World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary, Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay is currently visiting China (23-28 May) to engage with church and religious leaders at national and regional levels in Shanghai, Nanjing, and Beijing.
He is joined by Prof. Dr Vasile-Octavian Mihoc, WCC programme executive for Ecumenical Relations and Faith and Order, on this significant visit.
Meeting with Shanghai church leaders
On 23 May, the WCC delegation met with representatives of the Shanghai Three-Self Patriotic Movement (TSPM) and the Shanghai Christian Council (CC). The delegation was welcomed by Rev. Xu Yulan, chairperson of the Shanghai Committee of the TSPM; Rev. Yu Guangzhi, chairperson of the Shanghai CC; Rev. Guo Feng, vice secretary general of Shanghai TSPM and CC; and Shi Meiying, secretary for Overseas Relations of Shanghai TSPM and CC. Discussions focused on the current state of churches in Shanghai and their collaboration with other religious stakeholders. Rev. Xu Yulan highlighted the government’s support for their societal contributions, aiding impoverished individuals and students. Shanghai is home to 170 Protestant churches.
The WCC general secretary shared about the WCC’s vision for the next years, especially the plans for the 1,700th anniversary of the Nicaea Council in 2025. Topics like contextual theology, ecumenical formation, post-pandemic challenges for the churches, peace, and reconciliation were at the heart of the discussions. Pillay underlined the importance of contextualisation of Christian theology in the Chinese context and invited Shanghai TSPM and CC to a closer collaboration with the WCC.
Engagement with national church leaders
On 24 May, the delegation met with the China Christian Council (CCC), represented by president Rev. Wu Wei, and the National Committee of the Three-Self Patriotic Movement (TSPM), represented by Rev. Xu Xiaohong. Other attendees included Rev. Dr Manhong Lin, CCC residential vice president and general secretary, and Jingqin Gu, CCC and TSPM interim director of Overseas Relations. The meeting emphasized the dynamic changes in China in the last decades, now the world’s second-largest economy, and the successful collaboration between the state and the church to alleviate poverty.
The discussions aimed to strengthen relationships between CCC, TSPM, and WCC. Rev. Xu Xiaohong briefly recalled the history of the CCC’s partnership with the WCC since it became a full member of the WCC in 1991, with special appreciation for the WCC’s respect for the Three-self principle and One-China policy. Rev. Xu also highlighted the significance of the contextualisation of Christianity in China, studying the faith from this perspective, and training future generations. He also elaborated on the historical context for the further contextualisation of the faith which is now in active progress within Chinese churches. He shared that the Ecumenical Institute at Bossey has been instrumental in educating young ecumenists. The unity experienced by Chinese churches is seen as a blessing, reflecting the traditional Chinese cultural value of inclusiveness.
Rev. Wu noted that the CCC is solely affiliated to the WCC as an ecumenical organisation, fostering close collaboration over the years in having appointed representatives in governing bodies and almost all WCC commissions and in hosting commission meetings and governing bodies of the WCC. The Three-Self principle of Chinese churches—self-governance, self-support, and self-propagation of the Gospel—have played a crucial role in the growth and unity of the church since their implementation in 1950. According to Rev. Wu, the Protestant Christian community comprises approximately 38 million Christians, supported by over 12,000 ordained pastors, 40,000 full-time preachers, and 200,000 lay preachers. There are 22 seminaries and Bible schools with around 3,500 students, producing 1,100 graduates annually who serve in churches. Bible printing, including editions in ethnic minority languages and in Braille, is a priority. However, the church faces challenges such as the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, which temporarily reduced baptisms and church attendance. Nonetheless, recent trends show a recovery in in-person worship.
The church also faces issues of secularization and commercialization of faith.
Pillay shared about the WCC’s Strategic Plan, which focuses on strengthening fellowship, deepening solidarity and community, understanding mission, theological ecumenical formation, climate justice, and advocating for peace under the Pilgrimage of Justice, Reconciliation, and Unity. He emphasized the potential for collaboration with TSPM and CCC, particularly with the upcoming Nicaea 2025.
