Double Joy

The 32nd Session of the Tamil Annual Conference (TAC), of the Methodist Church in Malaysia was held in Penang from the 17th till 21st November 2007. It was attended by almost 160 people who include the lay delegates, Pastors, guests and observers from all over the country.

This annual conference has been a significant one for me though I have attended many before. I was admitted into “Member of Trial” as a fulltime Pastor of the TAC. I have also been posted to the largest Tamil Church/Congregation in Malaysia, Tamil Settlement, Ipoh which comprises of 1,033 full members. I will be assisting the Senior Pastor, Rev. Lawrence Belvendram. As for me, it is a great honor to serve the Lord in this capacity. I also wish to thank my President, Rev. P Tevaraji and the Board of Appointments for entrusting me with this placement.

At the same time, I am also grateful to God for granting my wife Jessie her transfer to the Methodist Girls School (MGS), Ipoh. This is another significant happening for us. Jessie was an ex student of MGS. She finish both her primary and secondary education in this school…and now she is posted back to the same school as a teacher…wow….she is all exited and I cherish in her happiness.

These two great happenings (my posting and Jessie's transfer) have brought double joy for us. Praise God for that.

We as a family wish to thank our families and friends who have been praying for our well being. Thank you all and God bless. Shalom.

Can I Sue My Fellow Brother in the Court?

In recent years, we hear many disputes among believers (Christians) often turned into litigation. As I reflect on this situation, I see a similarity between what happens today and what happened in the Corinthian church. In reading 1 Corinthians 6: 1-8, we notice that Paul is addressing the issue of one believer dragging another to a pagan court for justice. By dragging, one another to court the Corinthians were intent on winning damages for themselves. Evidently, a business or property dispute was the root of this case in this context. Paul in response to the situation reminded them that they had already lost before the judge gave his verdict. The shame of people who professed to love one another and put the welfare of others before their own suing each other was a defeat in itself. This defeat was far more serious than any damages they may have had to pay. It would be better to suffer the wrong or the cheating than to fight back in such an ‘unchristian way’ (Matt. 5:39-40; 1 Pet. 2:19-24).
What was to the Corinthians’ shame? It was that by going into secular courts to settle their church problems they seemed to be saying that there was no one in their church wise enough to settle these matters. Certainly, they could count on the Holy Spirit to give them the wisdom they needed to do this (cf. John 14:26; 16:13). Clearly, this church did not understand its identity as an eschatological community nor did it demonstrate much concern about its witness to the world.
I feel that Paul’s whole argument here is built upon the Christian love. Christians should be willing to give to one another rather than trying to get from one another. In other words, there should be no going to court with one another at all. Nevertheless, if the Corinthians insisted on going to court, it should be a court of believers in the church, not unbelievers (people professing other faith). Since the Lord will delegate the authority to judge unbelievers to Christians in the future, Paul concluded that we are competent to settle disputes among ourselves now. In the light of future eschatological judgment, any decisions that believers must make in church courts now are relatively trifling. Obviously, some cases involving Christians arguing with one another are more difficult to sort out than some of those involving unbelievers. Paul’s point was that Christians are generally competent to settle disputes between people. After all, we have the help and wisdom of the indwelling Holy Spirit available to us.
In reading the text in its context, I am convinced that Paul is totally against the idea of believers bringing each other to the civil court for justice. It is immaterial what the dispute is all about, let it be property or any other forms of damages, all that Paul is saying here is for the Corinthians to resolve their disputes within the church context.
I believe that this principle is also applicable to our contemporary context. When a believer bring another fellow believer to a civil court to seek for justice, it does not only reflect badly on the Christian image of the two parties, but, it also tarnishes the image of the church as a whole for being incapable of resolving internal disputes and crisis. Our testimony and call as “peacemaker” (Matt 5:9) are also at stake in a litigation process since litigation itself is a legal process that show the failure to attain a peaceful and amicable solution to a dispute.
Therefore, in understanding the consequences, litigation between a Christian and a fellow believer is definitely harmful for both individual and the church as a whole. I strongly feel that some how or rather the Church government has also failed in its duty to uphold justice and to play the mediator’s role in resolving disputes and misunderstanding between two believers. When there is a dispute or some major friction between the members, the church leadership and the Pastor must step up to the occasion to intervene and resolve the matter amicably. This will to certain extent avoid any of the grieve parties from seeking justice elsewhere (civil court in this context).
At the same time, the passage of 1 Corinthians 6: 1-8 should also be taught in our churches that the people will realize that bringing our disputes (between two believers) to a civil courts will not do any good for the body of Christ as a whole. In addition to that, this also disqualifies the church’s vital role and contribution as a channel of God’s peace and love to this fallen world. Therefore, in the light of this passage, every forms of litigation between two believers must be strongly discouraged or rather prohibited. In saying that we must also bear in mind that this passage does not deal with how Christians should respond when pagans (unbelievers) defraud or sues them in a civil court. This may be a more complicated issue, which should be studied base on case by case. However, we should always remind Christians to participate in any form of public litigation only as a last resort – even if the defendant is an unbeliever.

