Survey highlights increase of Christians and effectiveness of church community programs

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

3059 Edition

October 11~17, 2010

Headline News

 

Survey highlights increase of Christians and effectiveness of church 
community programs



Reported by Sam Lee

Written by Lydia Ma



A recent survey on people’s views about Christianity conducted by 
Election Study Center at 

National Chengchi University showed a surprising 10.4% of Taiwanese 
people believed in 

Jesus. But a closer look revealed only 6.6% checked “Christianity” as 
their religious affiliation, 

indicating that about 3.8% of these 10.4% respondents who believed in 
Jesus were arguably “closet Christians”.



Most of the 6,011 respondents who participated in this survey said 
what they appreciated most 

about churches was getting great tips on parenting and getting 
personal counseling. They also 

indicated they most wanted to go to church when invited by a friend, 
during Christmas season, 

during a rough patch in life, and for weddings.



This survey conducted by a national university once again affirmed 
that PCT’s evangelistic 

strategies and mission goals continue to be on track, observed PCT 
General Secretary Andrew Chang.



He added that PCT has been focusing on parenting, emotional wellness, 
and family for a few 

years now and has sponsored many events promoting these, including 
publishing Life 

Education curriculum, hosting spiritual retreats across Taiwan, and 
inviting German best-selling 

author Anselm Grun to speak at various conferences this month.



Though he acknowledged that weddings are often great occasions to 
bring non-Christian 

families and friends to church as indicated in the survey, Chang 
urged Christians not to 

underestimate opportunities to share the gospel during funerals as 
well. 



Since funerals force people to ponder on life and death, such 
occasions are great 

opportunities to share the gospel and tend to be more conducive to 
result in an actual 

commitment to Christ. As many people have come to the faith through 
funerals in his 

experience, Chang urged pastors and Christians alike to double their 
outreach and witnessing 

during such occasions.



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