In recent years, the issue of re-denomination within the church of China has become increasingly prominent. It is a significant new issue that has sparked much controversy.
Recently, Wang Zhenhai (pseudonym), a retired church leader in northern China, told the Christian Times, a Chinese online Christian newspaper, that whether for a local church or the Chinese churches as a whole, joining a denomination was better than not. For some reasons, Chinese house churches were generally smaller in scale, and without denominations, they were susceptible to diverse problems because they were informal. And in more serious cases, they could be easily influenced by heresies or even be “swallowed up”. From this perspective, the re-denomination of the church could serve as a good form of regulation, enabling the church to stand firm in the truth and resist being led astray by heresies, he continued.
Wang believed that the re-denomination of the church in China was a positive development. Moreover, the Christian faith itself was diverse. On the basis of a shared core truth, different churches could find common ground while respecting each other. Looking at Chinese history, the Spring and Autumn (Chunqiu) Period (770–476 BCE) and the Warring States (Zhanguo) Period (475–221 BCE) were times, when many people recognized that thought and culture, were at their most brilliant. This era saw the emergence of a variety of schools of thought and intense intellectual debate, occupying a crucial place in the history of Chinese philosophical development.
Regarding the diversity of Protestant denominations in Chinese Christianity, the majority of scholars believe that Protestant denominations are distinct and mutually exclusive. No single church can fully manifest the fullness of the body of Christ, just as no single part of the body can perfectly express the image of God.
Therefore, Wang welcomed the possibility of the re-denomination of the church in China. However, he did not believe that all churches needed to immediately establish their denominational positions.
Wang stated that their church does not currently belong to any denomination, be it a charismatic, reformed, or evangelical church. He said their church is determined to follow a somewhat unique path. Recently, he provided their church workers with ten lessons on their theological stance. In terms of spirituality, their focus is primarily on being well-versed in the Bible and applying the truth in practical life. This is the core emphasis of their church. Hence, they place great importance on Bible study and require all pastors, workers, and believers to be familiar with the Bible and effectively apply it in real life.
Their church is not currently associated with any denomination, and they have no plans to join any denomination for the time being. Wang claimed that their church's history had an impact on this decision.
Wang himself has received theological training for many years and has conducted some research on different Protestant denominations. He understands the pros and cons of each mainstream denomination. Not averse to any of the orthodox denominations, he believed that they could engage with others and learn from others’ strengths to compensate for their own church's shortcomings. However, they currently do not have the idea of joining a specific denomination.
But Wang believed that smaller churches should embrace and join denominations because this could provide protection and make them less vulnerable to heretical influences. However, for slightly larger churches, the situation was more complex. Joining a denomination undoubtedly brought many conveniences, but "honestly, it can also box you in and make you lose some autonomy," he added.
Wang declared that if they continued along their current path, they would be destined to face many challenges and needed to put in an effort and exploration. During a meeting with their fellow church workers, Wang also mentioned that if they were to join a denomination, many resources and guidance would be readily available. They wouldn't need to do plenty of trial and error or deep thinking; they could simply follow the established path, which would make their journey easier. However, the drawback was that it would lead to a more closed environment and some loss of autonomy. Therefore, they are currently not very inclined to follow the denominational path, so they might have a difficult and possibly uncertain future ahead of them.
- Translated by Abigail Wu
最近几年以来，中国教会的重新宗派化的问题正在越来越凸显。重新宗派化是一个重大的新问题，也引起了许多的争议。
近日，北方一地一所教会的退休教会领袖王振海认为，无论是对某一个地方的教会还是中国教会来说，有宗派都要比没有宗派更好。因为种种原因，中国家庭教会的规模一般来都比较小、如果没有没有加入宗派的话，方方面面都很容易出问题。非常不正规，更严重的话就很容易被异端影响甚至吞吃掉。从这个角度来说，教会的重新宗派化可以对教会起到很好的规范的作用，让教会在真理上站得住、站得稳，不容易被异端带走。
王弟兄认为中国教会的重新宗派化是好事。而且，基督教信仰本身是多元的。在核心真理一致的基础上，不同的教会可以求同存异、互相尊重。看中国历史也是，春秋战国是很多人公认的思想和文化最为辉煌灿烂的时代。这一时期出现了诸子百家百家争鸣、盛况空前的学术局面，在中国思想发展史上占有非常重要的地位。
对于基督教新教宗派众多的局面，绝大多数学者都认为基督教新教各宗派的形成是各放异彩、相映成辉的。因为任何时代的任何一所教会，都不可能将基督身体的丰满完全彰显。正如没有任何一个单独的肢体能够把上帝所创造的人的形象完美表达一样。
因此，对于中国教会可能迎来的重新宗派化时代，王弟兄持乐见其成的态度。但是他并不认为所有教会都需要立刻确定自己的宗派立场。
王弟兄认为他们教会现在并不属于任何宗派，不是灵恩教会，也不是改革宗和福音派教会。他说他们教会想走一条比较特别的道路。前段时间他用十节课的时间给教会同工们讲了他们教会的神学立场。在属灵观上，是以熟悉圣经为主，然后让真理在现实生活当中得以实际应用。教会主抓的就是这一块。因此，他们教会非常强调背圣经，要求所有牧者、同工和信徒都必须熟悉圣经，并在现实生活当中有效运用圣经。
