Taiwan Church News

3321 Edition

October 19 - 25, 2015

Editorial

Don't Be A Stranger

On October 17, dominated by an excuse that KMT's extremely difficult presidential campaign was caused by Ms Hung Hsiu-chu's China policy going too far away from the mainstream opinion of Taiwan society, KMT(Kuomintang, the Chinese Nationalist Party) played a political drama to "remove" her nomination as KMT's presidential candidate. What kind of results would this drama effects? It seems that, whatsoever KMT would try, most people do not expect it could make any difference.

Why KMT's presidential campaign backpedaled into such a miserable situation, after 7 years in power, sinceher land-slide victory in 2008 election? The most important reason is due to an arrogant negligence and a deliberate betrayal of the will of the people. Only the will of the KMT and its elite to be followed. Though KMT lives in Taiwan, it is only China matters. Whatever important policy is made, a China blueprint is always implicit. KMT has never recognize Taiwan as the root of its business and treasure the people and culture on this land. For the stories and events happened on this land, they usually do not hear, listen or even dare to speak. In the other words, they are strangers on this land.

The Presbyterian Church in Taiwan(PCT) has kept doing her ministries in Taiwan for 150 years. From the verybeginning, when the missionaries arrived on this island, they identified themselves with the people in their languages and clothing. They lived with the folks and shared their joy and sorrow. Especially, after the doubling evangelical movement in 1960s, PCT deeply experienced the sufferings of the people and started to care for the political and social issues in Taiwan society. Complying with the will of God, PCT wished to establish a kingdom of God in this beautiful island. Through action, PCT demonstrates that she stands by the people of Taiwan. By proclaiming the kingdom of God, PCT speaks to Taiwan society: Christianity is not a stranger in Taiwan's destiny, but a part of it.

In the past, through a multiple ministries of participating demonstration on the streets, establishing care center inthe city, managing community development and etc, PCT worked hard to live out the gospel in daily lives. These services are our action of identification and care for the people on this land. When we celebrates PCT150 this year, a major difference with the previous annual celebration of PCT missions is that there are two consecutive days of Tainan Church Day. Not only the churches are invited to attend this festival, but also citizens are welcomed to take part into this event. In order to connecting the churches and citizens, we hope to proclaim God's kingdom in action: "We act and play no strangers to Taiwan!"

Indeed, what we have done is still far away from the goal! Taiwan society would still keep questioning us if we arestrangers? We need to ask ourselves in the following questions: Do we still listen to the call of the sufferred? Have we build up the high walls around the church keeping the sound of cry and sober from our ear? Do we still care for the marginalized? Have we locked up the gate of the church overlooking the people in needs? Do we stand by the oppressed? Do we attend to an integral solution, once the social injustice are discussed and turned into the hands of the so-called experts?

If the decline of a political party is caused by their reluctance to listen to the people, then we as a fellowship in Christian faith could probably become next stranger when we could not practice what we believe and refuse to engage with the people in their sighs and tears.