Title: Strengthening the Mission of Aboriginal Presbyteries and Districts
Taiwan Church News 2837 10-16 July 2006
Reported by Li Hsin-ren. Written by David Alexander
The Presbyterian Church in Taiwan (PCT) has 10 Aboriginal Presbyteries and 6 Special Districts of Aboriginal churches. They can be found in every corner of Taiwan. Some of these organizations have made exhaustive studies of their potential and have found new spirit for mission endeavours. Others have established good cooperative ventures internally and externally. But all face struggles.
Amis, Western Amis and Eastern Amis Presbyteries have the closest cooperative relationships among all Aboriginal churches. They organized a joint retreat early in July for clergy and their spouses. This not only promoted good relationships between colleagues, but also gave each the chance to learn from the unique experiences of the others.
The three presbyteries have worked together to promote mother tongue education and Bible translation and have concentrated their efforts on Amis language mission action. PCT General Assembly Programme Secretary for Aboriginal Mission, Sudu Tata, said that the three Amis presbyteries provide a model for all Aboriginal organizations in the church.
The Paiwan Presbytery has been the first in the PCT to hire a full time Youth Ministries secretary. It has also produced a "White Paper" analyzing church situations and problems to guide its missional agenda.
PCT General Secretary Chang De-chien praised the Paiwan Presbytery's initiative, and suggested that should every Aboriginal Presbytery and District follow this model, mission could progress.
For more information: Sudu Tata sudu@mail.pct.org.tw
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