Appendix 1

<typohead type="2">The Church of Christ in China, Presbyterian Church of Taiwan and the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa

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<typohead type="3">1. Preamble</typohead>

1.1 The Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand has had a commitment to the Presbyterian Church of Taiwan (PCT) for over two decades. This has been an active and mutually valuable relationship, with regular contacts and conversations between our two Churches.

1.2 The Presbyterian Church has also benefited from the presence of many Taiwanese migrants to New Zealand in its life and work. Taiwanese ministers have become members of the Presbyterian Church.

1.3 The Presbyterian Church also values its historic links to China. From 1931 the Presbyterian Church missionaries worked in South China. New Zealand Church members have worked with the Amity Foundation in China, which is the aid and development arm of the Church of Christ in China (CCC). The Presbyterian Church has also gained members and ministers from the Church of Christ in China – Hong Kong. Many Presbyterian Church congregations now have migrants from China as active and valued members of their fellowship.

1.4 New Zealand society is also experiencing the contribution and challenges of new migrants from both Taiwan and China. Media attention is often directed to the challenges of Asian migration. Little attention is paid however to the contribution such migrants are beginning to make in areas such as in our Churches, on School Boards of Trustees and community groups and in academic, cultural and sports achievements.

<typohead type="3">2. The Presbyterian Church, CCC AND PCT</typohead>

2.1 The Overseas Mission and Partnership Policy Group affirms its partnership relationships with the Church of Christ in China and Hong Kong and with the Presbyterian Church of Taiwan as of great value to the Presbyterian Church.

2.2 We recognise the tense political situation that exists between China and Taiwan and we committee ourselves to offering ways to enable Christians from both places to meet and engage in dialogue.

2.3 We recognise the reasons for these tensions. We look for a continuing commitment from both sides to resolve these tensions without violence. We affirm that the relationship between Taiwan and China should be resolved through negotiation.

2.4 In situations where combined international effort is required, for example to counter an epidemic such as SARS, we look for political tensions and disagreements tensions to be put aside. We look for an exchange of information and resources in such situations.

2.5 We affirm the right of people of Taiwan to have representation in international forums such as the World Health Organisation and The United Nations while the relationship between the relationship between the People’s Republic of China and Taiwan is being negotiated.

<typohead type="3">3. The Presbyterian Church and the PCT and CCC</typohead>

3.1 The Presbyterian Church is committed to developing its relationship with the PCT through:
the Council for World Mission and other international Christian bodies
exchanges and visits, especially youth and indigenous people
advocating a just resolution of the political tensions facing Taiwan

3.2 The Presbyterian Church similarly is committed to the CCC, recognising the different situation and dynamics that currently apply to that relationship. Given these circumstances, the Presbyterian Church is committed to:
nurturing our relationship with the CCC through involvement in the Amity Foundation
inviting CCC representatives to New Zealand for appropriate gatherings in New Zealand

<typohead type="3">4. A Proposal for a Conference on Mission in the Asian Region</typohead>

4.1 As a result of this commitment to create opportunities for PCT and CCC leaders and members to meet together, and in line with our desire to renew relationships with overseas partner churches, the policy group has set a priority a proposal for a Conference on Mission in the Asian region.

4.2 It will involve Churches that have been and are important to us in the past, such as the Church of Christ in China-Hong Kong and the Church of Christ in China, the Church of Christ in Japan, the Korean Christian Federation of the Democratic Republic of Korea, the Presbyterian Church of Korea, the Presbyterian Church of the Republic of Korea and the Presbyterian Church of Taiwan.

4.3 Given our links through the Council for World Mission, we will invite the Presbyterian Church in Malaysia, the Presbyterian Church of Myanmar, the Presbyterian Church of Singapore. The Uniting Church of Australia would also obviously be invited. Up to 3 representatives from each could attend.

4.4 The key theme might be “Many Challenges, Many Peoples, One Mission, One Lord”

4.5 Key Verse ‘I have placed you here as a light for the gentiles. You are to take the saving power of God to people everywhere on earth” (Acts 13:47)

4.6 We could put on the agenda:

a report from each Church as to their current situation and strategies for development

an identified list of concerns from each Church, e.g. poverty, aids, evangelism etc

dialogue groups for addressing each of the areas of concern identified by the Churches

small groups identifying advocacy, ecumenical and new policy initiatives to arise from the conference and ways to carry these on

bible studies on the theme and Paul and Barnabus’ journeys (the context of the verse in Acts 13)

walks on the beach and tours of North Shore/Auckland

local youth and young adult groups to come and lead worship

a commitment to work together in mission over the next 3 years, and agreement to attend a similar conference at that time to develop the ideas further

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A suggestion is that this could be at Vaughan Park in Long Bay for 3 days in April 2005.