Dialogue ‘informative and useful’

MRS DOROTHY WONG of Wesley Methodist Church found the Dialogue “thoroughly informative, especially the talk and input by the Bishop”.  The session aroused her thoughts on certain issues that the Methodist Church is facing today, she said.

Mr John Ang of Paya Lebar Chinese Methodist Church described the Dialogue as “a good start to discussing issues in a more focused manner”.

“I’m glad that we focused on the three topics as defined in our 125^th Anniversary theme. I think it would have been even more beneficial if we had focused on each of the three topics at separate times so that there could be a more in-depth discussion.   Still, this is a good start.”

The Vice-President of Emmanuel Tamil Annual Conference (ETAC), Mr Shadrak Stephen, said: “It was a very useful session. We came out of the room knowing more of the issues and challenges our Methodist Church is facing today. We know there are no easy answers for some of these issues, but the discussions have made us think and reflect on them.”

Ms Teo Suet Her, Chairman of the Mission Committee of Geylang Chinese Methodist Church, was pleased to note that the subject of connectionalism was addressed at the Dialogue. She said: “Our Methodist Church is a connectional church, and it is so important for us in the Local Church to know the plans and work of our Annual Conference, and how the Annual Conference is connected to the General Conference so that we will all move in the same direction.”

Mr R. Selvathurai, ETAC Lay Leader, said: “The Dialogue gave church members the opportunity to be heard. The responses from the Bishop and the three Presidents were very frank. It would have been better if we had more time for the Q & A session.”