Presbyterian Church in Taiwan
| Presbyterian Church in Taiwan | |
|---|---|
| Tâi-oân Ki-tok Tiúⁿ-ló Kàu-hōe Đài Loan Cơ Đốc trưởng lão giáo sẽ | |
 | |
| Abbreviation | PCT |
| Type | Christianity(Western) |
| Classification | Protestant |
| Orientation | Mainline |
| Polity | Presbyterian |
| Governance | General Assembly |
| Moderator | Rev. Ti Sik-khim |
| Associations | World Council of Churches Christian Conference of Asia National Council of Churches of Taiwan World Communion of Reformed Churches Council for World Mission |
| Region | Taiwan |
| Founder | James Laidlaw Maxwell George Leslie Mackay |
| Origin | 1865 Taiwan |
| Congregations | 1,219[1] |
| Members | 238,372[2] |
| Ministers | 1,205[1] |
| Hospitals | 3 |
| Secondary schools | 3 |
| Tertiary institutions | 2 |
| Seminaries | 4 |
| Publications | Taiwan Church News |
| Official website | www |
| Slogan | Đốt mà không hủy "Burning, but not destroyed" |
ThePresbyterian Church in Taiwan(PCT;Chinese:Đài Loan Cơ Đốc trưởng lão giáo sẽ;Pe̍h-ōe-jī:Tâi-oân Ki-tok Tiúⁿ-ló Kàu-hōe) is the largestProtestant Christiandenominationbased inTaiwan.[3]
The PCT is a member of theWorld Council of Churches,and its flag features a "burning bush",which signifies the concept of burning yet not being destroyed.
History[edit]
The Presbyterian Church in Taiwan was started in the 19th century byJames Laidlaw Maxwellof thePresbyterian Church of Englandin Southern Taiwan, andGeorge Leslie Mackayof thePresbyterian Church in Canadain Northern Taiwan.
In Taiwan,Presbyterianshave historically been active in promoting the use of the local vernacularTaiwanese,both during theJapanesecolonial period, as well as after the transfer of rulership to the Republic of China (ROC), during which the exclusive use ofMandarinwas legally mandated.
Also, the church has historically been an active proponent of human rights and democracy in Taiwan, a tradition which began during the Japanese colonial period and extended into the "White Terror"period of the ROC.
Pre-1945[edit]
When Maxwell and Mackay arrived in Taiwan, Taiwan was under the control of theQing dynastyfrom the mainland of China. In the beginning, the Taiwanese mission works were not smooth, but the missionaries persevered and continued their works.
In 1895, as a result of Chinese defeat in theFirst Sino-Japanese War,Taiwan was taken over by Japan, and the Japanese colonial period started. The PCT continued their mission work during the Japanese colonial period and dedicated themselves to the human rights of the Taiwanese people under colonization.[4]
The Presbyterian Church has been heavily involved in evangelization among the indigenous since the 1930s. Today, about 30 percent of the native Taiwanese belong to the denomination.
Post-1945[edit]
After the end ofWorld War IIin 1945, the Kuomintang (KMT) party, which controlled the Chinese government at that time, took over Taiwan. However, after the loss in theChinese Civil War,the KMT retreated to Taiwan in 1949. By then, the churches in Taiwan were starting to experience conflicts due to linguistic and cultural differences.[5]
The most rapid church growth was experienced from 1955 to 1965 during theDouble Church Movement.[4]From 1978, the denomination was engaged in an extensive evangelization effort known as the "Ten plus One Movement",aimed at 10% increase of the communicant membership each year.[6][4]
During themartial lawperiod, the Church was monitored by KMT authorities. This came to light during Taiwan’stransitional justiceprocess.[7]
Political involvement[edit]
Conflicts with the KMT government for WCC membership[edit]
TheKuomintanggovernment forced the Presbyterian Church in Taiwan to withdraw from theWorld Council of Churchesin 1970, as the WCC began supportingChina's admission to theUnited Nations,and admitted Chinese religious organizations to its ranks. The WCC, which is more liberal and left-wing on many issues, was condemned by the KMT as a supporter ofcommunism,thus standing on the same side with theChinese Communist Party(CCP).
