Berita STM
August 2002
Volume XIX
No. 3
Worship in Crisis
Bishop Julius Paul of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Malaysia invited me to present a lecture on the topic “The
Relevance of Traditional Churches” at their Synod on May 24, 2002. Having recognized the changing trends in
both the society and contemporary churches, we are still convinced that traditional churches, especially mainline
denominational churches, are still relevant. We need to reinvent our heritage and traditions progressively and
prayerfully in order to contribute positively to the general health and growth of the Church. We have to reappreciate our wonderful heritage and re-appropriate our tested traditions for the present and the future. In the
process we need to restate the basics, and to be examined by the fundamental principles of the teaching in the
Bible. We need to think critically on three areas, namely worship, pastoral leadership, and church order and
structure. May I begin with worship here.
In recent years we see a dramatic change in worship styles in churches everywhere. Paul Basden, in The Worship
Maze: Finding a Style to Fit Your Church (Downers Grove: IVP, 1999), helpfully distinguished five different worship
styles. Liturgical worship, as in the Catholic and some high Anglican churches, is very formal and structured, with a
fourfold pattern of adoration, confession, proclamation and commission. The key text behind this tradition is Isaiah
6:1-8. Traditional worship, as in the Anglican, Lutheran and Methodist churches, are less structured but guided.
With reference to key texts of Col 3:16 and Eph 5:19-20, the emphases are on praise and preaching. Revivalist
worship, as in the early Wesleyan movement, tends to be more emotionally charged, with enthusiastic songs and
dynamic preaching. The contemporary Praise and Worship style allows more freedom in terms of expression and
looks to 1 Cor 12-14; 1 Tim 2:8 and Psalms Ps 47:1, 63:4 & 150 for examples. Broadly speaking, it is rather
informal, outwardly celebrational and physically expressive. It seeks to bring believers into intimate communion
with the immanent Lord of love. Lastly, Seeker Worship takes non-Christians as the target audience and thus
adjusts the worship order to be as user-friendly as possible.
As one can see, the mood of the worship is drastically different in different styles. The musical instruments used
are also very different. And one may wonder why the different styles are attracting different kinds of people. The
question is, can we ignore the current challenges and different expectations? Some may feel very strongly for
heritage and argue against changes. But some have opted to abandon whatever traditions. Our conviction is to
reinvent the heritage for the modern world. Ultimately, we need to ask ourselves, is our worship bringing glory to
God and drawing people nearer to God?
Rev Dr Ezra Kok
The STM 20th Graduation Service
Date : 19th October 2002 (Saturday)
Time : Tea
- 3.00 p.m.
Service - 4.00 p.m.
Venue: Seremban Campus
Speaker: Dr Sientje Merentek-Abram
(Executive Director & Dean of ATESEA)
Condolences
Bishop Emeritus C N Fang, who was the first bishop of the Methodist Church in Malaysia and also one of the
founding fathers of STM, was called home to the Lord on 5th May, 2002. The funeral service was held on 10th May.
The late Bishop Fang, together with the late Bishop E B Muthusami of ELCM and the late Bishop Tan Sri J G
Savarimuthu of DWM, were founding members of STM. The demise of Bishop Fang is a great loss to the STM
Community. While serving as Bishop of the Methodist Church in Malaysia, he was also the President of the
Chinese Annual Conference. He served as the first President of the Council of Churches in Malaysia from 1975-77
and was also one of the founding fathers of the Christian Federation of Malaysia, which was formed in 1985.
Before his retirement in 1988, he helped to form the World Federation of Chinese Methodist Churches.
Our heartfelt sympathies and deepest condolences go to Mrs Fang and the family. As he desired, the family has
donated his personal library and some archival materials to the STM Library. We express our sincere gratitude to
the family. May the Lord continue to comfort and uphold them.
STM Quiet Day & Music and Worship Seminar
The second semester began on 17 June with a Quiet Day for students and faculty. Dr Simon Chan, the Academic
Dean of Trinity Theological College in Singapore, led us in reflecting on the theme ‘Resting in the Lord’. He pointed
us back to the essential basics of sabbath, solitude and surrender in the Christian life. His sharing challenged us to
reevaluate our lives in the light of God’s call. The next day, a Music and Worship Seminar was held. This was open
to church pastors and worship leaders. Dr Chan gave a short but thought-provoking session on the Theology of
Worship, while Mrs Chan shared about music in worship and how to enrich our worship with songs from around the
world. It was, on the whole, a beneficial and enjoyable seminar for many who attended.- Miss Ho Gaik Kim
Mission Trips
Mission Trip to The Bethany Home
All students are required to attend a mission trip during their studies in STM. On 20-22/5 a group of 3rd year
students went to the Bethany Home in Perak under the guidance of Rev Dr Solomon Rajah. The purpose of the trip
was to expose students to Christian social ministry, especially caring for ‘disabled children’.
