Mission to Aborigines in Urban Areas

A View from the Presbyterian Experience

By The Rev. Mr. Sing 'Olam

 (Translation by David Alexander, Taiwan Church News)

(In July of 1999 the Taiwan Presbyterian Church celebrated the 50th anniversary of formal initiation of youth ministry with a Jubilee convention held at Chang Jung College of Management in Tainan County. The convention program included 40 workshops on various topics of mission and ministry. The Rev. Mr. Sing 'Olam (Lin Seng-an) led a session on mission among Aborigines living in urban areas.)

Rev Sing 'Olam is a graduate of Tainan Theological College. He is a member of the Amis tribe, and belongs to the Western Amis Presbytery. He currently serves in the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in Taiwan as the Secretary for Aboriginal Mission.

Introduction

The growth of the church among Taiwan's Aboriginal people has been characterized as the 20th century miracle, but in recent decades of church development it looks more like the entry into winter slumber. It doesn't matter if we count the number of churches or of church members, there has not been a great increase. Many reasons have been given for the end of the explosion. One that cannot be neglected is the migration factor. Today we must speak about mission problems, and cannot ignore such an important trend. As the church designs for mission we must take special concern for aborigines who live in cities. We must design suitable mission policies and activity plans, enabling the aborigines who have moved to Taiwan's cities to hear and receive the good news of our Lord Jesus Christ.

1) Understanding the Reasons for Migration

Migration is a global phenomenon. No nation is static. People are moving everywhere. They go for many reasons, but most because of economics. For many they have only the option to move or die. In Taiwan the modern industrial and economic development has resulted in the majority of the population moving to urbanized areas. Taiwan's Aborigines in the mountains also feel pushed out of their homes and pulled to the cities. The truth is that now the majority of Aboriginal people in Taiwan live in the cities. The push comes from the mountains, where Aborigines find themselves unable to earn enough to support the needs for life. Young people are especially prone to migrate. The pull comes from the cities, where there are jobs, fixed incomes and good opportunities for children to attend schools.

2) Pastoral Care in the Diaspora

If we are to care for dispersed Aboriginal residents we must first know where they have gone and what they are doing. Aborigines in the cities do all sorts of work and have various sorts of occupations, but often are found in "3D" jobs (dangerous, difficult and disgusting).

Early on many young Aborigines went to sea in fishing vessels, others worked in mines. Today construction jobs and metal working are common occupations. If we desire to reach out to them, we must know their occupational circumstances.

But to give pastoral care we must also understand their distinctive traits so that we can design and offer meaningful concern and pastoral care activities. Urban dwelling aborigines are known as sociable, enjoying chat, liking to sing and dance, and those who are already Christians are noted for being accepting of others. But they are scattered far from home and are insufficiently recognizable. When asked what they would look for in a church, they cite church names, denominations, familiar worship styles, mother tongue use and a feeling of acceptance.

They are prone to follow the patterns set by people who moved to the cities in earlier waves of migration. As we plan and reach out to them, we need to keep these social factors in mind.

3) Points to Consider

a) Time and place for meeting have to be acceptable, or people cannot come.

b) An urban mission to Aborigines must have a cross-cultural feeling, accepting of cultural differences.

c) Churches should be open and holistic in style.

d) Churches should operate ecumenically as well as cross culturally, engaging in conversation and cooperation across tribal and denominational lines.

e) Small to medium size congregations (50 to 80 members) with outlying "gospel stations" for proclamation and pastoral care may be the best model.

f) Urban churches must maintain good communication with those in the mountains to stanch the "loss" of church members who move to town and lose contact with church life.

g) Resources needed for this type of mission include a location, speakers, materials, financial resources, and a suitable division of laborers.

4) Significant Challenges

a) The diminishing number of believers In general the "leakage" of members is attributed to laxness about attending church, switching of denominations without transfer of membership, church splits or lack of missionary zeal in the home congregation. These phenomena are often laid at the door of the pastor, with whose own character they have a significant relationship. The image the pastor projects, his or her preaching skill and other factors all come into account. Clergy must engage in self-reflection and reform.

b) Ethnic particularism and language problems. Each aboriginal group's mother tongue is a tool for proclamation of the Good News. But in cities where generalized Aboriginal mission is the aim, these languages become barriers. Urban mission among Aborigines must emphasize acceptance of all groups, and deal with the issue of mother tongues as an adjunct.

c) Establishment of Cooperative Relationships between Church Governing Bodies In the Presbyterian Church in Taiwan each tribe has its own governing body (a Presbytery or a District) and larger tribes may have several. If cross tribal churches are to be established, the problem of "to which presbytery or district does this congregation belong and report" has to be dealt with. Aboriginal presbyteries must coordinate policies to avoid conflict in these situations.

d) Support from Higher Levels of Church Government Within the Presbyterian Church in Taiwan the establishment of a specialized committee with a mission focus on Urban Aborigines can give guidance and direction in the face of the unique challenges of this mission.

5. Conclusion

Urban Aboriginal mission problems are a current important concern and problem for which we must seek solutions. In our design of mission policies, we must ask where the Urban Aborigines dwell, what their needs are, and how to open our hearts to accept people of all tribes. In this way we can use our mutual strength to do urban mission to the Glory of God and the benefit of all people.