The United Bible Society delegation recently visited China.
A five-member delegation from the United Bible Societies (UBS) visited China from March 19 to March 26 at CCC&TSPM's invitation, according to the Shanghai CC&TSPM.
Rev. Dirk Gevers, the new general secretary of UBS, said this was a very important trip since he took office in November 2022, according to CCC&TSPM. The delegation also included Mr. Bernard Low and Mr. Daniel Loh, directors of UBS China Partnership, as well as Kua Wee Seng, a consultant with the organization.
At the station of CCC&TSPM, the two sides conducted exchanges on Bible translation and publishing ministry on March 20.
As a global Bible translation and distribution ministry, UBS consists of Bible societies from more than 150 countries and regions, covering more than 240 countries and regions.
Rev. Xu Xiaohong, chairman of the China Three-Self Patriotic Movement (TSPM), shared the Bible ministry of CCC&TSPM in recent years, as well as the impact and challenges to the publishing ministry due to COVID-19. They developed new products to meet challenges with the support and help of Nanjing Amity Printing Co., Ltd. Rev. Wu Wei, president of the Chinese Christian Council (CCC), introduced the history of the development of modern Christianity in China after its introduction to the country, the development of TSPM and its significance to the Chinese church, as well as the sinicization of Christianity carried out in recent years. Rev. Shan Weixiang, vice president and general secretary of the CCC, shared the changes, such as the rising cost of paper in Bible ministry and difficulties in the publishing of the scriptures after the epidemic.
Gevers said that the Bible belonged to all mankind rather than to a specific language or culture. The joint sharing and cooperation between the two parties could promote a deeper understanding of the Bible around the world, just as Bishop K. H. Ting said, "The Bible unites us." At the same time, UBS also paid close attention to new technologies, such as the application of artificial intelligence in Bible translation ministry.
After the meeting, the delegation visited the Holy Trinity Church in Shanghai and a local study room.
That afternoon, when they came to Shanghai CC&TSPM, Rev. Dirk Gevers affirmed the efforts of Shanghai churches and even Chinese churches in promoting the Sinicization of Christianity. Rev. Xu Yulan, chairman of Shanghai TSPM, reviewed the friendly exchanges between Shanghai CC&TSPM and UBS in the past. Rev. Geng Weizhong, chairman of the Shanghai Christian Council, mentioned that the Chinese church attaches great importance to the ministry of Bible studies, translation, and personnel training in related fields, starting with leaders of the older generation. UBS has reaped a lot of fruits through its cooperation with Chinese churches, contributing to the promotion of Christianity in the Chinese context. Rev. Dirk Gevers wished for more collaboration with Chinese churches in the future in the fields of Bible study, personnel training, and theological education.
On March 21, they visited Nanjing Union Theological Seminary, the flagship theological seminary of Protestant Christianity in China.
This was the first batch of foreign visitors received by the school after three years of COVID-19, according to the seminary. Rev. Chen Yilu, executive vice president of the school, thanked UBS for their concern and support for the theological education of the seminary over the years. Then he introduced the current situation of the college and shared the recent progress of school education and the recent development plan under the three-year pandemic.
Members of the delegation affirmed the school's achievements and raised questions about its full-time education, correspondence education, and curriculum. After answering these questions, Pastor Chen and representatives of teachers and students hoped to further the cooperation with UBS in terms of Bible study resources in the library and the development of biblical faculty members.
On March 23, Chen Ruifeng, head of the State Administration of Religious Affairs, met with Gevers, who said that the UBS would continue to be committed to promoting friendly exchanges and cooperation between Chinese churches and churches around the world.
- Translated by Abigail Wu
圣经公会代表团于近期访问中国。
据上海基督教两会，3月19日至26日，应中国基督教两会邀请，联合圣经公会代表团一行五人在新任总干事吉德克牧师的带领下来华访问。
据CCC&TSPM,这次访问是他自2022年11月上任以来非常重要的一次访问，吉德克牧师说。
3月20日，联合圣经公会总干事吉德克牧师一行4人到访中国基督教两会。访问团还包括中国事工部主任（事工）刘文良博士、中国事工部主任（行政）罗家昌、中国事工部顾问柯伟生（参考以前文章有英译名）。双方围绕圣经翻译、发行事工等展开交流。
联合圣经公会是全球性的圣经翻译与发行机构，有超过150个国家和地区的圣经公会为其成员，事工范围涵盖240多个国家和地区。
中国三自爱国运动会主席徐晓鸿牧师分享中国基督教两会近几年的圣经事工，新型冠状病毒感染疫情对圣经出版发行事工带来影响与挑战，面对这些挑战，中国教会在南京爱德印刷有限公司的支持与帮助下开发新品，应对挑战。CCC主席吴巍牧师介绍了近代基督教传入中国后在中国的发展历史、三自爱国运动的发展和对中国教会的意义，以及近些年开展的基督教中国化事工。中国基督教协会副会长，秘书长单渭祥牧师分享了疫情后圣经事工中纸张成本上涨、圣经发行困难等变化。
吉德克牧师说，圣经不属于某一特定语言、文化，是属于全人类的。联合圣经公会与中国教会共同分享合作，可以更充分地理解圣经，也有助于推动全球对圣经有更深入的理解，就像丁光训主教说过的“圣经使我们联合”。同时，联合圣经公会也关注新型科技，例如人工智能交互在圣经翻译事工中的运用。
