wfn.org | Where is Renewal in Taiwan's Presbyterian Church?

[Taiwan Church News <pctpress@ms1.hinet.net>]

Taiwan Church News 2639, September 29, 2002
Reported by staff. Translated and rewritten by David Alexander

   Over the past couple of decades the growth rates of
charismatic churches in Taiwan have surpassed that of the
Presbyterian Church in Taiwan (PCT).  Many PCT congregations have
stopped growing, lost members or been gradually transformed. The
PCT's General Assembly posts a theme every two years.  The
current one is "Spiritual Renewal and Lives Dedicated to
Service."  It is intended to testify to the willingness of this,
Taiwan's oldest Protestant denomination, to be transformed.
   Transformation for many other churches in this nation has
often followed models imported from Singapore, Korea or North
America.  "Charismatic" and "Revivalist" models and experiences
have been held up as the norm.	The charismatic experience has
many different facets.	Its more energetic forms have often
engendered defensiveness on the part of traditional Presbyterian
churches here.	Clergy and laity alike ask many questions: Is
Reformed theology deficient when the Holy Spirit is under
discussion?  Could it be that the use of the Taiwanese language
for worship is somehow an impediment to spiritual renewal?
Leadership in charismatic churches is often quite glamorous when
compared to black-suited regulated Presbyterianism, does a
spiritually renewed church require a totally changed leadership
model?	How does the pursuit of spiritual gifts mesh with an
ethos of community service and calls for social justice and
equality?
   To give churches and believers a chance to engage in dialogue,
the Taiwan Church Press and the Taiwan Church Renewal Society
will hold a seminar on Spiritual Renewal at the Fubon Education
Center in Tam-sui (Taipei County) on October 2nd.  Focal points
will be: The History of the Charismatic Movement in Taiwan;
Renewing Traditional Theologies; Charismatic Renewal; Renewal of
Worship; and Renewal of Church Structures. Discussion will aim at
seeing the suitability of the PCT for transformation and
renewal.  Case studies of "successfully" transformed churches
will be presented for discussion.
   Speakers and panelists will include former PCT General
Secretary C. M. Kao, current PCT Associate General Secretary Lim
Chong-cheng, Taiwan Church Renewal Society General Secretary Chia
Hi-beng, Taichung Chung-hsiao Road Presbyterian Church Pastor
Wang Bu-tsong, and Kaohsiung You-chiong Presbyterian Church
Pastor Chen Chien-yueh .  Professor Iap Khe-siu, the General
Editor of the Taiwan Church News, will be the moderator.
   Attendance is unrestricted.	Come one and come all.

For more information: C. M. Kao:  FAX +886 3 521 7194
		  Chia Hi-beng:  andrewhsieh@hotmail.com
		  Lim Chong-cheng:  execute@ms2.pct.org.tw
		  Wang Bu-tsong:  ch195204@ms16.hinet.net
		  Chen Chien-yueh: n4511100@ms55.hinet.net
		  Iap Khe-siu:	pctpress@ms1.hinet.net

Taiwan Church News is published weekly in Chinese.
Visit our web site: www.pctpress.com.tw