An article from CCC&TSPM on May 1 interpreted the "Outline of the Five-Year Work Plan for Further Advancing the Sinicization of Christianity (2023-2027)."
It said that the "Outline 2023-2027" consists of five parts: overall requirements, target principles, annual main tasks, focal point of work, and organizational implementation.
The article stated, "Compared to the 'Outline 2018-2022,' the content of the 'Outline 2023-2027' appears deeper, more realistic, and more detailed, it added. For example, the focus of the 'Outline 2023-2027' is no longer just on emphasizing the significance of the sinicization of Christianity but rather on the 'how' to sinicize Christianity. It no longer vaguely discusses the renewal of theology but plans to start with major theological themes such as 'theology of God,' 'theology of Christ,' 'theology of humanity,' and 'theology of the church,' reflecting on and discussing them in the context of Chinese culture to lay the foundation for building a theological framework with Chinese characteristics."
The article mentioned, "In terms of content coverage, the outline not only touches on artistic expressions, such as sacred music, painting, and architecture, but also focuses on internal theological thought development, pulpit supply, and talent pool building. In terms of participant groups, it no longer stops at the clergy but extends to theological students and grassroots volunteers, gradually making the sinicization of Christianity a conscious thought and action for the church in China."
Furthermore, the article elucidated that "the goal of the sinicization of Christianity is to construct a theological system with Chinese church characteristics to run the Chinese church well," which should be involved in the order of the socialist society. "It should be inspired by the core values of socialism, combined with the fusion of religious doctrines with Chinese culture."
After the discussion during a working conference, CCC&TSPM proposed the key points of this year's work as follows:
1. Diverse celebration activities will be held, such as concerts, calligraphy and painting exhibitions, and essay contests, following the study and implementation of the "Patriotic Education Law of the People's Republic of China (PRC)" and in preparation for the 75th anniversary of the founding of the PRC. It aims to guide the clergy and religious masses to love the country, the religion, and socialism and identify with the motherland, the Chinese nation, Chinese culture, the Communist Party of China, and socialism with Chinese characteristics.
2. Symposiums or seminars will be hosted to summarize and refine the model of church governance under the leadership of CC&TSPM in China and improve the paradigm of "Chinese-style" church management in accordance with the requirements of comprehensive, strict governance of the religion, taking the opportunity to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the establishment of TSPM.
3. In accordance with the requirements of the "Outline 2023-2027" for the annual theological symposium, discussions on the theology of God will be conducted, integrating excellent traditional Chinese culture to elaborate the view of God from a Chinese perspective. Relevant theological essays are to be compiled for publication in order to lay the foundation for building a system of Christian theology with Chinese characteristics.
4. In collaboration with provincial and municipal CC&TSPMs, CCC&TSPM will launch seminars or training sessions on the sinicization of Christianity with distinctive themes. For example, they plan to cooperate with the Shanghai Christian Council to hold a parallel conference on the sinicization of Christianity titled “Preaching in Shanghai.” Theoretical training courses on the sinicization of Christianity will be carried out for pastoral workers with the help of a provincial CC&TSPM in Southwest China, with activities to promote the sinicization of Christianity being enriched to expand its positive influence.
5. CCC&TSPM will pay attention to the compilation of Chinese Bible annotations and strive for new phased achievements in the coming year, through improving the working methods, such as adjusting the leadership group members. They will continue to promote the work of the theological education team to promote Christianity in the Chinese context in a deep and detailed way by carrying out training and preaching demonstration activities while adjusting and enriching the preaching team.
6. They will attach importance to talent training and team building and increase support for theological education. Symposiums on the sinicization of Christianity with participants from the political, religious, and academic circles are to be held for talent search and intellectual support for promoting the sinicization of Christianity with clear direction and consensus.
7. CCC&TSPM plans to make full use of its media resources and varied conferences and training opportunities to create a good atmosphere for sinicizing Christianity, aiming to clarify and correct misunderstandings and misinterpretations of sinicizing Christianity by a few overseas individuals by telling the story of the Chinese church.
8. The Special Committee to Advance the Sinicization of Christianity is urged to carry out research on the publicity and implementation of the "Outline 2023-2027," studying and discussing common problems in the process of promoting the sinicization of Christianity. They will stimulate the original motivation for sinicizing Christianity and tap various cultural and ideological resources to develop Christianity in the Chinese context.
