Lutheran Church in Singapore Installs New Leadership
On 21st June 2025, the Lutheran Church in Singapore (LCS) marked a significant transition with the installation of Reverend Anthony Loh Kah Choon as its bishop, and the installation of a new Executive Council. The special worship service, held at Jurong Christian Church, emphasized gratitude, prayer and a renewed commitment to God’s mission.
The service, conducted bilingually in English and Mandarin, began with a welcome and congregational singing of ‘A Mighty Fortress Is Our God.’ Hymns like ‘Great Is Thy Faithfulness’ filled the sanctuary and prayers were offered, expressing gratitude for God’s goodness and the gift of His Son and Holy Spirit.
Reflective Sermon and Mission Call
Readings from Isaiah 65:1-9 and Luke 8:26 onwards preceded a musical interlude and the sermon, delivered by Bishop Emeritus John Tan. Recognizing the bilingual congregation, Bishop Emeritus Tan alternated between Mandarin and English, focusing on the question: “Is it worthwhile to save just one person?”
Drawing from the lectionary reading for the Second Sunday after Pentecost, the sermon explored Jesus’ journey to the Gerasenes to heal a demon-possessed man. Bishop Emeritus Tan emphasized that Christianity is about God seeking man, and highlighted the priceless value of a single human life from Jesus’ perspective, contrasting it with the Gerasenes’ valuing of 2,000 pigs over the healed man. He further mentioned that “mission work isn’t about choosing convenient or easy work.” He concluded the sermon with a powerful call to embrace local mission work, encouraging attendees to share their testimonies with family, friends, schoolmates, and colleagues.
Installation of Bishop Anthony Loh Kah Choon
Recognising that Reverend Anthony Loh has always been passionate about mission work, Bishop Emeritus Tan declared, “You are now the pastor of all pastors and members of the Lutheran Church in Singapore, and from today, a missionary. Your dream has come true; God has granted your wish.”
Reverend Loh’s new responsibilities as bishop include overseeing LCS’s local and international missions in Thailand, Cambodia, China, and Mongolia, as well as community care services. The congregation was called to pray for, support, and work with him to build a church that bears the Lord’s name.
Following applause and the hymn ‘Day by Day,’ the congregation reaffirmed their faith through the Apostles’ Creed. The solemn installation of Bishop Loh then took place, with biblical mandates for the office read from Jesus’ Great Commission and apostolic instructions. Reverend Loh affirmed his commitment to the office of bishop, stating, “I will and I ask God to help me,” and pledged faithfulness to his duties, bearing witness, and guiding pastors and congregations. The congregation unanimously affirmed their reception of him, pledging prayer, support, and a striving for peace and unity. The formal commitment of the office of bishop to Reverend Loh was made “in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,” accompanied by prayers for strength and compassion.
Installation of the Executive Council
The service continued with the installation of the new Executive Council, comprising: Reverend Dr. Samuel Wang (in absentia), Brother Tan Kok Leong, Reverend Eric Chan, Reverend Sarah Ang, Brother Wong Ka Heung, and Brother Lawrence Low. The presiding minister, Bishop Anthony Loh, emphasized their duty to uphold Church order, ensure pure preaching, maintain discipline, and manage temporal affairs, while assisting the bishop in fostering harmony and advancing Christ’s kingdom. The elected members affirmed their readiness, and the congregation pledged their support, responding, “We will, and we ask God to help us.” The Executive Council was then formally installed with a blessing.
Words of Thanks and Challenge
In a heartfelt address, Bishop Anthony Loh thanked MP Shawn Huang and the CCC leaders of Taman Jurong who were present. He expressed gratitude to his predecessor, Bishop Lu Guan Hoe and his family for their unwavering devotion to the Lord, presenting flowers to Mrs. Lu. He then thanked his wife for her instrumental role in their family, and his eldest daughter for enduring the challenges of being a firstborn. Finally, he thanked his LCS colleagues for their trust in electing him, urging them to unite in serving the Lord. He concluded by sharing a video, challenging Lutheran pastors and the entire Church to care for the communities God has placed around them in Taman Jurong and throughout Singapore.
Messages of Encouragement
The service concluded with greetings and words of encouragement from esteemed friends and ministry partners, including Bishop Christopher Ogodong of the Protestant Church in Sabah, Dr. Wilfred from the Lutheran Studies Centre, Reverend Jenna Bergeson, Southeast Asia Regional Representative for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America; Reverend Dr. Edwin Tay, Principal of Trinity Theological College; Reverend Dr. Clement Chia, Principal of Singapore Bible College; Reverend Jeff Chong from Love Singapore and Reverend Ezekiel Tan from the Singapore Bible Society.
Congratulatory messages from international partners were also read, including the Lutheran Church in Malaysia, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Malaysia (ELCM), Mission One World and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Bavaria. These messages acknowledged Bishop Loh’s leadership, emphasized historical bonds, and expressed anticipation for renewed partnerships in ministry and mission.
The service concluded with a benediction and a recessional hymn, “Faith of Our Fathers,” followed by a group photo, symbolizing unity as the Lutheran Church in Singapore embarks on this new leadership season.
Here’s wishing Right Reverend Anthony Loh a truly blessed and impactful journey as he steps into his new role as Bishop of the LCS, and wishing the new LCS Executive Council great success and divine guidance in their leadership.
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