Page 13 - Preservation for the Documentation of Chinese Christianity

I. REVIEW

1970 was a year of development. It was a year of consolidation
and of planning for the future direction for the Council.

As a cultural meeting point, Hong Kong has resulted in a great
diversity of religious life. There are now twelve religions in Hong
Kong. The Christian Church began its ministries in Hong Kong in
1842, is rooted deeply and growing rapidly. There are now more than
450 churches and chapels grouped together in some 60 denominations
and sect groups. The total number of Christians in Hong Kong as at
the end of 1970 is estimated at slightly over 400,000 which is about
10 per cent of the total population. The annual increase in church
membership is 4.2 per cent.

The Churches in Hong Kong are responsible for 218 primary
schools, 100 middle schools and colleges, vocational training
centres, and the number is increasing each year. The Churches also
sponsor a variety of service programmes including hospitals, clinics,
orphanages, social service centres, nurseries, homes for the aged
and the handicapped.

In the field of education, the emphasis has been on the provision
of adequate technical and vocational training school places for
young people. In the field of social services, the emphasis has
been shifting from meeting urgent needs to coordinating more
effectively the work of the diverse professions concerned and
ensuring that available resources are applied to the developmental
task for the betterment of the community as a whole. In the field
of medical services, the emphasis has been on the development of
community health programmes.

However, there are still questions about the extent to which
the churches understand and accept their mission and their role in
this rapidly changing community. The contribution of our churches
has been minimal in some areas such as in tackling social injustice,
in social action, in family counselling, in fighting against drug
addiction, involvement in community development, and in communicat-
ing with men of other faiths.

The impression of the churches is that they are still too much
concerned with their own existence, too much divided, too slow in
supporting cooperative programmes for mission, and reluctant to
change their programme and structure in meeting new needs.

If the Church is the continuation of the Incarnation, then in
both mission and service the Church should express her response to
human needs. The purpose of all Church activities is the redemption
and healing of the entire being - body, mind, and soul. Christianity
is a living faith, and this conviction must be expressed by love in
action.