· National Council of YMCA’s· Seminari Theoloji Malaysia· Sabah Theological Seminary· YWCA· Prison Fellowship Malaysia . Open Doors Malaysia

Affiliate Member : Coptic Orthodox Church .

DUMC and CES Statement

2011-08-05T01:44:00.002+08:00

Selangor regrets church raid, asks Jais for report

2011-08-05T01:14:00.000+08:00

Selangor regrets church raid, asks Jais for report

The Malaysian Insider
UPDATED @ 07:02:08 PM 04-08-2011

August 04, 2011

Khalid: The state is always open to engagement and dialogue regarding the harmonious and mutually respectful coexistence of different religious communities, and appreciates the efforts of all who seek to build a more united society.

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 4 — Selangor Mentri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim has asked the state Islamic authorities today to justify their raid on a multiracial dinner at a Petaling Jaya church last night, adding he regretted the incident that has caused a public outrage.

A group from the Jabatan Agama Islam Selangor (Jais) raided the Damansara Utama Methodist Church (DUMC) building during a dinner and had questioned a few Malay guests based on an unspecified complaint.

Khalid said today he had called DUMC's senior pastor Daniel Ho to personally express his regrets regarding the incident.

“I told him that the state has instructed JAIS to provide a full report detailing the incident, including their justifications for their actions that night. I hope to meet the pastor again once the report is completed,” said the Mentri Besar in a statement this evening,

He also assured the people of Selangor that the state government fully respects freedom of religion and the rights of religious groups to manage their affairs.

In the statement, Khalid sought to contain growing outrage over the incident by saying that "the state is always open to engagement and dialogue regarding the harmonious and mutually respectful coexistence of different religious communities, and appreciates the efforts of all who seek to build a more united society".

In a statement today, DUMC’s senior pastor Ho related how a group of 20 to 30 of Selangor’s religious police had entered its rented premises at the Dream Centre in Petaling Jayan without a warrant and intimidated invited guests, including Muslims, at its private dinner celebration last night.

“They have subjected all guests at the Thanksgiving Dinner to undue harassment,” he said, noting that not all the enforcement group were in uniform and had failed to produce a copy of the complaint when asked for the reason for the raid.

Ho stressed that the dinner was non-religious in nature but held to celebrate the work of non-profit organisation Harapan Komuniti in helping women, children, HIV/AIDS sufferers and victims of natural disasters.

“We call on all Malaysians not to condone this breach of freedom of assembly and association as provided by provided Article 10 of the Federal Constitution of Malaysia, but to live in mutual trust and love, to promote peace, harmony and unity in the true spirit of 1 Malaysia,” he said.

The pastor told The Malaysian Insider last night that the thanksgiving dinner organised by Harapan Komuniti was attended by between 100 and 120 guests of all races.

“This is a dinner for people to come in the 1 Malaysia spirit,” Ho said, adding they were mainly Christian although he admitted there were “there were about 15 or so Malays.”

Last night’s raid in the Pakatan Rakyat (PR) state came after Malaysia sealed formal ties with the Vatican last month, seen as a high point in religious relations where Muslims are the majority.

Movement of the Moderates

2011-07-05T02:17:00.000+08:00

Movement of the Moderates

MALAYSIA continues to face some of her darkest moments as a nation. Over the past months, the lack of political will to mitigate racial and religious intolerance has naturally given rise to ideologues, extremists, and radicals. All these are no different in essence from the keris-wavers and cow-head trampling demonstrators we saw a few years ago.

How one can rant and rave and threaten bloodshed and yet walk the streets a free man, whilst those who merely wear yellow T-shirts can be arrested, is most incomprehensible and unfortunate.

Last week's Bersih2.0 rally is a culmination of frustrations of the nation's citizenry, and I suspect this marks the beginning of a movement of the moderates.

There is some truth in the government's reasoning that rallying "is not our culture." But when tens of thousands of ordinary peace-loving people persist to take to the streets, besides the many thousands more who could not go due to the blockades and gridlock in the capital city, then it is incumbent on all of us to do some soul-searching.

The arguments for the legitimacy or otherwise of the Bersih2.0 rally reminds me of the famous "Lady Justice". This iconic figure wears a blindfold over her eyes while lifting a sword in one hand and carrying a pair of scales on the other. Symbolically, she represents fair and equal administration of the law - without prejudice, avarice, corruption, fear or favor.

If our leaders had likewise worn a blindfold ¹ and were asked to objectively judge the calls of concerned citizens and assess their conduct at the rally, their response would not have been so immature.

In many parts of the world, any group or government espousing to "clean the electoral roll," "stop corruption," "use indelible ink" - would have been praised as being proactive, decent, fair-minded, honest, rational. Strangely in Malaysia, when some people ask for these very same practices, they are "demonized", simply because they are "not government". What we witnessed on 9 July 2011 was the epitome of crude partisan politics.

Personally, I think the demands of Bersih2.0 - for electoral reforms and the right to have a peaceful march - were not only reasonable, but impartial as well. Bersih2.0 was not pro-opposition but pro-democracy.

The people of Malaysia are maturing in democracy and we can no longer tolerate unfair practices, corruption, vote-buying and otherwise. Being "blindfolded" like Lady Justice also means we are color blind, i.e. it does not matter if you wear red T-shirts or have green banners, nor does it matter if you are yellow, black or brown-skinned.

A right is a right. A wrong is a wrong regardless of whether it is committed by the government or the opposition or whomsoever.

I know the Church in this nation to be a peace-loving people. But more importantly, we are a people of the Book and our Book teaches us principles and values, rights and wrongs.

We remember Christ's mandate to love our neighbors as ourselves and not conduct ourselves in an un-Christian manner. At all times, we want to be conciliatory and be agents of peace to ensure harmony.

We must resist the temptation to say and do things that are escalatory and antagonistic. When highly confrontational tactics begin to replace more co-operative approaches, conflicts escalate and more extreme personalities maneuver to become leaders of the conflict groups.

And when this polarization degenerates till so much that is said and done makes no sense, we then need to remind ourselves that Lady Justice, though blindfolded, is "not gagged." This is where the silent majority and the Church must speak up. Scriptures mandate us to open our mouth.²

Moderates must speak up to check the damage intended by hard-liners and ensure that democracy is not hijacked.

We do not subscribe to "political subversion" but the Church has the responsibility to stand up against the fanatics and hypocrites bent on corrupting the moral fiber of our people and destroying our democratic nation.

There is nobody to save Malaysia except Malaysians. It is time for the moderates to speak up, be heard and play their role in this nation.

Rev Eu Hong Seng
NECF Malaysia, Chairman

This article is written to guide members of NECF in their prayers and in their journey as responsible non-partisan Christian citizens.

¹ Remember, the blindfold on Lady Justice represents objectivity, not blindness i.e. she is blindfolded, not blind.
Image from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:HK_Central_Statue_Square_Legislative_Council_Building_n_Themis_s.jpg

² Proverbs 31:8 - Open your mouth for the speechless, .... 9 Open your mouth, judge righteously, And plead the cause of the poor and needy. NKJV

Christian Witness in a Multi-Religious World: Recommendations for Conduct

2011-06-28T23:21:00.000+08:00

The document was launched on June 28, 2011, by Dr Olav Fykse Tveit, General Secretary of the WCC, and Cardinal Tauran of the PCID, and Dr. Geoff Tunnicliffe, Secretary General of the WEA, at the headquarters of the WCC in Geneva, Switzerland.

World Council of Churches

Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue

World Evangelical Alliance

Christian Witness in a

Multi-Religious World

Recommendations for Conduct

Preamble

Mission belongs to the very being of the church. Proclaiming the word of God and witnessing to the world is essential for every Christian. At the same time, it is necessary to do so according to gospel principles, with full respect and love for all human beings.

Aware of the tensions between people and communities of different religious convictions and the varied interpretations of Christian witness, the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue (PCID), the World Council of Churches (WCC) and, at the invitation of the WCC, the World Evangelical Alliance (WEA), met during a period of 5 years to reflect and produce this document to serve as a set of recommendations for conduct on Christian witness around the world. This document does not intend to be a theological statement on mission but to address practical issues associated with Christian witness in a multi-religious world.

The purpose of this document is to encourage churches, church councils and mission agencies to reflect on their current practices and to use the recommendations in this document to prepare, where appropriate, their own guidelines for their witness and mission among those of different religions and among those who do not profess any particular religion. It is hoped that Christians across the world will study this document in the light of their own practices in witnessing to their faith in Christ, both by word and deed.

A basis for Christian witness

1. For Christians it is a privilege and joy to give an accounting for the hope that is within them and to do so with gentleness and respect (cf. 1 Peter 3:15).

2. Jesus Christ is the supreme witness (cf. John 18:37). Christian witness is always a sharing in his witness, which takes the form of proclamation of the kingdom, service to neighbour and the total gift of self even if that act of giving leads to the cross. Just as the Father sent the Son in the power of the Holy Spirit, so believers are sent in mission to witness in word and action to the love of the triune God.

3. The example and teaching of Jesus Christ and of the early church must be the guides for Christian mission. For two millennia Christians have sought to follow Christ’s way by sharing the good news of God’s kingdom (cf. Luke 4:16-20).

4. Christian witness in a pluralistic world includes engaging in dialogue with people of different religions and cultures (cf. Acts 17:22-28).

5. In some contexts, living and proclaiming the gospel is difficult, hindered or even prohibited, yet Christians are commissioned by Christ to continue faithfully in solidarity with one another in their witness to him (cf. Matthew 28:19-20; Mark 16:14-18; Luke 24:44-48; John 20:21; Acts 1:8).

6. . If Christians engage in inappropriate methods of exercising mission by resorting to deception and coercive means, they betray the gospel and may cause suffering to others. Such departures call for repentance and remind us of our need for God’s continuing grace (cf. Romans 3:23).

7. Christians affirm that while it is their responsibility to witness to Christ, conversion is ultimately the work of the Holy Spirit (cf. John 16:7-9; Acts 10:44-47). They recognize that the Spirit blows where the Spirit wills in ways over which no human being has control (cf. John 3:8).

Principles

Christians are called to adhere to the following principles as they seek to fulfil Christ’s

commission in an appropriate manner, particularly within interreligious contexts.

1. Acting in God’s love. Christians believe that God is the source of all love and, accordingly, in their witness they are called to live lives of love and to love their

neighbour as themselves (cf. Matthew 22:34-40; John 14:15).

2. Imitating Jesus Christ. In all aspects of life, and especially in their witness,

Christians are called to follow the example and teachings of Jesus Christ, sharing

his love, giving glory and honour to God the Father in the power of the Holy

Spirit (cf. John 20:21-23).

3. Christian virtues. Christians are called to conduct themselves with integrity,

charity, compassion and humility, and to overcome all arrogance, condescension

and disparagement (cf. Galatians 5:22).

4. Acts of service and justice. Christians are called to act justly and to love

tenderly (cf. Micah 6:8). They are further called to serve others and in so doing

to recognize Christ in the least of their sisters and brothers (cf. Matthew 25:45).

Acts of service, such as providing education, health care, relief services and acts

of justice and advocacy are an integral part of witnessing to the gospel. The

exploitation of situations of poverty and need has no place in Christian outreach.

