Three weeks have passed quickly, and I have not written. I cannot say I was busy. Uninspired. Lethargic. Not sure. Perhaps I had nothing substantial to say. But isn’t this the beauty of blogging? Some write scholarly, theological, or highly practical stuff that offers analysis and insights to doctrinal and practical issues and challenges faced by Christians and the church at large. I find these great matters too difficult for my limited knowledge and ability. However, I can write personal reflections and share a slice of my life and activities. I remind myself to put these five loaves and two fish in God’s hands, and it will be enough.

CHRISTIAN POPULATION DECLINE

Recently, there has been concern about the decline in the Christian population. The General Household Survey 2025 shows a 1.8% decline in the overall percentage of Christians (Protestants and Catholics combined) from 18.9% to 17.1%. This dip is startling because for 40 years there had been steady growth in the Christian population. The affiliation had decreased, which meant the overall dip was mainly due to the Protestant population, which fell from 11.9% to 9.5%.

This rang the alarm bells for many church leaders. Many have analysed the statistics and data to understand the causes of the dip and, based on the causes, come up with recommendations of strategies to counter them. As it is, there is nothing new under the sun. The recommendations will lead to another season of hyper-activity in concerned churches. That is what the Singapore church is known for. We can analyse, strategise solutions, and develop a master plan with an efficiency that Goh Keng Swee would be proud of.

Try as I would, I simply could not wrap my head around the data. It’s beyond me. I have my limits. It would be great if we knew who the people were who changed their affiliation away from Christianity, and conducted a survey. That would be more accurate and eliminate inferences from inadequate data and subjective anecdotal experience.

If only pastors could do what Nehemiah did. He was so struck with grief over the news of Jerusalem’s sad state that he mourned, fasted and prayed. As he did that, the LORD laid on his heart the burden and vision to rebuild what had fallen, and granted him favour before the king to fulfil his vision for rebuilding Jerusalem.

The pastor with an Arminian perspective will want to respond responsibly with initiative, plan and action. They cannot sit still in the face of decline. The pastor with a Calvinist perspective will be calmer. He will ponder and wonder whether this is perhaps God’s sovereignty at work. After all Jesus said, “Every plant that My heavenly Father did not plant will be uprooted” and of those who would follow Him, “I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of My hand.” The wisest thing either pastors can to do is to follow Nehemiah: pray, wait patiently, discern before taking action.

MASSIVE FLOODING, MASSIVE LOSS OF LIVES

I have been in Nepal before: hiking and missions. Beautiful mountains, ugly city. Great scenery and wonderful to hike. Like New Zealand on the cheap. But the people of Nepal have gone through successive political and natural disasters. The last major earthquake in Nepal was in 2015. It claimed about 9,000 lives, destroyed infrastructure, and thousands of homes and buildings. Before these wounds could be fully healed from that natural disaster, another has struck Nepal.

A pastor told me, “I was there helping on the frontlines during that earthquake. This is worse!” On 8 September, the death toll was estimated at 1,357, with 5,326 missing. Not as bad as the earthquake. But what the pastor meant was the emotional impact on the ground was more profound, the wounds deeper. I was glad my home church raised funds for this.

BY5 & SERMON PREPARATION

I have been occupied with sermon preparation for an Exodus series. Pastor Tom Cannon’s plan was for him to preach three, and I would do the remaining three. The assignment was given in January 2026. This gave me ample time to prepare early. I read Exodus ahead of schedule. Studied the pertinent chapters. Reflected on the truths. Let the Lord form the central truth of the sermons. Come up with an outline. All the time asking and trusting God’s guidance and inspiration. It’s a collaboration with the Lord. We work on them together, with me praying for help to glorify Him and strengthen the church through preaching.

It helps that the English congregation have been studying the Bible together to cover the whole Bible in five years. This program is called BY5. Great idea: a cure for Bible illiteracy. The members use a reading guide with inductive questions. The cell groups discuss and apply truths they discovered, and the pulpit expounds the significant texts of each book in a sermon series. For example, when I preached on the Ten Commandments on Sunday, the members may have already read and discussed it in the cell group, or will soon do so.

It also helps that I am retired and have more time to devote to this. I find preparation is also unhampered by all the other responsibilities, meetings and burdens of pastoral work. Yes, I enjoy preaching more now that I have retired than when I was a pastor with additional burdens and responsibilities.

REV DR TONY SIEW

I cannot say I know Rev Dr Tony Siew well. But I have a fondness and respect for him. I first got to know him through his blog. Then, when he lectured at Trinity Theological College, we had a few meals together. Later he returned to Sabah to minister in churches and Bible Schools there. I know him as a holy person, completely set apart to finish the work God has assigned him. He writes and speaks with conviction, insights and courage. I respect him. I reviewed his book HERE, one of many that he has written.

Last week, when Ps Mary told me that he went home to the Lord, I could not accept it, for he was younger than me. I sat stunned. I checked with Google. It was true. He passed away in July 2026, and now it’s September. I felt sorrow that the Sabah church has lost a man of God, a pastor-teacher who loved the church and poured out his life like a drink offering to the Lord. May he receive the only thing he lived for: “Well done thou good and faithful servant. Enter into the joy of the Lord”. Rest in peace, Tony.