wfn.org | Taipei Church Sows a Language and Reaps Results

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Taiwan Church News 2729, 14-20 June 2004
Reported by Yang Shu-hao. Translated and Rewritten by David Alexander

Lu-jou Presbyterian Church in Taipei has ministered to its community for 130
years. Almost all worship conducted by the congregation over those decades
has
been in the Taiwanese language.  In May of 2002 the church added a weekly
service in the Mandarin language, and the result has been dramatic increases
in attendance and baptisms.

The church's pastor, Iap Lian-pang (Yeh Lien-bang) says, "Language is a
communication tool. In northern Taiwan Mandarin is the common tongue.  To be
inclusive, the church must use many languages to fulfill its evangelistic
mission."

Rev. Iap relates that while the church focused exclusively on the use of
Taiwanese for worship visitors would not come back after a few attempts to
join in. They would seek a church where Mandarin was used.  When he invited
visitors to consider being baptized, the response was underwhelming.  In 2001
the church celebrated only one baptism.  After instituting the Mandarin
service in May of 2002 six were baptized, and in 2003 nine. All of these were
evangelized through the congregation's Mandarin language programs.

Seeing language as a tool and the choice of language being mainly about
convenience of use, Rev. Iap is comfortable with use of any idiom.  He sees
the main purpose of the church as the fulfillment of Jesus' great commission.
To "catch" more of the people who live, move and have their being in a
Mandarin language environment one must use Mandarin. Language must not become
an obstacle to evangelism.

The increase in baptisms, though traceable to the Mandarin Language worship,
cannot be attributed to language alone.  The average age of those who choose
the Mandarin service is lower than the congregation's core membership (which
continues to use Taiwanese in worship). The younger group is more
aggressively
evangelism and outreach oriented.  The church also underwent a transformation
in style and energy that included a re-rooting of its members' spirituality.

Community activities reach beyond traditional "religious" practices as well.
The church now hosts music classes, Latin and International dance groups,
neighborhood weight loss groups and a children's English class. Many of these
are led and staffed by church members who attend the Mandarin Worship
service.

The congregation's transformation in language and outreach has borne fruit
that was unanticipated but is very welcome.

For More Information: Iap Lian-pang lewisyeh@ms43.hinet.net
		  Lu-jou Presbyterian Church www.ictc.com.tw/smile
Taiwan Church News is published weekly in Taiwan's local languages.
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