Visit to Nanjing and meeting with Jiangsu TSPM and CC
The same day, the delegation was received by Rev. Shi Li, vice chairman and general secretary of the Jiangsu TSPM and CC. He provided insights into the situation of churches in Jiangsu, where there are around 1,000 pastors and elders serving 1,400 congregations. He also discussed the Jiangsu Theological Seminary, which offers four-year undergraduate programs.
Upcoming visits and meetings
In the following days, the WCC delegation will visit the Nanjing Theological Seminary and Amity Printing Company in Nanjing as well as the State Administration for Religious Affairs, the Chinese Catholic Patriotic Association and the Bishops’ Conference of Catholic Church in China, and the Chinese Islamic Association in Beijing.
The WCC delegation is accompanied by Rev Dr. Manhong Lin, CCC residential vice president and general secretary, and Xuebin Zhou, a teacher at Nanjing Union Theological Seminary.
Photo gallery
Originally from Webpage "The WCC"
CCD edited and reprinted with permission
世界基督教教会联合会（World Council of Churches, 简称世基联）秘书长杰里·皮莱牧师（Rev. Prof. Dr. Jerry Pillay）目前正在中国访问（5月23日至28日），在上海、南京和北京与中国基督教两会、地方教会以及其他宗教团体领袖会面。
世基联普世关系和信仰与教制项目执行官瓦西里·奥克塔维安·米霍克博士（Prof. Dr Vasile-Octavian Mihoc）一同参加了此次重要访问。
与上海教会领袖会面
5月23日，世基联代表团与上海市基督教两会代表会面。上海市基督教三自爱国运动委员会主席徐玉兰牧师、上海市基督教教务委员会主席俞光植牧师、上海市基督教两会副秘书长郭峰牧师、上海市基督教两会外事干事史美莺接待了代表团。会面重点讨论了上海教会的现状及其与其他宗教团体的合作。徐玉兰牧师强调了政府在他们参与社会服务方面的支持，以及对贫困者的援助。上海有170座新教教堂。
世基联秘书长分享了世基联未来几年的愿景，尤其是2025年尼西亚大公会议1700周年的计划。也讨论了处境神学、普世教会的形成、大流行后教会面临的挑战、和平与和解等议题。皮莱强调了基督教神学在中国背景下处境化的重要性，并邀请上海市基督教两会与世基联开展更紧密的合作。
与中国基督教两会领袖会面
5月24日，代表团受到中国基督教三自爱国运动委员会主席徐晓鸿牧师和中国基督教协会会长吴巍牧师接待。出席会议的还有中国基督教协会驻会副会长兼秘书长林曼红牧师、中国基督教两会海外联络部临时负责人顾静琴同工。会议强调了中国在过去几十年中发生的巨大变化，中国现已成为世界第二大经济体，并强调了国家与教会在扶贫方面的成功合作。
会面的讨论旨在加强中国基督教两会和世基联之间的关系。徐晓鸿牧师简要回顾了中国基督教协会自1991年成为世基联成员以来与世基联的合作历史，特别感谢世基联尊重“三自原则”和“一个中国”政策。徐牧师还强调了基督教在中国的处境化和从这一角度研究信仰以及培养新一代的重要性。他还阐述了目前中国教会正在积极推进的信仰进一步本土化的历史背景。他分享说，伯赛大公运动学院在培养年轻普世主义者方面发挥了重要作用。中国教会所经历的合一是一种祝福，反映了中国传统文化中兼容并蓄的价值观。
吴巍牧师指出，世基联是中国基督教协会唯一参加的国际基督教组织，中国基督教协会多年来与世基联建立了密切的合作关系，在其理事机构和委员会中都委派了代表，并承办了世基联委员会会议。 中国教会的“三自”原则——自治、自养、自传，自1950年实施以来，对教会的发展与合一起到了至关重要的作用。据吴牧师介绍，中国基督教新教团体约有 3800万基督徒，1.2万多名按立牧师、4 万名全职传道人和20万名义工传道人。全国共有22所神学院和圣经学校，在校学生约3500人，每年有1100 名毕业生在教会服侍。圣经的印刷，包括少数民族语言版本和盲文版本的印刷是重点工作。然而，教会也面临着一些挑战，如大流行的影响，减少了受洗人数和教会出席率。不过，最近的趋势表明，到教堂做礼拜的人数正在恢复。教会还面临着信仰世俗化和商业化的问题。
皮莱介绍了世基联的战略计划，该计划的重点是加强团契、深化团结和社区、理解使命、神学普世培育、气候正义，以及在 “正义、和解与合一朝圣之旅 ”中倡导和平。他强调了与中国基督教两会合作的盼望，尤其是即将到来的2025年尼西亚大公会议1700周年纪念。
访问南京和江苏省基督教两会
同日，江苏省基督教两会副主席兼秘书长史历牧师接待了代表团。他介绍了江苏教会的情况，江苏约有1000名牧师和长老，1400个教会。他还介绍了提供四年制本科课程的江苏神学院。
即将进行的访问和会议
在接下来的几天，世基联代表团将访问金陵协和神学院、爱德印刷公司、以及在北京的国家宗教事务局、中国天主教爱国会和中国天主教主教团、中国伊斯兰教协会。
世基联代表团由中国基督教协会驻会副主席兼秘书长林曼红牧师和金陵协和神学院教师周学斌陪同。
世基联秘书长访华：中国教会为基督教合一作出有力见证
World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary, Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay is currently visiting China (23-28 May) to engage with church and religious leaders at national and regional levels in Shanghai, Nanjing, and Beijing.
