Churches in Taiwan celebrate Pentecost focusing on social issues of the day

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

3094 Edition

June 13-19, 2011

Headline News

Churches in Taiwan celebrate Pentecost focusing on social issues of the day

Reported by staff reporters

Written by Lydia Ma

On June 12, 2011, the day churches worldwide celebrate Pentecost, PCT General 
Assembly Moderator Chiohh Lyiam-Syian told PCT churches that unity within 
Christian churches is one of the most obvious works of the Holy Spirit. He 
added that he saw plenty of that in his recent visit to Germany to attend EKD 
Day and also in PCT’s “One-leads-One New Doubling Movement.”

According to Chiohh, the term “Holy Spirit” had been a somewhat sensitive term 
for churches of late, because Taiwanese churches’ understanding of the Holy 
Spirit differ from one another. Some pastors allude to what happened during the 
first Pentecost, as recorded in Acts 2, and emphasize on manifestations of the 
Holy Spirit, such as speaking in tongues and translation of tongues, while 
others do not emphasize on that aspect.

Nevertheless, Chiohh underscored thatthese are not the only manifestations of 
the Holy Spirit and using one passage from the Bible to explain being “filled 
with the Holy Spirit” can easily detract Christians from truly knowing God the 
Spirit and getting the whole picture.

He also urged churches to remember the Holy Spirit’s work: Unifying churches 
and to changing people’s lives. The Holy Spirit’s task doesn’t end after a 
special event takes place; rather, the Holy Spirit changes in people’s 
lifestyle from the inside out so that they become willing followers and 
imitators of Christ.

Pentecost in Ilan

More than 300 people gathered for an inter-denominational prayer meeting in 
Ilan for Pentecost 2011 held at Ilan Presbyterian Church. The meeting’s theme 
was “Loving our Homes” and the congregation joined in a rendition of “How Great 
Thou Art” at the end of the service.

Luotung Presbyterian Church pastor, Rev. Wang Jung-shin, underscored during the 
sermon that God created humans in his image and commanded humans to be in 
charge of the whole creation. But humans sinned, resulting in a chain of broken 
relationships between themselves, their environment, and their God.

Wang said the solution is for humans must repent, restore order and make things 
right again. Christians are called to pray for restoration and forgiveness. 
Restoration efforts should begin at home, in the neighborhood, at the local 
level, at the national level, at the international level and beyond.

Pentecost in Taichung

Pentecost service in Taichung was held at a local high school and attended by 
more than 1,000 Christians from various churches in Taichung city. They 
worshiped together, prayed for their country and prayed for the environment. It 
was obvious during the prayer rally that these Christians were very concerned 
and aware of social issues of the day.

Sponsored by Taichung Churches Alliance , the theme for this year’s Pentecost 
prayer rally was “Preparing for the Lord’s coming”

Among the list of prayer items included the recent plasticizer/clouding agent 
food safety scandal, the upcoming Presidential elections in 2012, and unrest in 
Tibet and Xinjiang that is rattling authorities in China, ethnic strife, and 
cross-strait relations.

Pentecost in Chiayi

Chiayi Presbytery held an joint communion service on June 12 to celebrate 
Pentecost at a local high school attended by more than 700 PCT members 
representing 14 churches in the area.

Rev. Lin Kuo-chen from Huwei Presbyterian Church spoke on “The Gift of the Holy 
Spirit” during the sermon and led the prayer session afterward. He reminded the 
audience that the Holy Spirit is the one who gives the gift of courage, 
repentance, peace, and harmony. 

Lin also touched on the subject of church unity and said it mean harmony 
between Christians as well as mutual understanding and forgiveness. He 
underscored that such a gathering between members of various churches is the 
most beautiful example of church unity. 

During the prayer session, those gathered prayed for spiritual renewal, the 
success of PCT’s “One-leads-One New Doubling Movement”, and social justice and 
national peace. They also remembered in prayer victims of the recent earthquake 
and tsunami in Japan.

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