wfn.org | Taiwan Presbyterians Begin Leadership Transition

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

Taiwan Church News 2781 13 to 19 June 2005

Reported by Li Hsin-ren. Written by David Alexander

June 10th saw commencement of a transition at the General Assembly of the
Presbyterian Church in Taiwan (PCT).  Incoming programme secretaries
formally began keeping office hours in preparation for taking office on 1st
July. Outgoing programme secretaries and permanent staff began the process
of handover of responsibility. Both groups met for worship, led by General
Assembly Moderator Chen Hsin-liang. Rev. Chen gave thanks for the work and
effort of those departing, and urged the new secretaries to give similar
dedication.

Incoming General Secretary Rev. Chang De-chian and outgoing General
Secretary Rev. William J. K. Lo ceremonially ¡§passed the gavel¡¨ on 31st
March at the annual meeting of the PCT¡¦s General Assembly. The 10th of
June marked the beginning of transfer of signature authority, inventory of
properties, settling of financial accounts and the change of supervisory
authority over permanent staff.

To facilitate the process, incoming programme secretaries have been meeting
regularly to discuss directions and priorities. The recently celebrated
140th anniversary of the commencement of Protestant missionary work in
Taiwan was handled by the outgoing staff. All administrative details of
transition were put on hold until the completion of that project. The
importance and complexity of activities surrounding the anniversary was
such that no attention could be given to the transition. Moderator Chen
thanked both outgoing and incoming staff for their forbearance and efficiency.

Many of the outgoing secretaries have already secured positions elsewhere.

To facilitate the incoming General Secretary¡¦s smooth transition, for the
next several weeks Rev. Lo will work out of temporary facilities on the 7th
floor of the General Assembly mission centre.  All departing staff are
working hard to make the formal turnover of responsibility, when it comes
on 1st July, as smooth as possible.

For more information: gensec@mail.pct.org.tw

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

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