{"id":18519,"date":"2019-11-17T15:37:07","date_gmt":"2019-11-17T07:37:07","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/scaccmm.sarawakmethodist.org\/?p=18519"},"modified":"2019-11-17T15:37:07","modified_gmt":"2019-11-17T07:37:07","slug":"episcopal-pastoral-letter-the-general-election-14","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/scaccmm.sarawakmethodist.org\/new\/?p=18519","title":{"rendered":"Episcopal Pastoral Letter: The General Election 14"},"content":{"rendered":"

To All in the Methodist Family in Malaysia<\/strong><\/p>\n

Warm greetings.<\/p>\n

Once again it is time for all Malaysian citizens to go to the polls come 9 May 2018. The people of God in this
\ncountry have been covering our beloved land with unceasing prayer and seeking that this most important, strategic and historic moment – will be a blessing to our beloved nation.<\/p>\n

We call to mind some important truths from the Word of God, as to God\u2019s sovereignty, and the type of governance leadership that will shape well our national culture and form our shared future:
\nRomans 11:36 For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To him be glory for ever. Amen.
\nDaniel 2:21 He controls the course of world events; he removes kings and sets up other kings….
\nRomans 13:4 The authorities are God\u2019s servants, sent for your good….
\nProverbs 14:34 Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people.<\/p>\n

On a personal level….each of us<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Must be determined and undeterred by timing, inconvenient circumstances, attempts at foul play, unethical and repugnant corruptible practices \u2013 and make sure that we cast our individual vote;
\nSeek God and be discerning in casting your vote: looking for the candidate that is wise, just, honest,
\ncompassionate and righteous – that would sincerely serve the people and committedly deepen their welfare, uphold the rule of law, honour the Federal Constitution and courageously act to unite the people of Malaysia.
\nHelp to enable others to cast their votes such as sharing transport, directions, ascertaining polling information\/ centers etc;
\nSign up\/ register as polling and counting agents as we contribute to a \u201cclean and fair election\u201d and bless this beloved nation of ours.<\/p>\n

On a community level… each church to<\/span><\/strong>
\nPray, remind and announce<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Announce\/remind and offer a specific prayer and the reminder to vote – at our Sunday Services [15, 22 & 29 April and 6 May], small group gatherings and other regular meetings of the church.
\nOrganise prayer and fasting – for individuals and the congregation; organise\/join\/ invite other churches and
\ncongregations in your area for a common time of prayer for GE14.
\nIntercessions: let us all pray for peace, fairness and orderliness for the run-up to the elections; integrity, transparency and propriety of the electoral\/polling process by all involved governmental agencies and political parties; and for God\u2019s sovereign providential outcome, for national harmony, unity and an effective Government thereafter.<\/p>\n

Make practical arrangements<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Arrange carpooling, transport for those isolated, infirmed and elderly; making available resources to help
\nthose in need so as to be able to fulfil their responsibility of casting their votes.
\nWhere needed, readily provide sufficient\/ additional unrecorded leave for the church pastor[s], ministry and administrative staff so that they can go to the polls [even though May 2018 is a public holiday].
\nLet us take to heart the words of wisdom from two God-fearing men with proven fruitful lives.<\/p>\n

Billy Graham said: \u201cIn a world that might say one vote doesn\u2019t matter…, it does matter because each person is of infinite worth and value to God…Your vote is a declaration of importance as a person and a citizen.\u201d<\/p>\n

Abraham Lincoln declared: \u201cMy concern is not whether God is on our side; my greatest concern is to be on God\u2019s side, for God is always right.\u201d<\/p>\n

Let us not take our eyes off the Highest Authority, Almighty God, as we pray for the high cause of the election of those who will guide the future of this beloved nation of ours \u2013 at federal and state levels. Let the Methodist Churches unite with other churches and congregations locally to pray fervently and act conscientiously \u2013 during this GE14.<\/p>\n

Hebrews 13:20 \u201cNow may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, 21 equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen\u201d.<\/p>\n

May Almighty God bless Malaysia.<\/p>\n

Bishop Ong Hwai Teik<\/span><\/strong>
\nThe Methodist Church in Malaysia<\/span><\/strong>
\n11 April 2018<\/span><\/strong><\/h6>\n

. . . A Reminder . . .<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Please take note of the Aug 2010 binding Decision of General Conference Executive Council of The Methodist Church in Malaysia –<\/p>\n

\u201cThat the GCEC resolves that no Methodist church should apply for or receive government grants, irrespective of the party in power, in the period between the nomination date of any election to the polling date of the same. Given the present socio-political context, this will send a clear signal to everyone that the church is non-partisan. More importantly, it will make clear that the Methodist Church does not condone actions that are or can be perceived as being related to money politics.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

To All in the Methodist Family in Malaysia Warm greetings. Once again it is time for all Malaysian citizens to go to the polls come 9 May 2018. The people of God in this country have been covering our beloved land with unceasing prayer and seeking that this most important, strategic and historic moment – […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":48980,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[183,192,10],"tags":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/scaccmm.sarawakmethodist.org\/new\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18519"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/scaccmm.sarawakmethodist.org\/new\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/scaccmm.sarawakmethodist.org\/new\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/scaccmm.sarawakmethodist.org\/new\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/scaccmm.sarawakmethodist.org\/new\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=18519"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/scaccmm.sarawakmethodist.org\/new\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18519\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/scaccmm.sarawakmethodist.org\/new\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/48980"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/scaccmm.sarawakmethodist.org\/new\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=18519"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/scaccmm.sarawakmethodist.org\/new\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=18519"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/scaccmm.sarawakmethodist.org\/new\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=18519"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}