The Bethany Home is an auxiliary social ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Malaysia (ELCM). It is
recognized by the Malaysian government as an institution for social work. The Home houses about 20 children with
special needs and provides learning programmes for about 145 special children. The STM students had first-hand
experience by helping the teachers of these special children, and were divided into two groups to have better
interaction with the staff and children. – submitted by Edmund Hunt
Mission Trip to Skudai Taman Universiti
On 11-16/6, under the guidance of Rev Wong Tik Wah, 9 students from the Chinese department went on their
mission trip to Taman Universiti, Skudai. With the grace of God, they were involved in the following ministries:
(1) Prayer walk.
(2) Visited a Rehabilitation Centre for teenagers, testified and shared God’s word while worshipping with them.
(3) Helped to spring clean an orphanage, prepared a special lunch and dinner for them, decorated their classroom
and spent time with them.
(4) Shared with the students of Taman Universiti Secondary School (II) on ‘Knowing myself’, ‘To discover one’s
values’ and issues on sex education.
(5) Organised a two-day retreat for the students of Taman Universiti Secondary School (II) with the theme ‘To live
a wonderful life’.
(6) Shared at the Taman Universiti Chinese Methodist Chapel and Ka En Chinese Methodist Chapel for STM
Sunday worship services.
The students benifitted and were blessed by this mission trip. The team would like to thank the pastor and
members of Taman Universiti Chinese Methodist Chapel for their full support towards the mission trip. Glory be to
God!
Passover Meal
STM celebrated the Passover Sehar meal on Maundy Thusrday, 28th March at the dinning hall, with the aim to
understand the Jewish background to the Holy Communion observed in the Church today. The background of the
Lord’s Supper lies in the Jewish Passover meal that Jesus celebrated with the disciples before his arrest and trial.
With Rev Anthony Loke, our Old Testament lecturer, as the leader of the passover meal, all the faculty members,
students and staff participated in this meaningful celebration.
FACULTY NEWS
Rev Dr Ezra Kok
Gave an exposition on Acts 9-14 and conducted Sunday Service at St Barnabas Anglican Church, Klang on 2021/4; gave a special talk on vocation & full time ministry to Kinta District CAC Youth Fellowship at Ipoh Chinese
Methodist Church on 27/4; attended the Graduation Service at Trinity Theological College, Singapore on 11/5;
gave a special lecture on “The Relevance of Traditional Churches” at the Synod of Evangelical Lutheran Church
held in Sitiawan on 24/5; speaker for Penang Jelutong Chinese Methodist Church Family Camp on ‘Growing
Towards A Healthy Family Church’ from 25-27/5; attended the 4th Mission Conference of the World Federation of
Chinese Methodist Churches held in Penang on 4-8/6; theme speaker on “The Eschatology of Paul” for Singapore
Jubilee Presbyterian Church Camp held in Bangi on 12-15/6; conducted Bible Study on Galatians for Merlimau
Chinese Methodist Church at STM on 28-29/6; speaker for revival meeting at Tampin Chinese Methodist Church
on 12-14/7.
Rev Tan Jin Huat
Conducted an exposition on Ephesians at Praise Baptist Church on 28/4 & 5/5; facilitator for Preaching Seminar at
Scripture Union’s ON Institute Training for staff workers in East Asia region on 20-22/5; speaker for SS Gospel
Chapel Church Camp held at Frasier’s Hill from 24-27/5; conducted Leaders Training Session at St Columbas, Miri
on 19-21/7; facilitator for Preaching Seminar at Klang Chinese Methodist Church on 27-28/7。
Rev Anthony Loke
Taught on Old Testament Survey at the Adults Bible Study for 6 Sundays (April-May) at Whitefields Assembly
Seremban; speaker for KL Wesley Church Family Camp on 25-27/5; speaker for Grace Chapel Kota Kinabalu
Church Family Camp held at Kundasang, Sabah on 30/5-2/6; taught ‘Seminar on Book of Isaiah’ at Wesley
Methodist Church, Teluk Intan on 29-30/6; speaker for Bountiful Grace Methodist Church Family Camp held at Port
Dickson on 19-21/7.
