Last week, delegations from the International Lutheran Laymen's League (Int'l LLL) and United Bible Societies (UBS) visited CCC&TSPM, fostering friendship and discussing future collaborations.
On March 20, CCC&TSPM welcomed Mrs. Gunya Na Thlang, the Asian director of the Int'l LLL, and Rev. Jingcai Zhu, the League's Chinese ministry adviser, said the host.
Rev. Xu Xiaohong, chairman of the national TSPM, updated the guests on the 11th National Chinese Christian Congress and the ongoing process of the sinicization of Christianity campaign in China, highlighting the integration of China’s traditional culture in publishing and media ministry. Rev. Xu looks forward to enhancing exchanges and mutual understanding between China and the United States at this year's coming "China-US Christian Forum" in the U.S. Rev. Shan Weixiang, vice chairman of the national TSPM, expressed gratitude for the League’s support for the Ai Ji Printing Press in Shanghai and provided an update on its current status.
Mrs. Gunya Na Thlang sent regards from the leader of the Int'l LLL with the latest development of the League. She mentioned that this visit marked her final official visit, as it was time for her retirement after 33 years with the league. She would continue to pray for the friendship between the two sides and for the Chinese churches.
This year celebrates the 35th anniversary of the International Lutheran Union's friendship with the CCC&TSPM. Both parties expressed anticipation for the future, aiming for the healthy growth of their friendship.
The United Bible Societies China Partnership (UBS CP) director, Dr. Bernard Low Bun Leong, led a four-person delegation that arrived at CCC&TSPM the following day. Both parties reflected on their friendship and engaged in exchanges on Bible translation, social services, and other ministries.
Rev. Lin Manhong, vice president and general secretary of the China Christian Council (CCC), greeted the guests and recalled the cordial relationship between the churches in China and the UBS since Bishop K.H. Ting's time.
Pastor Shan, vice residential chairman of the National Committee Three-Self Patriotic Movement (TSPM), briefed on the current development of the Bible ministry in the Chinese churches, with a particular analysis of the impact on paper books from new media, highlighting the need for responsive measures. These include offering both paper and electronic versions of the Bible, diversifying Bible editions, re-translating the Bible, and training translation talents. He also expressed hope for increased support from UBS for these initiatives.
Rev. Geng Weizhong, vice president of the CCC, made a comprehensive overview of the Bible ministry in the Chinese church over the past 40 years, which was a diverse presentation of the story of the Chinese Bible ministry and the Chinese churches from distinct aspects. Rev. Geng expressed a desire for continued learning and collaboration with the United Bible Societies in the future progress of Bible translation, cultivation of scholars, and exegesis research.
Mrs. Jane Jelgerhuis, executive director of Global Philanthropy at the American Bible Society, expressed her impressions of the first trip to China and discussed ministries of her attention. Dr. Bernard Low showed his gratitude to God for bringing more UBS staff to China and allowing them to witness the country’s churches, with the expectation of deeper collaboration with them.
- Translated by Poppy Chan
上周，国际路德会平信徒联盟、联合圣经公会来访中国基督教两会，延续友谊，交流未来合作。
据中国基督教两会，3月20日，国际路德会平信徒联盟亚洲区主任陈惠娟女士（Mrs. Gunya Na Thlang）和中国事工顾问朱靖才牧师访问中国基督教两会。
中国基督教三自爱国运动委员会主席徐晓鸿牧师向来宾介绍了中国基督教第十一次代表会议的情况以及中国教会正在进行的基督教中国化事工，分享了中华优秀传统文化如何在出版传媒事工中体现的见证。徐牧师期待在今年即将于美国举办的“中美基督教论坛”上，增进中美交流和相互了解。单渭祥牧师感谢国际路德会平信徒联盟对爱基印刷厂提供的支持，并介绍了其现状。
陈惠娟主任带来了联盟负责人的问候，并介绍了联盟的事工及近况后表示，这是她最后一次正式访问，她已经服务联盟33年，到了退休的时间。她将继续为双方的友谊，为中国教会祈祷。
今年是国际路德会平信徒联盟与中国基督教两会友好合作35周年，双方展望未来，期待友谊继续传承。
第二日，中国基督教两会接待了联合圣经公会中国事工部主任刘文良博士一行4人到访，双方共叙友谊，围绕圣经翻译、社会服务等事工展开交流。