Can I divorce my unbelieving spouse?

Divorce is a crucial issue that the church today is struggling with. The biblical view of the issue is often referred to Jesus’ teaching in the gospel where He makes a clear distinction that divorce is only sanctioned if there is ‘sexual immorality’ in marriage. Jesus’ teaching on this matter is clear, however, the issue that I am struggling with is the problem of divorce that threatens marriages due to one of the spouse converting to Christian faith. When Jesus dealt with the matter of divorce, He referred primarily to Jewish couples who were married under the Old Testament law. So, the passage of 1 Cor 7: 10-15 is the best reference for me to draw out the biblical principles of divorce in such circumstances. There are times when new believers in Christ would want to press for a divorce from their “unbelieving” spouse simply because they are seen as a hindrance for their faith in Christ Jesus. In these circumstances, many choose to dissolve the marriage on the ground of incompatibility – some even choose to remarry. There are also cases where the Christian spouses are abused psychically and mentally by their non-Christian spouse for embracing Christ. As a pastor to the new converts, I really struggle to advise them on their marital problem that is closely related to their faith. By principle I understand that marriage should only be dissolved by death, however, in difficult situations where the faith of a new convert being affected by the continuance of their marriage to unbelieving spouse, I struggle to render my pastoral advice.

Paul in 1 Cor 7: 10- 15 dealt with the issue of divorce in the case of mixed marriages where one of the spouses becomes a Christian and the other one remains in other faith. The new converts ask Paul with genuine concern, if they have left behind the old life and become a new creation in Christ; does not their relationship with their unbelieving, unrepentant spouse and their entire home atmosphere threaten to pollute and to corrode their purity as one who belongs to Christ? By principle, Paul echoes to the command of Christ that husband and wife must not separate, because the Lord himself forbids it. The Corinthians lived under Roman law where the men and women could divorce their spouse by separating from them, by sending them away or moving out of the home. Thus, it was legally and socially all right for a person who was once an “unbeliever” but now becomes a Christian to divorce his or her unbelieving spouse. Paul makes a very clear distinction that the marriage between a new Christian and his or her spouse who is still an unbeliever remains valid although one of them becomes a Christian. This means that the believing spouse (Christian) should not do anything to cause the unbelieving spouse (non-Christian) to leave him or her. Divergence of faith alone is not sufficient reason for a believer to separate himself from an unbelieving spouse. In fact, in reading verse 14, Paul argues that when the marriage remains intact, the faith of the believing spouse would “sanctify” the unbelieving partner and gives a hope and prospect of winning the unbelieving partner to Jesus Christ.However, in verse 15, Paul talks about the possibilities of the unbelieving spouse divorcing the Christian spouse. When this happens, the believing spouse can do nothing to prevent the unbelieving spouse to divorce them, because the continuance of the marriage depends entirely on the consent of the nonbeliever, since the Christian has no ground for initiating divorce. In this situation the grieve party who is a Christian is not guilty of the separation and are considered as suffering for the righteousness sake. Thus, in understanding the issue in its context, it is best understood that Paul does not permit divorce on the ground of incompatibility; the believer is to do everything in his or her power to make the marriage work. Nevertheless, if the other spouse ends the marriage, then, the believer is not to be blamed for the divorce. In understanding Paul’s advise to the Corinthians, I am convinced that the same principle is very much applicable to new converts in our contemporary context. I believe that marriage between a believer and their “unbelieving” spouse can and should only be dissolved if the “unbelieving” spouse chose to divorce the Christian spouse. However, it is the responsibility of the believer at any cost to make the marriage work despite all differences and difficulties. Thus, the new convert of faith cannot dissolve the existing marriage with their unbelieving spouse because of divergence. The marriage covenant remains intact and valid though one of them has received a new faith. Though at times situations may seem to be out of proportion when the “unbelieving” spouse hinders the Christian spouse from attending church gatherings and literally practicing Christianity, the Christian partner should endure hardship by continuously living with their unbelieving spouse with the hope of saving their souls from eternal destruction. Paul reminds the Corinthians in verse 14, that as long the marriage covenant is not broken through divorce, the unbelieving spouse and their children will me made holy because of the new convert. However, when the unbelieving spouse decides to dissolve the marriage, I believe that the Christian spouse should rightfully respect the choice of the unbelieving spouse to be separated through divorce. In this circumstances, the new convert is not guilty of dissolving the marriage providing that they (the new convert) has done everything possible to maintain the marriage.