Christians should denounce and refrain from offering all forms of allurements,

including financial incentives and rewards, in their acts of service.

5. Discernment in ministries of healing. As an integral part of their witness to

the gospel, Christians exercise ministries of healing. They are called to exercise

discernment as they carry out these ministries, fully respecting human dignity

and ensuring that the vulnerability of people and their need for healing are not

exploited.

6. Rejection of violence. Christians are called to reject all forms of violence, even

psychological or social, including the abuse of power in their witness. They also

reject violence, unjust discrimination or repression by any religious or secular

authority, including the violation or destruction of places of worship, sacred

symbols or texts.

7. Freedom of religion and belief. Religious freedom including the right to publicly profess, practice, propagate and change one’s religion flows from the very dignity of the human person which is grounded in the creation of all human beings in the image and likeness of God (cf. Genesis 1:26). Thus, all human beings have equal rights and responsibilities. Where any religion is instrumentalized for political ends, or where religious persecution occurs, Christians are called to engage in a prophetic witness denouncing such actions.

8. Mutual respect and solidarity. Christians are called to commit themselves to work with all people in mutual respect, promoting together justice, peace and the common good. Interreligious cooperation is an essential dimension of such commitment.

9. Respect for all people. Christians recognize that the gospel both challenges and

enriches cultures. Even when the gospel challenges certain aspects of cultures, Christians are called to respect all people. Christians are also called to discern elements in their own cultures that are challenged by the gospel.

10. Renouncing false witness. Christians are to speak sincerely and respectfully; they are to listen in order to learn about and understand others’ beliefs and practices, and are encouraged to acknowledge and appreciate what is true and good in them. Any comment or critical approach should be made in a spirit of mutual respect, making sure not to bear false witness concerning other religions.

11. Ensuring personal discernment. Christians are to acknowledge that changing one’s religion is a decisive step that must be accompanied by sufficient time for adequate reflection and preparation, through a process ensuring full personal freedom.

12. Building interreligious relationships. Christians should continue to build relationships of respect and trust with people of different religions so as to facilitate deeper mutual understanding, reconciliation and cooperation for the common good.

Recommendations

The Third Consultation organized by the World Council of Churches and the PCID of the Holy See in collaboration with World Evangelical Alliance with participation from the largest Christian families of faith (Catholic, Orthodox, Protestant, Evangelical and Pentecostal), having acted in a spirit of ecumenical cooperation to prepare this document for consideration by churches, national and regional confessional bodies and mission organizations, and especially those working in interreligious contexts, recommends that these bodies:

1. study the issues set out in this document and where appropriate formulate guidelines for conduct regarding Christian witness applicable to their particular contexts. Where possible this should be done ecumenically, and in consultation with representatives of other religions.

2. build relationships of respect and trust with people of all religions, in particular at institutional levels between churches and other religious communities, engaging in on-going interreligious dialogue as part of their Christian commitment. In certain contexts, where years of tension and conflict have created deep suspicions and breaches of trust between and among communities, interreligious dialogue can provide new opportunities for resolving conflicts, restoring justice, healing of memories, reconciliation and peace-building.

3. encourage Christians to strengthen their own religious identity and faith while deepening their knowledge and understanding of different religions, and to do so also taking into account the perspectives of the adherents of those religions. Christians should avoid misrepresenting the beliefs and practices of people of different religions.

4. cooperate with other religious communities engaging in interreligious advocacy

towards justice and the common good and, wherever possible, standing together in solidarity with people who are in situations of conflict.

5. call on their governments to ensure that freedom of religion is properly and comprehensively respected, recognizing that in many countries religious institutions and persons are inhibited from exercising their mission.

6. pray for their neighbours and their well-being, recognizing that prayer is integral

to who we are and what we do, as well as to Christ’s mission.

Appendix: Background to the document

1. In today’s world there is increasing collaboration among Christians and between

Christians and followers of different religions. The Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue (PCID) of the Holy See and the World Council of Churches’ Programme on Interreligious Dialogue and Co-operation (WCCIRDC) have a history of such collaboration. Examples of themes on which the PCID/WCC-IRDC have collaborated in the past are: Interreligious Marriage (1994-1997), Interreligious Prayer (1997-1998) and African Religiosity (2000-2004). This document is a result of their work together.

2. There are increasing interreligious tensions in the world today, including violence and the loss of human life. Politics, economics and other factors play a role in these tensions. Christians too are sometimes involved in these conflicts, whether voluntarily or involuntarily, either as those who are persecuted or as those participating in violence. In response to this the PCID and WCC-IRDC decided to address the issues involved in a joint process towards producing shared recommendations for conduct on Christian witness. The WCC-IRDC invited the World Evangelical Alliance (WEA) to participate in this process, and they have gladly done so.

3. Initially two consultations were held: the first, in Lariano, Italy, in May 2006, was entitled “Assessing the Reality” where representatives of different religions shared their views and experiences on the question of conversion. A statement from the consultation reads in part: “We affirm that, while everyone has a right to invite others to an understanding of their faith, it should not be exercised by violating others’ rights and religious sensibilities. Freedom of religion enjoins upon all of us the equally non-negotiable responsibility to respect faiths other than our own, and never to denigrate, vilify or misrepresent them for the purpose of affirming superiority of our faith.”

4. The second, an inter-Christian consultation, was held in Toulouse, France, in August 2007, to reflect on these same issues. Questions on Family and Community, Respect for Others, Economy, Marketing and Competition, and Violence and Politics were thoroughly discussed. The pastoral and missionary issues around these topics became the background for theological reflection and for the principles developed in this document. Each issue is important in its own right and deserves more attention that can be given in these recommendations.

5. The participants of the third (inter-Christian) consultation met in Bangkok,

Thailand, from 25-28, January, 2011 and finalized this document.

FGT Seremban_PrayerGram 3rd Quarter 2011

2011-06-25T12:51:00.000+08:00

Prayergram10-3q 2011 (a)

THE ANT AND THE CONTACT LENS

2011-06-20T10:30:00.003+08:00

A TRUE STORY

The task ahead of us is never as great as the Power behind us

Brenda was almost halfway to the top of the tremendous granite cliff. She was standing on a ledge where she was taking a breather during this, her first rock climb. As she rested there, the safety rope snapped against her eye and knocked out her contact lens.

'Great', she thought. 'Here I am on a rock ledge, hundreds of feet from the bottom and hundreds of feet to the top of this cliff, and now my sight is blurry.' She looked and looked, hoping that somehow it had landed on the ledge. But it just wasn't there.

She felt the panic rising in her, so she began praying. She prayed for calm, and she prayed that she might find her contact lens. When she got to the top, a friend examined her eye and her clothing for the lens, but it was not to be found. Although she was calm now that she was at the top, she was saddened because she could not clearly see across the range of mountains. She thought of the bible verse 'The eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth.'

She thought, 'Lord, You can see all these mountains. You know every stone and leaf, and You know exactly where my contact lens is. Please help me.'

Later, when they had hiked down the trail to the bottom of the cliff they met another party of climbers just starting up the face of the cliff. One of them shouted out, 'Hey, you guys! Anybody lose a contact lens?'

Well, that would be startling enough, but you know why the climber saw it? An ant was moving slowly across a twig on the face of the rock, carrying it!

The story doesn't end there. Brenda's father is a cartoonist. When she told him the incredible story of the ant, the prayer, and the contact lens, he drew a cartoon of an ant lugging that contact lens with the caption, 'Lord, I don't know why you want me to carry this thing. I can't eat it, and it's awfully heavy. But if this is what you want me to do; I'll carry it for you.'

I think it would do all of us some good to say, 'God, I don't know why you want me to carry this load. I can see no good in it and it's awfully heavy. But, if you want me to carry it, I will.'

God doesn't call the qualified, He qualifies the called.
Yes, I do love GOD. He is my source of existence and my Savior. He keeps me functioning each and every day. Without Him, I am nothing, but with Him...I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me. (Phil. 4:13)

Memory Verse - June 2011

2011-06-15T21:10:00.002+08:00

Although he was a son, he learned obedience from what he suffered
Heb 5:8 NIV

Prosperity preachers don’t last long in countries where there is persecution. They usually just leave.” That quote by Ajith Fernando from his book The Call to Joy and Pain captures two realities of the Christian faith: (1) Jesus suffered; (2) those who believe in Him will suffer too.

Unlike “health and wealth” false teachers, Jesus taught that suffering was something God uses for our good. In Hebrews 2:10, the writer states that Jesus became “through His suffering, a perfect leader.” This doesn’t mean that Jesus wasn’t already perfect, for He is God the Son. It does point out, however, that death allowed Him to intimately know the final stage of human experience—giving Him an even more perfect ability to identify with our struggles (5:8).

The apostle Paul experienced the perfecting process of pain. He prayed three times for God to remove something that was tormenting him. But God allowed it to persist, saying, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9). Paul’s response? “That’s why I take pleasure in . . . [suffering] for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong” (v.10).

Jesus is able to identify with us and help us because of the hardships He endured. “Since He Himself has gone through suffering and testing, He is able to help us when we are being tested” (Hebrews 2:18). He “understands our weaknesses, for He faced all of the same testings we do” (4:15).

Are you experiencing suffering? Don’t fight against it as one who has no hope. Don’t believe the lies of false teachers who wrongly say, “You simply need more faith to overcome your struggles.”

Instead, embrace your suffering as a gift from God—being used to perfect you and your faith in Him (12:2).

Our Daily Journey_RBC Ministries

Polite, Positive and Proactive

2011-06-15T16:21:00.002+08:00

Polite, Positive and Proactive

The recent Sarawak state elections saw the whole Church abuzz with every imaginable
comment, statement and stand – unfortunately not all Christ-like or non-partisan.

Scripture reminds us that our speech must “always be filled with grace“1 especially to
those on the “outside”. The Government’s offer announced by Dato Sri Idris Jala on 2 April
2011 is the "best thus far", a senior church leader commented. However, it still falls short
of the expectations of many. Whatever our sentiments, many were caught up in the
election fever and started barking at those with differing views.

Many a man of the cloth donned the activist’s garment and accusations that some
segments of the Church were not non-partisan were fair comment.

It is indeed amazing that so many of us make good bedfellows when it comes to
prophecies of doom. We are all too quick to criticise.

I think it is worthwhile recapping the positives in the 10-point solution:-
1. There is the offer to import and print the Alkitab; although in West Malaysia, the words
“Christian Publication” are required.
2. There is the offer to work towards the "religious aspirations of all in accordance with the
Constitution".
3. It is not an “Idris' offer”. It is a decision of the PM and the Cabinet.
4. The mechanism has been set up and is still being fine-tuned for future dialogue.
5. The Government appears to be honouring the religious freedom in Sabah and
Sarawak.

Before one argues whether the “deal” is good or not, I think we need to remind ourselves
that as Malaysians, we have yet to fully experience and enjoy the democratic freedom,
which we desire.

Non-Muslim communities can cite the following examples where freedom of religion is not
upheld: Bulldozers pulling down temples, insufficient religious burial places, the inability to
offer our children Bible Knowledge in schools hassle free and the restrictions for travel to
Israel to visit our ‘holy’ cities. This is our reality. In this context, what we have before us is
in contrast a ‘positive’ deal.

