Skip to content

What we’re about

This group is for people in Singapore who are interested in a more open-minded or "progressive" or non-traditional form of Christianity that one can't find in more Conservative Evangelical churches in Singapore.

Our website: https://www.ProgressiveChristianity.sg

What Do You Mean By Open-Minded / Progressive Christianity?
Basically if you're someone who identifies as a believer in Jesus yet you don't really fit in with the typical institutional / organizational Christian / church crowd because of some of your beliefs or because you have doubts or questions about some "traditionally" accepted beliefs or because you're in the process of "deconstructing (and reconstructing) your faith", this may be a place for you to find community and support.

Some Views, Questions Or Doubts You May Have:
You could be someone with any or all of the following views:

  • you think the church is too judgemental towards the LGBT community and other marginalized groups
  • you question whether "unbelievers" (or people of different religions) will really spend eternity in hellfire and how such a "traditional" belief could be consistent with the love of God
  • you feel most Christians don't really think much about what they believe but just follow everything their leaders and the "traditional" church has taught without much critical reflection
  • you're what some have called an Ex-Evangelical or Exvangelical or Post-Evangelical or Progressive Evangelical or Post-Conservative Evangelical or you could identify with the Emergent / Emerging church movement (in the past)
  • you're sick of the dogmatism found in Christian churches - where questioning is generally frowned upon and there's only one way of thinking or you're "out"
  • you wonder how so many Christians in America voted for Trump and how much of American Christianity has been corrupted by its close affiliation with right-wing politics and Trump
  • similarly, you may think Christianity in Singapore is being tainted by its previously long-standing anti-Repeal 377A position - with hardly any individual Christian church willing to publicly stand up against the NCCS's (National Council of Churches in Singapore) and APCCS's (The Alliance Of Pentecostal And Charismatic Churches Of Singapore) anti-Repeal 377A position.
  • you have questions about how the violence and genocide (attributed typically to God) in the Old Testament can be consistent with the love of Jesus in the New Testament
  • you wonder whether the "traditional" literal interpretation of the bible is the only correct way to read the Bible - and whether there are alternatives out there
  • you think Christians and Christianity have been anti-science in many instances (e.g. evolution).
  • you are open to other spiritual, so-called "new-age" or mystical practices (meditation, Yoga, etc.) that many Christians would immediately think is demonic and anti-Christian.

If you can resonate with any one or all of the above points, you would probably find it somewhat uncomfortable to be in 99% of the churches in Singapore. My purpose in starting this Meetup is to meet other like-minded Christians as there really isn't a non-church group for such Christians in Singapore.

My Personal Journey
I've been a Christian for over 25 years, have attended churches (or have been part of groups) from most spectrums of Christianity (Charismatic, Evangelical, Reformed, Liberal, Mystical, etc.). I love Jesus and He is my everything and my reason for living.

I believe in the 3 Historic Christian Creeds and I believe in the literal death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. That is, I believe in the essentials of the Christian faith and historic Christianity. And that's how I think most people would define "Christianity".

"Christianity" Is Not The Same As "Conservative Evangelicalism"
Thus "Christianity" and "Conservative Evangelicalism" are not the same at all. The kind of Conservative Evangelical Christianity (dominant in America and also Singapore) with only one way of looking at things - and a very judgemental and dogmatic way at that - is not the only way to be a Christian.

And I believe there are many Christians in Singapore (either in Conservative Evangelical churches or who have stopped going to such churches altogether) who still identify as Christians and still believe in the basic tenets of historic Christianity, yet cannot agree with a lot of what goes on in Conservative Evangelicalism.

Therefore, this is how we define a "Progressive Christian": someone who holds on to the essential beliefs of historic Christianity while disagreeing with and questioning a lot of what is put forth as Christianity by Conservative Evangelicalism.

I welcome everyone who can identify in some ways with what's written above. I hope you will find this community a safe space for your "deconstruction" and "reconstruction" Christian journey.

Jonathan
Progressive Christianity (Singapore)
https://www.progressivechristianity.sg

PS: Our group consists of both LGBTQ and non-LGBTQ members. All are welcome!

PPS: We have a small but active Telegram Channel where we get to know each other, share our Christian experiences and discuss Progressive Christianity. If you'd like to be part of it, please Private Message me.