Therefore, the KMT strongly urged the PCT to withdraw from WCC membership, which the PCT rejected at first, but gave in later to political pressure. However, because of the PCT’s ongoing disobedience to the KMT government, the PCT was still condemned as disloyal to the country even after they left the WCC.[5]
Three important statements[edit]
The fate of Taiwan dramatically changed in the 1970s because of the gradually global recognition of the People’s Republic of China (PRC), which was under the CCP's control. The KMT government in Taiwan felt extreme pressure, especially when the PRC replaced the ROC as the representative of China in the United Nations in 1971. Considering the global situation and diplomatic challenges, the PCT between 1971-1977 released three important documents in PCT history.
Led by then General SecretaryKao Chun-ming,the PCT released theStatement of Our National Fate by the Presbyterian Church in Taiwanin 1971, which asked the KMT government to give Taiwanese people the rights to decide their own future. Reverend Daniel Beeby was expelled from Taiwan in 1972 due to his support of Taiwan independence.
Following the confiscation of the church'sHoklomaterials in 1975, the PCT published a second statement, which stressed the importance of religious freedom. The statement is calledOur Appeal by the Presbyterian Church in Taiwan – Concerning the Bible, the Church and the Nation,in which the PCT proposed five (5) ways that the PCT could help the government in that time.
The PCT did not formally advocate for theTaiwan independence movementuntil a third statement was released in August 1977,A Declaration on Human Rights by the Presbyterian Church in Taiwan.It asked the KMT government to declare Taiwan as a novel and independent country. These three documents brought much tension between the PCT and the KMT government, but at the same time they also reflected the PCT’s deep involvement in Taiwanese society beyond the religious community.[8][9]
Taiwanese democracy movement[edit]
Since the 1980s, the church formed strong ties with theTangwai movementandDemocratic Progressive Party(DPP). Although the PCT was never officially involved in the Taiwanese democracy movement by the name of the church, many of its members and clergy dedicated their lives to it.
Reverend Kao was one of the most prominent figures of the movement. He was imprisoned in 1979 for assisting the leader of theMeilidao movement,Shih Ming-teh.At the same time, Elder Lin Wen-cheng was also arrested because of her involvement during the process of Shih’s hiding from the KMT government.[9]The Meilidao movement is considered one of the most important events in the history of the Taiwanese democracy movement.
After martial law[edit]
In 1987, the KMT government finally ended the 38-year-longmartial lawand Taiwanese society entered a time of democratization. Even after the democratization of Taiwan, the PCT is still deeply involved in social movements, including human rights and other issues, and continues to play a significant role in Taiwanese society.[9]
Indigenous rights[edit]
The PCT has also been a consistent and conspicuous proponent ofindigenousrights:
…over 64 percent [of Taiwanese aborigines] identify asChristian…[For decades, the PCT] has used its organizational strengths to mobilize its people for repeated campaigns, and has provided a continuing solid institutional base for most Aboriginal political initiatives…organizations like the Alliance of Taiwanese Aborigines – and even the DPP itself – have often fallen back on the Church as a ready-made resource. (Stainton 2002)[10]
Governance[edit]
In terms of governance, the PCT has ageneral assembly,and only onesynod(the Northern Synod); thepresbyteriesconnect directly to the general assembly.[11]It has 23presbyteriesand four districts[clarification needed].[6]In the Presbyterian Church in Taiwan,sessionis composed of the pastor and elders. Elders must have served two terms as deacon before becoming elders.
