wfn.org | Church Redevelopment in Taiwan: Neighborhood Focus

[Taiwan Church News <pctpress@ms1.hinet.net>]

Taiwan Church News 2667, April 13, 2003
Reported by Li Hsin-ren. Translated and rewritten by David
Alexander

   Churches wishing to re-enliven their missionary spirit and
reach out to their neighborhoods often need help.  The Taiwan
Neighborhood Concern Association joined with several program
departments of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in
Taiwan (PCT) last week to hold two days of training and
experience exchange in Kaohsiung City.	The main theme was
"Church Redevelopment".
  The event saw the debit of a handbook on church development and
mission renewal published by the General Assembly.  Evangelism
Secretary Chih Sin-tek said that church growth must be firmly
rooted in reality.  The handbook is helpful at keeping churches
focused on practicalities.  One portion of it is a translation
from a publication of the Presbyterian Church USA, but the
remainder is composed of locally written materials particularly
applicable to Taiwan's local environment.
   The seminar was also addressed by Chuang Hsiao-sheng, pastor
of Chu-tong Presbyterian Church in Central Taiwan.  Mr. Chuang
and Mr. Chih made presentations on analysis of the neighborhood
and analysis of the congregation.
  Under the rubric "Understanding the Neighborhood" procedures
were outlined for establishing a redevelopment and survey teams
and gathering census materials to better understand what a church
faces.	Insofar as "Understanding the Church" was addressed, it
included listing church activities, membership, resources and
such.  It also called for self-evaluation by church members,
reliance on numerical data, and helping the church to see itself
as a vital part of its neighborhood for the sake of bringing
blessing.
   Church redevelopment is the result of real planning.  Mr.
Chuang emphasized the "REAL" aspect of that.  He invited churches
to take the things presented in the training into their very
hearts, that they might truly be "redeveloped."
   He presented the process and results of Chu-tong Church's
redevelopment in a step by step lecture.  He pointed to 9 phases
of its redevelopment.  Not all steps are mandatory for every
church, but a church's presence in its unique neighborhood
environment must be taken into account.
   Following the event, the Taiwan Neighborhood Concern
Association also invited churches from Kaohsiung, Chang-hwa and
the Aboriginal Bunun Presbyteries to share their redevelopment
processes.  Plans are set for another seminar to be held in June.

For more information:  Chih Sin-tek  hsinte@ms2.pct.org.tw
		       Chuang Hsiao-sheng n4518@ms22.hinet.net

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