December 14, 2008
Reported by Lin Yi-ying
Written by Lydia Ma

Presbyterian churches will mark their founder John Calvin's 500th birthday on July 10 next year. For this occasion, the Presbyterian Church in Taiwan (PCT) announced during its fourth general assembly meeting of the year held on December 2nd that it would plan celebrations commemorating Calvin all across the country. The General Assembly of the PCT decided to make July 5th 2009 the day all presbyteries would celebrate Calvin's 500th birthday by holding special services. It also plans to set aside next year as a special year commemorating Calvin. Celebration events will begin during next year's General Assembly Annual Conference and conclude at the following year's annual conference.

Hsinchu Bible College will host a conference entitled "Calvin and Today's Church" on August 1720, 2009. The event is expected to draw 240 staff members from presbyteries across Taiwan. The purpose of the conference is to help Christians today understand Calvin's contribution to theology, churches, and his contribution to the Protestant Reformation.

The General Assembly of the PCT also appointed a publishing committee in charge of collecting and printing promotional materials that will be distributed during events highlighting Calvin's legacy. Some of the promotional materials include books such as "Praying with Calvin," "Devotionals with Calvin," "Calvin's Diary," and a comic book entitled "Calvin's Legacy." The committee will also translate renowned books such as "Legacy of John Calvin," "Calvin for Armchair Theologians," and "Presbyterian Beliefs." It will also make available DVDs chronicling Calvin's life and works, as well as commemorative caps, t-shirts, bookmarks, mugs, etc.

To help people get up close and personal with Calvin during this special occasion, the General Assembly of the PCT will also launch "Following Calvin's Footsteps." This will be a 12-day group tour traveling to France (Calvin's birthplace), Switzerland (Calvin's residence when he was growing up), Geneva, Edinburgh, etc. The PCT has designed two types of group tours, one for pastors and another one for everyone else.

All across Taiwan, Christian colleges and seminaries are gearing up for Calvin's 500th birthday as well. Chang Jung Christian University and Tainan Theological College and Seminary have already held a forum on Calvin in November 2008. Hsinchu Bible College and Yu-Shan Theological College and Seminary will be helping out in celebration preparations headed by the General Assembly of the PCT. Taiwan Theological College and Seminary will hold a forum next year and it plans to invite pastors from Singapore and Malaysia to the event.

Taiwan Church News