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II. MISSION AND THEOLOGICAL During the year under review, the Council has
REFLECTION promoted 9 Special Sundays. Though a few, like
Sea Sunday and Asia Sunday were very poorly
One o f the Council's major concerns has always responded to, especially by Chinese congregations, we
been to stimulate Christians to consider im portant believe that those Sundays advocate im portant
missiological and theological issues. For the year concerns that warrant the attention o f Christians
under review, the most im portant event in this area in Hong Kong.
was the Mid-decade Mission Consultation.
Concerning Youth Work, "Development through
Traditionally, the Council calls a mission
participation" has been the firm belief o f the Council
consultation once every 10 years. The first one was
in the recent decade. In fact young people have
in 1970/71; and the second one in 1979/80. Why
made a significant contribution w ithin the whole
then a mid-decade consultation?
Ecumenical Movement, and this is also beginning
to be the case in Hong Kong. A youth assembly was
When the Consultation o f the Mission o f the
held in the fall, giving im portant input to the
Church in Hong Kong in the 1980’s was held, the Mid-decade Consultation. The Council also gathered
issue 1997 had not surfaced. However 1985, the issue
a group o f youth leaders to discuss m inistry to the
o f the future o f Hong Kong had been settled
young people. A ll the findings were published in
follow ing the signing o f the Sino-British Joint “ Message".
Declaration in December 1984. The transition for
Hong Kong from a British Crown Colony to a Special
Adm inistrative Region o f the People’s Republic o f 1985 was designated by the United Nations
China has begun. Certain changes w ill undoubtedly as the International Youth Year. In response, the
take place in the next decade. Naturally, the churches Hong Kong Christian Service sponsored a series of
in Hong Kong need to re-examine their mission events to promote a wider concern for youths in
priorities in the 1980's vis-a:vis these changes and to Hong Kong. The Council also sent 5 delegates to
reflect on what needs to be strengthened. The "the Hong Kong — Guangdong — Macau Youth

Consultation held in January 1986 suggested the Festival 85Min Guangzhou, an unprecedented historic
follow ing: (1) participation in political reforms event that brought hundreds o f youth leaders from
in Hong Kong and in the drafting o f the Basic Law; the three territories together fo r celebrations,
(2) promotion o f civic education; (3) protection o f friendship and sharing.
the livelihood o f the masses; (4) renewal o f local
congregations; and (5) strengthening o f inter-church Women also played an im portant role in the
co-operation. Ecumenical Movement. During the year under review,
the emphases o f women’s concern were on
The Council avails itself as a forum fo r Christians theological reflection regarding the role o f women in
from different backgrounds; and their opinions and the church. A seminar and a conference were held;
theological insights are being published by Council's
and a slide presentation depicting women in Hong
Chinese m onthly publication “ Message” . Kong was produced. A statement denouncing beauty
contests in Hong Kong was issued.

III. PROMOTION OF CHRISTIAN UNITY Last year marked the end o f the Women's
Decade (1975-1985), and 2 women theologians from
‘‘Church U n ity’’ is not only the demand and Hong Kong were invited to participate in a
prayer of our Lord Jesus Christ, it is also intrinsic to conference for Third World Theologians held in
the nature o f the church. As we face 1997, it is even Manila in November.
more im portant that the churches in Hong Kong
should think together, plan together and act Women from many congregations continued to
responsibly together. Though at times as a council, actively participate in the Fellowship o f the Least
we feel great constraints and lim itations, yet we Coin. The Council played host to the International
have been trying our best to promote the spirit of Committee o f the F.L.C. which held a consultation
unity at all levels. in Hong Kong last fall.

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