- Translated by Abigail Wu
中国基督教两会发布解读《深入推进我国基督教中国化五年工作规划纲要（2023-2027年）》的文章。
《纲要2023-2027》分为总体要求、目标原则、主要任务、年度重点工作和组织实施等五个部分。
“与《纲要2018-2022》相比，《纲要2023-2027》内容显得更深更实更细。比如：《纲要2023-2027》的重点不再只是强调基督教中国化的意义，而是把重点放在了“怎么化”上面。不再只是泛泛而论神学之更新，而是计划先后从传统神学“上帝论”“基督论”“人论”和“教会论”等基本主题入手；结合中华文化处境进行反思和研讨，为构建中国特色神学思想体系的“四梁八柱”打下基础。”
文章提到，“从内容的覆盖而言，不仅触及教会里的艺术表达方式（如圣乐、美术、建筑等），而且重点关注到了内在的神学思想建设、讲台信息供应以及人才梯队建设。从参与人群而言，也不再只停留在基督教教职人员层面的研讨；而是要求延伸到神学院校师生、基层堂点义工；逐步让基督教中国化成为全教会自觉的思想行动。”
其次，文章提到，“基督教中国化的目标是以社会主义核心价值观为引领，用中华优秀传统文化浸润，逐步构建具有中国教会特色的神学思想体系；努力办好新时代的中国教会，与社会主义社会相适应。”
基督教全国两会经会务办公会议讨论提出本年度工作要点如下：
1. 结合学习贯彻《中华人民共和国爱国主义教育法》，以喜迎中华人民共和国成立75周年为契机，举办各类庆祝活动，如举行音乐会、书画展、征文活动等；进一步激发教职人员和信徒“三爱”热情，增进“五个认同”。
2. 以庆祝中国基督教三自爱国运动委员会成立70周年为契机，举办座谈会或研讨会；结合全面从严治教要求，进一步总结和提炼颇具中国特点的中国教会“两会管理模式”之经验，强化“中国式教会管理”之范式。
3. 按照《纲要2023-2027》提出的每年一个神学主题的研讨要求，拟举行“上帝论”的神学思考与研讨；融合中华优秀传统文化，阐释具有中国视角的“上帝观”；整理相关神学思考论文结集出版，为构建中国特色基督教神学思想体系打下基础。
4. 与有条件的省、市基督教两会合作，举办具有特色主题的基督教中国化研讨会或相关培训。如：拟与上海市基督教两会合作举办“海上论道”基督教中国化平行论坛；与西南某省基督教两会举办针对教牧同工的基督教中国化理论培训学习；丰富推进基督教中国化的活动形式，扩大正面影响力。
5. 着力做好中文圣经注释编写工作，在原来基础上调整领导小组成员，改进工作方式，争取新一年有新的阶段性成果。继续抓好“神学思想建设宣讲团”工作，调整、充实宣讲团力量，开展培训和宣讲示范活动，促进基督教中国化走深走实。
6. 重视人才培养和梯队建设，加强对神学教育的支持力度。继续办好由政教学三界参加的基督教中国化务虚座谈会，进一步明确方向，凝聚共识，为推进基督教中国化寻求人才储备和智力支持。
7. 充分利用好基督教两会传媒手段以及各类会议、培训机会，为推进基督教中国化营造良好氛围。尤其是对外要讲好中国教会故事，澄清和纠正海外少数人对基督教中国化的误解和曲解。
8. 充分发挥基督教中国化推进委员会（专委会）的作用，开展《纲要2023-2027》宣传落实和实施情况等调研工作，对推进基督教中国化过程中存在的共性问题进行研究探讨；激发推进基督教中国化的原生动力，挖掘各类文化思想资源，为推进基督教中国化服务。
解读《深入推进我国基督教中国化五年工作规划纲要（2023-2027年）》
An article from CCC&TSPM on May 1 interpreted the "Outline of the Five-Year Work Plan for Further Advancing the Sinicization of Christianity (2023-2027)."
It said that the "Outline 2023-2027" consists of five parts: overall requirements, target principles, annual main tasks, focal point of work, and organizational implementation.
