It was 2 November 2009, the first time since the establishment of two national Churches in Malaysia and Singapore that the Lutheran Church in Singapore is represented in the Mission Partners’ Consultation in Malaysia. One of the partners drew our attention to the significance of this and wondered what took us so long.

I responded with a clarification and an apology. I explained that the decision to separate was not because of conflict or dissatisfaction but rather in response to changing environment and government policies between the two nations that made it difficult for the Church to operate as one entity. I saw the reasons of our not working together in God’s missions as two fold. The first being the decision to divide the mission fields between the two Churches rather than remaining as partners in our missions. This resulted in our not having the platform to work together. The second reason, according to my understanding was that in the process of establishing the two national Church, there were some misunderstandings and unhappiness on both sides. I believe that what is important is not who is more right or who is more wrong but rather are we willing to forgive and accept one another. I then, in my capacity as Bishop of the Lutheran Church in Singapore apologized for words spoken and things done by us that had contributed to those misunderstandings and unhappiness.

In response to that, the Bishop Philip Lok stood up and said. “I don’t think I can respond to that sitting down.” He walked towards me and gave me a hug.

Since taking office in May 2009, I had visited the Chicago office of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America at their invitation to discuss our future partnership and cooperation. I had organized the pastors into 4 pastoral care groups and we met monthly. I had participated in strategic planning retreat of two of our congregations. I had visited our ministry in Cambodia with Dr. William Chang in August. I had chaired the Executive Council meetings, the Board meetings of the Lutheran Community Care Services, the Board meetings of the Lutheran World Missions.

I was blessed with the opportunity to give a presentation at the National General Synod Convention of the Lutheran Church of Australia in early October. The visit also allowed me to discuss possible future projects and ministries that we can do together. I also had the opportunity to discuss with Dr. Mak of Chinese Rhenish Church of Hong Kong about partnership for the Lutheran World Missions and met with Ms. Ulla-Maya of Finnish Evangelical Lutheran Missions regarding the MOU of our partnership.

When I looked at all that God done in our Church, none was as significant as the entering into partnership with the Lutheran Church in Malaysia for God’s Missions. It brought to mind the words of Ted Kober in his book, “Confession and Forgiveness: Professing Faith as Ambassadors of Reconciliation”:

“Leaders in Christ’s church enjoy the privilege and bear a responsibility to equip other saints as ambassadors of reconciliation. They disciple God’s children through preaching and teaching, by mediating disputes among believers and encouraging them to be reconciled to one another, and by managing the congregation’s organizational affairs in a way that is consistent with God’s ministry of reconciliation.”

Finally, as we celebrate Christmas and the New Year, let us not forget the reason of Christ’s coming into the world is to reconcile man to God and to each other. May God grant you a joyous Christmas and a blessed New Year.

~ Bishop Terry Kee