PCT pastors divided over church-growth strategies advocated by Pure Gospel Church leader

["Taiwan Church News" <enews@pctpress.org>]

      Taiwan Church News

      3054 Edition

      September 6~12, 2010

       

       

      PCT pastors divided over church-growth strategies advocated by 
Pure Gospel Church leader

       

      Reported by Lin Yi-ying

      Written by Lydia Ma

      Photo by Lin Yi-ying

       

       



      Rev. Yonggi Cho, world-renowned founding pastor of Yoido Pure 
Gospel Church in South 

      Korea, recently led a “Spiritual Summit” in Taiwan from August 
31-September 2, 2010, 

      attended by more than 1,400 pastors from various church 
denominations.

       



      Cho’s church boasts 780,000 members and he has become a 
household name among 

      Taiwanese Christians. However, Rev. Chen Chien-yueh from 
You-Chang Presbyterian Church 

      in Kaohsiung noted that less than 140 PCT pastors attended 
Cho’s conference this year, quite 

      a significant decrease in attendance in contrast to Cho’s 
previous visit back in 2006.

       



      It seems PCT pastors are divided over their views on Yonggi Cho 
and his church growth 

      strategies. PCT Evangelism Committee Chairman Rev. Chuang 
Hsiao-Shen said he 

      respected Cho’s strategies, but cautioned Taiwanese pastors 
against emulating down to the 

      last detail strategies megachurch pastors use to grow their 
churches, or coveting their power 

      and influence over their churches. 

       



      “These things don’t resonate with PCT’s theology,” Chuang said. 
He underscored that 

      churches can bring glory to God regardless of whether they are 
big or small, rich or poor, 

      resource-full or resource-less. He added that glorifying God 
included much more than 

      becoming a megachurch or teaching Christians how to be 
successful in their careers.

       



      On the other hand, Yancheng Presbyterian Church pastor, Rev. 
Hsia Wen- hsueh argued that 

      the Holy Spirit’s work and blessings are not exclusive 
properties of Pure Gospel Church 

      leaders, but belong to all pastors instead. He urged PCT 
pastors not to preclude themselves 

      or their churches as PCT must continue to be in step with the 
Holy Spirit’s work. 

       



      Hsia felt pastors would be encouraged by attending conferences 
similar to the one led by Cho 

      where they can learn how other pastors care and lead their 
flock and be encouraged or 

      inspired by hearing other pastors’ stories.

       



      “Some people say PCT lacks the work of the Holy Spirit. They’re 
plain wrong. But to say that 

      we’ve missed the boat many times to witness the work of the 
Holy Spirit would be an accurate 

      statement! We can’t continue just having meeting after meeting 
and get paid for doing that. 

      We must repent, pray, and preach the gospel more,” said Chen. 

       

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