"From 2018 to 2022, the China Christian Council and Three-Self Patriotic Movement (CCC&TSPM) successfully accomplished the diverse tasks outlined in the Five-Year Work Plan for the Sinicization of Christianity in China (2018–2022)," said CCC&TSPM.
In an article published in China Religion, Issue 4, 2023, CCC&TSPM reviewed its past five-year effort in prmoting Christianity in the Chinese context.
It introduced, "To commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Three-Self Patriotic Movement in 2021, CCC&TSPM initiated a series of activities centered around the theme of 'The Sinicization of Christianity.'"
"Over the past half-decade, CCC&TSPM conducted specialized research on the localization of Christianity, conducting visits to churches and theological colleges in regions such as Zhejiang, Fujian, Shandong, and Jiangsu. Comprehensive questionnaires were administered, and the findings were deliberated upon in over a hundred dedicated symposiums," it added.
Following a dedicated three-year effort, a substantial revision of the Shorter Catechism Pamphlet was undertaken, incorporating content more closely aligned with the real-life experiences of Chinese Christians.
Beginning in 2020, this umbrella organization for all Protestant churches in China embarked on a project to create a Bible version with commentary. This project prioritized the reflection of creative thinking and accomplishments in the theological development within the Church in China.
"Over the course of these five years, CCC&TSPM's flagship publication, Tianfeng (or Heavenly Wind), featured 65 special articles and 270 theoretical research pieces centered on the indigenization of Christianity. Each issue explored the sinicization of Christianity from multifaceted perspectives encompassing church administration, spiritual development, pastoral care, architectural elements, and sacred music. Over 400 news reports and feature articles on this subject matter were disseminated."
In commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the publication of the Chinese Union Version Bible in 2019, an international academic conference on the localization of Christianity was convened. CCC&TSPM members also participated in the centennial celebrations of the Chinese Union Version Bible held in Singapore and the celebration of 200 million copies of the Bible printed by Amity Printing Company. During these events, a seminar focusing on the Chinese Bible and the localization of Christianity was hosted.
Over these five years, two thematic symposiums centered on "Advancing Christianity in the Chinese Context" were held, providing a platform for dialogue among government, religious institutions, and academia. These symposiums facilitated the distillation of key theoretical insights and research accomplishments in the realm of the sinicization of Christianity.
As a pivotal endeavor to promote the contextualization of Christianity, the Preaching Team for the Advancement of Theological Thought in China organized a variety of types of training and preaching exchange activities on four separate occasions during this five-year period, with nearly 500 participants.
"Throughout these five years, CCC&TSPM provided training and advanced education for theological college educators, who were mobilized to compose or co-author new textbooks. These textbooks encompass subjects such as The History of Christianity in China (already completed and in use), Introduction to the New Testament (final draft completed), and Chinese Christian Ethics (initial draft completed)."
CCC&TSPM encouraged Chinese believers to engage in activities like writing, reading, singing, and painting the Bible on Bible Day, which falls in December each year. This has involved expressing themes of love through traditional Chinese calligraphy, art, music, and various ethnic languages. Concurrently, emphasis was placed on integrating Chinese elements into the design of Bible covers.
Recently, CCC&TSPM oversaw the creation of a brand-new hymnal with distinctly Chinese rhythm by Chinese authors. This project has reached a preliminary stage, showcasing a selection of 100 Chinese-style hymns.
"On World Day of Prayer, CCC&TSPM crafted prayers tailored to the specific circumstances of the church in China, moving away from relying on prayer templates from other nations, as had been the practice in the past. Additionally, during worship, clerical stoles and attire with a Chinese flair were introduced."