We also cannot ignore the fact that the offer to print the words ‘Christian Publication’ on
the Alkitab came from Christians as a concession after years of frustration when dealing
with civil servants, vide CFM's letter dated 9th April, 2005. The Government accepted this
in December 2005. Although it was poorly implemented, the Government is now merely
saying, "Let's try again what you Christians suggested."

But judging from the numerous negative comments, criticisms and clamour, I don't think
any deal can satisfy everyone.

I am reminded of a story. There was a man who once reared a dog who had the unique
ability to walk on water. Excited by his dog's prowess, the man decided to show off his dog
to his friends. So one day, he invited several friends to a lake and took his dog along. With
his friends assembled, the man threw a bone far into the lake and encouraged his dog to
fetch it. The dog promptly walked on the water and retrieved the bone. The proud man
asked his friends if they had noticed something different. There was silence for a while and
then a friend quipped - "You know, come to think of it, your dog can't swim".

Sadly, such is the way we sometimes look at things.

If that is so, everybody loses at the end of the day!

I want to humbly suggest to Christians to move forward the “ABC way”.

Firstly, be Asian. Be polite and thank the Government for its offer, albeit a not perfect one.
I grew up learning from my parents that we must say "thank you" even if we deem the ang
pow not big enough.

Secondly, approach this issue the Bible way. The Alkitab reminds the people of the Book
to test all things – 1 Thess 5:21. So let's test it. Now that the Sarawak state elections are
over, check if the offer is still valid. Does the KSU directive really work? Go and import
more Bibles and see if the KDN stops us. Print the Bibles and see if the KDN harasses us
again. Being polite and positive does not mean we are naive.

Lastly, do the Common sense thing. The Government has said they want to work towards
the religious aspirations of all. Find out what that means. Can our Bibles be declassified as
they are now considered "prejudicial to the security of the country"? Be proactive. Saying
“thank you” does not mean we have accepted the 10-point resolution in totality.
At the end of the day, we all want the same thing - religious freedom we all enjoyed when
Tunku shouted the first Merdeka. Nobody can fault us for wanting to believe in Merdeka
again. Why not start making practical suggestions?

Let’s do another common sense thing. Hold our government accountable. If the offer was
indeed an election ploy, the government can expect to face an angrier and more
unforgiving electorate. So, the sensible thing to do is to prepare for the next GE today!

Yes, we can move forward.

Eu Hong Seng
Chairman, NECF
5th May 2011

1 Col 4:5 Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time.6 Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one. NKJV

FGT Church Camp 2012

2011-06-12T16:48:00.003+08:00

FGT Seremban Church Camp
Date: June 7-9 (Thur-Sat) 2012
Venue: To be advised

Colin Hurt has served the Lord for more than 45 years in pastoral, missionary, and itinerant teaching ministries, in the UK, Malaysia, and the USA. For nine years he was a faculty member at Mattersey Bible College (AoG) in England. Since 1995 he has been traveling extensively in missions in many countries, and has set up a Church Planting Institute in Cambodia in 1998 to train leaders. He is married to Julia, and they have four children and five grandchildren. He has taught on a wide range of subjects from Missions to Homiletics to Eschatology.

Ops Lalang was Dr.M's Autocracy at its Worst

2011-04-05T07:09:00.000+08:00

Ops Lalang was Dr.M's Autocracy at its Worst

LETTERS/SURAT

Monday, 04 April 2011 admin-s

“Autocrats must have enemies. They must have internal enemies to justify their secret police and external enemies to justify their military forces.”

By Dr Kua Kia Soong, Director of SUARAM

Throughout the Arab world today, autocrats have never looked more pathetic. It brings to mind the Czech diplomat, Jan Masaryk’s quip quite a few years ago that:

“Autocrats are rulers who always look good until the last ten minutes.”

Autumn for Autocrats

Over here, Malaysia’s most famous autocrat has been busy in his autumnal years trying to whitewash his record in office by publishing his semi-fictional memoirs. Even before it was published, he couldn’t help but claim, in a pre-launch publicity, that Operation Lalang was not his doing but that of the police. This was not surprising since Operation Lalang was Mahathir’s worst abuse of power during his 23-year rule. The White Paper on Operation Lalang published in 1988 was itself the worst example of official whitewash to justify the arrests and detentions.

We know that 1987 was a time during his term when he was faced with the biggest threat to his rule, with Team B under Tengku Razaleigh challenging the results of the UMNO elections. A court decision in Team B’s favour would have meant the end of Mahathir’s grasp on power.

In the run up to Operation Lalang and before the assault on the judiciary resulting in the sacking of the Lord President and several other Supreme Court judges, the ruling party had orchestrated a tense situation in the country by creating various “sensitive” issues involving the sending of non-Mandarin qualified administrators to the Chinese schools, conversion of Muslims to Christianity and even threatened to organize a 500,000-people UMNO rally in the capital. All this was to justify unleashing ‘Operation Lalang’ to deal with the so-called “enemies” identified by the state.

The Tunku, at the time in his twilight years had more perception and integrity than Mahathir at his prime. This is how he described Operation Lalang:

“UMNO was facing a break-up. The Prime Minister, Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s hold on the party appeared critical when election rigging was alleged to have given him a very narrow victory over Tengku Razaleigh. The case alleging irregularities brought by UMNO members was pending in court. If the judgement went against him he would have no choice but to step down. So he had to find a way out of his predicament. A national crisis had to be created to bring UMNO together as a united force to fight a common enemy – and the imaginary enemy in this case was the Chinese community.” ( K.Das/ SUARAM: ‘The White paper on the October Affair and the Why? Papers’, SUARAM Petaling Jaya 1989: 10)

vRichard Perle, an adviser in the Reagan Administration once said:

“Autocrats must have enemies. They must have internal enemies to justify their secret police and external enemies to justify their military forces.”

I was supposed to have been one of those who posed a threat to national security in October 1987. So was Yeshua Jamaluddin, the Malay convert to Christianity, Islamic deviationists, Church activists, Chinese educationists, social activists, and MPs, including the leader of the Opposition. Can you imagine the leader of the House of Commons being detained without trial? No, this can only happen in a banana republic where the Internal Security Act is at the convenient disposal of the government-of-the-day ever since its introduction in 1960.

The most blatant use of the ISA by the ruling coalition to cripple its political opponents was the arrest and detention of practically the entire leadership of the Socialist Front, the main threat to the Alliance during the sixties. This sham democracy was the main reason for the Socialist Front’s boycott of the 1969 general elections.

This could happen to you!

But if you think that you could never fall victim to the ISA, think again! Hilmy Mohd Nor, a company executive working for Shell, never dreamed he could be detained under the ISA. Operation Lalang was a living nightmare for this completely apolitical Malaysian. He thought the ISA was only meant to be used against the communists. Or maybe you think that being Malay, he should not have converted to Christianity… but it would take a twisted imagination to view that as a threat to national security.

In his haste to pull the wool over the eyes of those who may not remember Operation Lalang by blaming it on the police, Mahathir has overlooked something that is so elementary to the ISA, namely, it is the Home Minister (ie. Mahathir at the time) who signs the two-year detention order after the first sixty days of solitary confinement. When he signed those 2-year orders near the end of 1988, he would have noticed a stark fact – all the detainees were Opposition leaders and other dissidents while all the BN detainees had been conveniently released during the sixty days! The IGP didn’t sign those detention orders - Mahathir did! He conveniently omitted such stark historical facts from his memoirs.

The allegations against me in the detention order were so flimsy they would make an autocrat blush:

(i) That I was responsible for drafting the 1985 Joint Declaration by the Chinese associations;

(ii) That I was responsible for publishing ‘Polarisation in Malaysia: The Root Causes’ in 1987;

(iii) That I had called on the people to support mother tongue education;

(iv) That I had questioned the New Economic Policy and National Cultural Policy.

Firstly, the Joint Declaration had called for reform based on democracy and human rights and it was endorsed by 27 major Chinese associations, comprising practically all the Chinese associations in Malaysia. If the memorandum was indeed a threat to national security, shouldn’t all these big leaders of the Chinese community be held responsible rather than the person who was supposed to have drafted it?

Secondly, ‘Polarisation in Malaysia: The Root Causes’ published by K.Das Ink was not banned by the government so why should the alleged author be detained for being a threat to national security? In contrast, Mahathir’s ‘Malay Dilemma’ was banned because it was considered unfit for public consumption by the government-of-the-day but he was not detained under the ISA! Such is the inconsistency in the government’s use of the ISA.

Thirdly, even the Barisan Nasional has claimed that they support Chinese and Tamil schools, so why should my call for support of mother tongue education be considered a threat to national security?

Finally, if questioning the NEP and NCP can be considered a threat to national security, should all Malaysians who question the NEP, including Anwar Ibrahim and Khalid Ibrahim also be detained under the ISA?

The arrest and detention of leaders from the whole spectrum of Malaysian society under Operation Lalang was indeed the realization of that well-known quote attributed to Pastor Martin Niemöller (1892–1984) about the inactivity of German intellectuals following the Nazi rise to power:

”First they came for the communists,
and I didn't speak out because I wasn't a communist.
Then they came for the trade unionists,
and I didn't speak out because I wasn't a trade unionist.
Then they came for the Jews,
and I didn't speak out because I wasn't a Jew.
Then they came for me
and there was no one left to speak out for me.”

The former IGP Must also Bear Responsibility for the Torture

Since Mahathir tried to disclaim responsibility for Operation Lalang, the former IGP Tan Sri Haniff Omar has graciously – if I may say, foolhardily - claimed credit for it. I would say he is foolhardy because he must take responsibility for all the allegations of torture made by Operation Lalang victims. The sixty days of solitary confinement are already a gross example of mental torture. Dr Nasir Hashim, Chow Chee Keong, Irene Xavier among others have graphically described being physically tortured by the Special Branch while under solitary confinement during the first sixty days. This is Yeshua Jamaluddin’s affidavit at his habeas corpus hearing in October 1988:

“I was not allowed to sleep for days at a stretch and was warned that I would not get any food if I did not cooperate. One Inspector Yusoff also threatened to disturb my girlfriend if I did not give any information. I was assaulted by Inspectors Yusoff, Zainuddin, Ayub and another officer on a number of occasions.

“On one occasion, I was knocked to the ground and I injured my back. Since then, I have been passing blood in my urine and have been suffering from pains in my lower back constantly. In March 1988 and in July 1988, I was warded at the University Hospital, Kuala Lumpur for treatment of my kidney condition. I have still not recovered…

“On another occasion during interrogation, Inspector Yusoff forced me to strip naked and to enact the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. He also forced me to crawl on the floor in a naked state…

“Another day, a police constable forced me to stand on one leg with both my arms outstretched holding my slippers. He made me remain in this position for two hours. He then called in a woman constable and her young daughter and asked them to look at me saying: ‘This Malay is not aware of who he is. He changed his religion. He has no shame!”

Torture under the ISA has been perpetrated with impunity by the Malaysian Special Branch ever since it was enacted in 1960. Unfortunately for Dr Mahathir, the principle of ministerial responsibility means that as the Home Minister and Prime Minister at the time, he is ultimately responsible for Operation Lalang and all the atrocities committed under this dragnet.

