Korean and Taiwanese churches grow and profit from wonderful exchanges

["Taiwan Church News" <enews@pctpress.org>]

      Taiwan Church News

      3052 Edition

      August 23~29, 2010

                                   

       

      Korean and Taiwanese churches learn and profit from wonderful 
exchanges

       

      Reported by Chen Wei-chien

      Written by Lydia Ma

       

       



      Ever since PCT Changhua Presbytery and Korea’s Iksan Presbytery 
became partners, 

      they’ve maintained an intimate relationship through frequent 
interactions and inviting each 

      other’s pastors and youths for short stays and visits.

       



      When Changhua Presbytery celebrated its 40th anniversary 
earlier, it was no surprise that a 

      delegation from Iksan came to celebrate this occasion. This 
summer, Iksan Presbytery’s choir 

      was invited to visit Taiwan and tour local churches in Changhua 
area.

       



      Choir members first visited National Palace Museum in Taipei, 
National Museum of Natural 

      Science, Sun Moon Lake, and other tourist attractions before 
touring a few churches in 

      Changhua area and Changhua Christian Hospital (CCH).

       



      Not only did this choir of 35 people perform during weekday 
chapel services in CCH, it also 

      sang in the hospital’s lobby for patients waiting to see their 
doctors or waiting to pick up their 

      prescriptions. Choir members also took time to shake patients’ 
hands or give them a hug.

       



      In an interesting twist, culture shock became a topic of some 
conversations during this visit. 

      PCT David Landsborough Memorial Church pastor, Rev. Wei 
Chien-hsiang, reported that 

      Korean Christians were taken aback to see Taiwanese pastors and 
their wives personally 

      order take-out food for their guests. They commented that, in 
Korea, pastors usually taught 

      and preached while elders and deacons served the flock.

       



      Wei also reported his congregation learned a lot from Korean 
Christians and looked forward 

      to future visits. “Korean churches have a lot to teach us about 
prayer. Perhaps we can invite 

      their elders or seminarians to come and share their experiences 
with us. We can provide food 

      and lodging, and I believe communication shouldn’t be a problem 
as long as they can speak 

      English. These are a few things we’re aiming for in the 
future,” Wei said.  

       



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