There are great differences between Chinese churches and foreign churches, and one of the most important differences lies in the issue of denomination. For several hundred or even a thousand years, the Western churches have experienced an era of denominationalism. Only in recent decades has the trend moved toward post-denominationalism, resulting in the emergence of many independent churches. However, because the Chinese churches have been non-denominational for some time, some church elders, based on their past experiences, believe that denominationalism is displeasing to God and therefore oppose the establishment of denominations.
Pastor Yeh serves a church in a city in southern China. According to his prediction, it is likely that Chinese churches will face an era of re-denominationalization in the future and that it is an inevitable development in history.
Pastor Yeh points out that as early as the early 1900s, the Chinese church proposed building the "Church of Christ in China" and eliminating most of the Western denominations. This is because denominationalism caused many problems and even led to great divisions within the churches in China. Therefore, the Chinese church wanted to transform these Western-built churches into Chinese-owned churches. However, in the process of development and maturation, a diversity of theology emerged within these Chinese-built churches, and the churches came to have different theological positions, and a new wave of re-denominationalization is again being generated among the churches.
So how can the issue of denominationalism be addressed more positively? Pastor Yeh shares that no denomination can represent the full Christian faith, whether it is the Charismatic, Fundamental, or Reformed churches.
"At the very least, many churches have done some reflection and have tried to develop a relationship between their core beliefs today and history. Personally, I believe that in the next ten to fifteen years, even in relatively conservative churches like the one where I serve, there will be more denominationalization, and it is inevitable.
However, Pastor Yeh also notes that many people still do not see the need for denominationalization, and many who have not had thorough theological reflection would consider themselves evangelicals.
"This group is so similar to our church that if we are to formulate and improve our own system, it is most likely that we will take their direction.”
Pastor Yeh believes that an era of re-denominationalization will come upon the Chinese churches. Will there be a proliferation of denominations, leading to many conflicts between different denominations?
"Even if many denominations are established, they will not fight to the death like in the past," he said.
Re-denominationalization does not necessarily lead to conflict between churches of different denominations. "Actually, I don't think there should be conflict. As long as a church does not undermine even the basic beliefs of Christianity, there should be no conflict in legitimate churches," said Pastor Yeh. Even with different people and different ideas, it is perfectly possible for different denominations to coexist without attacking each other.
"Re-denominationalization is a matter of time. Denominations will surface; that is, many churches will reveal their denominational identity. In fact, many pastors today already have a clear theological position of their own and are well aware of the direction and model they should follow in leading their churches. Although they may not have made their position public for fear of criticism, misunderstanding, or various other reasons, extensive preparatory work has already been done.
Therefore, Pastor Yeh said that the Chinese churches have now come to a crossroad, and it can be expected that some Chinese churches will be more diversified in form in the future. And pastors, especially those of large churches, should prepare themselves for this impact and the subsequent era of church diversity.
- Translated by Joyce Leung
现在的中国教会和国外教会有着很大的差异，其中最大的差异之一就是宗派问题。西方教会经历过数百年甚至上千年的宗派时代，而最近几十年开始有一个趋势即后宗派时代，不少独立教会涌现。但是中国教会在有段时期内无分宗派，因此教会的一些长辈们由于过去一些经验，认为宗派是上帝所不喜悦的，并且反对宗派。
中国教会将会迎来重新宗派化时代
叶牧师在南方一座城市的一所教会全职服事，他预测未来中国教会可能会迎来重新宗派化时代，这也是历史发展的必然。
叶牧师说，早在二十世纪初期，中国教会就提出了中华基督教会的概念，想要把西方的很多宗派去掉。因为当时宗派问题太严重了，在教会里面造成了很严重的分裂，所以他们想要把西方在中国的教会变成中国自己的教会。但是中国自生的教会在发展、成熟的过程当中，就在神学方面出现了多样化。不同的教会有不同的神学立场，所以出现教会重新宗派化。
面对如何正面看待宗派的问题，他分享说，任何一个宗派都不能代表完全的基督的信仰，无论是灵恩派，基要派还是改革宗。
“最起码，很多教会现在已经有了一些思考，开始让今天教会的信仰跟以前的历史有一些对接。我个人认为，在接下来的十到十五年，哪怕是我们这样的相对比较保守的教会，也会产生比较明显的宗派现象，这个是避免不了的。”
不过，他也看到，现在还是有很多人认为不需要宗派，也有很多在神学方面没有深入思考的人会说自己是福音派。