The tortures undergone by ISA detainees during the Fifties, Sixties, Seventies and Eighties are well known to those who know these former ISA detainees. The following is an excerpt from a hitherto unpublished statement by “political prisoners of Kawasan A, B, and C”, dated 1 May 1969, released from Batu Gajah Detention Camp:

“1. We political detainees have undergone days and nights of endless interrogation which have inflicted grave toll on the mental condition of many detainees;

2. During interrogation, we have been handcuffed, had our abdominal parts kicked, our heads bashed against the wall until they bled, and some have had to be hospitalised;

3. We have had needles stuck in our fingernails and pencils used to squeeze our fingers between them;

4. We have been burnt with cigarette lighters and hit with elastic bands; some have had nails inserted into their genitals;

5. We have been asked to strip off our pants and to sit on open bottles;

6. We have been made to take off our clothing and to stand before fans and air conditioners until we have passed out…”

In recent years, torture under the ISA has been graphically described by victims such as Malek Hussein and Dr Munawar Anees, whose statutory declarations can be read on the internet.

The ISA as an instrument of Terror

The ISA has served the Alliance and Barisan Nasional for more than 50 years as an instrument of terror to deter any challenge to its rule. The terror starts from the call to the victim’s house in the middle of the night by Special Branch operatives in unmarked cars. The foreboding terror continues throughout the sixty days of solitary confinement and interminable interrogation.

Then when the detainee is sent to Kamunting detention camp, he or she is faced with the terror of an indeterminate period of internment. When I was first sent to Kamunting, my cell mate was Loh Ming Liang who told me he had been detained for 16 years! Imagine the thoughts and feelings that go through your mind when you face such a prospect! That has been part of the terror of the ISA all these 50 years.

Ratify the Convention Against Torture, Implement IPCMC

With such a record, the Malaysian government has the temerity to sit in the UN Human Rights Council. With such a record, it is not surprising the Malaysian government has not ratified the Convention against Torture. With such a record, we can see why the Malaysian government and the IGP are reluctant to establish the Independent Police Complaints Misconduct Committee as asked for by the Royal Police Commission set up in 2004.

ISA has become an Addiction of Autocrats

Malaysians who care about freedom and justice, democracy and human rights in our country should demand the abolition and not just amendment of this vile Act and the other laws that allow detention without trial. More than 10,000 Malaysians have been incarcerated under the ISA since 1960. We do not, we cannot and we will not accept any amendments to this Indefensible Suppression Apparatus. All fair-minded and freedom-loving people must not condone detention without trial, which has become an addiction of autocrats.

National Prayer Week for Sarawak

2011-04-03T17:22:00.002+08:00

National Prayer Week for Sarawak
5th to 12th April

The Kuching Ministers Fellowship (KMF) in collaboration with the National Evangelical Christian Fellowship (NECF) is launching a National Prayer Week for Sarawak starting on Tuesday, 5th April and ending on Tuesday, 12th April, 2011. It is a call from God to meet with Him in united prayer for Sarawak in conjunction with their state election. As part of the Body of Christ in Malaysia, we would like to call on all NECF member churches (both East and West) to stand in solidarity with our Sarawakian Brethrens by joining them in this National Prayer Week for Sarawak.

Prayer Points
1. Give thanks to God for His love for Sarawak…
for blessing us with abundance of resources, no natural disasters, peace and harmony amongst people of many races and religions.

2. To pray for the coming State Election...
for a peaceful, free and fair event, with good weather, good voter turnout as our people carry out their responsibility as good citizens of the State to vote for leaders who are capable, God fearing, full of integrity and hate dishonest gains.

3. To pray for the incoming State Government...
one that will love and take care of the people, is righteous and just, full of wisdom to bring development and take care of the poor, needy and marginalized

4. To pray for the People of Sarawak…
that they will be good and responsible citizens, law abiding, respectful of the government, love one another and live in peace and harmony with one another.

5. To pray for Revival in Sarawak...
that there will be a great spiritual awakening amongst the churches to bring her people to know God in a greater measure, to be salt and light and to be a blessing to the community.

SIB Sarawak Statement

2011-04-01T11:06:00.005+08:00

Sibaru Surat Pertama PDF

PrayerGram - 2nd Qtr 2011

2011-03-31T14:32:00.001+08:00

PRAYERGRAM 2010-2Q 2011 (1)

CFM MEDIA STATEMENT PROTECT AND DEFEND CHRISTIANS’ RIGHT TO USE THE ALKITAB

2011-03-31T11:04:00.001+08:00

CHRISTIAN FEDERATION OF MALAYSIA
(PERSEKUTUAN KRISTIAN MALAYSIA)
Address: 10, Jalan 11/9, Section 11, 46200 Petaling Jaya, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia
Telephone: (03) 7957 1278, (03) 7957 1463, Fax: (03) 7957 1457
Email: cfmsia@yahoo.co.uk
30th March 2011

CFM MEDIA STATEMENT
PROTECT AND DEFEND CHRISTIANS’ RIGHT TO USE THE ALKITAB

We are grateful to Almighty God for bringing together Christian leaders from across churches in Semenanjung, Sabah and Sarawak to address the current controversy surrounding the impounding of Bahasa Malaysia Bibles, the Alkitab, at Port Klang and Kuching. This decision weighs heavily on us because of the implications not only for Christians but for all Malaysians.

We are united in our reaffirmation of the freedom of religion and worship. Therefore, our position is that there should be no restrictions, proscriptions or prohibitions whatsoever on the Bible or the use of the language of our choice in the practice of our religion, as it was in the days before and after the formation of Malaysia.

Christians, like any other Malaysians, are not demanding for anything beyond our constitutional and fundamental human rights as enshrined in Article 11(1) of the Federal Constitution and Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

The current controversy surrounding the Alkitab is just one of many issues that concerns Christians. There has been a systematic and progressive pushing back of the public space to practice, to profess and to express our faith. For example, the wearing and displaying of crosses and other religious symbols, using religious words and constructing places of worship have been restricted.

When Christians express this concern, we do so not just for ourselves but on behalf of all Malaysians. Our faith forms a critical component of our identity as Malaysians in nation-building as enshrined in the first pillar of our nation’s Rukunegara: Belief in God.

As regards the offer made by the government on 22 March 2011, we respectfully state that this does not address the substantive issues. In point of fact, our previous offer made in 2005 to use the term “A Christian Publication” was only honoured in respect of one shipment of the Alkitab. Subsequent shipments were similarly held up and subjected to further arbitrary conditions for release.

In order to move forward, we call on the Government to commit itself once and for all to remove every impediment, whether legal or administrative, to the importation, publication, distribution and use of the Alkitab and indeed to protect and defend our right to use the Alkitab.

This includes revoking all orders made under the Internal Security Act 1960, which have declared the Alkitab as a threat to national security. Neither can the Alkitab be considered a threat to public order under the Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984. We categorically reject the characterisation of our Holy Scriptures in this manner.

Instead, we see our Holy Scriptures as providing enlightenment and direction. In the words of the psalmist, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.” (Psalm 119 : 105). In the New Testament is stated the teaching that we hold dear and true : “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (II Timothy 3 : 16)

We remain committed to work with the Government for a viable and long-term solution where the detailed processes and procedures are made clear and unequivocal and so long as our fundamental liberties as enshrined in the Federal Constitution are not infringed.

As for the copies of the Alkitab that have been impounded and desecrated, we reiterate our position that the action of the Ministry of Home Affairs (KDN) in stamping the Bibles amounts to an act of defacement, disrespect and treating with disdain the holy book of the Christians.

Given the unfortunate experience of KDN’s tendency of taking arbitrary action without consulting affected parties or respecting the religious sensitivities of the Christian community, any decision to collect copies of the Alkitab which have been stamped and serialised would be with a view to prevent the possibility of further arbitrary acts of desecration, disrespect or destruction being committed against the Holy Scripture of the Christians by KDN and its officers.

We have left it to the 2 importers to decide whether or not to collect the Alkitab, based on their different specific circumstances and level of trust in the authorities and the processes in their local context.

Nevertheless, no matter what their decision is, we remain united in our common stand to uphold the principle of freedom of religion which includes the free availability without hindrance or obstacle of the Alkitab and all sacred scriptures in Malaysia.

We continue to call on all peace-loving Malaysians to pray for a dignified resolution to these critical issues in the life of our nation.

Dated this day 30th March 2011

Bishop Ng Moon Hing
Chairman and the Executive Committee
The Christian Federation of Malaysia

"Three Powerful Words"

2011-03-20T15:35:00.001+08:00

Featured Illustration items are well suited for introducing or illuminating a point in a sermon, speech, or devotional. Funny, moving, or perhaps even graphic, the point of them is the point you make with them.

A funny story is told about General George Patton from his World War II days. He once accepted an invitation to dine at a press camp in Africa. Wine was served in canteen cups but, obviously thinking he was served coffee, Patton poured cream into his cup. As he stirred in sugar, Patton was warned that his cup contained red wine and not coffee.

Now, General Patton could never, never be wrong. Without hesitating he replied, "I know. I like my wine this way." And he drank it!

I relate this story because I see something of myself, and perhaps most of us, here. It is difficult to admit mistakes. It is hard to admit when we are wrong.

Three of life's most difficult words to say are, "I was wrong." But they are also three of the most powerful words we can utter. "I was wrong" breaks down barriers between people. It brings estranged people together. And it creates a climate where intimacy and love may flourish. You may be surprised at how positively many people respond to the words, "I was wrong"!

Naturally, it is a risk. But to admit when you are wrong is not to confess that you are a "bad" person. Simply an honest one. And true friends will appreciate you for it.

Whole and happy lives are built by people who have learned the power of intimacy, in part, through the use of the words "I was wrong."

~From RICHES OF THE HEART, by Steve Goodier

CFM Media Statement - 17 March 2011

2011-03-20T14:37:00.001+08:00

CFM MEDIA STATEMENT - Detention of BM Bibles Yet Again - 10 March 2011

Alkitab - KDN Letter Dd 15.03

Why the Malay Bible must be banned!

2011-03-16T18:32:00.004+08:00

Why the Malay Bible must be banned!

The Malay Bible must be banned! It must be banned so that it will not cause confusion amongst the Malays in Malaysia. They will be confused because they will all start reading the Bible and understand what it says. If there is a slightest chance that they might follow what the Bible says, it will pose a serious security threat to our nation.

1. The Malays may read Micah 6:8 and like the Christians, they may act justly, love mercy and be humble people! This is a serious threat to the nation’s security.

Mic 6:8 NIV 8 He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.

Mic 6:8 "Hai manusia, telah diberitahukan kepadamu apa yang baik. Dan apakah yang dituntut TUHAN dari padamu: selain berlaku adil, mencintai kesetiaan, dan hidup dengan rendah hati di hadapan Allahmu?"

2. The Malays may read Psalm 103:8 and discover that God is compassionate and just like the Christians, they might use their own money to build and operate hospitals, clinics, kidney dialysis centres, and other health institutions to heal the sick. This is a serious threat to the nation’s security.

Ps 103:8 NIV 8 The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love.

Psa 103:8 TUHAN adalah penyayang dan pengasih, panjang sabar dan berlimpah kasih setia.

