STEP 2019 Program Report - Benjamin Koh

Benjamin Koh Wei Ming

         Step 2019 Report.

Content

1. What’s an Issue that the Singapore church will face in the next decade and what can we do about it?
2. ‘Now when David had served God’s purpose in his own generation, he fell asleep; he was buried with his ancestors and his body decayed’ Acts 13:36(NIV) What is the purpose of your current generation in building of the Church? Name at least one issue.
3. Conclusion

What’s an Issue that the Singapore church will face in the next decade and what can we do about it?

The issue I feel is that the change of worship environment and style more suited for the modern style (music, sermon, etc). 

The idea of a good worship to God is we need to go back to the bible no matter what we do, which every church that worship our God will do. 

The bible is the word of God and following what the word is correct. In the modern sociality, everything is quick and imminently. 

Worship slowly is progressing to that level, even if is minimum. The church cannot lose the main point of worshiping God, evangelism, mentoring and teaching. 

The scripture cannot be changing to suit the general wants not needs, example teaching about wanting materialist things is good and should do it more or money that if you make more money is to progress for the church and the people. 

God want is us to spend time to him not to use things that he already has. Another main issue that is more important is (LGBTQ+) Love community, they promote hate towards people that don’t agree to their point of view and how they say we are a problem and we promote hate (which is very hypocritical). 

We hate the sin but love the sinner is a vaild point but is overly use as our Lord Jesus show us to forgive the sinner. In the bible is state God hate sin which is in Psalm 5:4 (O God, you take no pleasure in wickedness;
    you cannot tolerate the sins of the wicked.) and love the sinner 1^st john 4: 7-10 (7 Dear friends, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God. Anyone who loves is a child of God and knows God. ⁸ But anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is love.

⁹ God showed how much he loved us by sending his one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him. ¹⁰ This is real love—not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins.). 

The LGBT community will be a major problem in the future, range from the government to the community who say we need to love everyone (which is not wrong), it will be difficult to come to an understanding and stand together as our community view is very different. 

Singapore as a country follows other country in social conduct (Korea Japan China USA Europe ETC), always taking the best but sometimes something nasty come with it. LGBT is nothing new but in 2009 onwards with Obama allow same-sex marriage open doors to other unseen problems. 

With trump also elected the LGBT community slowly come out to the plus (addition community which is identifying sexual/gender all into the same thing instead of just ending with L&G), that is an upper problem with the identifying problem where gender is a choice and you can be whatever you want bringing up a lot of issue that is not a problem until now, which is (rape and sexual assault) which there was a news about a male rapist who identify as a woman and was brought into a female prison which is weird. 

With opening LGBT+ addition other minor groups in the community like pedophiles and incest that are coming out also. When will it end, because love without any form of logic and understanding is love. That is not how love works, is about commitment and other people will not suffer from your choices that you choose (which is not as they are pushing ideas in our throats). 

I have multiple gay lesbian and even one transgender, they have not pushed my idea down or persecute me which is very grateful for, but it won’t be the same as if the bill of same-sex marriage get pass in Singapore parliament. 

As a Christian and a member of a church, we need to steadfast in our faith and don’t waver no matter what the cost as we need to protect our children and children’s children future. I can write even more but I don’t wish to as is not the main topic of the report, I will finish my thought in a private word document. Hebrews 10:23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.

‘Now when David had served God’s purpose in his own generation, he fell asleep; he was buried with his ancestors and his body decayed’ Acts 13:36(NIV) What is the purpose of your current generation in building of the Church? Name at least one issue.

Our purpose for my current generation is a pave a stronger foundation for our future generation, in my current generation we will fate much because we are in the time where change happen fast, and a lot of problem will come out to affect the church. We need to hold on to the bible teaching and nurture our future generation in the correct view and idea without changing their own idea or will to do things. 

The world is becoming more harder as a Christian even though there isn’t much war and outright persecution but is more of the community and how social circle affect the youth. I myself is a product of social circle and how it changes me but thank God he slowly pulls me back to the correct path. 

Community plays a big part in our day and age as culture and traditions is becoming more blur. Kids also can be affect by parents and if the parents are very liberal they will change how the kids feel and even if they only feel (if a boy feel like he should be a girl but it is only a small part of growing up and he will grow out of it but the parents allow it they he may change totally and may regret whatever decision he makes (sex change, crossdressing or eating pills)) for a short while.

Also teaching, as we are now in an age where almost everyone has education and can read, teaching will be more open and more questioning as everyone is more curious. It is good, but it can be a double edge sword as they question to the point they question God. It is something we need to have good foundation as our next generation will be even smarter and intuitive in the knowledge of God’s word.

Conclusion of STEP

Is been a learning experience that I receive in the past three weeks. The program has given a lot of information about the fore father of Presbyterian, learning how Martin Luther brought about the 95 thesis and the reformation which was enlightening learning how it was started out. Giving me an idea that is not just the bible predecessor that God uses, also our forefather that live not long ago.

The knowledge of how Singapore Presbyterian came about, through the missionary from England. How Rev Keas berry decided to stay in Malaysia and later proceed to Singapore to spread the gospel and helping to set up church. In turn, making school and association that help the people in Singapore both in their needs and spiritual.

Learning that this program is to urge the young generation of my time to come in full time is understandable, the generation of mine is the one that is not lacking in money but in time and commitment. If God so wish for us to go full time he will show the sign but for now I will continue to help and support the church in whatever they and the people need.

Reading is something that I don’t usually do even though I enjoy it. The lesson teaches me to read more books that is relatable to the bible and will help me to see different views not just mine. Not neglecting the bible of cause. Reading will give me more understanding and knowledge to proceed more in-depth discussion.

Overall a great experience and one that will go with me until I lay rest. Is a lesson that will affect how to proceed in my walk with Christ and how I do my daily devotion. The lesson teaches me to question everything I hear and not to be cynical but critical in viewing teaching in church or sermon. 

With that said, walk with God is very hard and full of suffering but with brothers and sister of Christ walking together and with the knowledge of the bible at our side, it will not be so bad.