- Translated by Abigail Wu
2018-2022年，基督教全国两会基本完成了《推进我国基督教中国化五年工作规划纲要》提出的各项任务。
据中国基督教两会，2021年是中国基督教发起三自爱国运动70周年，基督教全国两会以“基督教中国化”为主线举行系列活动。
五年来，基督教全国两会奔赴浙江、福建、山东、江苏等多地教会及神学院校，就基督教中国化进行专题调研。开展问卷调查，并就调研结果举行专题座谈会超过百场（次）。
经过三年努力，已基本完成《要道问答》修订工作，增加更符合中国基督徒现实生活处境中需要指导的内容。
2020年开始，基督教全国两会开始圣经注释版撰写工作，重在反映中国基督教神学思想建设的新思考新成果。c中国化主题特稿65篇、理论研究文章270篇。每期从教会管理、灵修、牧养、建筑、圣乐等不同角度推进基督教中国化思考。关于 “基督教中国化”的新闻报道、主题专文总计超过400篇。
以2019年纪念《圣经》（和合本）出版100周年为契机，举办“基督教中国化”国际学术研讨会。并参加在新加坡举行的和合百年纪念会、爱德印刷公司2亿册《圣经》庆祝会、主持中文圣经与基督教中国化研讨会。
五年中，两次举办主题为“推进我国基督教中国化”务虚座谈会。搭建政、教、学三家交流平台，盘点基督教中国化的理论亮点和研究成果。
以中国基督教神学思想建设宣讲团作为推进基督教中国化的重要抓手，五年来举办不同类型的培训和片区讲道交流活动四次，合计参加培训的宣讲人数近500人。
这五年，基督教全国两会开展教师培训与进修工作。同时，组织神学院教师撰写或合著新教材：《中国基督教史》已经完成并投入使用；《新约导论》已完成最后编稿；《中国基督教伦理学》已有初稿。
基督教全国两会利用每年12月“圣经日”活动，引导中国信徒“写”“读”“唱”“画”圣经，用中国传统书法、绘画、音乐艺术以及中国民族语言来表达圣经爱的主题。同时，在圣经出版的装帧上，注重设计中国元素。
近期，基督教全国两会组织编辑的《华韵新歌》已初步定稿，精选100首中国曲风诗歌。
基督教两会改变了以往妇女公祷日参照国外祷文的习惯，改为由中国教会自己撰写符合中国教会实际的世界妇女祈祷日祷文。并对礼拜时牧师圣带、圣服的样式中国化作了有益尝试。
（刊发于《中国宗教》2023年第4期）
中国基督教推进中国化五年工作回顾（2018-2022）
"From 2018 to 2022, the China Christian Council and Three-Self Patriotic Movement (CCC&TSPM) successfully accomplished the diverse tasks outlined in the Five-Year Work Plan for the Sinicization of Christianity in China (2018–2022)," said CCC&TSPM.
In an article published in China Religion, Issue 4, 2023, CCC&TSPM reviewed its past five-year effort in prmoting Christianity in the Chinese context.
It introduced, "To commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Three-Self Patriotic Movement in 2021, CCC&TSPM initiated a series of activities centered around the theme of 'The Sinicization of Christianity.'"
"Over the past half-decade, CCC&TSPM conducted specialized research on the localization of Christianity, conducting visits to churches and theological colleges in regions such as Zhejiang, Fujian, Shandong, and Jiangsu. Comprehensive questionnaires were administered, and the findings were deliberated upon in over a hundred dedicated symposiums," it added.
Following a dedicated three-year effort, a substantial revision of the Shorter Catechism Pamphlet was undertaken, incorporating content more closely aligned with the real-life experiences of Chinese Christians.
Beginning in 2020, this umbrella organization for all Protestant churches in China embarked on a project to create a Bible version with commentary. This project prioritized the reflection of creative thinking and accomplishments in the theological development within the Church in China.
"Over the course of these five years, CCC&TSPM's flagship publication, Tianfeng (or Heavenly Wind), featured 65 special articles and 270 theoretical research pieces centered on the indigenization of Christianity. Each issue explored the sinicization of Christianity from multifaceted perspectives encompassing church administration, spiritual development, pastoral care, architectural elements, and sacred music. Over 400 news reports and feature articles on this subject matter were disseminated."
In commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the publication of the Chinese Union Version Bible in 2019, an international academic conference on the localization of Christianity was convened. CCC&TSPM members also participated in the centennial celebrations of the Chinese Union Version Bible held in Singapore and the celebration of 200 million copies of the Bible printed by Amity Printing Company. During these events, a seminar focusing on the Chinese Bible and the localization of Christianity was hosted.
Over these five years, two thematic symposiums centered on "Advancing Christianity in the Chinese Context" were held, providing a platform for dialogue among government, religious institutions, and academia. These symposiums facilitated the distillation of key theoretical insights and research accomplishments in the realm of the sinicization of Christianity.
As a pivotal endeavor to promote the contextualization of Christianity, the Preaching Team for the Advancement of Theological Thought in China organized a variety of types of training and preaching exchange activities on four separate occasions during this five-year period, with nearly 500 participants.
"Throughout these five years, CCC&TSPM provided training and advanced education for theological college educators, who were mobilized to compose or co-author new textbooks. These textbooks encompass subjects such as The History of Christianity in China (already completed and in use), Introduction to the New Testament (final draft completed), and Chinese Christian Ethics (initial draft completed)."
CCC&TSPM encouraged Chinese believers to engage in activities like writing, reading, singing, and painting the Bible on Bible Day, which falls in December each year. This has involved expressing themes of love through traditional Chinese calligraphy, art, music, and various ethnic languages. Concurrently, emphasis was placed on integrating Chinese elements into the design of Bible covers.
Recently, CCC&TSPM oversaw the creation of a brand-new hymnal with distinctly Chinese rhythm by Chinese authors. This project has reached a preliminary stage, showcasing a selection of 100 Chinese-style hymns.
"On World Day of Prayer, CCC&TSPM crafted prayers tailored to the specific circumstances of the church in China, moving away from relying on prayer templates from other nations, as had been the practice in the past. Additionally, during worship, clerical stoles and attire with a Chinese flair were introduced."
- Translated by Abigail Wu
CCC&TSPM Review Five Years of Efforts in Promoting Christianity in Chinese Context
