The China-US Christian Forum (2024), co-organized by CCC&TSPM and the Asia Pacific Forum (APF), was conducted at the headquarters of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), Chicago, Illinois, from August 28 to 29.
An 18-member Chinese Christian delegation, led by Rev. Wu Wei, president of the China Christian Council (CCC) and president of Nanjing Union Theological Seminary, attended the forum, said CCC&TSPM. The forum, themed "Opportunities and Challenges for Christianity in the Post-Pandemic Era," was attended by more than 40 participants from major Christian denominations, seminaries, and church organizations in the United States.
On the evening of August 27, the welcoming dinner hosted by the American side was presided over by Rev. Canon Bruce W. Woodcock, co-chairman of the APF. Rev. Wu Wei and ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton delivered speeches.
The following day, the opening ceremony was co-hosted by Rev. Lin Manhong, vice president and general secretary of CCC, and Ms. Patti Talbot, vice chair of APF. Remarks were made by the head of the State Administration for Religious Affairs Research Center, Rev. Wu Wei, and Rev. Woodcock.
In his speech, Wu mentioned that China and the U.S. Christian communities have witnessed many significant historical moments over the past few decades. He highlighted that American churches now have a clearer understanding of China's religious freedom policies and the Three-Self principle of Chinese churches—self-governance, self-support, and self-propagation of the gospel. The friendship and trust between the Christian communities of the two countries have also deepened. Wu emphasized that he hopes the forum will help the Christian communities of China and the U.S. reach more consensus and that the cooperation between the churches of both nations will have a brighter future, to leave a positive testimony in the global Christian community. Woodcock expressed that the forum not only built and deepened the relationship between the churches of China and the U.S. but also set a positive example for people-to-people diplomacy between the two countries. He also expressed hope that the forum would continue in the future to foster stronger exchanges between the churches of China and the U.S.
After the opening ceremony, Rev. Wu Wei and Rev. Rafael Malpica Padilla, executive director for the ELCA Division for Global Mission, delivered keynote speeches on the theme of "Retrospect and Prospect." Reverend Wu reviewed China's achievements over more than 40 years of reform and opening up and provided an overview of the development of the Chinese church, including efforts toward the indigenization of Christianity in China and future directions. He also elaborated on the extensive exchange and cooperation between the Christian communities of China and the U.S. Wu emphasized that while there are differences between China and the U.S. in terms of culture, history, and political systems, these differences should not hinder exchanges. Instead, both sides should seek common ground while respecting differences and learning from each other.
Padilla reflected on and testified to the rich history of exchange between the Christian communities of China and the U.S. She stressed that the forum serves not only as a platform for spiritual exchange but also as a window for cultural communication. She believes the unity of the Chinese church provides valuable lessons for the unity of the Universal Church.
The head of the State Administration for Religious Affairs Research Center stated that the forum will promote mutual understanding between the Christian communities of both nations and foster dialogue between the faith and academic communities. It will deepen the friendship between the Christian communities of China and the U.S., contributing positively to the stable, healthy, and sustainable development of China-U.S. relations.
Following the keynote speeches, 16 pastors and scholars from China and the U.S. delivered presentations on four sub-themes: education and talent cultivation, social care, research and publishing, and church ministry.
The closing ceremony was co-hosted by Gu Jingqin, interim chief of the overseas relationship department of CCC, and Rev. Franklin Ishida, ELCA program director for Asia and the Pacific.
Reverend Lin expressed her hope that the churches of China and the U.S. will strengthen their exchanges in the future and that the China-US Christian Forum could be a regular occurrence where real stories can be heard and shared so that Christians would not be misled by false information. Rev. Dr. Benjamin Chan, the Area Director for East Asia and India with International Ministries of the American Baptist Churches, praised the positive role this event played in enhancing exchanges and renewing the church ministries of China and North America and suggested more productive exchanges and forums be held in the future.
