AT THE Trinity Annual Conference (TRAC) Retirement Recognition Service held at the ACS (Barker Road) Concert Hall on Nov 26, 2003, the Rev Michael Wong's 39 years in the Methodist ministry was recognised.


Among those present were Mrs Janet Wong and their younger son, Moses, together with Bishop and Mrs Robert Solomon and the President of TRAC, the Rev Dr Isaac Lim, and his wife. The Rev Wong received a farewell gift from the Rev Dr Lim, who presented it on behalf of TRAC.


The Rev Wong, who hails from Kuala Lumpur, was retiring as a pastor in full connection with Trinity Annual Conference, having served in Methodist churches in Malaysia and Singapore. His early walk with the Lord began in 1958 when he was baptised and confirmed by the Rev Harry Haines, following which he served in the Methodist Youth Fellowship, the Sunday School and the 1st Kuala Lumpur Company of The Boys' Brigade at Wesley Church.

His call to the full-time ministry came at a climactic Good Friday worship service. Following acceptance by the Malaya Annual Conference and training at Trinity Theological College from January 1960, he was ordained as Deacon (1965) and Elder (1966) of the Singapore-Malaya Annual Conference by Bishop Robert Lundy.

His first appointment was as Assistant Pastor to the Rev Dr Olin Stockwell at Trinity Methodist Church, followed by a circuit ministry in Pahang, serving in Bentong and Mentakab. Returning to Singapore in 1967, he was posted as Assistant Pastor to the Rev Christopher Smith and the Rev Gunnar Teilmann at Wesley Church (1967-1969).


The Rev Michael Wong and his family.

His first major appointment was to plant the new Toa Payoh Methodist Church where he pioneered the work from 1970 until 1982, moving from a shophouse to the new sanctuary at the end of 1973. He then served as Pastor of Pentecost Methodist Church from 1983-1985, acting as District Superintendent for a term, followed by a two-year posting to Kampong Kapor Methodist Church where he was involved in starting the Mandarin service, reaching out to the hawkers at Jalan Besar.


After a sabbatical in 1994, he returned as Pastor-in-Charge of Tampines Methodist Church (now Living Hope MC) from 1995-1999. His last appointment was as Pastor at Kampong Kapor Methodist Church from 2000, with special responsibility for the Mandarin service, until his retirement.


As a first-generation Christian from a traditional Chinese family, and eldest child at that, the Rev Wong faced opposition, but God's grace prevailed and after 25 years of praying and sharing with his parents, they accepted the Lord in 1985.


In his valedictory sermon at Kampong Kapor Methodist Church on Nov 16, 2003, he shared his early promise to "trust, obey and remain faithful to the Lord" - a vow which has been severely tested several times.


At the Retirement Service, Bishop Dr Robert Solomon spoke on the challenges of the Christian ministry, using Paul's advice to Timothy, his protégé, as he himself had fought the good fight: he had finished the race and kept the faith.


Similarly, the Christian ministry is like a battle, a race with entrusted responsibility, and Paul used the metaphors of a devoted soldier, a disciplined athlete and a diligent farmer to illustrate his point. It is a battle to be won over many struggles, to be won through courage and faithfulness, a race to be completed, by keeping oneself fit and disciplined in the matter of study, reflection and prayer.


Bishop Dr Solomon said that the Christian life is also a doctrine-rich faith to be kept.


He quoted D. H. Williams as saying that when pastors become more efficient administrators and keepers of the institution, along with excellent performers, they are losing their ability to act as able interpreters of the historic faith. They may be succumbing to the "tyranny of the new" in which all our energy is used up inventing the new and marketing it. (Loren Mead). Rather, the pastor is called to keep the faith, which is also to remain faithful to Christ, to be still with Him.


True success in ministry is therefore measured by our devotion to Christ, discipline in life and ministry and how we finish, still holding on passionately to the doctrine about God and one's relationship with Christ. To finish well is thus the mark of a successful ministry.


In the words of John Wesley, "Christ liveth ever more; therefore live to God till you live with him in glory … This is the scriptural way, the Methodist way, the true way."

QUOTE:

FACED OPPOSITION

As a first-generation Christian from a traditional Chinese family, and eldest child at that, the Rev Wong faced opposition, but God's grace prevailed and after 25 years of praying and sharing with his parents, they accepted the Lord in 1985.