3. The Malays may read 1 Peter 2:13-14 and become loyal citizens like the Christians, and submit themselves to the governing institutions. They might become more supportive of the government of the day, so that both the rakyat and the government may work together in developing the nation. This is a serious threat to the nation’s security.

1 Peter 2:13-14 NIV 13 Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every authority instituted among men: whether to the king, as the supreme authority, 14 or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right.

1Pe 2:13 Tunduklah, karena Allah, kepada semua lembaga manusia, baik kepada raja sebagai pemegang kekuasaan yang tertinggi, 1Pe 2:14 maupun kepada wali-wali yang diutusnya untuk menghukum orang-orang yang berbuat jahat dan menghormati orang-orang yang berbuat baik.

4. The Malays may read Matthew 11:28-29 and discover that Jesus was a teacher who educated his disciples well and like the Christians, they might start to build and operate schools, learning institutions, community education and tuition centres and organise them to provide education of the highest standards. This is a serious threat to the nation’s security.

Matt 11:28-29 NIV 28 "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

Mat 11:28 Marilah kepada-Ku, semua yang letih lesu dan berbeban berat, Aku akan memberi kelegaan kepadamu. Mat 11:29 Pikullah kuk yang Kupasang dan belajarlah pada-Ku, karena Aku lemah lembut dan rendah hati dan jiwamu akan mendapat ketenangan.

5. The Malays may read Ephesians 6:1-4 and start teaching their own children, spending time with them and forging strong, united families. Also, their children may also read the Bible and obey their parents. This is a serious threat to the nation’s security.

Eph 6:1-4 NIV 6:1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2 "Honor your father and mother"-which is the first commandment with a promise- 3 "that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth." 4 Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.

Eph 6:1 Hai anak-anak, taatilah orang tuamu di dalam Tuhan, karena haruslah demikian. Eph 6:2 Hormatilah ayahmu dan ibumu--ini adalah suatu perintah yang penting, seperti yang nyata dari janji ini: Eph 6:3 supaya kamu berbahagia dan panjang umurmu di bumi. Eph 6:4 Dan kamu, bapa-bapa, janganlah bangkitkan amarah di dalam hati anak-anakmu, tetapi didiklah mereka di dalam ajaran dan nasihat Tuhan.

6. The Malays may also read Ephesians 2:10 and understand that we are created to do good works and may start emulating Christians to do good works like setting up orphanages, drug-rehabilitation centres, old-folks homes, etc. This is a serious threat to the nation’s security.

Eph 2:10 NIV 10 For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works , which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Eph 2:10 Karena kita ini buatan Allah, diciptakan dalam Kristus Yesus untuk melakukan pekerjaan baik, yang dipersiapkan Allah sebelumnya. Ia mau, supaya kita hidup di dalamnya.

7. The Malays may also read Proverbs 31:8-9 and like many Christians who do advocacy work, may rise up and speak on behalf of the marginalized, the poor and needy, the destitute, and those who cannot speak up themselves. Now that would surely be a threat to our security.

Prov 31:8-9 NIV 8 "Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. 9 Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy."

Pro 31:8 Bukalah mulutmu untuk orang yang bisu, untuk hak semua orang yang merana. Pro 31:9 Bukalah mulutmu, ambillah keputusan secara adil dan berikanlah kepada yang tertindas dan yang miskin hak mereka.

8. The Malays might also land up reading Matthew 7:12 and like many people the world over may choose to use it as a moral guide -- “One should treat others as one would like others to treat oneself.” If the Malays should then follow this ethic, then they would be considerate, kind, respectful and caring people. This would indeed be a serious threat to the internal security of our nation.

Matt 7:12 NIV 12 So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.

Mat 7:12 "Segala sesuatu yang kamu kehendaki supaya orang perbuat kepadamu, perbuatlah demikian juga kepada mereka. Itulah isi seluruh hukum Taurat dan kitab para nabi.

9. Or, the Malays might come across Jesus’ dying words on the cross where He forgives His enemies. They might then decide to follow Jesus’ actions and be forgiving towards their enemies. Surely this violates the security of our nation!

Luke 23:34 NIV 34 Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.

Luk 23:34 Yesus berkata: "Ya Bapa, ampunilah mereka, sebab mereka tidak tahu apa yang mereka perbuat." Dan mereka membuang undi untuk membagi pakaian-Nya.

10. Finally, the Malay Bible should be banned because the Malays may read that Daniel was man of integrity who could not be corrupted. They may decide to emulate Daniel, and like practicing Christians, try to live their lives in a righteous and trustworthy manner. That too, would be a threat to national security.

Dan 6:4 NIV 4 At this, the administrators and the satraps tried to find grounds for charges against Daniel in his conduct of government affairs, but they were unable to do so. They could find no corruption in him, because he was trustworthy and neither corrupt nor negligent.

Dan 6:4 Kemudian para pejabat tinggi dan wakil raja itu mencari alasan dakwaan terhadap Daniel dalam hal pemerintahan, tetapi mereka tidak mendapat alasan apapun atau sesuatu kesalahan, sebab ia setia dan tidak ada didapati sesuatu kelalaian atau sesuatu kesalahan padanya.

If the Malays learn to speak English, then the English Bible must be banned too. In fact, we must ban the Christians too, because some of them have memorised the Bible and can recite it from memory. They are quite a threat to our national security.

Voon Yuen Woh
Seremban,
16 March 2011

Note 1:
In 1982, the Alkitab was banned by order under the Internal Security (Prohibition of Publications) (No. 4) Order made 22nd March 1982 (KHEDN: 0 59/3/9/A; PN (PU2) 24 Pt. 11).
“The printing, publication, sale, issue, circulation or possession of the publication which is described in the Schedule and which is prejudicial to the national interest and security of the Federation and is prohibited, subject to the condition that this prohibition shall not apply to the possession or use in Churches of such publication by persons, professing the Christian religion, throughout Malaysia.”

Note 2:
In 1983, “Perjanjian Baru” was also banned. (Perintah Keselamatan Dalam Negeri (Tegahan mengenai penerbitan) (No. 3) Order made 4th May 1983 KHEDN, O, 59/3/9/A; PN (PU2) 24 Pt. II)

Note 3:
At the time of writing, it appears that the Malaysian government has agreed to release, with conditions, 35,000 copies of the Bible in the Malay language held by the Ministry of Home Affairs in the Malaysian ports of Kuching and Klang. It appears the conditions are that each Bible be stamped “For Christian Only” and that the Bibles be pre-numbered for control purposes.

2011 Church Camp promotional

2011-03-15T14:32:00.002+08:00

CampForm 070311 R1(3)

CFM MEDIA STATEMENT - Detention of BM Bibles Yet Again - 10 March 2011

2011-03-10T16:22:00.000+08:00

CFM MEDIA STATEMENT - Detention of BM Bibles Yet Again - 10 March 2011

MEDIA STATEMENT BY THE CHRISTIAN FEDERATION OF MALAYSIA CHRISTIANS DEPLORE LINK TO VALENTINE’S DAY AND SIN

2011-02-11T16:52:00.002+08:00

CHRISTIAN FEDERATION OF MALAYSIA
(PERSEKUTUAN KRISTIAN MALAYSIA)
Address: 10, Jalan 11/9, Section 11, 46200 Petaling Jaya, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia
Telephone: (03) 7957 1278, (03) 7957 1463, Fax: (03) 7957 1457
Email: cfm.exesec08@gmail.com

11 February 2011
MEDIA STATEMENT BY THE CHRISTIAN FEDERATION OF MALAYSIA
CHRISTIANS DEPLORE LINK TO VALENTINE’S DAY AND SIN

Christians in Malaysia vehemently deplore and are hurt by public statements made recently which link Valentine’s Day to sin and Christianity.

The Christian Federation of Malaysia strongly objects to the perpetuation of such statements and the impudence of some people to say that a religious faith in Malaysia indulges in sinful activities.

In a recent statement made by the Pas Youth leader, quoting a statement by the National fatwa Council, there is an insinuation that Valentine’s Day has “some Christian elements and sin”, which can be interpreted to mean that Christianity condones and promotes sinful activities on Valentine’s Day.

Further, a certain Muslim lady evangelist has said in a programme aired on national television and circulated on www.YouTube.com sometime ago in regards to Valentine’s Day that “maksiat, disco, couple-couple bersunyi sunyian, inilah tradisi masyarakat yang beragama Kristian” that is that vices, disco-going and couples meeting in quiet places are the traditions of the Christians.
Statements which have a tendency to promote feelings of ill-will and hostility against any particular religious community cannot and should not be tolerated.

We strongly urge that better research be done and no mistake be made of linking the Christian faith to Valentine’s Day which is celebrated publicly in many countries today and not just in the West. It is not a Christian festival celebrated by the church today.

The earliest records indicate that a feast was dedicated to Valentine on February 14 by Pope Gelasius I, as a martyr of Rome. But details of his background are vague and much of the writings about him have been the stuff of legends and especially romanticised during the Middle Ages. The association with love and marriage may have arisen as part of popular culture at that time rather than as religious literature.

The Catholic Church has removed the memorial of his feast since the promulgation of the new Roman liturgical calendar in the year 1969 (although his name remains on the list of saints and martyrs). In place of this commemoration, the feast of two revered saints of the Eastern Church, Sts. Cyril and Methodius, the Apostles of the Slavs, are celebrated on 14 February.

Today, Christians do not commemorate Valentine's Day as a religious festival. Its celebration by the public is very much within the domain of secular culture and has nothing to do with the Christian faith.

CFM further reiterates that we do not believe in nor practise the moral policing of individuals and groups in our society. The Church in Malaysia has always advocated that we should educate and teach the beliefs and tenets of our faith and live by them rather than to be engaged in spying upon and arresting Malaysians presumed to be engaged in alleged immoral activities.

The Bible espouses love and hence CFM invites all Christians to express the love of God in their families, with their spouses and their loved ones and also with people from the various communities in Malaysia not only on this special day but throughout the year.

Bishop Ng Moon Hing
Chairman and the Executive Committee,
The Christian Federation of Malaysia

Stay above the fray

2011-02-04T10:16:00.001+08:00

Stay above the fray

Opinion

Pastor Eu Hong Seng is Senior Pastor of the Full Gospel Tabernacle church and chairman of the National Evangelical Christian Fellowship (NECF).

With the advancement of the net with its many benefits, comes the slime of the devil. The recent Christian Federation of Malaysia (CFM) Christmas function attracted much misunderstanding and mud-slinging over the requests of an over enthusiastic aide at the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) to remove crosses and not to sing hymnals.

Today, the misunderstanding is clarified and the issue resolved but we must not miss out on the many lessons therein.

During the high tea, I had the privilege to be seated in the front and from where I was seated, I could see the crucifixes on the grilled door of the Archbishop’s office behind the Prime Minster as he made his speech. And Christian songs were sung.

The Catholics obviously “did not comply” nor were the CFM compliant. To be so bold as to take the government to the courts over the Allah issue and to seemingly balk at such requests would definitely be inconsistent. And the Christian leaders were not.

As I reflect on what has happened, I can’t help but conclude we have reached a new low in investigative reporting. Nowadays it would seem that if something is not denied, then it must be true.

