We believe that the Bible has called us to approach the proselytization of the world holistically, thus holistic missions. this would encompass not only the spreading of the gospel (cross-culturally or locally) but to also include the demonstration of the gospel. Demonstrating the gospel would be taken to mean taking care of the person and his/her immediate needs just as how Jesus Christ attended to the immediate needs of the people - healing the sick, feeding the hungry, helping the poor - before talking about the Kingdom. Other Biblical references (not limited to these few) are from Micah 6:1-8; Isaiah 58; and James 1:26-27. An extension of this taking care of the person would include being aware, making others aware and taking action in issues of social injustices that are occurring in the world today. Hence as Tim Chester in his book says,

“In intergral mission [or holistic missions] our proclammation has social consequences as we call people to love and repentance in all areas of life. And our social involvement has evangelistic consequences as we bear witness to the transforming grace of Jesus Christ. If we ignore the world we betray the Word of God which sends us out to serve the world. If we ignore the Word of God we have nothing to bring to the world. Justice and justification by faith, worship and political action, the spiritual and the material, personal change and structural change belong together. As in the life of Jesus, being, doing and saying are at the heart of our integral task.”

In summary, as a standing committee in VCF, our specific aim is to create awareness, educate, facilitate and stir our Christian brethren and sisters into action for the advancement of His kingdom here on earth.

At the East Asia Regional Conference in Indonesia 2004, VCFers who attended the conference had a burden to be more socially relevant. This burden that was placed in the hearts of the VCFers soon became a conviction and a commitment to make a difference on campus, in society and VCF. A majority of those VCFers that attended the conference were part of the 2005/06 council. Thus, humbly using their positions in council which have been given to them by God, they lobbied for VCF to be socially relevant. The last time VCF had anything related to this area of being socially responsible was the Social Outreach Ministry (SOM) which closed down in 2001/02 due to poor participation and response. The Executive Committee (EXCO) of 2005/06 headed by James Zheng, the chairperson of VCF, committed to look into the issue. Many discussion on social actions were then tabled at council meetings. That year, the EXCO dedicated to understanding more about social actions.

Towards the end of that academic year (2005/06), a proposal was submitted by a council member to the council for the inception of a Social Actions Ad-hoc committee with the objectives of defining its scope and purpose of its existence. The Social Actions Ad-hoc committee was finally formed in May 2006 with three committee members (Brian Tan, Lo Tze Fong, and Darryl Chew), two ex-officios from the EXCO (Ruth Ann Wen and Lin Weili). During the few months as a Ad-hoc committee, a handful of seminars and discussion groups were organized covering issues such as the “World Trade Organization and World Bank’s implications on Singapore”, “Social Actions in the Media”, “Migration and Me”, “NGOs and its missions relevance” “Poverty Walk”, etc. A new topical study on Social Actions was included into the CG Guide, one FT was reserved for the teaching of social actions and activities related to social actions were included in the Annual Teach-in camp.

In January 2007, the Social Actions Ad-hoc committee became a full fledged standing committee after the council, who were convinced and convicted that it was a necessary ministry for VCF as a corporate witness and an arm to address the social needs on campus and in society, voted for its upgrading in status.

After the academic year of 2006/2007, it has come to the attention of the committee that many in VCF do not entirely understand the meaning of “Social Action”. Moreover, many question the ambiguity that this term carries and sought for greater clarification. The aim of explaining the term “Social Action” serves several purposes. Firstly, it aids VCFers in grasp quickly the nature of service of this committee, thus enabling them to decide whether to serve in this committee. Secondly, a clearer picture of what social action means will also help VCF comprehend what is being done to bring about awareness and action towards social relevance.

It is understood that the Social Action Committee is focused on the call of “holistic missions”, which is carried out by “Education and Awareness” and “Taking action”. From the Grand Rapids Report on Evangelism and Social Responsibility: An Evangelical Commitment, three significant points arose that serve to explain “Social Action” further.

Social Action can be seen as a consequence of evangelism

• From Ephesians 2:10, we have been saved by God to do good works that He has prepared for us to do. This is one reason why we are called to be Christians on this earth.
• This is also a good starting point in sharing with freshmen why they should consider serving on the social action committee. They have been saved, but there are many others who do not know the Lord. Hence, engaging in social action gives them the knowledge of what is going on in the world, and better equips people to discuss and debate with the secular world on such issues, in the hope of sharing the gospel with them. In addition, it is about being on the ground and sharing the love of God through activities, like community outreach.

