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Mental Illness and the Challenge to the Church

Dates: Sept 21 - Depression, Panic and Anxiety

Sept 28 - Mental Illness or Spiritual Bondage?

Oct 12 - Gender Identity

Duration: 2:00 - 4:30 pm (2.5 hrs)

Venue: Bethel Auditorium

The church is called to minister God’s mercy to those in need. How can we come alongside those in our midst who suffer, or care for those who suffer, from mental illness? Come hear from pastors, medical professionals and caregivers as we engage with the following topics through a panel discussion and testimonies. More information on specific seminars can be found below.

You may register for any number of seminars at the Info Desk or send email to ce@sjsm.org.sg

21 September | Depression, Panic and Anxiety

This session will cover -

• the diagnoses and treatment for depression, panic disorder, ADHD and personality disorder.

• challenges caregivers and the church community face in caring for sufferers.

• what the Church can do for these sufferers and other available resources.

Panelists: Gwen, Shelwyn, Ps Rick Toh, Jared Goh

28 September | Mental Illness or Spiritual Bondage?

In this session, we will consider –

• the diagnoses and treatment for Bipolar disorder, Schizophrenia, Drug-related psychosis, Delusional Disorder and some rarer conditions e.g. Trance states.

• the challenge of differentiating between mental illness and spiritual bondage.

• the role of the church community.

Panelists: Gwen, Shelwyn, Ps Daniel Teo, Wei Liang

12 October | Gender and Sexuality

In this session, we will address –

• related terminology and theories of development.

• current diagnoses and treatment – is it a disorder?

• the differences between the Biblical and secular perspectives, and how the Church can respond in truth and love.

Panelists: Gwen, Shelwyn, Ps Ben Lee, Edward and Nga Woon

(Dr. Chan Lai Gwen is a psychiatrist with Tan Tock Seng Hospital. Shelwyn Tay is a clinical psychologist in private practice. Pastor Rick Toh is the Lead Pastor at Yio Chu Kang Chapel. Rev Daniel Teo is a pastor in SJSM. Pastor Ben Lee is a senior pastor at RiverLife Church. Jared Goh is from Caregiver Alliance. Wei Liang is an educator whose family member has a mental illness. Edward and Nga Woon are parents)

FORMAT OF SEMINARS

A panel of speakers will share their perspectives on the issues presented in case studies. There will also be a time for Q&A

Why Israel - And Why Does It Matter?

Dates: Sept 17 & 18

Duration: 7:30 - 9:30 pm (2 hrs)

Venue: Bethel Auditorium

Instructor: Dr David Miller

For enquiries and registration: Please send email to Poh Geok at ce@sjsm.org.sg

About the course:

The Bible reveals the character of God--who he is and how he works. Central to that revelation is God's relationship with Israel, which is often misunderstood and mischaracterized. The two-night seminar will focus on how to read the scripture as one story in light of God's relationship with Israel, gaining deeper insight into who God is and how works throughout the ages and in our own lives.

About the Instructor:

Dr David Miller holds a doctorate in biblical literature and a licensed Israeli guide since 1986. He is a biblical seminar teacher, former university lecturer and former missionary to Kenya and South Sudan. Since January 2019, he and his wife have been based in Bangkok to develop a leadership training program for the diocese of Singapore, particularly in our mission deaneries.

Old Testament Survey

Dates: 17, 24, 31 Aug; 7, 14 Sept

Duration: 2:00 - 4:00 pm (2 hrs)

Venue: Room C205

Instructor: Dr Mary Tay

For enquiries and registration: Please send email to Poh Geok at ce@sjsm.org.sg

Course requirement: Participants are required to read the entire Old Testament at least once before class.

About the Course:

This course will provide a brief overview of all the Old Testament books. It will begin by covering five foundational questions about the Old Testament. Then there will be a quick overview in the following order: the Pentateuch (Genesis-Deuteronomy), and the Historical books (Joshua-Esther), the Poetical books (Job-Song of Songs), the Major Prophets (Isaiah-Daniel) and the the Minor Prophets (Hosea-Malachi). The primary focus will be on the setting, literary structure, main themes and general content of each

book. To help us apply God’s Word, there will be questions for personal reflection.

About the Instructor:

Dr Mary W J Tay has a Ph.D. in linguistics from Edinburgh and an M.Div (with the Board of Governors’ Prize for Overall Proficiency and Prize for Theology) from Regent College. In 1989, at the peak of her career as a university professor in NUS, the Lord called her into the full-time Christian ministry and she has been serving Him ever since in various capacities – as full time missionary with OMF, and in preaching, and teaching the Bible in various churches in Singapore. She is an experienced language instructor who has taught different languages to hundreds of missionaries. She worships in SJSM and is an adjunct faculty at Bethany International University (a.k.a. Bethany School of Missions) where she teaches Hebrew and Greek. She has written three books in her retirement: How to Read the Bible, The Single’s Connection, and Grace and Gratitude.