Page 34 - Preservation for the Documentation of Chinese Christianity

GENERAL SECRETARY'S REPORTS

INTRODUCTION

Hong Kong Christian Council has become one of
the biggest Christian families in Hong Kong. 21
member churches and ecumenical agencies have joined
together in trying to express a common concern for
"joint action in mission”. On several important
occasions, non-member churches have also participated
In submitting these reports of the Council’s
activities for 1983-84, I should like to begin by sharing
with you a few of my personal thoughts.
A great number of Christians in Hong Kong,
being influenced by their leadership, tend to divide
Christian bodies here into two camps, "evangelical"
and "ecumenical” . These two camps are depicted as
being mutually exclusive and at times even hostile to
one another. According to the picture painted, the
evangelicals exclusively emphasize the preaching of to admit that we are sinners, to turn around and live a
the gospel and are concerned about an increase in the Christ-like life. If Christ has fully accepted us, we are
number of baptisms. The ecumenicals are concerned therefore not only able to accept ourselves, but also
only with the provision of social services, and consider should humbly try to accept our brothers and sisters.
social justice more important than individual salvation. The HKCC strives to treat those who come from a
On the one hand, I feel that this stereotype is a rather background different from our own with an open
futile way to look at churches or church organizations mind. Mutual respect is the least we can ask of each
which embody so many different backgrounds and other.
traditions. On the other hand, nobody can claim his It is wrong to jump to conclusions and say that
or her way of expressing the gospel is completely and the HKCC does not care about the basic Christian
exclusively correct. doctrines. On the contrary, we regard the following
For a long time, the HKCC and several of its bases for the Christian faith of the ecumenical church
members have been labelled as "ecumenicals". It is as of paramount importance:
claimed we are only interested in the social gospel. a) The Triune God, who creates, saves and sustains
Evangelical Christians therefore feel they are unable us all, is the only God.
to accept us. b) The Bible contains all the necessary foundations
This analysis is far from correct. I suspect that for our faith.
more "evangelical" brothers and sisters participated c) The Nicene Creed and the Apostles Creed are
in our "Five Loaves and Two Fish’’ Movement last sufficient means of expressing our Christian faith.
year than individual Christians from our member As far as I know, all our member churches accept
churches. Over the past few years, several leaders these points. Undue criticism may be resulting from a
from the ’’evangelical" traditions worked closely with lack of information or some misunderstanding.
us and gave us a considerable amount of help in 2. Last year, several leaders of para-church organiza­
determining some tangible and relevant missional tions accused the HKCC of being an agent of the China
directions for the churches in Hong Kong, in maintai­ Three-Self Movement. They further accused us of
ning ecumenical relationships throughout the world, being here to carry out the directives of the United
and in broadcasting ventures. Front in China.
Let me comment on two further points: It is a fact that, since 1981, the HKCC, on behalf
1. Some Christians criticize us because they consider of our member churches, has re-established a friendly
our relationship with the Roman Catholic Church to relationship with the China Christian Council and the
be too close. They also feel that the beliefs of one or China Three-Self Movement. Since the majority of
two of our members churches deviate from the our members are Chinese, it is understandable that we
Christian faith. treasure a closer relationship with our Christian
I believe the Christian gospel requires us to repent, brothers and sisters in the mainland of China. Similarly,
1