Title: Improvement of Mission Work Foundations: Building of Appropriate Projects
Taiwan Church News 2837 10-16 July 2006
Reported by Li Hsin-ren. Written by David Alexander
Aboriginal Presbyteries and Districts of the Presbyterian Church in Taiwan (PCT) well know the locations of their pain, and the PCT General Assembly is intent on improving conditions so that mission can progress among Aboriginal peoples nationwide. This year several policies were changed for the sake of enhancing Aboriginal development. These included amendments to the procedures for Presbyteries and Districts to hire full-time executive ministers, suggestions for projects to strengthen weak congregations, and the establishment of a consultative structure to help congregations as they go about reconstructing aging buildings.
PCT General Secretary Chang De-chien said, "In the past 3 years the General Assembly has promoted the hiring of full-time executive secretaries by local Aboriginal presbyteries, giving salary subsidies for that purpose. But the three years of support have not brought about growth, in fact, there has been church shrinkage. Change must come!"
The first change is an amendment in the regulations governing the qualifications and service conditions of those executive secretaries. These persons are supposed to be facilitators of communication between separated congregations and between the presbyteries and districts themselves and the General Assembly. Information is supposed to flow THROUGH them, including issues of land tenancy, emergency relief needs, and training. In addition, these executives must keep regular office hours to facilitate the good flow of information.
There was also a change in the project to help small and weak congregations. In the past a monthly subsidy of 10,000 Taiwan Yuan was offered, but this was not seen as enough to make a significant difference in the lives of the pastors serving those churches. Many ministers were forced to seek outside employment, and mission work in the villages did NOT progress. The amendment changes the subsidy so that it will operate on a sliding scale based on the reports of individual churches' situations.
A church requesting a subsidy must present a plan for renewal and a clear financial statement. A plan will be evaluated by the General Assembly based on its applicability, potential success and transparency.
To aid Aboriginal congregations in building projects a consultative framework has been designed. It will offer advice in advance of construction, help deal with land tenancy issues, offer financial planning and fundraising tips.
Rev. Chang said that in the past there was great disparity between the levels of outside support for construction that individual Aboriginal congregations were able raise from outside agencies and churches. This left certain churches in financial positions that they were unable to get out of without intervention from the General Assembly, and led to conflict with government agencies and the central government's inspector general.
He added that he has great expectations for Aboriginal church development. "Aboriginal mission was a 20th century miracle, but now Aborigines face great challenges. People have departed the villages and the natural environment is stressed. The PCT's Aboriginal mission structures must adjust so that Aboriginal Mission may again become a high priority."
For more information: Chang De-chien gs@mail.pct.org.tw
Taiwan Church News is published weekly in Taiwan's local languages. Visit our web site: www.pctpress.com.tw