PCC praises PCT rescue and relief ministries and considers them as useful reference

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

3117 Edition
November 21-27, 2011

General Assembly News

PCC praises PCT rescue and relief ministries and considers them as useful 
reference

Reported by Lin Yi-ying

Written by Lydia Ma

Pastors and members from the Presbyterian Church in Canada (PCC) recently 
visited the PCT to learn more about its ministries and discovered that they 
were most impressed by PCT’s 88 Flood Rescue and Response system. After the PCC 
delegation listened to reports detailing how local presbyteries and churches 
worked with the General Assembly in coordinating response and aid, they felt 
that this system was indeed effective and a great model for churches.

“What we did was that we asked affected presbyteries to tell us what they 
needed based on what they heard from their own local churches,” PCT Associate 
General Secretary Lyim Hong-tiong said. “When the General Assembly heard back 
from the presbyteries, we immediately set up an instant information network. We 
were able to have presbyteries not affected by the typhoon help out 
presbyteries that were affected while we served as a coordinator behind the 
scenes.”

The PCC delegation arrived to Taiwan on November 11, 2011 and in the two weeks 
that they spent in Taiwan, they had the opportunity to visit PCT business and 
educational organizations to learn about PCT ministries in Taiwan. When they 
visited the General Assembly Office, PCT General Secretary Andrew Chang gave an 
overview of PCT’s history and ministries in Taiwan while Lyim gave an overview 
of PCT’s relief efforts in the aftermath of Typhoon Morakot. Following Lyim’s 
presentation, Pine Life (senior citizens) Ministry Committee Secretary Lee 
Fong-jiao gave a presentation of PCT’s ministries seniors. 

PCC pastors were astounded that PCT was able to accomplish so much and rally so 
much support in a church structure that places the onus on local presbyteries. 
“The key is communication and respect,” explained Lyim. He added that before 
the General Assembly started post-Morakot relief and rebuilding projects, it 
had already conducted various protracted meetings with presbyteries. In 
deference to the existing church structure, it was the affected presbyteries 
that assembled a list of needs upon contacting their own local congregations 
and reported their needs to the General Assembly. The latter then moved on to 
provide and coordinate material and personnel assistance as needed. 

Similarly, once local rebuilding centers were built, the chief coordinators and 
decision-makers were also the local presbyteries because, from the beginning, 
the General Assembly’s role was a supportive one. Lyim stressed that once 
presbyteries had established lines of communication and could coordinate 
amongst themselves without the help of the General Assembly, the latter’s job 
was considered complete. “This is an important turning point!” he said.

In response, PCC leaders said they were impressed by how the PCT managed to 
strengthen lines of communication within the context of the Presbyterian church 
structure and expressed their affirmation. They also felt that PCT’s 
experience, especially with regards to collaboration between the General 
Assembly and the presbyteries and enabling the general assembly to realize its 
goals, was a model for the PCC to emulate in propelling its own ministries.

One of the PCT affiliate organizations that this PCC delegation visited on this 
tour was Taiwan Church Press. Led by retired PCC minister and current PCT 
volunteer Rev. Sidney Chang, the group listened to a brief presentation of this 
organization and asked some questions. They were especially impressed by Taiwan 
Church News, a newspaper started by Rev. Thomas Barclay in 1885. The newspaper 
later went on to become Taiwan’s first newspaper and continues publishing 
weekly editions to this day.

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