Social Action can be seen as a bridge to evangelism

• Activities that are carried out are seen as opportunities to share the gospel.
• In a way, social action, in stirring awareness and action through seminars and activities, seeks to find windows of opportunity to share or equip VCFers to share the gospel.

Social Action can be seen as a partner to evangelism

• Part of social action is meeting the needs of people, through the activities that have been carried out. It is also about equipping people to understand issues in the world, that they might have chances to meet the needs of those struggling with such issues in the world.
• The term “social action” maybe understood by people as having no Christian meaning. This is because even secular, non Christian groups and individuals have sought to do good works for the less fortunate in the world, establishing large global forums to network people from different parts of the world in addressing societal problems.
• Technically, social action is about the will to effect change in the world and better harnessing of resources.
• Hence, the difference between secular social action and “holistic missions” is the emphasis on proclamation as central in social action. By engaging both Christian and secular organizations, the discussions and activities that the Social Action Committee seeks to facilitate aims to point people back to Christ as our reference point. This will be in line with the desire for VCF, as a whole, in looking to be more socially relevant as Christians.

In summary, “Social Action”, on its own, can be thought as ambiguous by some who do not fully comprehend its meaning. Therefore, the Committee has taken the initiative to define the term to provide clearer elucidation of its objectives.

• Holistic Missions, which is the demonstration of the gospel by taking awareness and action of the needs of people in the world around us.
• Social Action as a consequence, bridge, and partner to evangelism, having a close relationship, but not being the same.
• Proclamation is central in VCF Social Action. Retaining the identity of the Social Action Committee in VCF is acceptable as it reveals the desire for VCF to be socially relevant. Moreover, it shows a desire by VCFers to reach out to their communities and share the gospel.

As an expression of our aim and taking into account of our current constraints, we have two main focuses in the standing committee – “Education and awareness”, and “Taking Action”. First, in “Education and Awareness”, some of our objectives are to provide both theological foundations and application-related platforms such as through the existing VCF structure of Fellowship Teachings (FT – once a year), Contact Groups (CG), CG guides – one topical study, camps and conferences (e.g. ANNTIC – workshops/forums/games) and resources. New platforms such as the Social actions discussion groups/forums/seminars (four sessions) will be planned. Thus far, this has been our stronger focus over “Taking Action”.

Secondly, “Taking Action” would include coordinating and conducting prayer sessions, writing papers on various issues and injustices, petitions (when necessary and relevant), community service (as a way to address the problem caused by the underlying issue), conducting deeper research in a particular issue, and other activities that may be important and relevant at that time (e.g. WTO-WB discussion group, September 2006).

Some of our activities includes:

- Discussion Groups

- Seminars

- Experiential Social Actions such as “Poverty Walks”.

- Raising Social Awareness through the writing of articles.

- And many more!

Discussion Group on “WTO/WB and the Implications for Singapore” article (dated September 2006) stcomm:international_monetary_fund.doc

Poverty Walk 2007 script (held on April 2007) stcomm:poverty_walk_script_2007.doc

AGM Report for Academic Year 2006/07 stcomm:social_actions_agm_report.doc

Social Actions in Singapore - on a legal front: “Maid acquitted on appeal after 2-year nightmare” (Straits Times, 14th July 2007) stcomm:social_action_and_justice_in_singapore.doc

An Article on HIV/AIDS - stcomm:overlooking_the_overlooked_-_hiv_aids.pdf

What on earth is Social Actions? 6th Sep 2007 Welcome Tea outline - stcomm:what_on_earth_is_social_actions.doc

Theme verse: “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Ephesians 2:10

Activities

Semester 1

What is Social Action? Thur, 6 Sept, 2007

The Social Action Committee will be having our inaugural welcome tea seminar for all who are interested in finding out more about the role they can play as Christians in this globalised world next Thursday, 6 September 2007. Brian Tan, Peter Pang and a special guest speaker will be speaking to us. Do join us for a time of discussion, fellowship and prayer!

What on earth is social action??

Ever wondered what is the role you can play in God’s kingdom as a member of society? Whenever you see injustices done in the world through the news, what is it that makes your heart go out to the people who have been affected? Many of us have such questions in our minds and hope to find out more about how we can find God’s call for us in our lives and what we can do to align our compassion for different areas in society.

Social Action is the demonstration of the gospel in our lives. Hence, as we look to this outward expression of the gospel, we also look to Jesus’ ministry on this earth. Firstly, Jesus came to our earth to preach the gospel. Secondly, Jesus came to restore relationships between God and man. We are able to see these two aspects of the demonstration of the gospel in the global church that we live in today. However, we often neglect another aspect of this demonstration, that is, the work of God’s deliverance. This aspect resides in the healing, meeting of spiritual and felt needs, prayer and standing up for injustices in society to liberate the oppressed from the shackles of poverty.