Creeds[edit]
The church subscribes to:[6]
Announcements & Declarations[edit]
- Our Appeal by the Presbyterian Church in Taiwan-Concerning the Bible, the Church and the Nation(11.18.1975)
- A Declaration on Human Rights by the Presbyterian Church in Taiwan(08.16.1977)
- Recommendations from the Presbyterian Church in Taiwan- Concerning the Present Situation(05.15.1990)
- The Presbyterian Church in Taiwan-A Public Statement on the Sovereignty of Taiwan(08.20.1991)
Interchurch relations[edit]
The PCT is a member church of theWorld Council of Churchesand theWorld Communion of Reformed Churches.It is also a member of theCouncil for World Missionthrough which it is linked in mission with 30 other churches around the world.
Immigrants from Taiwan to theUnited StatesandCanadahave also startedTaiwanese Hokkienchurches which are closely related to the Presbyterian Church in Taiwan. While most of these churches are affiliated with thePresbyterian Church in the United States of America,thePresbyterian Church in Canada,and theUnited Church of Canada,the liturgy and church practices are rooted in the Taiwanese Presbyterian tradition, and the pulpits are usually filled by ministers trained in the PCT.[12]
Affiliated Institutions[edit]
The Presbyterian Church in Taiwan has a number of affiliated institutions.
Education[edit]
Universities and colleges includeAletheia University,Chang Jung Christian University,Mackay Medical College,and Mackay Junior College of Medicine, Nursing and Management.
The PCT has three theological institutions: theTaiwan Theological College and Seminaryin Taipei (also known as Taiwan Graduate School of Theology), theTainan Theological College and Seminaryin Tainan, and the Yu-Shan Theological College and Seminary in Hualien. Secondary schools include the Tamkang Middle and High Schools and the related Suntek Elementary School inTamsui,as well as the Changjung High School and Changjung Girls' Senior High School in Tainan.
Hospitals[edit]
TheMackay Memorial Hospital,Changhua Christian Hospital and Sin-Lau Hospital are affiliated with the Presbyterian Church in Taiwan.
Media[edit]
In 1885, the PCT published the printed newspaper in Taiwanese history, theTaiwan Church News(which was first calledTaiwan Prefecture City Church News).[13]
In 2004, the PCT establishedNews Eyes Television,which aims to serve the Christians in Taiwan and abroad. At the same time, News Eyes Television also visions to be an anchor in global mission works.[14]
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ab"Presbyterian Church in Taiwan".World Council of Churches. Archived fromthe originalon 2012-04-05.Retrieved2010-11-06.
- ^"The Presbyterian Church in Taiwan (PCT)".
- ^"BBK.GKV » Taiwan".
- ^abcLin, Jung-Chi. “The Church Growth of the Presbyterian Church in Taiwan.” Fuller Theological Seminary, 1988, p. 58-68.
- ^abZeng, Qingbao, 1966-; từng khánh báo, 1966- (2017).Yuese he ta de xiong di men: hu jiao fan gong, dang guo Jidu tu yu Taiwan ji yao pai de xing cheng(Xiu ding ban ed.). Tainan Shi. pp. 103–109, 187–213.ISBN978-986-5637-44-6.OCLC1015177438.
{{cite book}}:CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link) CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^abc"Address data base of Reformed churches and institutions".
- ^Chen, Kelvin (5 May 2021)."Transitional Justice Commission reveals extent of Taiwan's former spy network".taiwannews.tw.Taiwan News.Retrieved9 May2021.
- ^Han Cheung (5 January 2020)."Taiwan in Time: The devout dissidents".Taipei Times.Retrieved5 January2020.
- ^abcRubinstein, Murray. "The Presbyterian Church in the Formation of Taiwan's Democratic Society, 1945-2001".American Asian Review.4:90–93.
- ^Stainton, Michael (2002)."Presbyterians and the Aboriginal Revitalization Movement in Taiwan".Cultural Survival Quarterly.26(2).Retrieved2007-03-21.
- ^"Taiwan Church News".
- ^"Về chúng ta - Đài Loan Cơ Đốc trưởng lão giáo hội".
- ^"Home".Đài Loan giáo hội công báo xã.Retrieved2020-05-02.
- ^"Tân ánh mắt đài truyền hình New Eyes Television NETV".netv.org.tw.Retrieved2020-05-02.