Revitalizing the CSC at TSMS

Table of Contents

PART ONE: THE CONTEXT OF CSC AND THE CHURCH4

INTRODUCTION5

CHAPTER 110

1. The History Of TCMC10

1.1 The Old Era (1978-2002)11

1.1.1 The TCMC's Beginning and Its Mission11

1.1.2 The Chinese Population in the Community14

1.1.3 The Membership Demography17

1.1.4 The Governance and Church Structure19

1.1.5 The Staff History20

1.1.6 The Finances21

1.1.7 The Denominational and Doctrinal History25

1.1.8 The Geo-political Change and the Suburban Development28

1.2 The New Era (2003-2005)31

1.2.1. A New Governance and Church Structure and Its Implications32

1.2.2 A New Church Vision and Its Impacts34

1.2.3 A Brief Look at the ESC and the MSC37

CHAPTER 242

2. The History of the CSC42

2.1 The Journey from 1979 to 200242

2.1.1 The Glorious Years43

2.1.2 The Falling Moments45

Vision and Mission46

2.2 The Journey from 2003-200549

Leadership50

2.2.1 The CSC's Demography51

2.2.2 The CSC's Resources53

2.2.3 The CSC's Spirituality and Mentality53

2.3 The Opportunities55

2.3.1 A Willing Heart for Evangelism55

2.3.2 A Willing Spirit to Serve56

2.3.3 A New Immigrant Wave from the Mainland China56

2.4 A Brief History of the Revitalization Effort (2004 to present)57

2.4.1 The Reason for Revitalization: A Change for Survival57

2.4.2 The Change Process60

2.4.3 Some Potential Setback62

2.4.3.1 Sense of Resentment62

2.4.3.2 Resistance to Change63

2.4.3.4 Poor Interpersonal Relationship64

2.4.3.5 Lack of Competence64

PART TWO: A THEOLOGICAL AND BIBLICAL FOUNDATIONS FOR THE CSC'S REVITALIZATION66

CHAPTER 367

3. A Study of the Mennonite Theology and the Implication to the CSC67

3.1 The Emergence of the Ethnic Mennonite Churches in the Anabaptist Movement73

The Mennonite Theology versus Chinese Culture80

3.2 The Mission of Church: Extending the Peace of Jesus through Promoting Peace and Non-violence Versus Evangelism85

3.3 The Church Leadership: Clergy Versus Layperson90

3.4 The Mark of Salvation: Good Works Versus Faith99

3.5 A Contextualized Theology106

CHAPTER 4112

4. Biblical Foundation on Ministry in the CSC112

4.1 Vision: God's Will for the Congregation112

4.2 Ministry: The Functions and Purposes of Spiritual Gifts114

4.3 Equipping: Tool Sharpening and Empowerment120

4.4 Leadership: Direction and Unity122

CHAPTER 5126

5. The Characteristics of Discipleship in the CSC126

5.1 Discipleship Is About Disciples Making126

5.2 Discipleship Is About Transforming Life and Characters128

5.3 Discipleship Is About Developing Experience Leaders130

5.4 Discipleship Is About Expanding the Kingdom of God132

CHAPTER 6134

6. A Plan for an Outreach Ministry in the CSC134

6.1 Design worship service to attract and engage a younger generation and continue to be meaningful and joyful to all worshippers134

6.2 Be a welcoming, healing and inclusive community, ministering to the needs of all134

6.3 Provide rigorous & enriching Christian Education program for all generations.136

6.4 Establish and support a nurturing and dynamic program that provides continued leadership to PCC, the Church and larger community138

6.5 Be active in advocacy and service in Chinatown and greater community as our Christian witness to God's love and justice139

6.6 Build stronger understanding and relations between our 3 language ministries as one church united in purpose and mission140

CHAPTER 7142

7. A Plan for a Discipleship Ministry for the CSC142

7.1 Designing a Process for a Discipleship Ministry142

7.2 Redefining the Nature and Function of Existing Programs in the CSC144

7.3 Reviewing the Curriculum and Purpose of Each Program149

7.4 Recruiting, Selecting and Training the Leaders153

7.5 Implementation and Evaluation154

SUMMARY & CONCLUSIONS158

BIBLIOGRAPHY163

PART ONE: THE CONTEXT OF CSC AND THE CHURCH

INTRODUCTION

The Toronto Chinese Mennonite Church was originated by the vision of a Vancouver pastor who wanted to reach out ...