wfn.org | Taiwan's Church Focuses on Society at Seminar

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

Taiwan Church News 2667, April 13, 2003
Reported by Li Hsin-ren. Translated and rewritten by David
Alexander

   The Church and Society Committee of the Presbyterian Church in
Taiwan held several days of training and discussion in Kaohsiung
late in March, focusing on social ministries.  Apart from
contributions from each of the church's several presbyteries and
special districts, there were exchanges on social concern work
experiences.
There was a lot to share, and participants left encouraged by the
things wrought by faith in many different areas.
   An "official" aspect to the seminar was brought by Chen
Shen-hsien, from the Central Government's Ministry of Economic
Affairs and Hu Chung-yi from the Council on Agriculture.  They
spoke about water conservation and the impact of Taiwan's entry
into the World Trade Organization on rural life. In recent years,
when the nation has met drought conditions, the first to lose
access to water have been the farmers.	Rural residents are also
seen to suffer the most from the end of protectionist trade
barriers which came down when the nation entered the WTO.
   After each presbytery had shared its own work, responses were
made to others' presentations.	Chia-yi Presbytery, for example,
noted that their own work was lacking because of frequent
turnover of responsible officers.  They recommended that those
given the duty of leading Church and Society activities be held
in office longer.
   The Rev. Mr. Cheng Ing-erh (Te* Eng-ji), the PCT's program
secretary for Church & Society Ministry, described the work of
the committee as promoting recognition of Taiwan, concern for the
land, and love of life.  These flow from faith in Christ, and
toward the promotion of justice and peace.  The committee is also
the Church's action agency for disaster relief and neighborhood
concern work.
  The Church and Society Committee recently invited believers and
church groups  nationwide to participate in a movement for the
restoration of Taiwan's True Name to be held in Taipei on May
11th.

For more information: Cheng Ing-erh   enggi@ms2.pct.org.tw

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