Community Work

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Community Work

Forum: Theological Expressions
Re:

My Cell Group Experience (Wahshing)
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hello Wah shing (SL)
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insightful (Royston Ong)
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Hello Royston (SL)
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Take your time (Royston Ong)
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To Royston: (SL)
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same old story ? (Wahshing)
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prophesy (SL)
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remembering the good... (Wahshing)
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Was TCS the first to move into community action? (Royston Ong)
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Royston: about community services (SL)
Date: 2001, Aug 24
From: Royston Ong godwithus

Hi SK, Wah Shing, Thanks for sharing. In answer to the listed query by SK: "Was there an agenda to evangelize or to seek new converts thru the community efforts ? From what I know (and this may or may not have changed in recent times), TCS explicitly prohibits its workers from seeking new converts. It aims to provide service without any strings attached and with no expectation of any conversion to Christ from those who receive the services of TCS. It also has no qualms about recruiting even the unbelievers to join the team if they are suited for the task. Some of my friends from other churches were quite scandalized by this approached. really would like to your comments on this." Most of these community works are established by the denominations, as I do not know about other denominations, only know my own, so will base my study primarily from that of Methodism. It is purely run to meet the needs of the community. Most of the time, it functions like a secular community organisation, like you have mentioned staff and patients would probably not be Christian, but it carries the leadership, the direction of Christ-centred living and normally those at the top of this community organistion is a Christian, for they have to report to our Bishop. I think it is a similar set-up with that of TCS, right? Pastor Earnest (not very sure who is in charge) reports to Pastor LK on TCS progress right? Take for example, the missions school, like ACS. Even though we have a bad reputation for being snobbish. Ü Yet, the undercurrent is Christ-centred and about close to 45% are not Christians. Even some of our teachers were not Christians as well. It is part of our way and culture to reach Christ to the nations. I am one such product of my school system, and I really appreciate their efforts, subtle and patient, with me. Hence, be it community work, school system, it is always Christ-centred and the message is spread by the expression of Christ's love to the nations. "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations" Ü yes, maybe people come in as non-Christians, but they go off thinking that there is something different about us and the secular world. If TCS has been having this focus, I say, well and good, they have not gone wrong. On top of that, being in this age and time, it is wise of them to put themselves in the frontline thru exposure of media. Yet they need to remember their roots constantly, that many have gone before them, preparing the way, as John the Baptist prepared the way for Christ's coming. SL, last point you were mentioning on your non-FCBC friends, Ü were they ever involved in community work with those homes? Why not challenge them to look at their own community organisation, and then ask them to get back to you on their findings? Then we will have a more balanced view on this community work issue. Ü After all, this example is slanted towards Methodism, so it is not a fair gauge across all other denominations. God bless, royston