2025 Bishop Lu Guan Hoe, President NCCS, led a team to visit the Church in China from 23–29 Apr 25. The invitation is from National Committee of Three-Self Patriotic Movement of the Protestant Churches in China and the China Christian Council. LINK
2024 The 50th Anniversary Thanksgiving Dinner of NCCS was held on 24 July. The celebration was attended by the Guest-of-Honour, Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong as well as Mr Edwin Tong, Minister for Culture, Community and Youth, and Mr Desmond Lee, Minister for National Development. Representatives of other religious organisations were also present. The Golden Jubilee event saw a gathering that represented most of the Christian community in Singapore, testifying to the spirit of unity among churches in Singapore.
In his speech, SM Lee noted that NCCS’ original intent was to bring together churches of different traditions and backgrounds but broadened its focus over the years to build bridges with other faith communities and foster inter-religious harmony. He noted that the NCCS had responded constructively to help facilitate engagements between the Government and Christian groups whenever controversial and difficult national issues arose. Consequently, the community’s views were properly aired and well considered, which in turn contributed much to building a cohesive, harmonious, and inclusive society. “So, a very big thank you to NCCS and all your member churches for your very good work,” SM Lee said.
Short video clips that recalled the ministry and challenges of NCCS through the years were played during the dinner and all guests received a gift of the commemorative book “Serving the Church Engaging Society”. NCCS’ new logo was also launched during the thanksgiving dinner. The 50th Anniversary was also an occasion to raise funds for two charities Ethos Institute for Public Christianity and New Life Stories.
We thank the generosity of Philip and Jonathan Ng of the Far East Organisation, who sponsored the dinner held in the beautiful Marquee of the Barracks Hotel, Sentosa. LINK
2023 NCCS dedicated its new office at #06-15 Peninsular Plaza on 3 January 2023. At the end of the simple dedication service, attended by the leadership of NCCS, two plaques were unveiled, one to dedicate the new premises for the continuing ministry of NCCS, and the other to acknowledge our generous benefactor, the late Mrs Gertrude Mary Looi née Marsh.
On 28 May, the government announced the ‘revised place of worship land allocation and pricing framework’. It was a major change of policy for religious organisations such as churches wishing to own a place of worship (PW) in HDB estates. The revised framework for new PW sites came in the form of fixed pricing and awarded through the balloting system. The pre-qualification stage remains unchanged, requiring the church to demonstrate community involvement, the church’s need for space as well as adequate local funding. The new framework will also lower the cost of lease renewal premiums.
2022 NCCS sold its office at The Adelphi and purchased a new office at #06-14/15/16 Peninsular Plaza. It relocated to its new office in August.
NCCS issued a statement on 5 December in response to the Repeal of Section 377A of the Penal Code and the Enactment of Article 156 of the Constitution.
NCCS leadership hosted two fellowship lunches with church leaders as part of building bridges of understanding. Among the guests were key leaders representing the Roman Catholic Church, the Bible-Presbyterian Church in Singapore, the Baptist Convention of Singapore, the Seventh-Day Adventist Conference Singapore and Love Singapore. NCCS leadership intends to continue with such fellowship lunches.
2021 NCCS launched a monthly E-Newsletter in March 2021. The e-Newsletter is sent to all churches in Singapore (both members and friends) and provides timely and relevant information for the Christian community in Singapore.
NCCS published a new book titled “Homosexuality, the Bible and the Church”. The book was meant to help Christians reflect on this topic from the standpoint of Scripture and Christian tradition. The book is a collection of essays by scholars and pastors that explore the topic from different disciplines – biblical studies, theology, science, the law, and pastoral practice. It was launched at the National Day Thanksgiving Service on 19 August 2021.
2020 During the start of the Covid-19 Pandemic until 2022, NCCS organised 12 virtual meetings between the authorities and Singapore pastors and church leaders for clarifications regarding MCCY’s advisories. It helped churches better understand the protocols for church worship during the pandemic. The number of pastors and church leaders who attended each of these meetings number between 300 and 500.
2019 NCCS, in partnership with the churches in Singapore, held The Celebration of Hope (COH). The three-day event in 17 – 19 May 2019 consisted of multiple evangelistic rallies at the 50,000 capacity National Stadium. The rallies reached across the ethnicities, languages and social strata which make up the multi-cultural landscape of Singapore.
NCCS continued to make representation to the authorities regarding the high cost of new Places of Worship sites and Lease Renewal premiums. Through discussions with churches and increasing awareness of future available sites, NCCS encouraged all churches to make their bids rationally so as to moderate land prices for new churches.