他们教会现在不属于什么宗派，至少暂时他们不打算加入哪个宗派。王说这样的思考和决定和他们教会的自身背景有关。
王自己做过很多年的神学培训，对于基督教新教的各宗各派都有一些研究，每个主流宗派的利弊基本上也都清楚。对于各个正统宗派他们都不排斥，觉得都可以交往，可以学习对方的长处来补足自己教会的短处，但是暂时没有加入某个宗派的想法。
但王认为，对于一些规模比较小的教会应该拥抱、加入宗派，因为这样可以得到保护，不容易被异端侵扰。但是对于规模稍稍大一些的教会，情况就比较复杂。加入某个宗派的话，固然会享受到许多的便利，但是“诚实地说也会被这个宗派‘框’起来，失去一定的灵活性。”
王弟兄说，如果他们沿着目前这条道路往前走的话，注定会走的非常辛苦，需要付出、探索很多。在同工会议的时候，王弟兄也给教会同工说到：如果归入某个宗派的话，那很多东西都是现成的，要资料有资料，要指导有指导。不需要很多的摸索、思考，按照既定的路线往前走就可以了，这样会走得比较轻松。但是弊端就在于比较封闭，而且也会失去一些自主性。因此，他们目前不太想要走宗派化的道路，但这是一条充满艰辛且可能前途未卜的道路。
专访|中国教会重新宗派化整体上利大于弊
In recent years, the issue of re-denomination within the church of China has become increasingly prominent. It is a significant new issue that has sparked much controversy.
Recently, Wang Zhenhai (pseudonym), a retired church leader in northern China, told the Christian Times, a Chinese online Christian newspaper, that whether for a local church or the Chinese churches as a whole, joining a denomination was better than not. For some reasons, Chinese house churches were generally smaller in scale, and without denominations, they were susceptible to diverse problems because they were informal. And in more serious cases, they could be easily influenced by heresies or even be “swallowed up”. From this perspective, the re-denomination of the church could serve as a good form of regulation, enabling the church to stand firm in the truth and resist being led astray by heresies, he continued.
Wang believed that the re-denomination of the church in China was a positive development. Moreover, the Christian faith itself was diverse. On the basis of a shared core truth, different churches could find common ground while respecting each other. Looking at Chinese history, the Spring and Autumn (Chunqiu) Period (770–476 BCE) and the Warring States (Zhanguo) Period (475–221 BCE) were times, when many people recognized that thought and culture, were at their most brilliant. This era saw the emergence of a variety of schools of thought and intense intellectual debate, occupying a crucial place in the history of Chinese philosophical development.
Regarding the diversity of Protestant denominations in Chinese Christianity, the majority of scholars believe that Protestant denominations are distinct and mutually exclusive. No single church can fully manifest the fullness of the body of Christ, just as no single part of the body can perfectly express the image of God.
Therefore, Wang welcomed the possibility of the re-denomination of the church in China. However, he did not believe that all churches needed to immediately establish their denominational positions.
Wang stated that their church does not currently belong to any denomination, be it a charismatic, reformed, or evangelical church. He said their church is determined to follow a somewhat unique path. Recently, he provided their church workers with ten lessons on their theological stance. In terms of spirituality, their focus is primarily on being well-versed in the Bible and applying the truth in practical life. This is the core emphasis of their church. Hence, they place great importance on Bible study and require all pastors, workers, and believers to be familiar with the Bible and effectively apply it in real life.
Their church is not currently associated with any denomination, and they have no plans to join any denomination for the time being. Wang claimed that their church's history had an impact on this decision.
Wang himself has received theological training for many years and has conducted some research on different Protestant denominations. He understands the pros and cons of each mainstream denomination. Not averse to any of the orthodox denominations, he believed that they could engage with others and learn from others’ strengths to compensate for their own church's shortcomings. However, they currently do not have the idea of joining a specific denomination.
But Wang believed that smaller churches should embrace and join denominations because this could provide protection and make them less vulnerable to heretical influences. However, for slightly larger churches, the situation was more complex. Joining a denomination undoubtedly brought many conveniences, but "honestly, it can also box you in and make you lose some autonomy," he added.
Wang declared that if they continued along their current path, they would be destined to face many challenges and needed to put in an effort and exploration. During a meeting with their fellow church workers, Wang also mentioned that if they were to join a denomination, many resources and guidance would be readily available. They wouldn't need to do plenty of trial and error or deep thinking; they could simply follow the established path, which would make their journey easier. However, the drawback was that it would lead to a more closed environment and some loss of autonomy. Therefore, they are currently not very inclined to follow the denominational path, so they might have a difficult and possibly uncertain future ahead of them.
- Translated by Abigail Wu
Interview: Re-denomination of Church in China More Beneficial than Harmful
