Page 14 - Preservation for the Documentation of Chinese Christianity

The ecumenical movement and its main task is to help the churches
to be the Church, It draws the churches into a deeper fellowship
in the spirit of partnership. It enables churches to make a more
effective witness to Jesus Christ as Lord.

For this reason the Hong Kong Christian Council was established
in 1954. Its membership is by denomination, association or mission.
It now has a membership of 21 major church bodies and Christian
organizations (12 churches, 6 Christian organizations and 3 missions).
Hong Kong Christian Council members represent 75% of the total
Protestant Church membership in Hong Kong.

As a member of the Commission of World Mission and Evangelism -
World Council of Churches, the World Council on Christian Education
and the East Asia Christian Conference, the purposes of the Council
are:

1. To develop fellowship and mutual programs among the churches
and Christian organizations to strengthen their outreach in
mission.

2. To serve as a meeting place for the exchange and reconciliation
, of views on matters of common interest.

3. To promote joint planning and cooperative action for mission
among the churches and Christian organizations in Hong Kong.

4. To assume responsibility for projects which can best be
carried out on joint basis.

5. To be a symbol of unity among Christian forces and to promote
that unity.

6. To provide a means whereby churches and Christian organizations
can speak and take common action on social issues and on
matters affecting the religious, moral, political, economic
and social life of the community.

7. To serve as a liaison between Christian organizations in Hong
Kong and regional and world ecumenical bodies.

Work of the Council is at present being carried on by four
Divisions, four auxiliary organizations, six standing committees
and four special committees.

During the year the Executive Committee of the Council adopted
the following areas of concern for mission and service projects:

Community Development
Industrial Mission
Family Life
Educational Research
Lay and Youth Training
Urban Ministry