Page 61 - Preservation for the Documentation of Chinese Christianity

T he Chairperson's Remarks

Rev. Dr. LI Ping-kwong

This year is both the final During the past 45 years, Hong Kong has faced many
year of this century, and the changes and challenges. HKCC has played an active
Forty-fifth Anniversary of role in accordance to the teaching of the Bible.
our Council. As we prepare Although there are times our efforts have not been
to celebrate the coming of fully accepted, nevertheless, we have fulfilled our
the New Millennium, we use duties. We have to admit that the ecumenical
this opportunity - our movement is a difficult task and full of obstacles. The
Anniversary - to recall the total union in Christ is still in the very distant future.
past, to reflect on the Human beings are rather complex creatures. On the
present, and to ponder the future. Indeed, this is the one hand, we cannot be detached from our
main purpose of our Anniversary Celebration. During community; on the other hand, we constantly
the past half century, HKCC actualized the teaching destroy our community by building walls which
of Christ on unity in both the Hong Kong society destroy the harmony among us. Human history
and the Hong Kong Christian community through proves that our history is a record of human conflict;
fellowship, caring, dialogue, mission, medical service, church history is no exception. Some of the most
relief work and social service. We played the roles of moving words from the hymn "The Church's One
servant and prophet, and we built many bridges to Foundation" (by Samuel John Stone) read as follows:
facilitate unity. We tried to follow the will of our "Though with a scornful wonder, Men see her sore
Lord by being a good witness in the ecumenical oppressed, By schisms rent asunder, By heresies
movement. distressed, Yet saints their watch are keeping, Their
cry goes up, 'How long?' And soon the night of
During the past few decades, we have organized weeping shall be the morn of song."
several mission consultations. We explored the
purpose and direction of mission in different eras, These words echo our aspiration: "Their cry goes up,
and we formulated mission strategies to affirm the 'How long?' And soon the night of weeping shall be
church in its role and mission during different periods the morn of song." No wonder our Lord Jesus, in His
of time. The facts demonstrated that our forefathers departing prayer, earnestly prayed: "Holy Father,
were, indeed, full of heavenly wisdom. They had a protect them in your name that you have given me. so
clear vision for the Church and led the Church in the that they may be one. as we are one." (John 17:11)
proper direction. For their efforts, we have been Although we face many setbacks in our ecumenical
continuously giving thanks to God. At the same ministry, we do not give up. There are times of
time, we have not forgotten all those church leaders, disappointment, yet never despair because the will of
both clergy and laity, who were committed to our God is unity in the Lord. This is also the witness of
Council. Without their faithful ministry and the Church on earth. As Jesus said, "The glory that
unconditional offerings, our Council could never you have given me I have given them, so that they may
have achieved so much. I firmly believe that their be one, as we are one, I in them and you in me that
labor in the Lord is not in vain and that they will be they may become completely one. so that the world
richly rewarded by the Lord. We also offer to the Lord may know that you have sent me and have loved them
our thanksgiving for their efforts. even as you have loved me." (John 17:22-23)

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