Dr Natalie Lin of the Presbyterian Church in Taiwan (PCT) was elected as the Moderator of the Council for World Mission (CWM) for the next four years, taking over for her predecessor, Rt Rev. Lydia Neshangwe. As she moves to chart the course for CWM in a world that is increasingly darkened by wars, injustices, and life-denying, death-dealing practices, Lin expressed appreciation for the support of the CWM family. “I am very thankful for the support and encouragement that was heaped upon me from the delegates and representatives present at the Assembly,” said Lin. “It is my humble and earnest prayer that the Holy Spirit equip me daily to serve with joy and praise.” An advocate of education Lin’s faith journey was seeded by her mother, who played an influential role in building her spiritual foundations. Lin served as a Sunday School teacher and contributed to an active youth ministry in her church. In fact, her faithful ministry in her local church would prove to be the bedrock upon which she would build a lifelong career in academia, convinced of the societal benefits that could be wrought from a solid education. Lin immersed herself in years of study. After earning a doctorate from Columbia University, she began teaching the next generation of Christian ministers at Taiwan Theological Seminary and Chang Rong University. For the past 20 years, Lin has also been volunteering as a lecturer at the Yu Shan Theological Seminary in Hua Lian, a Presbyterian institution that specialises in the clerical training of ministers of Indigenous origins. Key priorities Lin lists two key priorities that will inform her CWM leadership decisions. “One of my top priorities as Moderator is the fostering of a spirit of unity amongst the various stakeholders of CWM – to be one in Christ – where we can fully fulfil our roles in this global ecumenical family,” said Lin, who believes strongly that having a united spirit in Christ is a key ingredient in the success of any ecumenical institution. The other matter of importance to Lin is not only re-acquainting CWM Member Churches with each other but helping them building deeper partnerships by learning from the past and understanding each other’s rationales for the present and the future. “This is so that we may collectively improve upon and deepen future collaborative relations and to bear good witness to the rest of the community,” she explained. One body in Christ Lin is known for consistently having an applicable Bible verse or message to share for moments at hand—including a look ahead of her term with CWM. “Jesus said that where He is, so too would his disciples be. May we always be cognizant of the places where Jesus would tread and be engaged in work that would bring Him joy and glory,” Lin charged, while leafing through the Bible, pausing at Mark 12:1-2 and 1 Corinthians 12:12-27, quotations that both proclaim the utmost need of a faith-based organisation to be fully focussed on service to God and to stay united as one Body of Christ. “In an ecumenical organisation such as CWM, every member comes from all walks of life, but a common thread that unites us all is Jesus Christ. Let us therefore, continue to support one another in the spirit of Jesus,” exhorted Lin. SSOURCE>CWM
Interview with CWM Moderator, Dr Natalie Lin |