56
Movement News
THE
IN
It is our feeling or thought that our generation has developed many industrial
techniques which are highly developed and have improved our life. Given these
techniques, cities have grown up quickly, and our society seems to change day
by day.
In our society, the university is only one of many change agents, but
in
The primary functions of student work in
Specifically, we hope and pray that our students grow in knowledge and
wisdom. Secondly, we encourage our students to develop their whole body, and
are responsible to keep themselves healthy. Third, we
work so that God will enrich each young person's spiritual development and
knowledge about Christ and Christianity. Finally, we want our students to not
only be
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concerned about their spiritual development, but also develop
meaningful relationships with other non-Christians.
From this basic structure of thought, theology, and commitment to student work, the
Southern Presbyterian Church in
1954 began a student center in
The university student leaders in 1980 were now developing Presbyterian
Student Fellowship programs in the various universities and colleges around the
island. By 1903, all the provinces had initiated (started) their own Presbytery
Student Work Committees. Student centers were now operating in Hsin Chu and Chyai
Yi as well as in
The General Assembly has organized its student work under the Higher
Education Committee of the Presbyterian Church. The Higher Education committee is
made up of the Higher Education Committee Chairmen from each Presbytery, and
some people who are selected by the General Assembly. Ten of the 16
Presbyteries have Higher Education Committees. They are: Chi Sheng,
Hsien
Chen Jen Sung
Wo Li Ywan
Syu Bwo Lung (work with mountain students)
Chia Yi Chang Shen
Jye
Gaoshuing Lin
Jeng Jye
Ping Tung
Shr
Lyan Cheng
The Higher Education Student Work Committee of the Taiwan Presbyterian Church's
main responsibility is to discuss with the workers the needs of university and
college students, and how best to meet their needs; to publish books and
training materials for student work; and to promote and initiate student action
programs. For example, the Higher Education Committee will be promoting the
following meetings:
January Gospel Meetings
February Greek and Hebrew Bible
Study Classes March
March Study
Meetings for
April Seminars on Dedicating One's
Body to Christ
June Training in Modern Discipleship
July Summer English Program
August Training Programs for Junior College Students
A Program for Welcoming freshmen September Bible Study Classes
While these programs are designed to reach students from around the
island,, each
Presbytery is responsible
for developing programs that meet the needs of their own particular
situation.
As we span the scope of the programs and the ministry to university
students, the Higher Education Committee on Student Work is confronted with
five major problems. First, not all of the student workers have received the
same training. For example, some are very adept at leading Bible studies, and
other workers are very good at taking care of the money (accounting). Therefore, programs must be instituted to
help each worker grow and develop his or her skills. Second, as we look at 104
universities and colleges and see over 30 thousand students, we simply do not
have enough workers and churches that are committed to student work. The harvest fields are
full, but the
workers are few, but we are
reaching some 45 schools through our Presbyterian Student
Fellowships. Third, the church is still
to small to financially
support all of the programs that
are needed to reach all the students. Fourth, the government officials at times
have made it difficult for the Christian Church to effectively minister and
work with students. Finally, Local churches
at times do not fully support our Christian ministry to
the university and
colleges. However, with God's help and guidance, some of these problems
are being overcome by the
efforts of our
student workers and the
help from churches outside Taiwan.