** I wrote this paper in my seminary and got an A- for it. So, i thought it will be useful for the those ministers who will be or facing similar problem in their congregation :-).....

Who is clever? Teacher or student?

I got this joke from a friend. I thought it would be nice to be posted on my blog. The moral of the story is NEVER underestimate your teachers.

One Night 4 College Students Were Playing Till Late Night And Didn't Study For The Test Which Was Scheduled For The Next Day.

In the morning they thought of a plan. They made themselves look as dirty and weird with grease and dirt. They then went up to the Dean and said that they had gone out to a wedding last night and on their return the tyre of their car burst and they had to push the car!
all the way back and that they were in no condition to appear for the test. So the Dean said they can have the re-test after 3 days.

They thanked him and said they will be ready by that time. On the third day they appeared before the Dean.

The Dean said that as this was a Special Condition Test, all four were required to sit in seperate classrooms for the test. They all agreed as they had prepared well in the last 3 days.

The Test consisted of 2 questions with the total of 100 Marks.

Q.1. Your Name........ ......... ........( 2 MARKS )

Q.2. Which tyre burst ?........... ....( 98 MARKS )

a) Front Left

b) Front Right

c) Back Left

d) Back Right .....!!!

In His Ministry........

"When God calls you, He enables you and sees you through" Warren Wiersbe.

In reflecting upon Wiersbe's words, i realise that these words are very true indeed. I see this happening all through out in my own faith journey. When i first committed myself for the full time ministry in 2003, i was actually overwhelmed by many insecure feelings. Financial insecurity, friendship, family etc...etc. But, now as i look back, i realise that God has always been there, sustaining me and providing all my needs. I can proudly claim that I lack no good in serving the Almighty God.

When i enrolled into STM for my theological studies in 2005, i was shocked by the academy requirements of the seminary. Even in the very first semester i wanted to call it a quit. I really thought i wont be able to cope and i will not gratuate with a M.Div. That was when i told my wife to pack our bags and leave Seremban. But, somehow she manage to convince me to stay on. That was the time i really went to the Lord with a broken spirit and a contrite heart. Cried out to Him, desperately wanting to know His Will for my life. I really thought i was not in the center of His Will....until......He spoke to me clearly that night. The Lord gave me a clear sign or rather a promise. He showed me 3 numbers. It was 3.33 and He told me that "He will see me through" and i will gratuate from STM with 3.33 as my final CGPA.

Days past, semesters after semesters my grades improved....but it was kind of far for the promise. In fact there were times i made fun of the "promise" that the Lord made and i told him synically that "i am not in the center of His Will". When i collected the results of my second last semester (3rd year / 1st semester), i laughed aloud because my CGPA was 3.32. I thought that would be the best that i can do....and it is merely impossible for me to do better in the final semester with many difficult courses that i was taking + my thesis that was 'hanging on the air'.

Finally, i completed all the academy requirements (passed all my papers and my thesis). I left happily to Philipines for the ACT 3 Conference. When i came back from Philipines, i went up to the Academy Office to check my results. The staff told me that i have cleared all my paper and now i can gratuate. I insisted for my transcript.........my final CGPA was 3.33. I just broke down when i saw my grades. I realised how real my God is. Finally all my doubts are cleared - I am sure that i am in the center of God's will. Praise God. I also realised that "when God calls us, He enables us and sees us through". This have also eliminated many of my fears of the future. Because the One who have called me is more than faithful in sustaining me and using me for His glory. AMEN.

Time of preparation......

The whole of November and December 2007 is suppose to be a holiday for me or rather a break from all ministerial commitments. In fact, this period of 2 months is a privilege that all TAC graduands enjoys upon their graduation. As for me this is a great time for preparation. A time for me to prepare myself and family for the future ministry. A time for me to set things right with God and man. A time for me to catch up with my family and friends. Basically, this is the ideal time for myself and my family to do whatever we want.

As a part of my personal preparation, i have schedulled to complete reading the whole Bible in this 2 months. I know i am lagging back in the schedule...but somehow i will catch up with it.

Other than that I have been introduced with a book authored by Warren Wiersbe, On Being a Servant of God. I think this is an excellent book for those who are in ministry and those who are praparing for God's ministry. Both for lay and clergy.

One pointer that caught my eyes as i was reading this morning was: "in ministry you must be yourself". Generally, we often try to immitate others or 'the greats' in our Christian ministry. When we give too much of attention in immitating others, we tend to lose focus on our call and the way God wants us to minister. In fact, we are unique in what we are and what we can do, and God doesn't want us to destroy that uniqueness that he has given us by trying to be somebody else. That does not mean we should not admire others, in fact there's nothing wrong with appreciating God's special servants and being inspired and instructed by them. But, in doing so, we should not destroy our own distinctive ministry.