All one has to do is sit tight and wait for denial. Failing which, it must be “true.” Also the rule of the day seems to be: “criticize first” then apologize later. Better still, if proven wrong, just keep quiet.

With the advancement of wireless technology, it does seem that just about anybody can say anything. Consequently private opinions become public too easily, and therein we see growing disrespect for boundaries.

What used to be the prerogatives of authorities, be it spiritual or secular, now technocrats, journalists, mothers and mavericks can all have their say. I am all for freedom of speech, but not at the expense of respecting boundaries.

Things would definitely have been “less messy” if we all waited for our Church leaders to say what needed to be said. With the growth of the net, it does seem like the days of Judges are upon us, where everyone did what is right in their own eyes (Judges 17:6; 21:25).

The political and, unfortunately, the church culture as well, are increasingly debased.

I also see a poor substitution of clever words for character and spirituality. Yes, anybody can say anything and everything.

The recent fiasco saw a non-Christian accusing some Church leaders for licking “a…” (actual word used but too impolite to repeat). This is not unexpected but the sad and unfortunate fact is that this spurred some Christians to join in to chastise the Church publicly.

Although sometimes well-written and cleverly argued, but, I beg, that we, the Church, do not ignore the character of the people who are “Dioptrephes-like” who prate against the Body with malicious words.

(I wrote to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to have the preeminence among them, does not receive us. Therefore, if I come, I will call to mind his deeds which he does, prating against us with malicious words. And not content with that, he himself does not receive the brethren, and forbids those who wish to, putting them out of the church. Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. He who does good is of God, but he who does evil has not seen God. 3 John 9-11 (NKJV))

I would further ask “what happened to ‘grace’”? Even if one is “right,” what happened to “walking in grace”? Armed with blogs, twitters and facebook, instead of “turning the other cheek,” they relentlessly attack all and sundry. It does seem that no cheek is safe in today’s angry climate.

Lastly, I must honestly and shamefully say, for some to call upon the PMO to apologize is a sure manifestation of immaturity of a segment of the Church. The Bride of Christ (the Church) has forsaken her comeliness, taken on a neo-political stance and begun to talk like any political party.

Well, now that we know the truth, who has taken the first step to apologize to the aggrieved? Like in the “snakes and ladders” game, with the unfortunate throw of the dice, we have been bitten by the serpent (of slander) and we are back at the bottom. What a way to end 2010 and begin 2011!

One author once said that public critics often “don’t know the whole truth,” “have already made up their minds” and “don’t really care about you” but only in expressing their opinions. Hence, he advocates that we should avoid wasting time in responding to “public criticism”.

There is much truth there. Let us choose to stay above the fray.

"Miraculous Attendance Healings"

2011-01-26T00:09:00.000+08:00

To My Dear Friend, Pastor Phil Blowhorn:

I sure hope attendance at your church was better'n my church. Mercy, pastorin' ain't always easy, now is it? We had us a bunch of sick folk, and them added to all the shut-ins made for a whole lot uh pew cushion to look at from the pulpit.

I got to admit, I was feelin' somewhat put out, but I went ahead and preached anyhows. Only thing was, with all them people missin' the echo in the church gave me a hoot of a headache. My wife said I needed to git out and ride a bit 'cause the fresh air would make me feel better.

Well, she took to drivin' and I took to ridin' and sure 'nuff, she was right. Not only did my head clear up, but what I saw renewed my faith in the Good Lord. I tell you, Brother, I seen miracle after miracle!

My Sunday School superintendent, Hank Weaselbaum had called to tell me that he was so deathly sick, he wouldn't make it to church. But there he was, drivin' down the road with his favorite fishin' pole stickin' out the window. I tell you, only a miracle coulda' snatched him out'a the jaws of death that way!

Then there was my head deacon, Wilbur Snooch. He had done left a message on my answerin' machine that his back was so jerked out'a line that he thought he might have to have surgery. But I want you to know that when we drove past the golf course, there he was, hittin' golf balls on the drivin' range. Hallelujah, our prayers worked!

Edna Brump sent word with her sister that she wouldn't make it 'cause her stomach was all upset and she didn't want to take a chance on havin' a mishap in the church. But glory! There she was, standin' in line at the Feedin' Trough Smorgasbord. Another healin'!

All told, we saw that 20 of our sick folk had takin' a turn for the better and were up and about. Not only that, but I just couldn't help from rejoicin' over all our shut-ins that got themselves healed too. There was Sam Burply, who don't attend church much causin' of him being allergic to crowds, and he was in line to buy a ticket at the ball park.

Margaret Guffhunker, who's been feelin' all poor and sickly that she's done missed the last eight Sundays, she was comin' out of the mall with both arms full of packages.

And then there was Horace Dweedle, who ain't been to church in six months cause'a his bum knee; he was playin' basketball down at the park.

Seein' all these mighty miracles and healin's got me so worked up, I started singin' the Doxology! Yes, sir, Brother Blowhorn, I'm excited! I just know we'll be havin' us a packed house next Sunday, what with all the sick and shut-ins revived by such a touch from Heaven. I look forward to givin' you right nice report.

Your good friend,
Pastor William Robert ("Billy-Bob")

10 Ways to Know Someone is Leaving Your Church

2011-01-22T20:30:00.002+08:00

10 Ways to Know Someone is Leaving Your Church

by Brian Dodd

Warning signs that indicate a potential exit is underway.

Does it bother you when someone leaves your church? The reality is that every church has a “back door.” The key leadership question that must be asked is not “Are we going to lose people?” The reality is that you are.

Here are the warning signs that indicate a potential move towards the back door is underway. If you see the following items, you should proactively reconnect and rebuild the relationship:

A decrease or complete loss in financial support. The last thing that comes is a person’s money. The first thing that goes is a person’s money.
The wife’s body language. If you want to know if a man is happy, always look at his wife.
Tardiness to responsibilities. This indicates a loss of passion.
Minor items cause major frustrations. This indicates a lack of patience with the ministry.
Complaining. This indicates broad-based frustration with the ministry.
Excitement over another church’s vision. People naturally navigate towards a brighter tomorrow.
Divorce. When a divorce takes place, one individual will often leave the church. Sadly, the other person finds it difficult to fit in with their “married friends” and often leaves to start over at a different congregation. Having the children firmly planted into the church is the key to retaining this relationship.
Resignation of a volunteer position. This is the beginning of removing responsibilities and attachments.
No connection to a small group. If a person cannot connect relationally, they will leave the church.
A Mega-church opens a satellite location in your community. This is funny…but true.

My desire for you is to build a strong leadership culture at your church. Use this list to help keep leaders who can help you advance the mission and vision of the church.

Brian Dodd is a church stewardship & leadership consultant. See www.briandoddonleadership.com for additional insights.

I found this comment on the original article and some other responses to the comment. This is more enlightening on the reasons why people leave church.

YWoh

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Preacherman74 1 day ago

Helpful article. But after nearly 30 years in the ministry, I have discovered you rarely discover the real reason people leave...if you are the pastor. Like every church leader, I have heard all kinds of rationalizations, justifications and pious sounding explanations...but those who have an ear, can really hear what is going on in the heart. It has been my experience that the real reasons always seem to be more sinister (with the emphasis on "sin") than biblical. Rarely is the reason in response to God's leadership. For that reason, there is really little one can do until God moves on a person's heart.

So how about providing a new twist to this list: 10 Real Reasons why People Leave Churches. I'll give you a few I have discovered. I know others have their ideas to contribute. 1. Self-centerness: They never understood the Christian faith is about giving themselves to God and others and not recieving for themselves. 2. Forgiveness is treated more as a doctrine to believe than a command to practice. 3. Bandwagon mentality: There was no real sense of calling when God brought them to the church they are currently members of. (This is a BIG one!!) 4. Hardheartedness: To dodge conviction or repentance. 5. Spectator vrs Servant Mentality: They would rather be spectators elsewhere than servants where they are at. 6. Power driven: They cannot control the current church leaders or the direction of the ministry. (another BIG one!) 7. Sugar Stick preaching: They want "cotton candy" sermons rather than "spiritual meat" that challenges life and cultural practices. 8. The Gimme Factor: The cultural aversion to being commitmented/accountable to anything that doesn't bring one immediate, personal benefits. 9. Spiritual Wanderlust: Like the Old Testament Israelites. 10. Twisted view of Christianity: For some, salvation is simply about accepting Jesus Christ as Savior, without ever thought of Him being Lord of one's life.

I know that there will always be people that will "come and go" in churches. That is the sad fact of church life. As a young minister, I made the mistake of believing it was my responsibility to convince them to stay.

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InGodspowr 22 hours ago in reply to Preacherman74

I couldn't agree more my brother. I've only been a pastor and church planter for a little over 5 years and the truth behind what you are saying actually strengthens and encourages my resolve in ministry.
Recently I was severely damaged in ministry when some "key" members/leaders decided to leave and tear us a new one as they did (so to speak of coarse.) It caused me to question whether or not I'm cut out for this and what should I do (possibly going to work for a "real" pastor to learn how to do this.) Needless to say I am where I am because of the calling I've had since I was 13 and as long as there is two or more we will meet, and if that fails then nothing will stop me from going into all the nations making disciples, teaching them to obey the Lord, and Baptizing them in the name of our Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
I've had to read that verse a lot lately and have come to realize that it doesn't promise that those disciples will stick around but Jesus sure will.

Thank you my friend.

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5 people liked this.

Knlangager 22 hours ago in reply to Preacherman74

I've been in ministry for 36 years and was brought up in a parsonage all of my 60 years. I want to give a hearty AMEN!! to the 10 reasons from comments of preacherman 74. He gives the right thouht to this article. - In the U.P.

10 Characteristics of a Missional Church

2011-01-22T20:25:00.001+08:00

10 Characteristics of a Missional Church

by Scott Thomas

To be Christian is to be on mission. It’s who we are, and it is what we do.

The Tension to Be on Mission

The church in every generation is called to bring the good news of the kingdom into a spiritual encounter with the aspirations and challenges of that culture where it resides. Simply, believers are on a mission from God in their respective communities. To engage today's culture with the Gospel requires the formation of a Gospel community - the church of Jesus Christ - to be a visible representation, witness, and engaging instrument of the sovereign outreaching hand of God in our culture. In many churches, this may require a new vision, new ways of thinking, and new patterns of behavior (Matt. 9:16-17). This means pre-believers are encouraged to be included in the context of all of the church functions as they make small steps toward Christ (Luke 19:10).

Since we are in Christ, we have a missionary identity. We are adopted into a missionary family. We serve a missionary God. Mission becomes part of our identity, because our Father is a missionary God and we resemble Him as a child of God. So the church is a missionary church, with missionary people, that do missionary things. It is who we are, and it is also what we do. Mission is not something we tack on to the list of options as a Christian. To be Christian is to be on mission. It’s who we are, and it is what we do.

Ten Characteristics of a Missional Church

1. The missional church is committed to the authoritative, infallible, inerrant, inspired Scriptures (2 Tim. 3:14-17; Acts 2:42).

The authority of all missionary work is founded in the truth that God has a clear word to communicate to the world. The Bible’s authoritative word—not just the casual observance and even religious obeisance—guides the missional church toward understanding the person and work of Jesus throughout all of Scripture (Luke 24:44).

