wfn.org | Taiwan Presbyterians Poll their Young Adult Members

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

Taiwan Church News 2643, October 27, 2002
Reported by Li Hsin-ren and Li Yi-shin. Translated and rewritten
by David Alexander

   What are the young adults in the Presbyterian Church in Taiwan
(PCT) thinking?  The Taiwan Church News recently conducted an
open telephone poll.  Eleven leaders, some serving as the heads
of their respective presbytery's Youth Ministry Committees and
others appointed to the General Assembly Youth Ministry
Committee, were contacted.  The focus of the questioning was on
the Young Adults (generally speaking, those church members
between 25 and 35 years of age).  The questions were, "What do
they most hope for?" and "What are the current needs for
strengthening ministry among them?"
   Responses dealt mostly with issues of marriage and
occupation.  Over 50% of the respondents said that the young
adults want guidance from their churches on the relationship
between work and faith.  The other 45% said that the main need
was for marriage and family guidance.  A few of the respondents
said that the church might offer more opportunities for singles
to meet.  They suggested an interchange structure be created to
help in the search for Christian potential marriage partners.
Nearly 19% of responses fell within a broad category of pastoral
support and the relevance of church to the concerns of young
adults.
   Nearly half of the respondents felt that the church should do
more for youth in general.  There was a call by a third of
respondents for the churches to allow youth participation in
decision making as one way to stem the outflow of young members.
   The low portion of church resources devoted to youth ministry
came up. It was felt that ministers, busy with administrative and
other pastoral duties, ignore the needs of the youth.  A call was
made for greater emphasis on youth work so that young people
might become gospel agents. Suggestions came for giving young
people opportunities to serve in weak and small congregations.
   General Assembly Youth Ministries Secretary Lim Hong-tiong
responded to the survey's findings saying, "The young adults must
avoid negativity!"  He believes that the youth taking a positive
attitude can live out their faith and serve sacrificially,
thereby becoming the fountain of church life.  Of course, the
church must also offer fitting guidance and companionship to
young adults as they pass through this precious stage of their
lives.
  He added, "Young adults have to face the challenges of work,
romance and marriage.  If they spend their weekends busy with
church participation, they may feel very pressured.  If their
church life supports their personal growth and development, it
does not add to their work pressures."
   "Young adults must avoid negativity!"  He says that young
adults face social position, family, and romantic confusion.
Many leave their hometowns to study, then return for work.  He
suggests that they maintain a steady participation in church for
the sake of spiritual growth and service.  The maintenance of a
humble spirit can also be enhanced through church participation.
   Advancing his case a point, Rev. Lim said, "Service is the
structure for learning our faith.  We need not go search out
every service opportunity, but should prayerfully select among
those that are available, even exploring avenues we have
previously not considered.  Each of us is a part of the church.
None of us can say we have no potential to serve.  As we read in
the scriptures, all things intermingle for the good of those who
love the Lord."
   In response to the call for greater creativity, Rev. Lim
mentioned that the General Assembly's youth ministry committee
has been conducting youth leader training and spiritual formation
conferences. It and hopes that through these events and programs
the experience of youth leaders will be broadened and deepened.
"But," he warns, "concern for the young adults is foundational
and important.	It needs more participation by local church
clergy."  He also asks that people of all ages participate in
promoting the life of local churches so that the energy of the
community called the church might permeate all groups in any one
congregation to the benefit of all.

For More Information.  Hontiong@ms2.pct.org.tw
		       Youth@ms2.pct.org.tw

Taiwan Church News is published weekly in Chinese.
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