Protestant
The majority of Christian churches are under the umbrella of the National Council of Churches of Singapore. Most belong to Protestant traditions which consist of an array of denominations. The more prominent ones include the Assemblies of God, Anglican, Baptist, Church of Singapore, Plymouth Brethren, Lutheran, Methodist and Presbyterian churches. In recent years, independent non-denominational megachurches have sprung up and been successful in reaching out to new members.
Anglicanism is represented in Singapore by the Church of the Province of South East Asia, of which the Diocese of Singapore is responsible for 26 parishes within Singapore as well as six deaneries in other Southeast Asian countries.
Although the churches seem divided along denomination lines, many Christian ministries and congregations often come together and co-ordinate activities and good works for both the Christian community and society at large. In addition, Singapore is considered a key base for missionary and humanitarian activities in the Asia-Pacific region and beyond.
Pentecostalism became a larger influence through the Charismatic Movement of the 1970s, but North American and Ceylon Pentecostal Mission missionaries (Pentecostal Church of Singapore) had been active from 1935.
Beyond the churches, there are many Christian organisations engaging in activities such as fund raising, healthcare for the needy, matchmaking, establishing homes for the elderly, providing family services and youth development. These organisations include the Salvation Army, Fei Yue Family Centres, Teen Challenge various community hospitals, DivineIntro.com and Beulah. The Christian community also comes together for fund-raising events like the LoveSingapore movement which organises walkathons and prayer sessions for those in need.
Read more about this topic: Christianity In Singapore, Denominations
Famous quotes containing the word protestant:
“I do not believe in the creed professed by the Jewish Church, by the Roman Church, by the Greek Church, by the Turkish Church, by the Protestant Church, nor by any church that I know of. My own mind is my own church.”
—Thomas Paine (1737–1809)
“There was a young lady called Alice
Who peed in a Catholic chalice.
The Padre agreed
It was done out of need
And not out of Protestant malice.”
—Anonymous.
“So the old flute was doomed and its fate was pathetic,
‘Twas fastened and burned at the stake as heretic,
While the flames roared around it they heard a strange
noise—
‘Twas the old flute still whistling ‘The Protestant Boys’.”
—Unknown. The Old Orange Flute (l. 37–40)