Title: Evangelical-Ecumenical Partnership Forming in Taiwan
Taiwan Church News 2842, 14-20 August 2006
Reported by Li Hsin-ren. Written by David Alexander
The Rev. Chang Te-chien, General Secretary of the Presbyterian Church in Taiwan (PCT) recently participated in an international convention of the Chinese Coordination Center of World Evangelism (CCCOWE). On August 11 the new CCOWE General Secretary, Morley Lee, visited the offices of the PCT General Assembly in Taipei. He was accompanied by Mr. Jimmy Hong, who leads Taiwan’s Overseas Radio and Television (ORTV) ministry and Rev. Yu Cheng of Truth Hall Lutheran Church. All parties expressed a hope for the development of deep and friendly relationships between the PCT and the CCCOWE. Rev. Chang said that, since both organizations are focused on gospel and mission, there are many good prospects for mission exchange and cooperation.
Rev. Lee expressed recognition of the PCT’s major role in rooting the gospel in local soil, saying that this is something from which the CCCOWE can learn much. His own organization is focused on ethnic Chinese around the world, but he says that, wherever these are found, the and their beliefs must have local roots as well. If they have any vision for spreading the gospel in the lands to which they have dispersed, they must learn how to identify with those places, and not divide themselves off into ethnic ghettoes.
He added that, the spirit of this year’s CCCOWE assembly was about social and cultural renewal, and the in the future the organization will progress by building relationships and engaging in cooperative mission projects. For this reason, he wishes to develop close connections with the PCT.
Chang welcomed Mr. Lee’s message of reaching people, and referred to his good feelings upon attending the CCCOWE assembly. He pointed out the fact that both the PCT and the CCCOWE are world linked ecumenical organizations with missionary purposes. Asserting the PCT’s recognition of this land and its people, he is happy to link up with an organization with a worldwide focus to share experiences and lessons learned.
Last year the American the CCCOWE held a regional assembly for the Americas in Brazil. Mr. Lee referred to this event, noting that while there he had good contact with the PCT linked congregations of expatriate Taiwanese. He noted that, during this assembly, it was the first time in over 30 years of CCCOWE history that a sermon preached in the opening worship was given in the Taiwanese language. He noted that the emigran ts from Taiwan who established those churches decades ago have a rich history, and suggested that the PCT gather this into a commemorative volume that could be an inspiration to all.
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