Rev Dr Philip Siew
Speaker for Presbyterian Southern District Youth Camp held at Rompin on 1-3/5; speaker for Mission Revival
Meeting at Mega Chinese Methodist Church on 3-4/5; interpreter for the Chinese Annual Conference Spiritual
Fathering Camp held at Port Dickson on 20-23/5; speaker for Baptist National Career Youth Camp held at
Cameron Highlands on 26-29/5; speaker for Ampang and Ayer Itam Chinese Methodist Churches’ Retreats held at
Cameron Highlands on 29-31/5; Theme speaker for the 4th Mission Conference of the World Federation of Chinese
Methodist Churches held at Penang on 4-8/6; speaker for the Japanese Christian Fellowship Father’s Day Service
in PJ on 16/6; spoke at a Bible Exposition Conference at Muk En Chinese Methodist Church on 28-30/6; speaker
for Rasah Jaya Baptist Church Family Camp held at Port Dickson on 19-20/7; speaker for Lay Preachers’ Training
Seminar on Natural Church Development in Klang on 27/7.
Rev Dr Solomon Rajah
Participated in the Natural Church Development Seminar held at Melaka Bethel Church on 14/5; attended the
Synod Meeting of the ELCM Diocesan Assembly held at Sitiawan on 24-26/5
Dr Voon Choon Khing
Attended Seminars of the CGST/Regent College Summer School held in Hong Kong on 9-15/6; attended the
Christian Counselor’s’ Conference held in KL on 24/6.
Rev Wong Tik Wah
Speaker for Evangelistic/Revival Meeting at Kg Jering on 12-13/4; attended the Natural Church Development
Seminar in Melaka on 14/5; attended Thomas Oden’s Lectures on ‘Looking at Church Tradition from John
Wesley’s point of view’ at Paya Lebar Methodist Church, S’pore on 21-23/5; retreat mentor for Kuching, Sibu & Miri
Christian Teachers Revival Camp held in Sibu on 27-30/5; speaker for World Vision “30 Hour Famine” Sunday at
Help Institute, KL on 2/6; attended the 4th Mission Conference World Federation of Chinese Methodist Churches
held at Penang on 4-8/6; speaker for CAC Selangor District Youth Camp held in Genting on 28-30/6; speaker for
Evangelistic, Revival Meetings and Sunday Service at Bahau Chinese Methodist Church on 12-14/7.
STM Faculty Visit to Trinity Theological College, Singapore.
The STM faculty members visited Trinity Theological College, Singapore from 9-11 May. They had fruitful
discussions with the faculty of TTC during their stay there and attended the TTC Graduation Service on 11 May.
We want to thank the TTC Principal, Rev Dr Ngoei Foong Nghian and all the faculty members for their warm
hospitality.
STM SUNDAYS
We would like to express our sincere gratitude to the following churches who invited our lecturers to conduct STM
Sundays for the period of April to July 2002. We are also very grateful to some of the churches (not listed) who
observed STM Sunday on their own.
