wfn.org | TCN: PCT clarifies meaning of stewardship during CEO training seminar

["Lydia Ma" <enews@pctpress.org>]

>Taiwan Church News

>2985 Edition

>May 11~17, 2009

PCT clarifies meaning of stewardship during CEO training seminar

>Reported by Lin Yi-ying

>Written by Lydia Ma

Shortly after its 54th General Assembly Annual Meeting, the Presbyterian  Church in Taiwan (PCT) held a training seminar for all

newly-appointed CEOs of its affiliated organizations. The training was  held on May 8th at PCT headquarters and General Secretary

Andrew Chang and Church Law Committee leader Li Sheng-hsiong were among  the main speakers.

The theme of the seminar was “Faithful Stewardship” and over  16 evangelical organizations and 37 newly-appointed CEOs attended

the training. PCT Assistant Moderator Lai Hsien-Chang used the prophet  Nehemiah as a role model for all new CEOs. According

to Lai, Nehemiah would cry out to God for help whenever he began a new  task or found himself in trouble. Lai urged all CEOs in

attendance to emulate Nehemiah and rely on God through prayer and Bible  study and avoid getting carried away with their new

>titles.

Chang encouraged newly-elected CEOs to maintain a humble heart and be  good stewards of everything that will be entrusted to

them. He emphasized that understanding the difference between being a  steward and being an owner was essential and would help

>avert unnecessary disputes.

Chang pointed out frankly that church organizations face complex  problems and a lot of them arise because people are confused

about the difference between stewardship and ownership. Many leaders  forget the master-servant relationship they have with God

and whether they have ownership or stewardship over their organizations.  As a result, they ignore the original calling they had when

>they first began their ministry.

According to Church Law Committee leader Li Sheng-hsiong, being  appointed as a CEO is an opportunity God gives to people so

that they can serve Him. Those who have been given this privilege must  focus on their duty instead of their power and authority.

Li also mentioned that using church law to punish individuals should be  used as a last resort because summoning church law under

such instances is unfortunate for churches and the people involved. As  Christians who believe and rely on God, we should always

be conscious that we are accountable to God in everything we do. By  maintaining a humble heart, we can avoid pitfalls that come

with self-righteousness, selfishness and arrogance.

Li pointed out that those who break church laws often do so because they  broke promises they had made to God, church, and

other people beforehand. He urged all CEOs appointed to PCT affiliated  organizations to think more about their duties than their

authority and treasure this opportunity to serve, as well as remember  the love and fervor they had at the very beginning. In this way,

they would be fulfilling Paul’s command about being courteous and  considerate in all things.

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