Therefore, the social action committee would like to cordially (yes, there maybe cordial invite you to join us in finding out more about our role in the delivering work of God’s kingdom. Come for our welcome tea cum seminar! Find out more about what social action is, what social action in VCF will be like this year, and how you can play a part in reaching out to the community around you!

Date: 6 September 2007, Thursday.

Time: 7-9pm.

Venue: YIH Committee Room 3.

Homosexuality. Wed, 17 Oct, 2007

Loving thy neighbor, reaching out to the homosexual community Christian Response Anntic publicity Anntic. December Vacation

Visit to HEALTHSERVE. Thur, 25 Oct, 2007

Introduction to the NGO HEALTHSERVE, tour in Geylang, befriending the Foreign workers there Prayer and fellowship

Semester 2 (To be confirmed)

Poverty and the Christian Response. 30 Jan, 2008

Understanding poverty and what the Christian response ought to be Prayer for the poor in the world

Time: 7-9pm Venue: YIH Comm Rm 3

Philippines MEET Team 2006/2007 sharing. 20 Feb, 2008

Learning from our peers God’s heartbeat for his people in Philippines

Time: 7-9pm Venue: YIH Comm Rm 3

Bible Study

Semester 2

Wed, Feb 13, 2008. (Passage yet to be confirmed)

Semester 1

What is Social Action? Wed, 6 Sept, 2007

The Social Action Committee will be having our inaugural welcome tea seminar for all who are interested in finding out more about the role they can play as Christians in this globalised world next Thursday, 6 September 2007. Brian Tan, Peter Pang and a special guest speaker will be speaking to us. Do join us for a time of discussion, fellowship and prayer!

What on earth is social action??

Ever wondered what is the role you can play in God’s kingdom as a member of society? Whenever you see injustices done in the world through the news, what is it that makes your heart go out to the people who have been affected? Many of us have such questions in our minds and hope to find out more about how we can find God’s call for us in our lives and what we can do to align our compassion for different areas in society.

Social Action is the demonstration of the gospel in our lives. Hence, as we look to this outward expression of the gospel, we also look to Jesus’ ministry on this earth. Firstly, Jesus came to our earth to preach the gospel. Secondly, Jesus came to restore relationships between God and man. We are able to see these two aspects of the demonstration of the gospel in the global church that we live in today. However, we often neglect another aspect of this demonstration, that is, the work of God’s deliverance. This aspect resides in the healing, meeting of spiritual and felt needs, prayer and standing up for injustices in society to liberate the oppressed from the shackles of poverty.

Therefore, the social action committee would like to cordially (yes, there maybe cordial invite you to join us in finding out more about our role in the delivering work of God’s kingdom. Come for our welcome tea cum seminar! Find out more about what social action is, what social action in VCF will be like this year, and how you can play a part in reaching out to the community around you!

Date: 6 September 2007, Thursday.

Time: 7-9pm.

Venue: YIH Committee Room 3.

Homosexuality. Wed, 17 Oct, 2007

• Loving thy neighbor, reaching out to the homosexual community
• Christian Response
• Anntic publicity

Visit to HEALTHSERVE. Thur, 25 Oct, 2007

• Introduction to the NGO HEALTHSERVE, tour in Geylang, befriending the Foreign workers there
• Prayer and fellowship

Semester 2 (To be confirmed)

Poverty and the Christian Response. 30 Jan, 2008

• Understanding poverty and what the Christian response ought to be
• Prayer for the poor in the world
• Time: 7-9pm
• Venue: YIH Comm Rm 3

Philippines MEET Team 2006/2007 sharing. 20 Feb, 2008

• Learning from our peers God’s heartbeat for his people in Philippines
• Time: 7-9pm
• Venue: YIH Comm Rm 3

Bible Study

Semester 2

• Wed, Feb 13, 2008. (Passage yet to be confirmed)

• To include social action oriented activities in FG times of the various faculties and halls. E.g. visiting an orphanage or old folks’ home.
• One FT to be social action oriented.

If you are interested to find out more please feel free to email us, ask your Contact Group Leaders, Faculty/Hall Chairpersons, or any EXCO members.

Talk to us, we would like to hear more from you!

Email addresses:

• Darryl Chew (2007/08) - spartztztacuz@gmail.com
• Brian Tan (2006/07) - briantan@nus.edu.sg