wfn.org | Pastor of Taiwan's First Homosexual-Friendly Church is Finally

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Ordained
Taiwan Church News 2723, 3 through 9 May 2004
Reported by Li Hsin-ren. Translated and Rewritten by David Alexander

Taiwan's first openly homosexual pastor is now officially "REV." Tongkwang
Presbyterian Church's Pastor Tzeng was ordained on May 2nd. His congregation
celebrated its eighth anniversary the same day.  Rev. Tzeng has been their
pastor for over five years. Upon his ordination he said he hoped to be a
"light for Jesus" and an encourager of homosexual believers to testify to
Christ in their life as they spread the good news of hope and joy.

In order to hold the ceremony, Tongkwang church rented the facilities of
Ki-kwang Presbyterian Church, a congregation of the Presbyterian Church in
Taiwan (PCT). Four PCT ministers laid hands upon Mr. Tzeng as the ordination
prayers were said.  The ceremony was conducted according to the liturgy of
the
PCT, but since neither Tongkwang Church nor Rev. Tzeng have PCT membership,
messages of congratulation and special representatives of the PCT General
Assembly or the local Presbytery (district) were not sent.  But even with
these differences, Rev. Tzeng expressed his thanks for all who have supported
him. He went on to say that his church lives and walks by the grace of God
and
glorifies the Lord.

He characterized the congregation as a fountain of living water serving both
God and humanity through unstinting mission leading Taiwan's homosexual
community from within on the road to righteousness.  He emphasized that God's
beloved disciples of Christ include homosexuals. The church openly accepts
gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered people as well as of "straight"
people. It lives in the hope that mainstream churches will eventually come to
accept and care for homosexual people as well.

Members of Christian homosexual churches and fellowship groups in Kaohsiung
and Taichung attended. Representatives of non-church related homosexual
interest and human rights groups were present as well.	When the rites and
prayers of ordination were taking place the atmosphere was solemn. At other
times it was like a party. Rev. Tzeng said that the greatest gift he had
received was the five and a half years of experience of being the shepherd of
this flock.

Professor Cheng Yangen, who teaches Church History at Yushan Theological
College and Seminary in Hualien, was asked to comment.	He said that Rev.
Tzeng was engaged in a march of faith in which the life attitude of
servanthood would be most essential.  He added that the roles of leader and
nourisher were those best suited to influencing people.

Professor Cheng serves as a consultant in the General Assembly of the PCT as
it works on a study of homosexuality and pastoral practice.  He said that
this
study is now in its final phase and should produce a paper by the end of
June.
The paper, he said, will not represent an official position of the church
regarding homosexuality. It will be a report of the research and reflection,
and will serve as a valuable reference tool.

The Rev. Hsu Cheng-tao, pastor of Ki-kwang Presbyterian Church (the
congregation that rented its hall to Tongkwang for the ceremony) said, "Our
church was used because Tongkwang still has to keep its place of meeting
rather secret lest its members be harassed. Our support of this ceremony is
an
act of courtesy from one church to another."

Currently up to fifty people a week gather at Tongkwang Church's Taipei
location for worship. The congregation seeks the prayers and encouragement of
all Christians.

For More Information: Ki-kwang Presbyterian Church gikong@netown.org.tw
					    www.gikong.disciple.org.tw
Taiwan Church News is published weekly in Taiwan's local languages.
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