wfn.org | Taiwan Presbyterians to Confer on Safety of Women in Ministry

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Taiwan Church News 2734, 19-25 July 2004
Reported by Chen Yi-shiuan. Translated and Rewritten by David Alexander

Issue 2724 of The Taiwan Church News last May carried an article regarding
the
safety of Women in Ministry, specifically single Aboriginal women in isolated
village settings. The report led to discussions and concern at the General
Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in Taiwan (PCT) and has produced plans
for
a seminar to be held in August.

Ministers from both Aboriginal and Plains churches will be invited to report,
share, and discuss the issue with the church leadership.  Plans call for
seminars on three topics: Physical Encounters; Telephone Harassment; and
Church Members' Care of their Pastor. These are designed to limit the
possibility of harm to the church fellowship.

The General Assembly's Programme Secretary for Aboriginal Ministry, Rev. Sing
O'lamu says the event will take place early in August and will be organized
according to formal seminar principles.
The meeting itself and those who participate will stick to the issue at hand,
brought up by the women in ministry themselves. Practical measures regarding
personal counseling, access to the pastor's home and single life will be
presented. Discussion will not shy from matters involving harassment, abuse,
or how to ward off sexual advances from men among the congregation. He
invites
all concerned with the problem to attend the seminar. He hopes that in
consultation some avenues can be opened towards solution of the problem.

The Rev. Susan Chuang, one of two PCT Associate General Secretaries, said,
"women in ministry are concerned not only for their own personal safety, they
must also care for the safety of the church itself. As more women enter the
ministry, more and more congregations will find themselves with a woman, and
her concerns, in their pulpits."

The Rev. Lin Ni-ling, Programme Secretary for Women's Ministries, recognizes
that the problems faced by women in ministry are a reflection of those faced
by all women in modern Taiwan.

For More Information: Sing O'lamu  sing@mail.pct.org.tw
		   Susan Chuang susan@mail.pct.org.tw
		   Lin Ni-ling	niling@mail.pct.org.tw
Taiwan Church News is published weekly in Taiwan's local languages.
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