Taiwan Church News
3323 Edition
November 2 – 8, 2015
Editorial
Reflect And Forget What Lies Behind, Let Us Strain Forward To PCT 151
From the beginning till the end of this year, almost every event of PCT 150 is felt both jubilant and disparaging at the same time. Tainan Church Day, as one of the most important programs of PCT 150, is no exception. Some people are so jubilant to feel being encouraged, while some give their complaints and criticisms. In an age of plural voices, 2015 is going to its end soon. No matter how the events of PCT 150 are judged, good or bad, let us forget what lies behind and strain forward to PCT 151.
It is well said in a Taiwanese proverb, “Salty sweat on stage turns into sour saliva under platform”, meaning that the engaged actors on stage can never meet the standards of the audience. And this saying can also apply to all the events of PCT 150, especially we are a religious organization versed in criticism and self-reflection. So, various kinds of errors can be easily found in our PCT 150 service, activities, events, if you would check them up with a magnifying glass.
However, if we see these mishaps from another perspective, maybe this is the most beautiful story telling us the plural creations by the hand of God. Let us take a step back, forget what lies behind and challenge us a simple question: “Am I sure I can do better?” Such challenge to ourselves does not mean a proper reflection on the short-comings or incompleteness is useless. To the contrary, raising such reflective question with a positive attitude can help us keep moving forward.
A a matter of fact, many PCT members feel inspired by the ecumenical unity in the services, encouraged by PCT’s prophetic ministry in social services and enlightened by God’s revelation within the seminar or workshop. And we have to learn how to appreciate those different witness and voices among us, even to the voices of criticism.
Some criticisms focus on the use of language in the service. Though PCT is always proud of that there are 18 kinds of language used on Sunday service in Taiwan, the question is which one language should be our lingua franca when all the peoples assemble together? In order to take care of the linguistic right of each people, and throw away the hegemony of one particular language, there are still lots of works to do indeed. However, the point should be placed on whether the audience can encounter with God in the assembly?
As many politicians attended the sending-forth service at Tainan Church Day on October 25, some criticize that the service itself is too much political. But our insistence is that, instead of concerning if the milieu of the service is political or not, the procedures of the service should focus on God. A true service, focusing on God, can attract all walks of life including politicians, big bosses, social movement activists, professionals or ordinary citizens without titles. These are the people who should be treated equal with dignity in the service.
As to the inappropriate interruptions of the service, like welcoming the special guests or hurraying some campaigning candidates to be elected, PCT General Secretary has expressed his apology on this matter. Instead of discussing if this apology is enough or not, we should be more concerned: whether the assembly are inspired during praise, responsive reading, sermon or greetings among the procedures of the service? Or, whether the participation of the assembly can witness to the spirit of Tainan Church Day?
A question is raised as thus: if Dr. James Laidlaw Maxwell and Rev. Thomas Barclay attended our Church Day assembly today, would they celebrate the Church Day with us from the bottom of their heart? This is both a difficult and easy question to answer. It is difficult because we will never know the answers of these brave missionaries in the past; it is easy because there is no need to conjecture their reply as the Christians in each generation have their own context and demand. In order to search God’s will for different generation, PCT as a member of the reformed church will always keep “reforming” as a verb in her particle form!
