[3104] Taiwanese Americans in US learn to appreciate PCT vision and ministries

Taiwanese Americans in US learn to appreciate PCT vision and ministries

Reported by Sam Lee

Written by Lydia Ma

PCT General Assembly leaders, including General Assembly Moderator Chiohh Lyian-syian and Associate General Secretary Lyim Hong-tiong among others, traveled to the northeastern coast of the US in mid August to visit and network with fellow Taiwanese Christians and members from local Taiwanese associations in the area.

During a symposium on August 14, 2011, there was much fellowship and discussion about PCT’s ministries and church growth and PCT leaders spent much time introducing the church’s visions and priorities. Some Taiwanese Christians from the US east coast were eager to know about PCT church growth and asked whether PCT would be organizing big events such as gospel crusades in the near future.

Lyim replied that PCT is a church that relies on its presbyteries and member churches to carry on its ministries at the local level. The church saw the highest number of baptisms among Taiwanese churches in 2009, totaling to 9,000. As PCT local churches are mostly churches with about 100 members, PCT’s ministries have always been geared toward the needs of each church’s local community and directed by local presbyteries. That is the reason why holding mass gospel rallies held in stadium-size venues are not the focus of PCT’s attention.

Lyim stressed that the vision of the PCT is not merely to see every local church grow in numbers, but rather, to ensure that all members grow in their spiritual walk and commitment to God. He underscored that PCT’s main focus isn’t merely membership growth, but rather, “holistic” growth. PCT wants its members to grow into people who serve at church, impact their community, care for God’s creation, work for the advancement of the gospel and local culture, etc. In this sense, “the ministries carried out by the PCT may not always be very visible, but it is certainly influential and transforming,” Lyim said.

Responding to comments about PCT’s annual “I Love Taiwan” (ILT) missions program where many youths from all parts of the world come to Taiwan to experience Taiwanese culture and missions and inquiries about whether it might be extended to cover adults as well, Chiohh replied that the organizational structures of both PCT and PC(USA) defer much decision-making to presbyteries when it comes to what ministries to pursue. Hence, it’s essential that churches abroad build a close working relationship with PCT presbyteries.

With that in mind, he welcomed all PC(USA) presbytery general secretaries to come to Taiwan and observe ILT programs when they are held every summer. He hoped that such an exchange would help both churches grow and learn from each other.