I am glad that i was introduced to this book by a very dear aunt of mine back in my hometown. I may be reflecting more on the interesting pointers that i discover as i read this book in my coming entries. Stay connected guys.

Cheers.

Being Thankful

There are indeed many reasons why one should be thankful. As for me, i also have many reasons to thank God and many people around me. Though this year have been a very stressfull one for me, as i look back, i noticed that there are multitude of things that i must be thankful for. Among them:-

• My family (wife and baby), my wonderful mother, my supportive brothers and their respective families, my sister and her family for all their support, words of encouragement and the joy that they have brought into my life.
• My good friends who have journeyed together with me in STM, and back home in Banting.
• My dear friend Pastors and my field education supervisors for their prayers and words of encouragement.
• My lecturers in STM who have ignited the passion for theological studies in me. Also for those lecturers who have been very pastoral in relating to me.
• My thesis supervisor and reader for approving my thesis.
• My friends and church members who were present during my graduation. Their presence itself was a pillar of strenght for me.

Well. the list can go on and on. In fact, we, as children of God should always be thankful to God and the people around us. God uses people to meet into our many needs, thus, we must also be thankful for the people who have availed themselves to be used by God as an instrument in meeting us and our needs.

Finally, we as a family would like to thank all of you for praying for Jessie's transfer. Praise God, she has already got her transfer to Perak. I just checked it online. Thanks again for all your support and prayer. May God richly bless all of you.

Friendship.......

Friends give each other emotional support by demonstrating care and affection. They also provide guidance during times of decision-making. Friends give help by meeting practical needs, such as loaning a car, cooking a meal, or taking care of a dog while a friend's on vacation. Psychologists have hypothesized that friends are actually coping mechanisms; by providing companionship and resources, friends alleviate stress in a person's life.

There are cultural differences in the way friends are viewed across the world. In cultures that value familial network, such as the Asian culture, the function and role of a friend are often found within the family structure, and friendships are not given the same weight of importance as in another culture. There are also varying definitions as to what constitutes a friend. Someone might call another person "friend" because they have mutual interests and activities, while another person considers a friend someone he shares similar attitudes, values, and beliefs.

But have you ever wondered what happens when good friendship turns out to be bad? Let me tell you, it is very painful. Especially when the friends that you trust and shared your minds out betrays you. What more when they falsely accuse you of saying the things that you have not said. Or even passes bad remarks about you with the intention to damage your reputation. I was just puzzled when all this happened to me. I just can’t believe it. I really wonder what was the intention and why should a ‘good friendship’ end up like this. I thought good friends can sit around a table and work out their differences. They can even admonish each other and further grow in the friendship. But why must there be betrayal in friendship? Why must friends go extra miles to hurt their friends by slandering and tarnishing their name? I have no answers to all these questions. But I believe, that in all that we go through, God is indeed teaching us something. I’m not sure what is He teaching me right now….but I think I just need to trust Him more than any human being…for He is my best friend who will never betray me nor harm me. I can count on His friendship.

Thank you Jesus for being a good friend of mine especially when others fail me. Amen.

Friendship.......

Friends give each other emotional support by demonstrating care and affection. They also provide guidance during times of decision-making. Friends give help by meeting practical needs, such as loaning a car, cooking a meal, or taking care of a dog while a friend's on vacation. Psychologists have hypothesized that friends are actually coping mechanisms; by providing companionship and resources, friends alleviate stress in a person's life.

There are cultural differences in the way friends are viewed across the world. In cultures that value familial network, such as the Asian culture, the function and role of a friend are often found within the family structure, and friendships are not given the same weight of importance as in another culture. There are also varying definitions as to what constitutes a friend. Someone might call another person "friend" because they have mutual interests and activities, while another person considers a friend someone he shares similar attitudes, values, and beliefs.

But have you ever wondered what happens when good friendship turns out to be bad? Let me tell you, it is very painful. Especially when the friends that you trust and shared your minds out betrays you. What more when they falsely accuse you of saying the things that you have not said. Or even passes bad remarks about you with the intention to damage your reputation. I was just puzzled when all this happened to me. I just can’t believe it. I really wonder what was the intention and why should a ‘good friendship’ end up like this. I thought good friends can sit around a table and work out their differences. They can even admonish each other and further grow in the friendship. But why must there be betrayal in friendship? Why must friends go extra miles to hurt their friends by slandering and tarnishing their name? I have no answers to all these questions. But I believe, that in all that we go through, God is indeed teaching us something. I’m not sure what is He teaching me right now….but I think I just need to trust Him more than any human being…for He is my best friend who will never betray me nor harm me. I can count on His friendship.

Thank you Jesus for being a good friend of mine especially when others fail me. Amen.