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Evangelism standing of the present situation. 2. We engaged we do not know how to reach the lower income
in theological reflection, with the hope of clarify­
people. Differences exist in the language we use,
ing some social issues from a Christian perspec­ our customs and our life styles.
he mission of the church can be summed up tive and, if possible, offering options for action.
T in the following way: to declare to the world 3. We continued to search for ways to witness to The Church Consultation on the Mission of the

.
the “Absolute Sovereignty of God” Methods "God's Sovereignty" through churches' involve­ Church in Hong Kong in the 1980s resolved that
used can be social action, service, individual or ment in social action and social services. The re­ the most important task for the church in Hong
corporate witness, preaching, etc. God became sults of such efforts were published in Kong in the next decade is “Evangelism among
flesh to fully participate in human history to “Message", special booklets or through seminars. the low-income people". Last year, the Division
show His sovereignty, full of love. Jesus Christ of Mission tried to follow up this resolution.
our Lord, the Word become flesh, died on the Radio Programmes First, a series of courses for lay people were held
cross to uncover fully the mystery of this Over the past two decades, our communications in the new towns, with the hope that a core

sovereignty. Finally the Holy Spirit (the exten­ centre has supported the churches’efforts to group of concerned Christians in several new
sion of the Word become flesh, (John 13-17) communicate the gospel through Radio Hong town churches would be built up. Second,
continues to be present within human history to Kong. This has been especially so with English material for local churches was compiled. This
guide the church in following Christ’example — programmes such as 6:45， “Mid-day Prayers” ， included Bible study material for workers
s

，
to witness to the sovereignty of God, even unto “Sunday Service’’，“Sunday Magazine”etc. Last “Community and Church”and “Christians and

.
death. year we concentrated on Chinese Radio. pro­ Trade Unions”Third，efforts were made to try
grammes. An advisory committee was re­ to convince more churches in the new towns that
Responsibility of Local Congregations organized and reactivated. Efforts were made to theologically, as well as strategically, it was
"The Sovereignty of God" is not an abstract con­ improve the quality of the "Abundant Life" pro­ important for them to make such evangelistic
cept. It is closely related to the life and destiny gramme (It has since been expanded from 15 efforts their top priority.
of mankind. It defines life's meaning, value, and minutes to a 30 minute programme). There are Staff of the Division of Mission also helped in
goals for each and every one of us. This is the plans for special religious programmes on special
gospel, the good news. We can never com­ festival days, as well as an hour-long programme both churches for workers (one in Shumshuipo,
the other in Kwun Tong) started by the Christian
municate it in abstract terms. We must treat con­ for young people. All this will require con­
crete human situations, struggles and pain very siderable additional funds, and we hope churches Industrial Committee. They tried to learn from
the experiences of the Christian Industrial
seriously. We believe the most strategic locations and individual Christians will support such
to do evangelism are local churches. Preaching, important efforts. Committee and the Fellowship of Industrial
both within congregations and outside in the Evangelism and to discover some methods and
parish, therefore is the most crucial task for a Evangelism among Low Income Groups tools for local churches who have decided to take
“Evangelism among the low-incomed”seriously.

local church. The role of a church council like As we read from the Bible, Jesus Christ our Lord
ours can only be supportive.
was most concerned for the poor. To-day in
Responsibility of the Council Hong Kong it seems difficult to define who “he
t
Last year the Division of Mission of our Council poor”are. But it is a fact that those among the

concentrated on the following: 1. Through a very low income groups are deprived of a great many
close watch on current affairs, data collecting, rights and privileges. They are the forgotten ones
and social analysis, attempts were made to help and the ones being trampled-on. On the whole,
church workers to a deeper and wider under­ the churches in Hong Kong are middle class and
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