会后，代表团参观了圣三一堂和书说恩典书房。
3月20日下午，代表团一行来到上海市基督教两会，吉德克牧师认同上海乃至中国教会在基督教中国化探索中的努力。上海市基督教三自爱国运动委员会主席徐玉兰牧师回顾了过往上海教会与联合圣经公会的友好往来。上海市基督教教务委员会主席耿卫忠牧师在交流中提到中国教会自老一辈领袖起就重视圣经研究、翻译及相关领域人才培养的事工，公会常年来与中国教会在此方面的配搭产生许多成果，为基督教中国化的探索做出了贡献。吉德克牧师盼望联合圣经公会今后在圣经研究、人才培养、神学教育等方面与中国教会有更多的合作。
3月21日,该代表团访问金陵神学院，它是一所全國性的新教神學院，据金陵协和神学院。
这是三年疫情后金陵神学院接待的首批境外来访客人。金陵神学院常务副院长陈逸鲁牧师感谢联合圣经公会多年来对金陵神学院神学教育工作的关心和支持。然后介绍了学院近况和分享了三年疫情下的办学进展和近期发展规划。
访问团成员对学院所取得的办学成就表示赞赏，并就学院的全日制教育、函授教育和课程设置等方面提出了问题。陈逸鲁牧师和师生代表做了回答，同时希望能在图书馆圣经研究资源、以及圣经师资发展等方面与联合圣经公会进一步开展合作。
3月23日，中央统战部副部长、国家宗教事务局局长陈瑞峰在北京会见联合圣经公会总干事吉德克一行。吉德克表示联合圣经公会将会继续致力于促进中国教会与世界各国教会的友好交流与合作。
联合圣经公会代表团访华
The United Bible Society delegation recently visited China.
A five-member delegation from the United Bible Societies (UBS) visited China from March 19 to March 26 at CCC&TSPM's invitation, according to the Shanghai CC&TSPM.
Rev. Dirk Gevers, the new general secretary of UBS, said this was a very important trip since he took office in November 2022, according to CCC&TSPM. The delegation also included Mr. Bernard Low and Mr. Daniel Loh, directors of UBS China Partnership, as well as Kua Wee Seng, a consultant with the organization.
At the station of CCC&TSPM, the two sides conducted exchanges on Bible translation and publishing ministry on March 20.
As a global Bible translation and distribution ministry, UBS consists of Bible societies from more than 150 countries and regions, covering more than 240 countries and regions.
Rev. Xu Xiaohong, chairman of the China Three-Self Patriotic Movement (TSPM), shared the Bible ministry of CCC&TSPM in recent years, as well as the impact and challenges to the publishing ministry due to COVID-19. They developed new products to meet challenges with the support and help of Nanjing Amity Printing Co., Ltd. Rev. Wu Wei, president of the Chinese Christian Council (CCC), introduced the history of the development of modern Christianity in China after its introduction to the country, the development of TSPM and its significance to the Chinese church, as well as the sinicization of Christianity carried out in recent years. Rev. Shan Weixiang, vice president and general secretary of the CCC, shared the changes, such as the rising cost of paper in Bible ministry and difficulties in the publishing of the scriptures after the epidemic.
Gevers said that the Bible belonged to all mankind rather than to a specific language or culture. The joint sharing and cooperation between the two parties could promote a deeper understanding of the Bible around the world, just as Bishop K. H. Ting said, "The Bible unites us." At the same time, UBS also paid close attention to new technologies, such as the application of artificial intelligence in Bible translation ministry.
After the meeting, the delegation visited the Holy Trinity Church in Shanghai and a local study room.
That afternoon, when they came to Shanghai CC&TSPM, Rev. Dirk Gevers affirmed the efforts of Shanghai churches and even Chinese churches in promoting the Sinicization of Christianity. Rev. Xu Yulan, chairman of Shanghai TSPM, reviewed the friendly exchanges between Shanghai CC&TSPM and UBS in the past. Rev. Geng Weizhong, chairman of the Shanghai Christian Council, mentioned that the Chinese church attaches great importance to the ministry of Bible studies, translation, and personnel training in related fields, starting with leaders of the older generation. UBS has reaped a lot of fruits through its cooperation with Chinese churches, contributing to the promotion of Christianity in the Chinese context. Rev. Dirk Gevers wished for more collaboration with Chinese churches in the future in the fields of Bible study, personnel training, and theological education.
On March 21, they visited Nanjing Union Theological Seminary, the flagship theological seminary of Protestant Christianity in China.
This was the first batch of foreign visitors received by the school after three years of COVID-19, according to the seminary. Rev. Chen Yilu, executive vice president of the school, thanked UBS for their concern and support for the theological education of the seminary over the years. Then he introduced the current situation of the college and shared the recent progress of school education and the recent development plan under the three-year pandemic.
Members of the delegation affirmed the school's achievements and raised questions about its full-time education, correspondence education, and curriculum. After answering these questions, Pastor Chen and representatives of teachers and students hoped to further the cooperation with UBS in terms of Bible study resources in the library and the development of biblical faculty members.
On March 23, Chen Ruifeng, head of the State Administration of Religious Affairs, met with Gevers, who said that the UBS would continue to be committed to promoting friendly exchanges and cooperation between Chinese churches and churches around the world.
- Translated by Abigail Wu
United Bible Societies Delegation Visits China
