Refreshed!

got back fresh from the Young Methodist Leaders Conference yesterday. The conference was an eye-opener for me. At times was a bit too cheem, since i'm not really grounded in the Word, and i'm still a baby Christian. (stagnant growth... :( ) I've been advised to blog about the conference, what I've learnt, gleaned on and stuff. So I've decided to do that. So bear with me...

8/9 (Thurs)
Met Xian and Wendy at Bt Timah mkt for breakfast. Was surprised all the major expressways were still jammed at 9am, even during the school hols. maybe parents are going to work later, since they don't need to send their kids to school... heh..

Set off to Woodlands Checkpoint at abt 9.45am, thanks to a lift from Wendy. Thank God traffic was smooth, cleared immigration quite fast too. Was almost lost getting into Eden Garden Hotel - apparently the map not very clear... :( the worded instructions weren't that clear either. but somehow we managed to turn off at the right exit. Really, God has given us journey mercy!

Was late for the conference tho... found out we were the last group to check in. think this will bring a rather bad name to LWMC... (sorry, Pastors!) was overwhelmed to see so many ppl! (think slightly less than 240 ppl!) And many many young ppl! Saw a lot of AC Alumni Choir ppl - from my group, there was Yong Zhi ('01) and Andrew ('02). Also saw May ('02), Caroline ('98) and a current J2 Ian Tatt. I'm one of the oldest in the group, the rest of them being in their early 20s. *i feel old*.

Opening service: TRAC President Rev Wee Boon Hup spoke on 1 Cor 13 - the famous Love chapter. Spoke that "love is the primary source of character", and that the 3 things that last are faith, hope and love, which is above all else.

Key verse during the conference is Phil 3:1-16. During the night service, Rev Wee spoke about problems of the flesh in our lives and how it can hinder us to do God's Work.

Had the most talked-about Ramly Burger for supper. sedap! :)

9/9 (Fri)
Opening service: Mr. Steven Seow from Toa Payoh MC talked about leadership and service, drawing reference to Matt 22: 37-39. He apparently was the LCEC chairman, but has stepped down recently. Almost similar message to Rev Wee's message during the opening service yesterday. This then led to a good discussion in our mentor groups, and my group talked about submission - where to tow the line.

Rev Malcolm Tan (BRMC) gave a very informative message on the Methodist Distinctives. He was very clear. Despite not having any powerpoint slides, i still managed to take down all the notes. that's how clear he was...! this one, i felt, was information overload. wondered how the younger members took to it. this definitely needs a lot of reading up and digesting, which i will (try to) find the time to do...

Pastor K came during the free time and treated us to cheesecake. Thereafter, each of us "signed" a 10-year contract with Pastor. (It was 40 years for those who attended previously... so I think we zuan4 dao4! :) )

Night service: talking on the Phil 3:1-16 passage again, Rev Wee talked about what it means to gain Christ the Anointed One. In his words, "Leaders of tomorrow must know the Anointed One and His Anointing, and the benefits/costs of that relationship, and how to draw upon and move in that same anointing".

10/9 (Sat)
Had a very educational message by Rev Lorna Khoo. Talked about the works of John and Charles Wesley and how Methodism is formed. Similar to what Pastor K covered during my baptism and membership classes earlier this year. But she brought about one point which I've learnt: Sanctification comes after Justification of faith. all these are still over my head - can't really appreciate it when pastors use these kinda big words, but I know I have to know the meaning of these words...

Rev Kow Shih Ming and David Ho (BRMC) next shard about the Methodist Ministry, the steps to take if we ever decide to pastor a church. Something which I don't I've the calling yet, but definitely very insightful. At least it answered my curiousity.

Closing service: Rev Wee spoke on the "discipline in worshipping God, even though it goes against the flesh". had Holy Communion on very tasty bread. :)

Reached singapore at about 5.30pm, with a super massive jam at the singapore checkpoint. but instead of going home, i went for alumni gathering back in college, and thereafter for KOK with church friends. reached home at 1.30am. shack, but refreshed. but have totally NO discpline to do work... :(