Page 47 - Preservation for the Documentation of Chinese Christianity

service in their respective congregations, their maturity, and their Councuil since 1955. This Mission’s main function in Hong Kong has
concern for and support of the church were positive and of high been to offer assistance to local Swatow Baptist churches. The
calibre. The results from these meetings provided important input American Baptist Mission recently re-examined the appropriateness
for the main "Consultation on the Mission of the Church in Hong of a mission board being a member of a local church council. Having
Kong in the 90's”. concluded that it was not, they submitted their resignation from the
Council in March. We greatly regret this decision since the American
Through the auspices of St. MattiaJs Church (Anglican), the Baptist Mission has been an ardent supporter of the Council over the
Committee arranged for a youth representative, Mr. Armstrong past 35 years. According to our Constitution, a withdrawal of
Lee, to serve as a youth steward during the 9th Assembly of the membership shall only become effective after its announcement at
Christian Conference of Asia in Manila. This proved to be a good the coming Annual General Meeting.
opportunity for young people to work together and to fellowship with
their international counterparts.
Relationship with other Religions
The Council has been cultivating friendly relationships with
“Message” Editorial Committee
other religious bodies in Hong Kong for some time. This year it was
The three year term of the members of this Committee expired the Council^ turn to host the annual Chinese New Year gathering
in March this year. I would like to express the Council's gratitude to which was held at the St. Andrew’s Christian Center in Kowloon.
the retiring members for the hard work they did during the past Approximately 80 participants representing six major religions
three years. At the same time, I want to urge the new Committee attended. The Council's Chairman, the Rev. Li Ping Kwong,
members to continue the good work of striving together to send delivered the welcoming speech emphasizing that all religious bodies
stimulating and inspiring messages to Hong Kong’s Christians should continue to work for peace as well as for the stability and
through their written words. prosperity of Hong Kong. The other religious leaders also spoke on
this theme. A tea party and a group photo session concluded this
During this past year ten issues of the “Message” were friendly occasion.
published. The themes of the respective issues were: “Retirement
Life”， “The Seafarer’s Life", “The Church and Education”， “Keep
Healthy Physically and Mentally”， “Where Is Peace?”， “The
Epilogue
Challenge of the 90’s—Church Untiy in Hong Kong”， “A Study of
Various Forms of Social Services Undertaken by Churches in Hong Two years ago when the HKCC Executive Committee invited
Kong”， “Consultation on the Youth Work of the Church in Hong me to return to Hong Kong to serve as the Council’s interim General
Secretary, my immediate response was a definite negative. I had
Kong in the 90's一 Unity, Commitment and Equipment”， “Looking at
already retired twice, plus the fact that all my personal belongings
Human Rights Seriously”， and “The Hong Kong Church: Striding
were on their way back to the United States. Furthermore, I had just
Through the 90’s”.
come out of the hospital and was still recuperating. Only half of the
staff remained at their posts. The general morale was low. I just
didn't have the courage or the strength to take up such heavy
responsibilities. Yet “His grace is all we need, for His power is
Special Sundays
stronger when we are weak”.
As in the past, the Council continued to promote special
Sundays throughout the year to encourage all churches in Hong
Now we are all very happy that His faithful servant, the Rev.
Kong to offer their prayers for specific events and issues. The

Dr. Man-King Tso， ,was willing to leave his important position in
special Sundays of this year included: “Christian Unity Sunday”，
America to return to Hong Kong to serve as the HKCC's General
“Ecumenical Communion Sunday”， “Social Concern Sunday”， “Asia
Secretary. We strongly believe that under his leadership the Council
Sunday”， “Christian Family Sunday”， “Communications Sunday’，
will be able to double its effort in serving the Church in Hong Kong.
“Education Sunday”， “Labour Sunday”， “Seaman’s Sunday”，
The Psalmist has said: “Establish Thou the work of our hands upon
‘Concern for the Elderly Sunday”， “Health Sunday” and “Bible
us; Yea, the work of our hands establish Thou it.” （Psalm 90)
Sunday”. When possible, the Council provides free relevant
materials to be used by the churches for these specific occasions.
When this report reaches your hands I will have already left
Hong Kong. I therefore hereby express my gratitude to all of you for
your support, cooperation, advice and help during the past two
years. May the grace of God enable you all in the Hong Kong
Withdrawal of Membership Christian Council to continue to carry out the roles of ^prophet" and
“servant” in leading and serving the Church in Hong Kong.
The American Baptist Mission has been a member of the
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