中国基督教协会副会长兼总干事林曼红牧师欢迎客人的到来并回顾中国教会和联合圣经公会的友好关系由自丁光训主教以来历任教会领袖建立和发展起来。
中国基督教三自爱国运动委员会驻会副主席单渭祥牧师介绍了中国教会的圣经事工现况，着重分析了新媒体对纸质书籍的冲击，表示正致力于三个发展趋势：纸质版与电子版并行、圣经版本多样化、圣经重译及翻译人才培养。希望联合圣经公会给予中国教会更多的支持。
中国基督教协会驻会副会长耿卫忠牧师对近40年来中国教会的圣经事工进行全面总结，从各个层面角度，讲好中国圣经事工和中国教会的故事。耿牧师希望中国教会今后在圣经翻译、圣经学者培养和圣经注释研究领域等方面的发展仍能向联合圣经公会学习。
联合圣经公会全球慈善事工主任简·耶尔格豪斯（Jane Jelgerhuis）表达了自己第一次到访中国的感受，并就当下较为关心的事工进行了交流。刘文良博士感恩上帝带领更多的同工来中国，看到中国教会的好见证。他期待今后与中国教会有更深入、更全面的合作。
国际路德会平信徒联盟、联合圣经公会来访中国基督教两会
Last week, delegations from the International Lutheran Laymen's League (Int'l LLL) and United Bible Societies (UBS) visited CCC&TSPM, fostering friendship and discussing future collaborations.
On March 20, CCC&TSPM welcomed Mrs. Gunya Na Thlang, the Asian director of the Int'l LLL, and Rev. Jingcai Zhu, the League's Chinese ministry adviser, said the host.
Rev. Xu Xiaohong, chairman of the national TSPM, updated the guests on the 11th National Chinese Christian Congress and the ongoing process of the sinicization of Christianity campaign in China, highlighting the integration of China’s traditional culture in publishing and media ministry. Rev. Xu looks forward to enhancing exchanges and mutual understanding between China and the United States at this year's coming "China-US Christian Forum" in the U.S. Rev. Shan Weixiang, vice chairman of the national TSPM, expressed gratitude for the League’s support for the Ai Ji Printing Press in Shanghai and provided an update on its current status.
Mrs. Gunya Na Thlang sent regards from the leader of the Int'l LLL with the latest development of the League. She mentioned that this visit marked her final official visit, as it was time for her retirement after 33 years with the league. She would continue to pray for the friendship between the two sides and for the Chinese churches.
This year celebrates the 35th anniversary of the International Lutheran Union's friendship with the CCC&TSPM. Both parties expressed anticipation for the future, aiming for the healthy growth of their friendship.
The United Bible Societies China Partnership (UBS CP) director, Dr. Bernard Low Bun Leong, led a four-person delegation that arrived at CCC&TSPM the following day. Both parties reflected on their friendship and engaged in exchanges on Bible translation, social services, and other ministries.
Rev. Lin Manhong, vice president and general secretary of the China Christian Council (CCC), greeted the guests and recalled the cordial relationship between the churches in China and the UBS since Bishop K.H. Ting's time.
Pastor Shan, vice residential chairman of the National Committee Three-Self Patriotic Movement (TSPM), briefed on the current development of the Bible ministry in the Chinese churches, with a particular analysis of the impact on paper books from new media, highlighting the need for responsive measures. These include offering both paper and electronic versions of the Bible, diversifying Bible editions, re-translating the Bible, and training translation talents. He also expressed hope for increased support from UBS for these initiatives.
Rev. Geng Weizhong, vice president of the CCC, made a comprehensive overview of the Bible ministry in the Chinese church over the past 40 years, which was a diverse presentation of the story of the Chinese Bible ministry and the Chinese churches from distinct aspects. Rev. Geng expressed a desire for continued learning and collaboration with the United Bible Societies in the future progress of Bible translation, cultivation of scholars, and exegesis research.
Mrs. Jane Jelgerhuis, executive director of Global Philanthropy at the American Bible Society, expressed her impressions of the first trip to China and discussed ministries of her attention. Dr. Bernard Low showed his gratitude to God for bringing more UBS staff to China and allowing them to witness the country’s churches, with the expectation of deeper collaboration with them.
- Translated by Poppy Chan
Old Partners from International Lutheran Laymen's League, United Bible Societies Visit CCC&TSPM