NCCS hosted Harmony Games on 24 August. Themed “Rediscovering 200 years of religious harmony in Singapore” it was held at Telok Ayer Methodist Church. The 2019 Harmony Games was attended by more than 300 participants representing various religious organisations.
On 13 December, about 800 people of different faiths joined in a Christmas celebration at the St Andrew’s Cathedral that also marked Singapore’s growth in the last 200 years. Leaders of the major religions in Singapore were invited to the Bicentennial Christmas carol service, where Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong was guest of honour. This event was organised by the Anglican Diocese of Singapore and the National Council of Churches of Singapore.
2018 A Public Seminar on “Problem Gambling” was held on 13 April and a tract on “A Christian Perspective on Gambling” was published and widely distributed. This was in response to the legalization of two exempt operators made in 2016.
2017 Membership subscription fees were revised to ensure that its annual income would be able to provide for the enlarging work of the NCCS.
2015 NCCS and Evangelical Fellowship of Singapore (EFOS) jointly organised the Jubilee Day of Prayer (JDOP), a one-day event at the National Stadium which was attended by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.
The Online version of the Directory of Churches and Christian Organisations in Singapore was officially launched on 1 December.
2014 Ethos Institute for Public Christianity (ETHOS) was launched on 15 August as a think-tank of the NCCS in partnership with Trinity Theological College and Bible Society of Singapore.
2013 NCCS worked with the MUIS and leaders from Harmony Centre to launch the first Building Bridges Programme on “Traditions and Authority in the Post Modern Age” from 2012 to 2013.
2011-12 NCCS organized two workshops on the Code of Governance and its practices for churches.
2011 The Registry of Marriages (ROM) appointed NCCS as the Nominating Body for the application of Licensed Solemniser and Deputy Registrar for Independent Churches.
2008 NCCS initiated the “Community Engagement Day” on 19 April as its commitment to community bonding and religious harmony. It has since been renamed “Harmony Games Day”, hosted annually on a rotational basis by religious organisations.
2006 NCCS relocated its Office to The Adelphi
The Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth (MCCY) invited NCCS and other faith groups to participate in strengthening the social fabric and religious harmony of the nation.
2005 “Seek the Welfare of the City” Conference from 10 to 13 August was jointly organized by NCCS, Trinity Theologial College and Tyndale House, Cambridge. Participants included representatives from China (SARA), the Chinese Academy of Social Science (CASS) and Tyndale House.
2004 “Christians in Nation Building” and “Many Faces One Faith” were published.
2002 A delegation from the China Christian Council (CCC) and State Administration for Religious Affairs (SARA) visited NCCS from 15 to 22 March. Their visit coincided with the Official Opening of the new campus of Trinity Theological College.
“A Christian Response to the Life Sciences” was published in 2002, the first of many books including “A Christian Response to Homosexuality” (2004); “The Right to Die? The Christian Response to Euthanasia (2009); “Hybrids, Cybrids and Chimeras – The Ethics of Interspecies Research” (2012).
2000 In partnership with the Methodist Church in Singapore, NCCS became a minority stake-holder in the Garden of Remembrance (a Christian Columbarium) at Choa Chu Kang.
1998 The inaugural edition of the Guide to Churches and Christian Organisations in Singapore (1999-2000) was published.
1997 NCCS sold its Peace Centre property in December 1997.
1990 The NCCS Property at No 14 Dalvey Estate was sold to purchase a new office and set up an endowment.
NCCS purchased an office at Peace Centre on 17 May.
1984 A Public Seminar on the Role of NCCS was held on 28 July. President Devan Nair was Guest of Honour
1979 A coordinating body was formed to work with Ministry of Education on moral education in Schools.
1977 – 78 The Mission and Evangelism Committee was active in supporting and participating in evangelistic meetings including the Billy Graham Crusade in 1978.
1975 The Inaugural service of the newly constituted NCCS was held on 25 Jan 1975. The service was conducted by the Bishop of the Methodist Church in Malaysia and Singapore Rev T.R.Doraisamy.
NCCS organised and conducted a Prayer cum Thanksgiving Service on the eve of Singapore’s National Day at St Andrew’s Cathedral.
1974 The National Council of Churches of Singapore (NCCS) was constituted on 24 July 1974. The fellowship of churches in Singapore felt it appropriate that Malaysia and Singapore, as separate nations, should each have its own Council of Churches.
1963 The Malayan Christian Council was renamed the Council of Churches of Malaysia and Singapore. Singapore becomes an independent nation in 1965.
1948 The Malayan Christian Council was formed as an association of churches in Malaya and Singapore.