April 7
Emmanuel Methodist Church PJ 八打灵以马内利堂
四月7日 Whitefields Assembly (C) Seremban 芙蓉庄稼福音堂(中文)
Rev Dr Ezra Kok 郭汉成
Dr Voon Choon Khing温俊卿
April 14
Sri Petaling Chinese Meth. Chapel KL 大城堡卫理布道所
Rev Dr Ezra Kok 郭汉成
四月14日
St Mark’s Church, Seremban 芙蓉圣马可堂
Rev Tan Jin Huat 陈仁发
Chin Hock Chinese Meth. Church Manjung 卫理公会清福堂
Rev Wong Tik Wah 黄迪华
Kg Jering Chinese Meth. Church Manjung 哲仁新村卫理公会
Rev Wong Tik Wah 黄迪华
Sepang Chinese Methodist Church 卫理公会雪邦堂
Dss Margaret Chen 陈秀英
April 28
Ipoh Cantonese Methodist Church 怡保卫理公会广东堂 Rev Dr Ezra Kok 郭汉成
四月28日
Gunung Rapat Chinese Methodist Church 昆仑喇叭卫理公会Rev Dr Ezra Kok 郭汉成
Port Dickson Chinese Methodist Church 波德申卫理公会
Dss Margaret Chen 陈秀英
May 19
Seremban Wesley Methodist Church 芙蓉卫斯理堂
Rev Dr Ezra Kok 郭汉成
五月19日
Whitefields Assembly (E) Seremban 芙蓉庄稼福音堂(英文)
Rev Dr Ezra Kok 郭汉成
June 9
Penang St Paul’s Church (C) Service 槟城圣保罗堂(中文)
Rev Dr Ezra Kok 郭汉成
六月9日 Christ Church Penang 槟城基督堂
Rev Dr Ezra Kok 郭汉成
June 16
Skudai Chinese Methodist Chapel 士古来卫理布道所
六月16日
Kajang St Catherine’s Anglican Church 加影圣嘉特琳堂 Dss Margaret Chen 陈秀英
June 23
Muk En Chinese Methodist Chapel, Cheras 蕉赖沐恩布道所
Mr Chew Kean Kee 周建基
六月23日
Faith Methodist Church Cheras 卫斯理信心堂
Rev Anthony Loke 陆彦辉
June 30
Bountiful Grace Meth. Church S’ban 芙蓉卫理公会恩庆堂
Rev Dr Ezra Kok 郭汉成
六月30日
Teluk Intan Wesley Methodist Church 安顺卫斯理堂
Rev Anthony Loke 陆彦辉
Muk En Chinese Methodist Church Setapak 卫理公会沐恩堂
Rev Dr Philip Siew 萧帝佑
Banting Chinese Methodist Church 万津卫理公会
Rev Dr Solomon Rajah
Chinese Meth. Cantonese Church KL吉隆坡卫理公会广东堂
Dr Voon Choon Khing温俊卿
Chinese Meth. Church Pudu Branch 卫理公会半山芭分堂
Dr Voon Choon Khing温俊卿
Merlimau Chinese Methodist Church 万里望卫理公会
July 14
Tampin Chinese Methodist Church 淡边卫理公会
七月14日
Our Saviour’s Church KL 吉隆坡救主堂
Rev Wong Tik Wah 黄迪华
Mr Chew Kean Kee 周建基
Rev Dr Ezra Kok 郭汉成
Dss Margaret Chen 陈秀英
St Gabriel’s Church KL 吉隆坡圣加百列堂
Dss Margaret Chen 陈秀英
July 28
Bercham Wesley Methodist Church 巴占卫斯理堂
Rev Dr Ezra Kok 郭汉成
七月28日
Grace Methodist Church Ipoh 怡保卫斯理恩典堂
Rev Dr Ezra Kok 郭汉成
GUESTS & VISITORS
Dr Tim Dearborn, the Director of the Institute for Global Engagement, a division of World Vision USA and a lecturer
at Fuller Theological Seminary and Regent College, visited STM and had lunch with the faculty on 3 May. We are
very grateful to Mr Goh Keat Peng, Director of World Vision Malaysia, for arranging the meeting.
ALUMNI NEWS
STM Alumni HomeComing Day
27th June 2002 was the first STM Alumni Homecoming Day. 28 alumni ranging from the first batch of 1983 to
recent graduates of 2001 came for this event. Some alumni came from as far as Kota Bharu, Teluk Intan, Ipoh,
Yong Peng, Melaka, Jerantut and Bentong. The event began with the Thursday morning chapel service where
Rev. Dr. Viji preached on 'Sin'. It was a timely message as not many preachers would touch on this subject and be
willing to put themselves under the indictment and conviction of the sermon. The alumni were hosted by STM for a
Community Lunch with the students and faculty. At 2.30pm, the alumni met with the faculty for a time of informal
sharing. Many helpful suggestions were given on how to improve the Alumni Fellowship as well as STM. The
Homecoming Day continued with tea with the students at 4.30 pm and a friendly volleyball match between alumni
and students. The score was 2-0 in favour of the students but the alumni will be back next year, hopefully in better
shape! The day’s programme ended with a subscription dinner in a local chinese restaurant with some of the
faculty members. It was a wonderful time of catching up between alumni and faculty. – Rev Anthony Loke
News From Abroad
Pastor Kang Phal Da Ra Cheat from Cambodia was with us from 1998-2001 and graduated in October 2001 and
returned home to serve the Lord. He is now a faculty member of the Phnom Penh Bible School (the largest Bible
School in Cambodia) and teaches New Testament studies. In a letter to STM, he said that he missed all the friends
he had made while here.
