My Christian Experiences in Taiwan (2) Church Life

Good Morning!   

   As a devoted Christian living in Taiwan for many years, I would like to share some of my experiences on this 'Beautiful Island' or Ilha Formosa as it was known since the Portuguese passed it in 1544.

   I've decided to move to Taiwan in the year 1989, the same year as the violent Tiananmen (Gate of Heavenly Peace!) Massacre in Peking and peaceful fall of the Berlin Wall, marking the reunification not only of East and West Germany but of all Europe, happened. For many both of these events may not have a lot in common but for me these two events followed me like a silver lining through the rest of my life. While as a German I try to consolidate or find reasons in everything, my Taiwan neighbors are not only divided 'under the surface' but often very unreasonable to put their own egos or own agendas above anything else.

   I personally have experienced rejections and even open violence against myself while living in Taiwan up until today. My wife's family did neither welcome nor recognize me based on the simple fact because I am a foreigner and therefore 'different'. Because of tradition I have no right for an own opinion or a personal view on things. I can speak Mandarin, the official language, very fluently, but in the south of Taiwan people communicate in Taiwanese (or Hokkien), spoken by the Taiwanese Hoklo people who descended from immigrants form the southern Fujian during the Qing Dynasty (1644-1912). And, of course, when the family gathers they speak Taiwanese, which I neither speak nor understand, when I am present. So, as a foreigner, I am simply invited to be excluded. But at the same time, when I talk to my daughter in my native German language, I am told that it is 'ill-mannered' to speak in a foreign language.
   Some years ago I've decided rather to be alone than to waste my time with ignorant people, if family members, friends or anyone else unreasonable. 

   Strange thing is that the same happened and happens to me in all the different churches I've attended during my nearly 30 years in Taiwan. Originally all main churches in Taiwan have been founded by western foreign missionaries in the 1950s and 1960s and were given after the 1st generation to local Taiwanese. The problems I experience is that many pastors don't see the church as the 'body of Christ' with 'Christ as the head of the church' (Ephesians 5:23) but rather as their own fiefdom with the pastor himself being the duke making his own rules. This leads to much competition and distress between brothers and sisters to gain favors from the pastors and all other leaders; something I've never expected in German churches and simply is wrong. But leaders clearly appreciate that and, as long as they are supported and benefit from it, why should they change it?

   A very bad idea was the arrival of the 'micro groups', a development from 'successful' churches in Singapore and Korea. The idea is that one church member opens his or her home and invites nearby living brothers and sisters to worship, prayers and reading of the Bible. Intended as a 'help' for the pastor it replaced the original work of the pastor, meaning the responsibilities of the church leaders were loaded onto the 'micro group leader'. In my micro group the pastor never showed up... But the group leader had not only to prepare the 1 1/2 hours but also to clean and prepare his house or an apartment, prepare snacks and, of course, has to clean up after everyone left. This might be declared as 'service' to brothers and sisters but as most group leaders have no theological background or any Christian education and are, as mentioned, only leaders because they are favored by the pastor or elders, there is not much Bible work done but rather trivial or worldly matters be discussed.

   I've experienced only proud and dominant pastors with a focus on the tithe or donations as a source of income for the church. I've only met one pastor interested in me and my family but more from a 'responsible' standpoint. My wife was very active as a Sunday school teacher and therefore much appreciated while everyone made a 'curve' around me, the 'unable' foreigner.

   I was never invited to take over a responsible work even after I attending one church for 10 1/2 years! I was never chosen to be a speaker but was allowed to sweep the floor. As my wife and I were successful with a youth group of 72 people (!) within two years the pastor became outright suspicions to a point that we've decided to return the whole group to the church and left the church. Needless to say that the pastor decided to closed the whole group and, in fact, 'kicked out' young Jesus seeking people and the future of his 'own' church.

   Later I've joined the church of a Korean pastor, a war veteran of the North-South Korean war. I never understood how a soldier who killed others can lead the church in the same violent way without any remorse concerning brothers and sisters or a hint to the 'Love of Jesus'.

   Reading about all these problems it might be difficult to understand that I still went to a Seminary in Taipei, spend my own time and money to study and finish a degree in the evening education department. One reason is that I feel a kind of responsibility to the Lord and the people out there who are without knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. I believe that the world could be heaven and I could play a part in it.

19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the end of the age. (Matthew 28)"

   Without a church, I had the chance to serve homeless and low-income families independently as a volunteer. From their eyes, I've seen that people can accept Jesus Christ even under most severe conditions and from faith they have get the power to change. I had some wonderful experiences and many touching moments in these 2 1/2 years. A clearly demon possessed sister became a great co-worker willing to share her bad experiences to help others to find the Lord. She told me that she did no more see the black shadows hunting her in her house but became a peaceful person! What an amazing transformation! 
   But, as readers can imagine, helping others in truth means bitterness for some who can not stand seeing themselves in the mirror. So I got fired because I remembered the 'co-workers' to the teaching of the Lord. 2 1/2 years of time and service erased by an Email! But I don't have to carry this cross... "22 But Jesus told him, "Follow me, and let the dead bury their own dead. (Matthew 8)"

   Despite all the human problems between church leaders and me, despite all the stones thrown on my path serving Christ by Christians (!) I've opened my own Bible study class on 01 Dec. 2018 in a nearby activity center with only 1 person attending. But, as Confucius said, "every journey begins with the 1st step"...

   Sometimes I don't know why I do this all - I could have a simple life by following earthly pleasures, why should I care about Taiwanese who care so less about this foreigner? Because there is something inside me knowing that God is watching and that I should give and do the best in and for Him despite all these hurdles! Even I am not important and a no-one I still can not compromise on the Truth of the Bible and, in fact, on the Truth of the Lord!

   While not sure where this might leads I believe in the power and glory of God and know that I am not alone...
   Wish everyone a successful and Happy New Year, Gerhard