The fifth session of the Guangzhou Master’ Lectures on the Sinicization of Christianity in 2023, was recently held in a church located in South China's Guangdong Province.
The Guangzhou CC&TSPM reported that the theme of the lecture, named "A Brief Discussion on Chinese-style Church Management," was conducted on June 13th at Tianhe Church.
During the lecture, Rev. Shan Weixiang, vice president and chief executive of the China Christian Council (CCC) and president of the Ningbo Christian Council, explained the rationality, resources, conditions, and wisdom acquisition in "Chinese-style" church management.
He combined these aspects with an analysis of the current situation of Christianity in China.
Shan pointed out that this kind of management was a way for churches to achieve "self-governing" status in the context of China. Its foundation lay in adhering to local Chinese culture and adapting to the times. By integrating church administration with Christian beliefs, a unique church management style could be formed that was rooted in China's national conditions, social environment, and religious settings, this church leader continued. This approach could help resolve the issues that Chinese churches encounter and improve management efficiencies.
Furthermore, Rev. Shan recommended that to apply "Chinese-style" church management effectively, which was based on Bible principles and revelations, church administrators should assimilate the wisdom offered by excellent traditional Chinese culture. This wisdom included the spirit of learning the golden mean, balance, self-cultivation values, and harmony. He concluded that by doing so, it would promote the diversified and healthy development of the church.
- Translated by Abigail Wu
广州基督教中国化名师讲坛2023年第五讲在广东一教堂举行。
据广州市基督教两会，本次名师讲坛主题为“中国式教会管理浅论”。6月13日，在天河堂，由中国基督教协会副会长兼总干事、宁波市基督教协会会长单渭祥牧师，结合中国基督教的实际情况，先后讲解“中国式”教会管理的合理性、资源与条件、智慧汲取等内容。
单牧师指出，“中国式教会管理”是在中国处境中，基督教会寻求“自治”的方式。其根本在于扎根中国本土文化，立足时代处境。将教会行政管理与基督教信仰相融合，形成根植于中国国情、社情、教情的教会管理风格。解决中国教会自身问题，提升管理效能。
单牧师指出，“中国式”教会管理要立足于圣经原则和启示，汲取中华优秀传统文化的智慧，诸如学习中庸平衡、修身安人、以和为贵等精神，合力推动教会多元一体健康发展。
广东举行“中国式教会管理”名师讲坛
The fifth session of the Guangzhou Master’ Lectures on the Sinicization of Christianity in 2023, was recently held in a church located in South China's Guangdong Province.
The Guangzhou CC&TSPM reported that the theme of the lecture, named "A Brief Discussion on Chinese-style Church Management," was conducted on June 13th at Tianhe Church.
During the lecture, Rev. Shan Weixiang, vice president and chief executive of the China Christian Council (CCC) and president of the Ningbo Christian Council, explained the rationality, resources, conditions, and wisdom acquisition in "Chinese-style" church management.
He combined these aspects with an analysis of the current situation of Christianity in China.
Shan pointed out that this kind of management was a way for churches to achieve "self-governing" status in the context of China. Its foundation lay in adhering to local Chinese culture and adapting to the times. By integrating church administration with Christian beliefs, a unique church management style could be formed that was rooted in China's national conditions, social environment, and religious settings, this church leader continued. This approach could help resolve the issues that Chinese churches encounter and improve management efficiencies.
Furthermore, Rev. Shan recommended that to apply "Chinese-style" church management effectively, which was based on Bible principles and revelations, church administrators should assimilate the wisdom offered by excellent traditional Chinese culture. This wisdom included the spirit of learning the golden mean, balance, self-cultivation values, and harmony. He concluded that by doing so, it would promote the diversified and healthy development of the church.
- Translated by Abigail Wu
Guangdong Holds Lecture on Chinese-style Church Management
