Page 45 - Preservation for the Documentation of Chinese Christianity

The Division of Inter-Church Relations was established
to foster this reality, through relating churches to each
other in mission. It has an instrumental role, that is
enabling, the churches to act together. During the past
year, a Divisional committee was formed to coordinate
the work of the various committees in the Division, to
set general policies and to consider new challenges in
unity and mission. Terms of reference have been drafted
and are now under consideration. Although these have not
been finally adopted, it seems appropriate to present
a brief summary in this annual report and to invite
comments.

Basically, there are five major concerns of the
Division of Inter-Church Relations. These are:

1. Church Planning and Development;

2. Church Unity;

3. An Ecumenical Library;

4. The Mission of the Church (including laity
and missionaries); and

5- Development.

Each concern while related to a particular committee,
is not limited to that committee. Rather, these are
intended to describe the churches’activities in unity

and mission.
1. Church Planning and Development

The Division seeks to provide a forum where leaders
of different churches can talk about mutual concerns
and problems, share ideas and plans and consider
possibilities for joint action. It is concerned with
ways to strengthen the church in evangelism, church
growth and organization. Study and research and
workshops represent the churches together.enabling
pastors and laymen to be more effective in building
the church and engaging in mission.

Illustrations of this may be seen in the work of
the Church Planning and Development Committee of the
past year. This Committee sponsored two seminars on
church growth and related questions. Through these
seminars, attempts were made to clarify the present
situation of the church as well as to give some
suggestions.