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Taiwan Church News 2613, March 31, 2002
Selected and Translated by David Alexander

Seminar on Purpose Driven Church set for Taipei, Taichung
and Kaohsiung.
Reported By Chiou Kai-li, Written by David Alexander

    The most crucial topic in church development in the 21st
century is not church growth, but church health.  Growth is
a natural result of health.  To help churches understand the
concepts of orderly development and church health, the
Chinese Gospel Advancement Association is presenting a
seminar in three locations nationwide between April 29 and
May 12..
   The association proceeds from the assumption that God has
a set purpose for each church.  Church workers can proceed
by established, healthy and orderly models as they develop
unique congregations, rather than seeking to produce facsimiles
of other churches.
    One successfully developed church will be presented as a
model. It began very small and grew to over 17,000 members
in 15 years' time.  Material from this congregation is already
in use in over 1000 small and middle sized churches.  But the
sponsors admit that even their "model church" is not a "perfect
church."  They only contend that it is a "healthy church."
    Teaching will proceed through several sessions of video
presentations followed by lecture and discussion.  The Rev.
James Hsia will lead discussions.  Registrants are asked to
have studied six particular books before the seminar begins.
    Each of the three sessions is limited to 25 congregations
enrolling, and no more than 5 staff members of each church
can participate.

For More Information: Chinese Gospel Advancement
                                    Association: Rev. Liao Si-yuan

                                   +886 2 27290466  ext. 203

Ecological Concern Association Holds 3rd National Assembly
Reported by Kuo Yang-yi, Written by David Alexander

    On the afternoon of March 17th the Ecological Concern
Association held its third ever national assembly at the
Mission Center of the Presbyterian Church in Taiwan.  A group
of children performed a drum dance as part of the festivities.
     The association grew out of a movement in the Presbyterian
Church that began 10 years ago as the "Ecological Theology
Center".  By 1998 it had become a non-sectarian public
association, and has encompassed persons of various faiths and
no faith since then.  Their effect on the church has been the
declaration of one Sunday every year as environmental
awareness day, and the promotion of holding outdoor worship
under the trees to spread the message of environmental
education.
    This year's membership assemlby was opened by Father
Luis Guthienz, S.J., from the faculty of theology at Fu-Jen
Catholic University.  New officers were chosen, and Mr. Li
Yu-ching took over as head of the organization's board.

For More Information: Fr. Luis Guthienz S.J.

<thcg1009@mails.fju.edu.tw>

"Vineyard Marriage Growth Group" opens in Kaohsiung
Reported by Chiou Kai-li,  Written by David Alexander

    The Kaohsiung Christian Family Counselling Center, an
agency of the Presbyterian Church in Taiwan, sees gradual loss
of marital intimacy and love as the number one marriage killer
in this country today. This loss is due to the high pressure on
people to get more and be more in all areas except married life.
More than disagreements over sex, money, children or
communication,  the gradual losses mount up and the marriage
dies.
    Almost 40% of last year's caseload at the center was
concentrated in the "married people between the ages of 35
and 45" group.  Many of these expressed a diminishing
degree of interest in being married at all.  To address this
problem, the center has established the "Vineyard Marriage
Growth Group" to renew married life.  Meetings will
be held on Saturday mornings starting March 30th and
continuing through May 5th. Topics to be discussed include:
Marriage Basics; Power; Mystery; Defense; Communication;
Work; and Family. Through the group's work the center hopes
to usher married couples back to their original love and to
solidify their partnership.
   An investment of two hours a week for 5 or 6 weeks.  A
chance to renew one's earlier ability to listen to, understand
to feel what one's partner is saying. A chance to enter into
the depths of married life and love.  Quite a return on
investment.

For more information:  Kaohsiung Christian Family
                                  Counselling Center +886 7 281
0303

Enrollment Period Opens for Taiwan Theological College
Graduate Division offers M.Div,
                                       MA (Theology)
                                       MA (Christian Education)
                                      and One year Certificate
courses.
                             Applicants should hold BA or
equivalent
                                       degree.
Undergraduate Division offers BA in Church & Society
                                               BA in Church Music
                            Applicants should hold High School
Diploma

International applicants may take entrance examination in
their home countries.  Register by May 17th for exam on
May 27th.

Domestic applicants register for exam between June 24 and
July 5.  Exam given from July 16-18

For More Information: course@taitheo.org.tw
                                TEL: +886 2 2882 2370 ext. 223

House of Hope Youth Drug Rehabilitation Center,
an agency of Galilee Mission Center, Seeking Startup Staff.

Openings exist for:
     One Psychological Counselor
     Two Social Workers
     One Administrative Assistant
     Two Cooks
     Three Cleaning Staff Members
     One Equipment Maintenance Expert

All staff members should be able to function in one of the
Chinese dialects commonly used in Taiwan.

Send a letter of application with photo and simple work
history. Christians include an endorsement from your pastor.
Send to: Rev. Hsiao Gi-tian, Director
              Galilee Mission Center
              714  Tainan County
              Yu-chin Township
              SanPu Village #83-1
              TAIWAN

Taiwan Church News is published weekly in Chinese
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