Page 34 - Preservation for the Documentation of Chinese Christianity

neighbours and responding to the needs Over the years, the Council has done its very
of our community. As society keeps best to perform this task of service on behalf
changing, the Council has to make of the Church in Hong Kong. As said above,
appropriate responses, and therefore it we have been entrusted with this task, which
should be given sufficient flexibility to individual member churches should, but cannot
embark on experimental and pioneering conveniently undertake. On occasion we have
work. found ourselves at the receiving end of criticism
as we shoulder this task, but all in all, the Coun­
Since its founding in 1954, the Council has
cil is not a church and it can be more open and
been undertaking the two tasks entrusted to it flexible in its agenda and position. Two months
by its members: ago, Dr. Runcie, the Archbishop of Canterbury,
said in a meeting with the staff members of the
a) To undertake work that its individual
member churches should, but cannot Christian Conference of Asia in Singapore,
"The ecumenical movement is important for the
conveniently do, such as some controver­
churches. It reminds us of the fullness of the
sial matters which seriously affect the Gospel. We in the churches tend to push aside
livelihood of the people. Such examples the unpleasant, the inconvenient, the long-
can be found in the establishment of the
range and the complex issues...Councils of
Christian Industrial Committee in 1967 Churches and the ecumenical movement help
which aims to seek more reasonable
us by not letting us run away from them. I have
welfare for workers, and the setting up of
often to speak up for Councils of Churches in
the Commission on Public Policy in 1981 our own Anglican Church. Compared to the
which serves as a pioneering force in
solid structures of our churches, the ecumencial
promoting local churches' concern for, movement is a frail thing. We need to protect
society.
and strengthen them." (CCA News, May 1987)
b) To play the role of co-ordinator so that the
Church will bear witness to the promotion
of “ Joint Action for Mission". Good 4. Operation of the Council
examples of this can be found in the Due to the divergent views in the decision­
opening of the first home for the elderly
making echelon of the Council last year with
in a public housing estate in 1969 and the
regard to the role the Council should play, there
founding of the United Christian Hospital were many changes in the style of man­
in Kwun Tong in 1973.
agement and performance of our duties.
During the past twenty years, the Council has
If the Church exists for the world, the primary adopted a rather flexible style of management
recipients of its service are not necessarily and work, and the staff and the various
members of the Church, but people of the commissions and committees have had the full
world. The Church should stand firm on this confidence and trust of the churches to work
point. The Church nurtures and equips its and explore new areas of concern. The
members so that they are able to serve the Executive Committee, which consists chiefly of
people of the world. Likewise, the primary church leaders, has played the role of suppor­
recipients of the Council's service are the ting the work of the stafi and the commissions
community of Hong Kong and all its people. and committees, and offering them appropriate
Previously, members of the Council had advice. Unfortunately, since last year, the style
consensus on this matter, and that's why the of management of the Council has changed
Council was able to move in this direction. from one of delegation to that of control. The

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