At the closing luncheon, Rev. Geng Weizhong, vice president of CCC, expressed gratitude to the American churches for their warm reception and thoughtful arrangements, congratulating the forum on its successful conclusion.
8月28日至29日，中国基督教两会与北美亚太论坛联合主办的中美基督教论坛（2024）在美国福音信义会总部举办。
据CCC&TSPM，以中国基督教协会会长、金陵协和神学院院长吴巍牧师为团长的政、教、学18位代表组成的中国基督教代表团参加了论坛。本次论坛以“后疫情时代基督教的机遇与挑战”为主题，来自美国基督教主要宗派、神学院及教会机构的40余人参加论坛。
8月27日晚，美国主办方的欢迎晚宴由北美亚太论坛联合主席布鲁斯·伍德科克牧师主持。吴巍牧师和美国福音信义会首席主教伊丽莎白·艾米·伊顿女士分别致辞。
第二天，开幕式由中国基督教协会副会长兼总干事林曼红牧师和北美亚太论坛副主席帕蒂·塔尔伯特女士主持。国家宗教事务局研究中心负责人、吴巍牧师和伍德科克牧师先后致辞。
吴巍牧师在致辞中表示，中美基督教在过去几十年的交流中见证了许多重要的历史时刻；美国教会更加清楚认识中国的宗教信仰自由政策和中国教会独立自主自办的三自原则，中美教会之间的友谊与信任也深化了。吴牧师强调，希望通过此次论坛，中美两国基督教界能够达成更多的共识；两国基督教的合作有更广阔的未来，在普世教会留下美好的见证。布鲁斯·伍德科克牧师在致辞中表示，论坛不仅建构和深化了中美两国教会之间的情谊，为两国民间外交提供美好榜样；并希望这个论坛在未来可以一直延续下去，为中美教会的交往发挥积极作用。
开幕式致辞后，吴巍牧师和拉斐尔·帕蒂拉牧师围绕“回顾与展望”的主题作了主旨发言。吴巍牧师回顾了中国在改革开放四十多年来所取得的成就，特别介绍了中国教会的发展状况。包括基督教中国化的开展情况和今后的努力方向，以及中美两国基督教界展开的多领域的交流合作。同时，吴牧师表示，尽管中美两国在文化、历史和政治体制上存在差异，但这些差异不应成为交流的障碍；应当求同存异、互学互鉴。
帕蒂拉牧师回顾并见证了中美教会美好交往的历史；强调论坛不仅是信仰上交流的平台，更是文化上互通的窗口。她认为中国教会的合一为普世教会合一提供了可借鉴的成功经验。
国家宗教事务局研究中心负责人表示，中美基督教论坛（2024）将促进中美基督教界之间的相互了解；推动基督教界与学界之间的对话与沟通。它深化中美两国基督教之间的友好情谊，为中美两国关系稳定、健康、可持续发展作出积极贡献。
主旨发言之后，16位来自中美两国的牧师和学者围绕教育与人才培养、社会关怀、研究与出版和教会事工四个分论题做了专题演讲。
而闭幕式由中国基督教两会海外联络部临时负责人顾静琴同工和美国福音信义会亚太部主任石田顺孝牧师主持。
林曼红牧师希望今后中美教会能够加强交流；让中美基督教论坛常态化，让真实的故事得以被聆听和传讲；而不是被虚假的信息所误导。陈慎礼牧师肯定了此次活动为中国与北美教会事工交流与更新所起到的积极作用，同时也建议今后能开展更多富有成效的往来交流与会议论坛。
在闭幕午宴上，中国基督教协会驻会副会长耿卫忠牧师代表中国基督教代表团发言，他对美国教会的热情接待和周到细致的安排表示感谢，也祝贺了论坛的成功举办。
美国芝加哥成功举办中美基督教论坛（2024）
The China-US Christian Forum (2024), co-organized by CCC&TSPM and the Asia Pacific Forum (APF), was conducted at the headquarters of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), Chicago, Illinois, from August 28 to 29.
