Aldersgate Convention 2006

Methodists will again gather around their Wesleyan heritage this month when the Rev Dr M. Robert Mulholland discusses the topic, “Shaped by the Word”, during the 2006 Aldersgate Convention from May 24 to 27. This service, which is always held on the same date, regardless of when it falls during the week, commemorates the anniversary of John Wesley’s experience of assurance in 1738. Past years' speakers include Rev Dr William Abraham, Dr Ajith Fernando, and Dr Thomas Oden. For the past years, I have been attending these talks, the attendance was not very good though. Maybe the publicity was no good. Maybe some of the speakers were too 'chim' (difficult to understand). Maybe it's the location (I find it a little inconvenient) ... ... or maybe Methodist are just not interested. ...hope this is not so. Maybe it was the language barrier. ... considering that Chinese-speaking congregations make up about a third of the total Methodist membership. But the attendance for lat year's Aldersgate Service was not bad. It was held at FM church. ... maybe it was the location after all. But I do had to admit some (portions) of the talks were a little too 'chim' (dificult to understand). For the one by Rev Dr William Abraham, I had to listen real hard to understand. Maybe I wasn't smart enough, sigh...! ... ... but I think it was his accent. In comparison, Ajith Fernando was easier to understand. As for Dr Thomas Oden, I tried to pay attention as I wanted to know how an evangelical theologian who teaches at a liberal United Methodist seminary would be different in his preaching. Not to be left out is, of course, the Bishop Dr Robert Solomon who preaches with conviction and passion. These speakers have greatly enriched and given me a different perspective to my understanding of the christian life and scripture. I pray that more would be able to come for these evening talks. This year, the topic is on “The Word”. From the brochure, it sounds really interseting. Lately, I have been thinking on the issues of biblical inerrancy, divine inspiration, preservation of scripture, ..., hope this series of talks would give me some food for thought.

Aldersgate Convention 2006

This year's Aldersgate Service will now be held at Barker Road Methodist Church, ACS (Barker Road). The Rev Dr Mulholland will preach at the May 24 service beginning at 7.45 pm.

Three Evening Talks

In addition to preaching at the Aldersgate Service, the Rev Dr Mulholland will deliver three evening public talks, also at Barker Road Methodist Church, on May 25, 26 and 27. Each talk will begin at 7.45 pm.

A leading exponent of “biblical spirituality”, he will offer a series of presentations on “The Word” for the evening talks. The talk on May 25 entitled “The Word: Became Text” explores how the church understands Scripture. God’s Word became text in a way that corresponds to the affirmation that the Word became flesh in Jesus Christ.

This is important to understand, according to the Rev Dr Mulholland, in light of the prevalent Enlightenment and postmodern ideas. There is an objective quality about the reading and hearing of the Word, not just some private, subjective experience open to anyone’s interpretation. As Christians, we do not merely read Scripture. It speaks to us.

The presentation on May 26, “The Word: A Place of Transforming Encounter with God”, will explore how Scripture is a place in which people can meet God in powerful, new and transforming ways. The Rev Dr Mulholland believes that one of the principal roles of Scripture is to destroy or “deconstruct” our "conventional worlds” of perceptions, meanings and values, and summon us into a radically alternative “world”. In other words, the Word sometimes confronts us in those areas that need to change.

The last of the three evening talks on May 27, “The Word: Becomes Flesh in Us”, probes the “incarnational dimension” of Scripture. Christians do not just read and study Scripture, but embody its meaning in their lives.

Besides sound biblical teaching, the evening talks will include choir music and congregational singing, as well as opportunities for questions and answers.

The Rev Dr Mulholland, a United Methodist minister, is a professor at Asbury Theological Seminary in Kentucky.

Christianity Explored: Sign up now

AS PART of Aldersgate Convention 2006, a full-day seminar will be held on May 27 for those interested in leading the evangelistic course, Christianity Explored, in their churches.

The seminar will be held at Sophia Blackmore Hall on the 6th floor of Methodist Centre in Barker Road from 9 am to 4 pm. The Rev Rico Tice, an Associate Minister at All Souls Church in London who developed the course, and Mr Barry Cooper are the presenters.

Christianity Explored is a 10-week programme developed by All Souls Church in London. It is similar to the Alpha Course.

The course is being introduced to local Methodist churches. The DISCIPLE Agency of The Methodist Church in Singapore is working with the London course project team to finalise the launch of the programme.

The registration fee for the seminar is $65 per person. Groups of 10 will be accorded the special fee of $50 per person. The fee includes lunch, tea, and handouts.

Registration forms are available online at www.methodist.org.sg

'Christianity Explored' materials are available at SKS Warehouse.