“这个团体跟我所在的教会很相像。如果我们要建设、健全我们教会的体制的话，那么走这个团体的路线是最接近的。”
怎么看待中国教会的重新宗派化？
叶牧师认为中国教会将会迎来重新宗派化时代。那么，会不会出现宗派林立，然后不同宗派之间冲突非常多的情况呢？(==当summary）
叶牧师个人认为就算出现了宗派林立的现象，也不至于像过去那样拼的你死我活。
重新宗派化并不意味着会出现不同宗派教会之间的冲突。“实际上，我认为就不应该冲突。除非一个教会把基督教信仰的核心原则都破坏掉了，但是正统教会基本上是不会出现这样的情况的。”叶牧师这样说。虽然不同的人有不同的宗派，不同的观念，但是完全可以共存，没有必要互相攻击。
“重新宗派化这个是早晚的事情。宗派一定会重新浮出水面，或者说很多教会会公开自己的宗派身份。其实现在很多牧者已经很清楚自己的神学立场，知道要采用怎样的路线和模式来治理教会。只是碍于很多原因，可能担心受到非议和不理解，所以没有公开自己的立场。但是其实已经在做很多的预备工作了。”
所以，叶牧师说中国教会走到现在已经到了一个分叉点，未来中国教会的一些形态可能会变得更加多元化。作为牧者尤其是大教会的牧者们，可以做好相应的心理准备，迎接这些震动以及之后的教会多元化时代的到来。
牧者：中国教会如何看待可能会迎来的重新宗派化时代？
There are great differences between Chinese churches and foreign churches, and one of the most important differences lies in the issue of denomination. For several hundred or even a thousand years, the Western churches have experienced an era of denominationalism. Only in recent decades has the trend moved toward post-denominationalism, resulting in the emergence of many independent churches. However, because the Chinese churches have been non-denominational for some time, some church elders, based on their past experiences, believe that denominationalism is displeasing to God and therefore oppose the establishment of denominations.
Pastor Yeh serves a church in a city in southern China. According to his prediction, it is likely that Chinese churches will face an era of re-denominationalization in the future and that it is an inevitable development in history.
Pastor Yeh points out that as early as the early 1900s, the Chinese church proposed building the "Church of Christ in China" and eliminating most of the Western denominations. This is because denominationalism caused many problems and even led to great divisions within the churches in China. Therefore, the Chinese church wanted to transform these Western-built churches into Chinese-owned churches. However, in the process of development and maturation, a diversity of theology emerged within these Chinese-built churches, and the churches came to have different theological positions, and a new wave of re-denominationalization is again being generated among the churches.
So how can the issue of denominationalism be addressed more positively? Pastor Yeh shares that no denomination can represent the full Christian faith, whether it is the Charismatic, Fundamental, or Reformed churches.
"At the very least, many churches have done some reflection and have tried to develop a relationship between their core beliefs today and history. Personally, I believe that in the next ten to fifteen years, even in relatively conservative churches like the one where I serve, there will be more denominationalization, and it is inevitable.
However, Pastor Yeh also notes that many people still do not see the need for denominationalization, and many who have not had thorough theological reflection would consider themselves evangelicals.
"This group is so similar to our church that if we are to formulate and improve our own system, it is most likely that we will take their direction.”
Pastor Yeh believes that an era of re-denominationalization will come upon the Chinese churches. Will there be a proliferation of denominations, leading to many conflicts between different denominations?
"Even if many denominations are established, they will not fight to the death like in the past," he said.
Re-denominationalization does not necessarily lead to conflict between churches of different denominations. "Actually, I don't think there should be conflict. As long as a church does not undermine even the basic beliefs of Christianity, there should be no conflict in legitimate churches," said Pastor Yeh. Even with different people and different ideas, it is perfectly possible for different denominations to coexist without attacking each other.
"Re-denominationalization is a matter of time. Denominations will surface; that is, many churches will reveal their denominational identity. In fact, many pastors today already have a clear theological position of their own and are well aware of the direction and model they should follow in leading their churches. Although they may not have made their position public for fear of criticism, misunderstanding, or various other reasons, extensive preparatory work has already been done.
Therefore, Pastor Yeh said that the Chinese churches have now come to a crossroad, and it can be expected that some Chinese churches will be more diversified in form in the future. And pastors, especially those of large churches, should prepare themselves for this impact and the subsequent era of church diversity.
- Translated by Joyce Leung
Interview: Chinese Churches May Embrace Era of Re-Denominationalization
