CHINESE PASTORS CONFERENCE 2007

Sharing & Learning Together

A Revived Programme

The Chinese Pastors Conference 2007, organized by CCM Chinese Work Committee, was successfully held on 20-22 August 2007 in Hotel Seri Malaysia Genting, Genting Highlands.

The Conference, earlier called Chinese Pastors School, had been absent for the last many years, and is now surely a welcome programme to spin off similar and specific projects among the Chinese-speaking pastors.

The Objectives, put simply, included Fellowship/Interaction, Sharing & Learning Together, and Networking; and, overall, were comfortably met.

Attendees

A manageable group of 60 participants coming from different denominations and localities signed up for the Conference.

In addition, 3 resource persons facilitated the Conference, with one staff member coordinating the logistics and needs.

The Programme

The main events included Sharing/Message, Group Discussion, Theme Talk and Free Time/Tour.

In the Sharing/Message session, Rev Dr Hermen Shastri, General Secretary of CCM, screened the VCD on CCM Building Project (with Chinese voice-over) and shared briefly on “CCM --- Work and Mission”, highlighting some of the challenges and issues facing churches in Malaysia. CCM, together with Christian Federation of Malaysia (CFM), has played an essential and critical role in voicing the concerns and aspirations of the Christian community in Malaysia, he asserted. He wished that, despite the language barrier, the Chinese-speaking churches could be more involved in and support the work and mission of CCM. The language barrier and effective communications flow would be gradually resolved.

In the Group Discussion, denominational representatives shared briefly on “Evangelistic Work --- Urban & Rural; and Overseas”. It was pleasantly surprised to learn that there were evangelistic missions as far fetched as in Madagascar (Basel Church), in Myanmar (Lutheran, Methodist) and in Cambodia (Methodist, Anglican). The Basel Church and Methodist Church were moving very fast and boldly in setting up churches in the local scene. The zeal and commitment of churches in reaching out were evident from the sharing. In moderating the sharing, Rev. Wong Kheang Wook (Anglican WM) requested the participants to commit in prayer, in small groups, the tasks and challenges in mission and evangelism.

Elder Teo Boon Kwang (Presbyterian), a practising lawyer and an author, shared on “Knowing the Malaysian Constitution --- An Interest-balancing Document”. Tracing briefly the background and essentials of the Malaysian Constitution, he related constitutional provisions to some current hot topics under public discussion.

The Theme Talk, in three sessions, was facilitated by Rev Prof Lo Lung-Kwong. Rev Prof Lo is currently the Principal of Chung-Chi Theological College, Chinese University of Hong Kong, and the President of the Methodist Church in Hong Kong. He is well known both in the church and social circles.

As the participants were mainly involved in pastoral ministry, Rev Prof Lo chose to discuss and share with them an essential and fundamental issue, i.e. The Attitude in Serving. That included

(a) “Right Attitude in Pastoral Ministry: High Calling” ---- A corporate Church of Christ, Holy and Sanctified; vocation versus profession; a committed choice; Right Attitude.

(b) “Transcending Challenges & Difficulties” --- Practical and real issues; tips and advice.

(c) Q&A --- Open discussion and sharing.

The participants were very appreciative of and much encouraged by Rev Prof Lo’s sharing, both in light and serious mood. They felt to have learned a lot and helped to look at things from a newer and different perspective.

It was not all work and no play. It was free time in the second-day afternoon. Many participants chose to use the sky cable car to go uphill for the theme park, recreational facilities and food outlets.

Summation/Panel

Bishop Datuk Voo Thien Fui (Basel Church), Chairman of the CCM Chinese Work Committee, reckoned that it was a good beginning for more similar and spin-off projects for the Chinese-speaking pastors, e.g. seminar on Mission & Evangelism, workshop on Christian Education, workshop on Chinese Culture in Church Life, etc. The corporate life, as well as learning and sharing together, particularly on a very personal and fundamental issue for every pastor in the short span of two days, were really valuable and beneficial. The Conference also served as an effective means of bringing CCM closer to the Chinese-speaking churches and pastors.

On the next Conference, it was generally agreed to space it out in 2 or 3 years once and to avoid peak periods. In between, smaller-scale specific projects (workshops, seminars, talks, etc.) could be organized.

The Chinese Work Committee will review the Conference and plan ahead at its next meeting.

A Reflection

“It is a wonderful experience that so many Chinese-speaking pastors from the mainline churches in the CCM family coming together to worship and to reflect on our ministry in the Malaysian context. Thanks to Rev Prof LK Lo for sharing on the incarnational model of ministry, to lawyer Teo Boon Kwang on the history and development of the Malaysian Constitution, and to the many busy leaders and pastors for sharing their joy and pain in ministry with one another. Pray that this ecumenical spirit will continue to flourish among the churches in Malaysia so that we can walk in unity and share in love.” Rev Dr Ezra Kok, Principal of STM, aptly shared his personal reflection of the Conference.

Andrew Tan
CCM