Special Release

Taiwan Church News

5th May, 2004

On Monday May 3rd two of Taiwan’s English language newspapers carried a report originating with Agence-France Press (AFP) noting that a practicing homosexual had been ordained into the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in Taiwan (PCT). The report was brief and centered on comments by a member of Taiwan’s Legislative Yuan who attended the event. 

In order to clarify the status of the church, the minister, and the position of the PCT, the Taiwan Church News (TCN) interviewed the Rev. Hsu Hsin-te (Stephen Hsu), who serves as Evangelism Secretary at the General Assembly.

TCN: What is the position of the PCT on homosexuals?

Hsu: There is no official position, but we believe that the word “whosoever” in John 3:16 refers to all people. We believe that God’s love for homosexuals is the same as God’s love for all other people whom God has created. We believe that homosexuals are in need of love and pastoral care equally with all other people, and we believe that the church’s obligation to provide love and pastoral care to homosexuals is the same as our obligation to love and provide pastoral care for all people whom God has created.

TCN: The ordination took place at Ki-kwang Presbyterian Church, which is part of the PCT’s 7 Stars Presbytery (District). Is the Tong Kwang Lighthouse Presbyterian Church part of the PCT? 

Hsu: The Tong Kwang Lighthouse Presbyterian Church is neither a part of the 7 Stars Presbytery nor of the General Assembly of the PCT. It is an independent church, governed by its own board and bylaws. In that way it is like many independent Protestant churches in Taiwan and around the world. Its use of the facilities of Ki-kwang Presbyterian Church was on a one-time rental basis because there was not room in its own location for all the members and invited guests to attend the ceremony. Ki-kwang Church rented out the facilities but neither supervised nor endorsed the ordination. This is similar to the way in which Morrison Christian Academy in rents its facilities in Taichung and Taipei for use by English language community churches without supervising or endorsing the content of the preaching or understandings of Baptism and the Lord’s Supper held by those congregations. PCT congregations in Tainan and Kaohsiung also rent facilities to English language community churches without supervision over what is done in them. 

TCN: But Tong Kwang Church uses the name “Presbyterian”. Doesn’t that mean you have some responsibility for oversight, supervision and approval?

Hsu: The name “Presbyterian” is an honorable Biblical term. We have no copyright over it. Nor have we any ability to enforce standards of our own over who uses this name. Next door to our PCT central offices in Taipei is Friendship Presbyterian Church. It is not a PCT congregation. Our Christian role and responsibility towards Friendship Presbyterian Church is to be a good neighbor. In the same way, as Christians we are to be good neighbors to Tong Kwang Church. 

There are many church groups and independent congregations in Taiwan using the names Christian, Baptist, Pentecostal or Lutheran that are not under the supervision of other church groups that use the same names. Tong Kwang’s use of “Presbyterian” falls into this category.

TCN: The AFP report carried in the newspapers said that Rev. Tzeng was ordained into the General Assembly of the PCT. What does that mean?

Hsu: The first thing it means is that the reporter neither understood church structures nor did he or she seek out someone who understands them for an explanation. The PCT’s General Assembly does not ordain ministers. That power rests with the local districts in compliance with standards set by the General Assembly. The local district holds the membership of ordained ministers and supervises them. But Rev. Tzeng is a minister of an independent church. He is not under the supervision of 7 Stars district or of the PCT’s General Assembly. 

TCN: But weren’t the ministers who laid hands upon him to ordain him Presbyterians?

Hsu: Yes. PCT ministers are often invited to participate in the ordinations of ministers of independent churches in Taiwan. They are free to do so.

TCN: Did Rev. Tzeng graduate from a seminary affiliated with the PCT?

Hsu: Yes, he graduated from our Taiwan Theological College. Several ministers of the Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches, an entire denomination that openly affirms homosexual ministers, elders and members in North America, are graduates of schools affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention. The Rev. Dee Dale in Louisville, Kentucky, USA graduated from Boyce Bible School, and the Rev. J. Richard Bashan in Huntsville, Alabama USA studied at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. 

TCN: Will the PCT clergy who participated in this ordination be disciplined by the General Assembly?

Hsu: As is Taiwan, so is the PCT; governed by law. Discipline of ministers is a function of the local district. Disciplinary action would be taken only if charges against the ministers were to be brought at the local district level. The only way a “case” would reach the General Assembly would be if it had been appealed up to this level.

A case brought against any of 4 ministers who participated in this ordination would open all PCT ministers who participate in any ordination ceremonies outside the PCT to charges if the persons upon they laid hands were in any way out of strict compliance with the doctrinal standards held by the PCT. This might eventually hinder all PCT ministers from participation in independent church clergy ordinations is their presence were not first “cleared” through higher authorities.