Page 17 - Preservation for the Documentation of Chinese Christianity

further growth. self-propagating”church is anti-foreign. But I

believe that an independent church is the highest
The church's development is a similar case. I be­ expression of mature Christian thinking. Is it
lieve that the Church in Hong Kong today should wrong for a church to manage her own affairs?
learn from the developmental process of a human Should she rely on others forever? Will this help
being, comparing it with the development of the the church grow?
Church in the past, present and future by means
From The of retrospection and evaluation so that renewal The Church must move from the stage of
d

“ependence”to that of “independence”However
.

and reform become possible.

i
, in the process of achieving “ndependence”
I would like to see the Hong Kong Christian
Chairman Council lead the Church in studying the recent and remaining faithful to the ideal of
“independence”，churches also need to help each
situation of the growth of the Church by using
the following three concepts to see whether she other, thus arriving at the stage of "inter-
dependence". For the Church is not a singleton
has reached maturity. but a community, even the Lord's fellowship.
ach Church has its own process of development
similar to the different stages people (1) Dependence. The Church in Hong Kong used The Apostle Paul has these words to say in his
E through in their lifelong journey towards to rely on the so-called mother churches for Epistle to the Ephesians, chapter two: “You are
pass
maturity. A baby needs its parents attention, financial and personnel resources to maintain her members of the family of God. Through Jesus
nutritious food, warm clothing, and a sense of ministry. Is she still in that stage of dependence? Christ, the whole family is held together and be­
security. When the baby grows bigger, it gains Has she grown a bit? Surely the habit of de­ comes the Lord's temple. Through Him you are
more strength and is able to do more for itself. pendence is an obstacle to growth. one family, the place where God lives through
His Spirit.”
A young person usually does not believe all of (2) Independence. I believe most churches in
what his parents have to say, but rather demands Hong Kong have passed the stage of dependence The Church is one family and we are its members
independence, which at times can resemble and have the strength to be independent to do growing under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
hostility. He values the freedom to do the things the things they want to do. However, the in­ We are members of one family. Some among us
he wants more than the financial support he will dependence of a church is not achieved over­ are weak and deprived; sharing with each other
receive from his parents as long as he is de­ night. I understand pastors of churches in Hong and helping each other will result in the develop­
pendent on them. Kong are increasingly listening to opinions from ment of a universal family which is truly the
foreign churches with an attitude of reservation. highest expression of mature Christian thinking
When people are fully mature, they realize that and the practical expression of Christian faith.
people must depend on each other and work to­ It is also their belief that the Chinese must build
gether in a society, each contributing his share of churches characterized by self-government, self- May the Lord lead us to ponder on these three
talent and ability and seeking the welfare of the support and self-propagation. But a few of them, things. Only then can we hope to see the Church
society as a whole. Only this can be rightly called plagued by the habit of relying on others, are still grow in the future.
the goal of genuine growth. hesitant and fail to overcome their own
scepticism.
Unfortunately, when people reach middle age or
older, they easily fall prey to prejudices and are (3) Interdependence. Some people think that
s
reluctant to change. Such an attitude inhibits any talk about a “elf-governing, self-supporting, and
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