Although this is admittedly a unique description of missional, it cannot be an assumed reality. I think the distinguishing difference between emergent and emerging is the view of the Bible. I no longer use the words, but to clarify, a missional (emerging) church is motivated by the words of God to proclaim the timeless Gospel in a timely method. David Garrison said the one thing that keeps the reproduction of churches from fragmenting into a thousand heresies like a crack splintering across a car windshield is the authority of God’s word. Garrison believes this is one of the characteristics of every church planting movement.

2. Understands the centrality of the Gospel expressed in all aspects of a person’s life (1 Cor. 15:1-4; 2:2; Gal. 6:14)

In Galatians 2:14, Paul deals with Peter’s racial pride and cowardice by saying their “conduct was not in step with the truth of the Gospel.” The Christian life is a process of renewing every dimension of our life—spiritual, psychological, corporate, social—by thinking, hoping, and living out the implications of the Gospel. The Gospel is to be applied to every area of thinking, feeling, relating, working, and behaving. The missional church is not dependant on programs or methods, but rather by the transforming power of the Gospel. GOCN began with the indicator of a missional church as one that proclaims the Gospel audibly and visibly. “Being Gospel-centered means being both word-centered and mission-centered,” says Steve Timmis, Director of Acts 29 Western Europe. The Gospel is not separated from the authority and effectiveness of the Word and is not devoid of practicing the Gospel through mission living. It was Newbigin who described the local congregation as ‘the hermeneutic of the gospel.’ Newbigin’s idea is very simple: people understand the Gospel by looking at the people of God. It is the church in time and space - the local church - that expresses the Gospel and interprets it within its own cultural setting.

Through the Gospel, He rescues us from a life of self-serving mission to participate in a life of God-serving, Christ-glorifying mission. We are remade into missional people by the redeeming work of the Spirit and the Son.

3. Gatherings are characterized by God-centered worship, preaching of the Gospel, prayer, Lord’s Supper by penitent souls, and baptism as a response to the Gospel (John 4:23-24).

Worship is the central act by which the community corporately celebrates with joy and thanksgiving both God’s presence and promised future.[5] A missional church worships God in an authentic way ,as we worship a Savior who left us here to be captured by His love and pursue His mission through His redemption. The missional church encourages what Tim Keller calls “evangelistic worship”—making worship comprehensible to unbelievers leading to commitment.

Principles for Public Missional Worship

Bob Kauflin reminds us the principles for public missional worship. “Paul challenges the Corinthians to take unbelievers into account when they gather. He insists that they keep the unbeliever in mind as they exercise spiritual gifts (1 Corinthians 14:23-25)…Whether it’s raised hands, formal liturgies, or unspoken standards, we need to see them through the eyes of an unbeliever.” Kauflin suggests that to significantly impact the unbelievers in a worship gathering, the following should be present:

Authentic passion – enthusiastic expression outwardly what is happening inwardly.
Love – overwhelming unbelievers with genuine love (John 17:21).
The Gospel – clearly proclaimed and faithfully applied in an understandable way.

Why Preaching is Suffering in the Church

Preaching is central to the missional church worship experience. The Reformers were convinced that the heart of true biblical worship was the preaching of the Word of God. Al Mohler said that preaching is suffering a loss in today’s church due to six factors.

Lack of confidence in the power of the [spoken and written] word – failing to realize the transformative power of the word communicated orally and literarily.
Infatuation with technology – over-dependence on graphics, images, film clips, and technological wizardry.
Embarrassment before the biblical text – lacking confidence in the Bible’s authority.
Emptying of biblical content – failing to teach the actual text of Scripture and resorting to pithy points.
Focus on felt needs – anthrocentric preaching as opposed to theocentric preaching.
Absence of the Gospel – turning texts into literary articles, practical steps, or morals to follow without any clear presentation of sin, redemption, and reconciliation.

Preaching of the word has life-transforming power producing repentance, restitution, confession, reconciliation, comfort, joy, encouragement, wisdom as well as indignation, anger, and offense by the stubborn hearted person. The missional church seeks to make disciples with Spirit-empowered preaching of God’s truth or as Martyn Lloyd Jones said, “Preaching is theology coming through a man that is on fire.[9] John Piper described preaching. He said 1) the goal of preaching is the glory of God. 2) The ground of preaching is the cross of Christ, and 3) the gift of preaching is the power of the Holy Spirit.

The missional worship gathering additionally incorporates public reading of Scripture, prayer for the glory of God to be expressed through the suffering body and community, and response to the Spirit of God and the word of God expressed demonstrably with undefined regularity through baptism and communion. Although the worship gathering is not primarily for us, the body is instructed how to participate in the diverse liturgy as committed followers of Jesus.

Elements of Authentic Worship

The missional church experiences authentic worship by beginning with a true vision of the living God (Isaiah 6:1-8).

We must first see God, as He is—our great King and Judge sitting upon a throne, lofty and exalted (Isaiah 6:1-4).
Secondly, authentic worship leads to confession of sin both individually and corporately (Isaiah 6:5). We address our sin, admit our uncleanness, and seek His mercy and grace.
The third place where authentic worship leads us is proclamation of the Gospel (Isaiah 6:6-7). As we realize our utter sinfulness, the missional church proclaims the redemption of sin through the work of Jesus on the cross—where we glory.
Lastly, a missional church experiences authentic worship with a response (Isaiah 6:8). By excluding the cross, the blood atonement, the sacrifice, and the cost of sin, our worship is horribly weakened, and as a result, our missionary involvement will be stifled.

4. A missional church understands it has been sent by God as missionaries in their own culture (Matt. 4:19; John 20:21; Acts 16:20; 17:6) to make disciples of all peoples (Matt. 28:18-20; Acts 1:8).

The missional church is more than a gathering of people with a missions program (considering itself “mission’s minded”) or that has a financial commitment to mission works or a missions committee. The missional church is vested in God’s mission to a specific place, people, and a particular time in history (Acts 17:15). Mark Driscoll said, “If the Gospel is the seed of God’s powerful work in our lives and world, then the culture is the soil into which it is planted.” He further adds, “Understanding the soil helps the missional church know which weeds of moral sin and theological error will need to be pulled up so as not to choke out the growth of the Gospel and church.”

The Challenge of Gospel Contextualization

Missionary to India Lesslie Newbigin stated that contextualization has been discussed among those involved in foreign missions for years as a necessary means to proclaiming the Gospel into the language and culture in a way to “make sense” to those whom the Gospel is being addressed. Newbigin’s point is that we now face the same challenge of contextualization in our post-Christian Western world—our neighbors, friends, co-workers, and even family. The irony is that our older churches that applauded the non-compromised contextualization of the Gospel by the foreign missionaries that they sent with prayers and money are the same churches that now struggle with that missionary approach in our Western culture with peoples from diverse ethnicities, languages, religions, socio-economic backgrounds, and ages.

We redemptively engage peoples and cultures by sharing, showing, and embodying Christ in our context. This includes evangelism, cultural engagement, counseling, empathy, and celebration. It’s bringing the renewing power of the whole Gospel into the whole city through the whole church. It is not realigning our Bible to the culture, but by God’s grace, realigning the culture to the Bible.

Mission is a characteristic of God.

Mission is a characteristic of God. He’s a sending God. He sends His Son and sends His Spirit to renew the world. The Son sends His believers by the authority of God as He was sent. So mission doesn’t start and end with us. It starts and ends with God.

“I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. And for their sake I consecrate myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth.” (John 17:14-19)

5. Boldly & intentionally promotes the Gospel through making disciples and church planting globally through collaborative expressions of mercy and generosity

A missional church is not simply focused on the growth of neither the single local church nor its continued physical presence in the community. Its goal is to make disciples of all nations (Matt. 28:18-20). When a church focuses on its own promotion, it has a tendency to use disciples to build a church, resulting in resentment. Conversely, a church that focuses on making disciples will use the corporate church to promote the Gospel to as many people as possible—both local and global, or what Dr. Bob Roberts refers to as glocal transformation. A missional church sees church planting as the outworking of mission in a community. Its mission work is the establishing of churches glocally. When our mission mindset is to promote the building of churches in multiple contexts, we are more prone to collaborative work with other churches and with a heart of generosity for the advancement of the Gospel in all nations.

6. A missional church is dependent upon the Holy Spirit to empower and lead believers as agents for evangelizing and making disciples (Acts 1:8; Luke 4:1, 14, 18).

The life of Jesus was empowered, led, and directed by the Holy Spirit. To be dependant upon the Holy Spirit means to live like Jesus as opposed to some strange mystical experience. Jesus gave the Great Commission, as we commonly know it, and He included the prerequisite of Spirit-empowerment to accomplish it. In Luke’s Gospel, for example, Jesus explains the Gospel to His disciples and tells them that as witnesses of His resurrection, they are to proclaim it to others. But He told them to stay in the city until they were clothed with power from on high (Luke 24:49). Jesus promised that He would empower the church through His Holy Spirit as they make disciples (cf. Acts 1:8). “The promise of God’s presence often accompanied His call to service in the Old Testament (e.g. Ex. 3:12; Josh. 1:5); it is not so much a cozy reassurance as a necessary equipment for mission.”

The Great Comforter
The Great Commission comes equipped with the Great Comforter. This promise is fulfilled by the provision of the Holy Spirit—the missionary Spirit sent to witness to the coming of the Kingdom of God (John 13-17; Acts 2:17). Lesslie Newbigin again offers some succinct instruction for us here. “Mission first of all belongs to the Spirit who is sent by Jesus and the church is taken up into that work…Mission flows in the following way: the Father sends the Son; the Son sends the Church and equips it with the Spirit to enable it to carry out its mission…God does not cease to participate in the missionary enterprise with the sending of Jesus. He does not initiate mission with the sending of Jesus and then leave the missionary work to be carried on by a human institution that followed the pattern of Christ without the help of the Spirit.” Newbigin continues, “The active agent of mission is a power that rules, guides, and goes before the church: the free, sovereign, living power of the Spirit of God. Mission is not just something that the church does; it is something that is done by the Spirit, who is Himself the witness.”

A missional church can effectively reflect the power of the Gospel (Romans 1:6) as it depends on the Spirit of God to empower the body for evangelism, discipleship, and Gospel proclamation rather than depending on big events or buildings or programs or methods utilized elsewhere to draw unbelievers to an event. The Apostle Paul explained to the church situated in the pagan, sinful city of Thessalonica that this “Gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction” (1 Thes. 1:5; cf. 1 Peter 1:12). Paul was saying, “I did the speaking, but it was not I. I was used by the Holy Spirit to accomplish the work He intended.”

Some churches put their emphasis on the studying of the Word. While important that we feed our souls, these are typically the intellectual theologians that spend great hours reading and studying in often arguing the finer points of doctrine resulting in pride of knowledge but rarely conversions. Other churches put a majority of their emphasis on the Holy Spirit and are often more interested in an experience than the authoritative Word. The Holy Spirit uses the Word and the Spirit of truth for understanding. A missional church proclaims the truth with boldness through dependence on the power of the Holy Spirit (Acts 4:29-33).

7. Missional churches utilize relationships and sacrificial love as the expressions of love to others in their journey toward faith (Matt. 5:13-16, John 15:12-17, 1 John 4:19-21).

