Transformation of the Local Church in Taiwan (1984～2015) :Theological and Ecclesiological Factors

地方召會是目前臺灣信徒人數居於第二多的基督教團體。自李常受於1949年來臺後，地方召會即在短期內快速增長到約五萬人的規模。早期地方召會鮮少與外界往來，但是近年來在對外關係上有了與以往截然不同的表現。地方召會不僅頻繁的與各個基督教團體交流，並積極參與社會公益，投入人道救援與關懷等活動。當此諸多變革進行之際，又逢其內部人事的世代交替。然而，召會不僅未產生分裂現象，信徒人數也持續增加。凡此種種維繫教會內部穩定與對外關係之多元發展等方面，都值得深入探究其轉變的緣由與歷程。 本研究從召會內部結構與對外關係的改變，探討臺灣眾召會轉型的緣起與制度變遷的歷程。研究發現，召會內部結構的變遷是按照李氏新的神學論述與實踐方式所進行的。召會對外關係的發展與改變，在宗派關係的經營上也是依照李氏提供的神學論述與實踐方式進行的；至於社會公益參與則跨出了李氏所架構的框架之外，是召會面對社會環境變遷的新發展。At present the Local Church in Taiwan is the second largest Christian community in the number of believers. Ever since 1949 when Witness Lee came to Taiwan, the Local Church has rapidly grown to the scale of about five million believers within a few years. In the past, the Local Church scarcely participated in the activities of the outside world, but these years the relationship with the outside world has shifted—the Local Church not only frequently communicates with various Christian communities, but also actively participates in social welfare and care. While many changes are initiated in the church concerning the social participation and internal personnel alteration, the Local Church remains intact rather than falling apart. At the same time, the number of believers also continuously multiplies. This suggests that the issue how and why the Local Church on the one hand maintains the internal stability within the community, and on the other, participates in the multiple social activities is worth discussing. This study aims to explore the history of transformation of the Local Church in Taiwan in its internal structure and external relations with the society in order to understand the causes and effects of the church transformation. This study found that the transformation of the church’s internal structure is based on Lee's new theological discourse and practices. Concerning the church’s changed attitude with the outside world as well as the sectarian relations, they are also based on Lee's new theological discourse and practices. However, the church’s participation in social welfare is distinct from Lee’s teaching, given that the Local Church is facing the rapid development of the social environment and thus adapting itself to the new changes