An 18-member Chinese Christian delegation, led by Rev. Wu Wei, president of the China Christian Council (CCC) and president of Nanjing Union Theological Seminary, attended the forum, said CCC&TSPM. The forum, themed "Opportunities and Challenges for Christianity in the Post-Pandemic Era," was attended by more than 40 participants from major Christian denominations, seminaries, and church organizations in the United States.
On the evening of August 27, the welcoming dinner hosted by the American side was presided over by Rev. Canon Bruce W. Woodcock, co-chairman of the APF. Rev. Wu Wei and ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton delivered speeches.
The following day, the opening ceremony was co-hosted by Rev. Lin Manhong, vice president and general secretary of CCC, and Ms. Patti Talbot, vice chair of APF. Remarks were made by the head of the State Administration for Religious Affairs Research Center, Rev. Wu Wei, and Rev. Woodcock.
In his speech, Wu mentioned that China and the U.S. Christian communities have witnessed many significant historical moments over the past few decades. He highlighted that American churches now have a clearer understanding of China's religious freedom policies and the Three-Self principle of Chinese churches—self-governance, self-support, and self-propagation of the gospel. The friendship and trust between the Christian communities of the two countries have also deepened. Wu emphasized that he hopes the forum will help the Christian communities of China and the U.S. reach more consensus and that the cooperation between the churches of both nations will have a brighter future, to leave a positive testimony in the global Christian community. Woodcock expressed that the forum not only built and deepened the relationship between the churches of China and the U.S. but also set a positive example for people-to-people diplomacy between the two countries. He also expressed hope that the forum would continue in the future to foster stronger exchanges between the churches of China and the U.S.
After the opening ceremony, Rev. Wu Wei and Rev. Rafael Malpica Padilla, executive director for the ELCA Division for Global Mission, delivered keynote speeches on the theme of "Retrospect and Prospect." Reverend Wu reviewed China's achievements over more than 40 years of reform and opening up and provided an overview of the development of the Chinese church, including efforts toward the indigenization of Christianity in China and future directions. He also elaborated on the extensive exchange and cooperation between the Christian communities of China and the U.S. Wu emphasized that while there are differences between China and the U.S. in terms of culture, history, and political systems, these differences should not hinder exchanges. Instead, both sides should seek common ground while respecting differences and learning from each other.
Padilla reflected on and testified to the rich history of exchange between the Christian communities of China and the U.S. She stressed that the forum serves not only as a platform for spiritual exchange but also as a window for cultural communication. She believes the unity of the Chinese church provides valuable lessons for the unity of the Universal Church.
The head of the State Administration for Religious Affairs Research Center stated that the forum will promote mutual understanding between the Christian communities of both nations and foster dialogue between the faith and academic communities. It will deepen the friendship between the Christian communities of China and the U.S., contributing positively to the stable, healthy, and sustainable development of China-U.S. relations.
Following the keynote speeches, 16 pastors and scholars from China and the U.S. delivered presentations on four sub-themes: education and talent cultivation, social care, research and publishing, and church ministry.
The closing ceremony was co-hosted by Gu Jingqin, interim chief of the overseas relationship department of CCC, and Rev. Franklin Ishida, ELCA program director for Asia and the Pacific.
Reverend Lin expressed her hope that the churches of China and the U.S. will strengthen their exchanges in the future and that the China-US Christian Forum could be a regular occurrence where real stories can be heard and shared so that Christians would not be misled by false information. Rev. Dr. Benjamin Chan, the Area Director for East Asia and India with International Ministries of the American Baptist Churches, praised the positive role this event played in enhancing exchanges and renewing the church ministries of China and North America and suggested more productive exchanges and forums be held in the future.
At the closing luncheon, Rev. Geng Weizhong, vice president of CCC, expressed gratitude to the American churches for their warm reception and thoughtful arrangements, congratulating the forum on its successful conclusion.
China-US Christian Forum (2024) Concludes in Chicago