“Christ wants to create ‘a people,’ not merely isolated individuals who believe in Him.” A disciple is a Spirit-empowered follower of Jesus who is united with a Gospel community on mission for all peoples for the glory of God. A recent book by Dan Kimball entitled, “They Like Jesus but Not the Church” is illustrative of our culture’s skepticism with churches and Christians. The culture is not seeing Jesus in the church, and frankly, Christians are not seeing Jesus in the church and are not motivated to engage in authentic Gospel community because they have little reference for it outside of the Bible's descriptions (Acts 2:42-45; 4:31-35).

God is a missionary God, and God’s primary missionary method is His covenant people. Mankind was made in the image of the triune God. God created us in that image as persons-in-community to be the means by which He would reveal His glory. As a result of sin, we grasp for isolation from God and His church. When the local church allows this proclivity for seclusion, these image bearers of God fall short of His glory.

The missional church moves out across the nations as a movement of people empowered and sent by Jesus while drawing people through its common life as a God-glorifying movement of believers and unbelievers alike back to Jesus. Steve Timmis writes, “Our identity as human beings is found in community. Our identity as Christians is found in Christ’s new community. And our mission takes place through communities of light.”

What community looks like is unique in every setting, just as every family is unique because there are a lot of variables and moving parts. But the family/community works out the details of their common mission because they are equally committed to each other and to their mission as Christ followers. Those in community do not act in isolation, but rather sacrifice their schedules, time, money, conveniences, and individuality to serve the need. It is foreign to us that the believers in the first church sold their possessions and with singleness of heart gave to those in need. This deep unity and collaboration among the first church ignited the Gospel proclamation that turned the world upside down.

The book of Acts describes the Christian community in multiple ways that may lead to even greater deeds than are described in this canonical record.

Self-sacrifice
Commitment to relationships
Pursuit of unity among the community of believers
Goal of a common mission
Deep love

8. The goal of a missional church is to walk in community with others as Jesus pursues them in His own way and timing (1 Cor. 9:20-23).

This Gospel community includes believers and unbelievers. Jesus was criticized for including non-believers in community.

“The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look at him! A glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’” (Matt. 11:19)

Judas was a part of the disciples even as Jesus spoke about letting the tares grow up with the wheat (Matt. 13:24-30; cf. 1 Cor. 2:19). He spoke to the woman at the well when no one else would dare (John 4). Our interaction with unbelievers is not for the saving of mankind or for the building up of our church, but rather for the glory of God.

The witness of Jesus to the lost woman of Samaria can be summarized in the following way and provides for us a basis for our friendship with sinners.

Intentional – He was compelled to go through Samaria when others walked miles out of the way to avoid it (John 4:4).
Conversational – He addressed a common need: water (4:7).
Respectful – Contrary to culture, this male Jew spoke kindly to this disgraceful woman (4:7).
Directional – He directed the conversation away from her perceived issue back to the Gospel (4:10-15; 19-24).
Convictional – He adequately addressed her sin without rubbing her nose in it (4:16-18).
Confrontational – He confronted her with the truth of who He was (4:26).
Missional – He met her on her turf and brought the Gospel to bear in her life, and she became the missional evangelist in Samaria (4:28-30).
Attitudinal – To the broken people, He showed compassion. To the religious people, He demonstrated unacceptance of their self-righteousness. To those who followed Him, He expected nothing less than absolute surrender.

Look over the list of eight ways Jesus approached this woman and examine your heart to see if you interact with lost people in a similar manner.

9. A missional church is a hands-on training ground for missionary training (Acts 4:13, 31-35).

His mission is nothing short of the redemption of peoples and cultures, the renewal of all creation for His own glory. God’s great, burdensome, and glorious mission is the renewal of all creation! God, in His mercy, has invited us to participate in His mission.

The community of believers provides opportunities, and they practice hospitality for living out the Gospel in word and deed with one another. Church leaders must set the pace for pursuing the mission of Jesus. As Jack Miller noted, churches become “religious cushions” that tranquilize the guilt-ridden person with the religious warmth of its liturgy. Jack said the contributors of these religious cushion churches are the following:

Quiet acceptance of churchly dullness as normative
Fear of extinction
Extreme sensitivity to the negative opinions
Demand for comfort – a nice church with a nice pastor preaching a nice sermon about a nice Jesus
Unrestrained Gossip

Members of a missional church are expected to serve on the frontlines of the mission. The missionary emphasis of the body overtakes the self-serving individual, and they either hide, escape, or they get trained in living life as a missionary across the street, across the seas, and across the socio-economic, ethnic, religious, and political boundaries.

10. Godly, biblically qualified elders lead a missional church (1 Timothy 3; Titus 1; Eph. 4).

While most descriptions of a missional church do not include this characteristic, I don’t think it is possible to maintain a missional emphasis without what Jack Miller calls “pacesetting pastors” who continually remind the body of the mission for which Jesus has called us and the Holy Spirit has empowered us to pursue until the return of Jesus.

Titus was commissioned by Paul to establish the churches with qualified elders in Crete to rebuke false teachers, teach sound doctrine, establish godly homes, preach the Gospel of grace, do good works, confront rebellion, and multiply followers of Jesus. The key to straightening out the crooked churches in Crete was the establishing of qualified elders to guide the rest of the body toward the Gospel.

Elders are to be above reproach in every area of their life. The Gospel will never take root in the body until it takes root in the leaders' lives. Spurgeon writes, “Brothers, I beseech you, keep the old Gospel, and let your souls be filled with it, and then may you be set on fire with it!” A church will never be missional until its elders live missional lives in front of their followers.

The real value of an elder in a missional church is the equipping of non-vocational leaders to lead and share responsibility for the mission and for the discipling of new believers (Eph. 4:11-12). Reproducing churches unleash the whole body to exercise their gifts (1 Cor. 12:8-10) and encourage them to lead others on mission to proclaim the Gospel in new ways and new places in the community. New believers are incorporated quickly in the mission and receive on-the-job training through an organic mentorship rather than top-down control.

Missional or Biblical?

Looking over the description of a missional church, one understands this word to be equated with the pattern set forth in the Bible. The church established by the Apostles was a church on mission. It was missional. It seems that the evangelical church just needed a new word like missional to describe the “Biblical church.”

What if You Don’t Have an Evangelism Gift?

2011-01-22T20:16:00.001+08:00

What if You Don’t Have an Evangelism Gift?

by MM Gibson

We can still share the gospel using the gift we have been given, even if it is not evangelism.

Most of us don’t have the spiritual gift of evangelism, but we can still share the gospel using the gift we have been given. Let’s think about it…

Do you have the gift of hospitality?

Great! A college librarian we know brews the best coffee on campus. Faculty and staff return books at “coffee time” to sip Kona or Sumatra and munch a homemade cookie. She loves visiting with each person, just sharing life with them. God knows she is prepared to share the gospel when the time is right. She gets frequent opportunities because she prays for them.

Maybe you have the gift of encouragement.
You’ll be a natural at sharing the gospel if you just think of the joy, the confidence, the support, and the promise of heaven that your friend can receive from a growing relationship with Christ.

Make encouragement a habit.
Tell your family and friends how much God loves them no matter what mistakes they’ve made.
Be ready to share the gospel with those who are weary and worn — remind them of the One who has invited all the weary ones to come to Him for rest.
Tell them the simple gospel so they will know the way.

Is your gift administration?
We do have an orderly God, don’t we? — Talk about Him and His great plan for us. You can see better than many how God brings order out of chaos when we are members of His family. You often see the chaos of the lost. You can gently show them the gospel, the perfect plan.

What do these folks have in common?

They love their friends.
They love their Lord.
They know the way to eternal life, and they’ve learned how to share the gospel through the gifts God gave them.

You can learn it, too.

How could you use your spiritual gift to share the gospel?

Mary Margaret is responsible for Workplace Ministries at EvanTell. She focuses on the 50% of the time that folks spend at work, equipping all of us to minister in the vast mission field of working life. Her ministry enables Christians who work in hardhats, in offices, at stores, hospitals, schools, banks, military, and government to share the gospel wherever they work. Mary Margaret speaks at churches, Christian business organizations, and at small group meetings and retreats.

Social network users now easy targets for criminals

2011-01-17T14:40:00.000+08:00

Monday January 17, 2011

Social network users now easy targets for criminals

PETALING JAYA: Forget about bringing criminals to book, the crooks are themselves going to the book – Facebook, that is.

Many are targeting Malaysians – via their personal details posted on Facebook.

They are lifting information such as addresses, telephone numbers and even photographs for crimes ranging from drug trafficking to blackmail and sexual harassment.

Experts have criticised Malaysians for being too naive in accepting “friendship” requests from strangers.

Last year alone, some 400 crimes involving Facebook were reported to a cyber security group.

The trend is worrying because an international survey last year revealed that Malaysians had the most number of friends on social networking websites like Facebook with an average of 233 each – and spent up to nine hours each week logged on.

Beware the Facebook felons

2011-01-17T14:38:00.000+08:00

Monday January 17, 2011

Beware the Facebook felons

By P. ARUNA
aruna@thestar.com.my

PETALING JAYA: Crooks are cashing in on personal details readily revealed by some Facebook users and using them in identity frauds, blackmail or to “steal” money from users.

Over-excited online social network users who reveal personal information and accept “friendship” requests from complete strangers have made the site an increasingly popular target for cybercriminals.

Many users, especially beginners, experience culture shock when they suddenly become “popular” and receive many friendship requests, said criminologist and Malaysian Association of Certified Fraud Examiners president Datuk Akhbar Satar.

“They feel encouraged to reveal more information about themselves without realising the damage it could cause,” he said, adding that many users even posted sexy or nude pictures of themselves on the website and ended up being blackmailed by complete strangers.

Akhbar said the practice of posting personal details such as birth dates, addresses and telephone numbers on the website had proven to be the source of a lucrative business for identity fraudsters.

“The crime triangle comprises elements of desire, target and opportunity. Once there is a desire to commit the crime, the criminal identifies the target and opportunity. This is where Facebook comes in,” he said.

According to Socialbakers.com, a website dedicated to global Facebook statistics, there are currently 9,874,860 Facebook users in Malaysia alone, which is 37.75% of the entire population.

Youths between the ages of 18 and 25 formed the majority of Malaysian users – 38% – while the youngest group, aged between 13 and 15, makes up 7% of users.

The gender ratio of Malaysians on Facebook is almost equal – with 53% of them being female.

Hackers operating on social networks can easily create fake profiles and send friendship requests to unsuspecting users within their target groups.

Many users have become victims of identity frauds, harassment, blackmail and have lost money through various scams operated via the website.

There have also been reports of gangs and drug syndicates in Malaysia recruiting members through Facebook and other social networks.

The criminals’ job is made easier as the name and profile picture of the user is visible to all via the websites’ default privacy settings.

“Unlike crimes committed in the physical world, cyber crimes require little or no investment,” said Akhbar, adding that such crimes were also difficult to detect.

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Social network users now easy targets for criminals

Monday January 17, 2011

Social network users now easy targets for criminals

Beware the Facebook felons

Monday January 17, 2011

Beware the Facebook felons

By P. ARUNAaruna@thestar.com.my

By P. ARUNA
aruna@thestar.com.my