The article stated, "Compared to the 'Outline 2018-2022,' the content of the 'Outline 2023-2027' appears deeper, more realistic, and more detailed, it added. For example, the focus of the 'Outline 2023-2027' is no longer just on emphasizing the significance of the sinicization of Christianity but rather on the 'how' to sinicize Christianity. It no longer vaguely discusses the renewal of theology but plans to start with major theological themes such as 'theology of God,' 'theology of Christ,' 'theology of humanity,' and 'theology of the church,' reflecting on and discussing them in the context of Chinese culture to lay the foundation for building a theological framework with Chinese characteristics."
The article mentioned, "In terms of content coverage, the outline not only touches on artistic expressions, such as sacred music, painting, and architecture, but also focuses on internal theological thought development, pulpit supply, and talent pool building. In terms of participant groups, it no longer stops at the clergy but extends to theological students and grassroots volunteers, gradually making the sinicization of Christianity a conscious thought and action for the church in China."
Furthermore, the article elucidated that "the goal of the sinicization of Christianity is to construct a theological system with Chinese church characteristics to run the Chinese church well," which should be involved in the order of the socialist society. "It should be inspired by the core values of socialism, combined with the fusion of religious doctrines with Chinese culture."
After the discussion during a working conference, CCC&TSPM proposed the key points of this year's work as follows:
1. Diverse celebration activities will be held, such as concerts, calligraphy and painting exhibitions, and essay contests, following the study and implementation of the "Patriotic Education Law of the People's Republic of China (PRC)" and in preparation for the 75th anniversary of the founding of the PRC. It aims to guide the clergy and religious masses to love the country, the religion, and socialism and identify with the motherland, the Chinese nation, Chinese culture, the Communist Party of China, and socialism with Chinese characteristics.
2. Symposiums or seminars will be hosted to summarize and refine the model of church governance under the leadership of CC&TSPM in China and improve the paradigm of "Chinese-style" church management in accordance with the requirements of comprehensive, strict governance of the religion, taking the opportunity to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the establishment of TSPM.
3. In accordance with the requirements of the "Outline 2023-2027" for the annual theological symposium, discussions on the theology of God will be conducted, integrating excellent traditional Chinese culture to elaborate the view of God from a Chinese perspective. Relevant theological essays are to be compiled for publication in order to lay the foundation for building a system of Christian theology with Chinese characteristics.
4. In collaboration with provincial and municipal CC&TSPMs, CCC&TSPM will launch seminars or training sessions on the sinicization of Christianity with distinctive themes. For example, they plan to cooperate with the Shanghai Christian Council to hold a parallel conference on the sinicization of Christianity titled “Preaching in Shanghai.” Theoretical training courses on the sinicization of Christianity will be carried out for pastoral workers with the help of a provincial CC&TSPM in Southwest China, with activities to promote the sinicization of Christianity being enriched to expand its positive influence.
5. CCC&TSPM will pay attention to the compilation of Chinese Bible annotations and strive for new phased achievements in the coming year, through improving the working methods, such as adjusting the leadership group members. They will continue to promote the work of the theological education team to promote Christianity in the Chinese context in a deep and detailed way by carrying out training and preaching demonstration activities while adjusting and enriching the preaching team.
6. They will attach importance to talent training and team building and increase support for theological education. Symposiums on the sinicization of Christianity with participants from the political, religious, and academic circles are to be held for talent search and intellectual support for promoting the sinicization of Christianity with clear direction and consensus.
7. CCC&TSPM plans to make full use of its media resources and varied conferences and training opportunities to create a good atmosphere for sinicizing Christianity, aiming to clarify and correct misunderstandings and misinterpretations of sinicizing Christianity by a few overseas individuals by telling the story of the Chinese church.
8. The Special Committee to Advance the Sinicization of Christianity is urged to carry out research on the publicity and implementation of the "Outline 2023-2027," studying and discussing common problems in the process of promoting the sinicization of Christianity. They will stimulate the original motivation for sinicizing Christianity and tap various cultural and ideological resources to develop Christianity in the Chinese context.
- Translated by Abigail Wu
Official Interpretation of New 5-Year Plan of Advancing the Sinicization of Christianity Released by CCC&TSPM
