Page 177 - Preservation for the Documentation of Chinese Christianity

M essag es fro m th e F o rm e r G e n e ra l S e c re ta rie s

A. Ten Years of Service, Ten Years of Experiences

Rev. William Tung

Looking back at the Hong Kong Christian Council From December 1966 to the end of 1977,1 worked
for the past forty years, we can divide its history in the Hong Kong Christian Council. During this
into four different periods: decade, from being the Program Secretary to being
the General Secretary, I experienced the
50's to 60's reorganization and growth of the Council. At this
Due to the changes in political power in China, time of the 40th Anniversary, I am pleased to be
Hong Kong experienced a great influx of refugees invited to share a few things with all of you through
from China. The churches played a leading role in this article.
evangelism, pastoral care, social welfare, medical
and health services and education. The Council 1. In the early 60's, the Council saw the need for a
was born in this period - 1954, responding to the "Hong Kong Christian Center" building to
mission of sharing the same yoke as a witness of provide an office for the Council and to be a
our unity in Christ. visible sign of the spirit of Christian unity. As a
result, many churches and organizations joined
60's to 70's in and bought six floors in the Metropole
The organization and ecumenical structure of the Building at 57 Peking Road, Tsimshatsui. The
Council were established in the period of the 60's to distribution of the floors was as follows:
70's. The achievement of unity among Hong Kong
2/F The Chinese Christian Literature Council
churches was even more obvious in the 70's. Many
important and historical unity tasks were completed 3/F Audio Visual Evangelism Committee
in this period. The Council also established a close 4/F Hong Kong Christian Service
5/F Hong Kong Christian Council
relationship with Asian and international
6/F Chinese Christian Churches Union
ecumenical organizations.
7/F The Methodist Church
70's to 80's
At the beginning of 1967, after all the
There were many changes going on during this organizations had moved into the Christian
time. There was a change of leadership among
Center, I was responsible for a simple
many of the Hong Kong churches. The Chinese
Government and the British Government signed the investigation of all the bars around the building.
I discovered there were more than 60 bars
Joint Declaration. Exchange of visits were
frequently carried out between the churches of within one square mile of the building. This
information caused great concern among all the
Hong Kong and China. All these events had an
impact on the Council. churches and organizations in the Center.
Finally, an agreement was signed by the owner
and the Management of the Metropole Building
80's to 90's that prohibited the opening of a bar or any other
The political consciousness of the Hong Kong inappropriate business in the building.
people was growing stronger. As Hong Kong will 2. One year, the inflation rate in Hong Kong
be under Chinese sovereignty in 1997, the Council
reached 7%. Normally, this would mean that all
tried to find and set the path for Hong Kong
churches in the 90's, particularly the Council's role the staff of HKCC would be given a 7% raise in
salary. This increase was rather large at that
and mission after 1997.
time and we had to consider the actual benefit to
staff members with low salaries. A decision was

173