Sparks of Grace: The Story of Methodism in Asia
Sparks of
Grace is the first full-length study of Methodism in Asia. It
has 209 pages, plus a select chronology, and a bibliography of more than
200 books, articles, resource items and internet material on Methodism
(and more generally, Christianity) in Asia.
The book looks
at the sources, human agents, structures and connections involved in the
spread of Methodism in Asia. The first section considers Methodism
as an historical movement with global implications, and examines its institutional
impact on the societies of those Asian countries in which it established
itself. The second section has individual chapters on Sri Lanka,
India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Singapore, Malaysia, The Philippines,
Indonesia, Hong Kong, South Korea and Taiwan, with a section on China before
the communist takeover, and other Methodist presences in Asia.
Keywords: Methodism;
Christianity in Asia; Social Change; Nationalisms; Cultural Politics.
Book Cover
Contents
Acknowledgments
Foreword
Methodism in Asia: A Select Chronology
Section One: Methodism in Asia –
an Overview
1. Methodism in Asia:
Origins, Trajectories, Developments
2. Social Impact, Institutionalisms,
and the Politics of Culture:
A Comparative Overview
Section Two: Country Histories
3. Sri Lanka
4. India
5. Pakistan
6. Bangladesh
7. Myanmar
8. Singapore
9. Malaysia
10. The Philippines
11. Indonesia
12. Hong Kong
13. South Korea
14. Taiwan
15. Other Missions
and Presences
Bibliography
Foreword by Dr Robert Solomon, Bishop, Methodist Church in Singapore
Methodism has been around in Asia for about one hundred and eighty years now. It has found a home in several Asian countries, and in many of these places it has had a significant impact. There are common features if one compares Methodism's story in the many lands of Asia. However, each story also has its own characteristic features, determined by particular histories and personalities. The story of Methodism is like the story of many streams, sometimes joining together into larger rivers, sometimes dividing into branches. The story is a fascinating one indeed. It is time to tell the story, especially from the perspective of the twenty-first century.
The connection of Asian Methodists took a new form when the Fellowship of Asian Methodist Bishops was formed as an informal episcopal gathering in the 1980s. The meetings have been held regularly since then and now take the form of an annual gathering for fellowship and mutual sharing. In one such meeting, held in February 2001 in Malaysia, it was felt that an Asian Methodist Council should be set up as a formal entity to enable Asian Methodist Churches to work together more closely so that the mission of the church can be better accomplished through partnership and connection. This was felt as especially important in the light of global and regional challenges that were emerging as a result of key events and trends that the churches must take note of. After a few more meetings, the Asian Methodist Council was formally established on 15 June 2002 during the First Asian Methodist Convention in Seoul, Korea.
In a Mission Consultation hosted by the Methodist Missions Society of the Methodist Church in Singapore (MCS) in September 2001, various ideas were shared on how Asian Methodists could be brought closer together and how mission work could be done more cooperatively. One of the ideas I shared was the need to produce a history of Asian Methodist Churches in a single volume so that their connection can be recognised and their identity strengthened. This book is the fruition of that idea.
When the idea was shared in the Methodist Message, the monthly publication of MCS, Associate Professor Robbie Goh responded by offering to do research for the book and to write it. I was delighted when he offered his services. Since then he has pursued this project with passion and diligent scholarship. I have been privileged to be part of this venture. We made contact with resource persons in various Methodist Churches in Asia and Assoc. Prof. Goh has done a wonderful job following them up and putting together a large collection of data into the interesting account the reader will find in this book. I want to thank Assoc.Prof. Goh for the effort and sacrifice he has put into this project. He has done a great service to Methodism in Asia.
This book contains not only the individual histories of Methodist Churches in Asia but also a helpful discussion on common themes and challenges. An interesting bird's-eye-view of the mosaic is provided before we look more closely at sections of the mosaic. The book ends with a brief description of emerging missionary enterprises in parts of Asia where Methodism, until recently, had not made its appearance. What is very encouraging is that many of these are led by Asian Methodists.
The title points to God's grace,
an important topic in Methodist doctrine, and a key aspect of Methodist
experience. It is taken from one of Charles Wesley's hymns, "See How Great
a Flame Aspires." For truly the story of Methodism in Asia is the story
of sparks of grace that had lit up spiritual fires of personal and social
holiness in many parts of Asia. It is my conviction that the story has
not ended. And that is the reason for this book. It is a reminder of a
great heritage and a direction for the future. It should benefit pastors,
church leaders, mission leaders, missiologists, historians, theological
students and whoever is interested in missions and the history of Methodism
in Asia. It is to all these friends that we offer this book.
Bishop Dr Robert Solomon
Bishop, Methodist Church in Singapore
To Order:
Sparks of Grace is published by the Methodist Church in Singapore, and is on sale for S$13 (including taxes, but excluding postage and handling). To order, please contact
Mr Peter Teo,
Director, Church and Community
Relations,
The Methodist Church in Singapore
70 Barker Road, Singapore 309936.
Email: pr@methodist.org.sg
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