Page 41 - Preservation for the Documentation of Chinese Christianity
P. 41
The Chairperson’s Remarks
M r. S im o n S it
Thanks be to God for His mercy and guidance all that they may face with full confidence and firmness
through the year of 1995-96 that has enabled the all the pressures and challenges from our complex
Hong Kong Christian Council to accomplish its society.
tasks smoothly. Under the co-operation of member
The Council will also like to act as a liaison body
churches and organizations, members of the
Executive Committee and staff of the Council, all between churches of Hong Kong and churches of
activities and programs have been promoted in an China. The Council explores potential contacts and
effective manner. On behalf of the Council, I joint projects in China in order to facilitate mutual
would like to give grateful thanks to all who have interaction. All these tasks are to be implemented
participated in and contributed to the work of the under the three principles laid out in the Basic Law -
Council. mutual respect, non-inteference and non
subordination.
It has been forty-two years since the founding of the
Council in 1954. During the past years, we Hong Kong is now moving towards 1997 with only
continuously witnessed the presence of God. With one more year to go before China exercises its
God5s merciful grace and love, together with the sovereignty. I believe this will be the most critical
support of the church and the enthusiastic effort that moment full of trials and challenges in the history of
the church leaders have given, the Council can Hong Kong. Due to the fact that the world has
steadily develop and progress. Nevertheless, the changed so rapidly socially and politically, we have
Council fervently takes up its responsibility in to work even harder to consolidate our ties of
serving the church and the society of Hong Kong fellowship, to enhance church unity, and to fomulate
according to its objectives and goals. new and practical strategic plans for meeting
different situations in the new era to come. To be
Among all the objectives of the Council, the major the light of the world and salt of the earth will
one is to motivate the churches of Hong Kong to remain our goal and task. It is our anticipation that
witness as one and to promote Christian missions,
the Council will be given the strength to continue to
encouraging not only Christians5active participation play the role of a prophet and to set a good example
in church missions but also service to the people of as God’s servant according to the Council's
Hong Kong and concern about the social changes in objectives and working spirit.
the society. One of the special tasks of the Council
is to unite the churches and Christian organizations Finally, I would like to conclude with words from
of Hong Kong in order to achieve the ultimate goal - Zechariah 4:6: “…This is the word of the Lord to
church unity in the foreseeable future. Zerubbabel: Not by might, not by power, but by my
spirit, says the Lord of hosts.”
According to the above-mentioned objectives, the
Council works actively and positively to enhance
effective communications between Christians and
churches of Hong Kong for the purpose of achieving
real progress in the development of churches and
social issues. Besides, it is also hoped that through
different kinds of training and resource sharing
programs, Christians and churches in Hong Kong
will thus be spiritually benefitted. By encouraging
the churches to lead with a lively spirit and to raise
the quality of discipleship, the faith of the Christians
and churches in Hong Kong can be strengthened so
41