Congratulations
Ms Yeak Ngok Moi (1998) who got married in January 2002
叶玉梅校友(1998)于今年一月出阁之喜。
Karthikan Sibanyanam (2000) married Ms Rosanna Nath Nicholas on 6/7/2002
Karthikan Sibanyanam 校友(2000)与 Rosanna Nath Nicholas结婚之喜。
Benny and Jade Ng (2000) were blessed with a baby boy in January this year.
Benny 和Jade Ng (2000) 校友於今年一月蒙神赐予一位男婴。
Ms Ling Hua Hiong (1999) and husband Mr Sakthivel (STM library staff) were blessed with a baby girl, Sue Ann
Ling Sakthivel, on 31/5.
林华香校友(1999)与丈夫Sakthivel先生(图书馆职员)於 5月31日蒙神赐予一位女婴。
Chinese TEE
The Chinese TEE was launched on 14/4 at the St Peter’s Church Ipoh. About 100 people attended the service.
The first course, ‘Old Testament Survey’, by Rev Canon Ng Moon Hing & Rev Frank Lin was well received by 60
attendants of which 39 people have registered officially. The next course is ‘Basic Christian Doctrine’ which
commences in July.
English TEE
Courses from September – December 2002
Kuala Lumpur / Petaling Jaya
16, 22 & 23 Nov
Ethics at Work
Miss Ho Gaik Kim & others
Contemporary Issues in
Missions
Dr Tormod Engelsviken
Interpreting the NT
Mr Lim Kar Yong
Interpreting the NT
Mr Lim Kar Yong
Seremban Campus
2-5 Oct
Kuching
4-7 Sept
Kota Kinabalu
2-5 Oct
Contact - Ms Sarah Yap, The TEE Director E-mail: sarahyap@seminary-stm.com.my
EQUIPMENTS TO PURCHASE FOR STM
Description
1.
2.
3.
LCD Projector (1,600 Lumens brightness)
电脑投射机
Pentium IV Notebook Computer
一架笔记本电脑
Baby Grand Piano
小型三角琴
Amount RM
18,000.00
5,500.00
25,000.00
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
Upright Piano for new Chapel
竖立钢琴
3 units of OHP 250 Watts (@ 800.00)
三架投影机 (250瓦特)
1 unit of OHP 400 Watts
一架投影机 (400瓦特)
Laser Printer (networked with extra memory)
镭射打印机
Digital Camera (2.1 pixel with 2X Zoom)
数码照相机
Video Camera (for recording Homiletic lessons)
一加录影机 (上讲道学课堂用)
New 10 Seater Van
一辆十个座位小型货车
3 units of PA System for Lecture rooms (@ 1,500.00)
三部音响系统
2 units of Loud Hailers (Megaphone (@ 300.00)
两个麦克风
8,000.00
2,400.00
1,000.00
3,500.00
2,500.00
2,000.00
70,000.00
4,500.00
600.00
Thank You STM Building Fund Committee
On June 26 2002, the STM Building Fund Committee called for the last meeting. We are very thankful to the Lord
for all the members and all their hard work. The Committee was set up in 1993 by the Council to oversee the
building project of the STM campus in Seremban. Through their faithful service and tireless effort the Building
Fund Committee together with our former Principal, the Rev Dr Hwa Yung, raised over RM10 million for the
building project in 7 years. Funds were raised locally from churches, individuals, philanthropists and through fundraising dinners that were held in the Klang Valley, Johore Bahru, Ipoh, Penang and Kuantan. Besides raising
funds locally, the Committee also toiled tirelessly to solicit funds from our overseas partners. We praise and thank
God that the building was completed in 1997 and by January 1998, the academic year began at our own new
campus in Seremban.
To the Building Fund Committee we record our sincere and heartfelt thanks and appreciation. The members had
faithfully served in the Committee to ensure that the task entrusted to them would come to fruition. We are
indebted to God for using them as His instruments to bless us with a beautiful campus.
STM BUILDING FUND STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTS AS AT 31ST MAY 2002
Total Donation and Income
10,994,123
Total Expenditure to Date
10,796,255
Balance of Building Fund
197,867
With the completion of the building project, Mr. Peter Lee, Chairman of the Building Fund Committee, hosted an
Appreciation and Thanksgiving Dinner at the Smokehouse Restaurant KL as a fitting closing of the Building Fund
Committee. Thanks be to God.