wfn.org | Taiwan Mission Consultation Draws Participants from Around the World

[Worldwide Faith News <wfn@igc.org>]

Taiwan Church News 2780, 6 to 12 June 2005

Reported by Chen Yi-shiuan & Yang Shu-hao. Written by David Alexander

A few days prior to the celebrations of the 140th anniversary of the 
arrival of Protestant missionaries on Taiwan a group of hundreds of local 
clergy and elders from the Presbyterian Church in Taiwan and 
representatives from Taiwan's Episcopal and Holiness Churches joined 
overseas participants for a mission consultation on spiritual formation, 
justice and unity.

Spiritual formation was addressed by Rev. Komiyama Tamao from the Japan 
Alliance Church and Rev. John McCall, director of Spiritual Formation at 
Taiwan Theological College.  Komiyama represented the Ashram movement, and 
McCall some aspects of formation outside of the Charismatic movement.

The consultation was privileged to receive Dr. Prawate Khid-arn, newly 
installed General Secretary of the Christian Conference of Asia, who 
addressed Mission and Justice. Stating that, "without justice there can be 
no peace," he called for inclusion of the human rights of migrant workers 
and persons with HIV/AIDS, and matters of freedom and democracy within 
church discussions of mission. Also speaking on Justice was Sr. Cecilia Yeh 
from the Catholic Women-Concerns' Group. She talked about the concept of 
"Shalom" as it deals with one's self, other people, the cosmos and God. The 
story of Queen Vashti from the book of Esther in the Hebrew Bible gave 
shape to the paper she presented.

Mission and Unity was addressed by Dr. C.S. Song, a member of the Reformed 
Church in America. He called for consideration of mission based not on "the 
great commission" from Matthew 28 but on "the great commandment" from John 
17. He was followed by Dr. William Browne from the Presbyterian Church USA 
who reflected on partnership as it applies to sharing the love of God.

Overseas delegates from Germany, Malawi, Brazil, Japan, New Zealand, 
Canada, the UK, and the USA participated in discussion groups that brought 
recommendations back to a plenary session.  Following closing worship the 
international guests dispersed nationwide to participate in the Sunday 
morning mass rallies in celebration of the anniversary.

For more information: www.pct.org.tw

Taiwan Church News is published weekly in Taiwan's local languages.

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