wfn.org | A Taiwanese Presbytery Reorganizes

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

Taiwan Church News 2641. October 13, 2002
Reported by Lin Yi-ying. Translated and rewritten by David
Alexander

   To meet the needs of modern ministry, the Taipei Presbytery of
the Presbyterian Church in Taiwan reorganized itself at its Fall
meeting.  New departments have been created for student
evangelism and spiritual renewal. A task force on clergy family
care was created.  The former education department has been
renamed the "Human Resources Department" and appointed to be
responsible for in-service training of ministers and elders as
well as welfare administration.
   Executive Presbyter Te* Hong-rong pointed out, "The spiritual
renewal department will emphasize deepening the spiritual life of
ministers, not just their spiritual gifts and personal talents.
It will approach this task from two directions: spiritual
formation and worship renewal."
  The first of these, spiritual formation, involves the personal
renewal of the clergy in preparation to give leadership to lay
renewal.  It is a systematic and continuous process, not a matter
of holding periodic special revival meetings.
  Worship renewal will look at contemporary backgrounds, forms
and theological aspects of worship.  It is hoped that the
formalism of Presbyterian liturgical practice can be enlivened,
especially in the areas of preaching style and musical variety.
   The presbytery's thrust toward renewal is driven from within.
It is not an agent of the Taiwan Church Renewal Movement (a
formal organization).  However, there is no hostility towards the
Renewal Movement, and the presbytery will adopt some of its
directions.  The vision is that the groups will be partners and
companions in the process of church renewal.
   Rev. Te* emphatically asserted that "Taipei Presbytery's
renewal department is focused on the spiritual life of the
clergy, it is not an inquisition to determine whether or not a
pastor can speak in tongues or 'slay people in the Spirit.' These
outer manifestations are not the point. We want the clergy to be
equipped with spiritual gifts and personal talents, to have a
depth of spiritual life, and to be sure of themselves in their
relationship with Jesus Christ."

For More Information: Taipei Presbytery  tpepct@ms29.hinet.net

www.tpepct.org.tw
				  Te* Hong-rong
hhcheng@ms14.hinet.net

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