He is joined by Prof. Dr Vasile-Octavian Mihoc, WCC programme executive for Ecumenical Relations and Faith and Order, on this significant visit.
Meeting with Shanghai church leaders
On 23 May, the WCC delegation met with representatives of the Shanghai Three-Self Patriotic Movement (TSPM) and the Shanghai Christian Council (CC). The delegation was welcomed by Rev. Xu Yulan, chairperson of the Shanghai Committee of the TSPM; Rev. Yu Guangzhi, chairperson of the Shanghai CC; Rev. Guo Feng, vice secretary general of Shanghai TSPM and CC; and Shi Meiying, secretary for Overseas Relations of Shanghai TSPM and CC. Discussions focused on the current state of churches in Shanghai and their collaboration with other religious stakeholders. Rev. Xu Yulan highlighted the government’s support for their societal contributions, aiding impoverished individuals and students. Shanghai is home to 170 Protestant churches.
The WCC general secretary shared about the WCC’s vision for the next years, especially the plans for the 1,700th anniversary of the Nicaea Council in 2025. Topics like contextual theology, ecumenical formation, post-pandemic challenges for the churches, peace, and reconciliation were at the heart of the discussions. Pillay underlined the importance of contextualisation of Christian theology in the Chinese context and invited Shanghai TSPM and CC to a closer collaboration with the WCC.
Engagement with national church leaders
On 24 May, the delegation met with the China Christian Council (CCC), represented by president Rev. Wu Wei, and the National Committee of the Three-Self Patriotic Movement (TSPM), represented by Rev. Xu Xiaohong. Other attendees included Rev. Dr Manhong Lin, CCC residential vice president and general secretary, and Jingqin Gu, CCC and TSPM interim director of Overseas Relations. The meeting emphasized the dynamic changes in China in the last decades, now the world’s second-largest economy, and the successful collaboration between the state and the church to alleviate poverty.
The discussions aimed to strengthen relationships between CCC, TSPM, and WCC. Rev. Xu Xiaohong briefly recalled the history of the CCC’s partnership with the WCC since it became a full member of the WCC in 1991, with special appreciation for the WCC’s respect for the Three-self principle and One-China policy. Rev. Xu also highlighted the significance of the contextualisation of Christianity in China, studying the faith from this perspective, and training future generations. He also elaborated on the historical context for the further contextualisation of the faith which is now in active progress within Chinese churches. He shared that the Ecumenical Institute at Bossey has been instrumental in educating young ecumenists. The unity experienced by Chinese churches is seen as a blessing, reflecting the traditional Chinese cultural value of inclusiveness.
Rev. Wu noted that the CCC is solely affiliated to the WCC as an ecumenical organisation, fostering close collaboration over the years in having appointed representatives in governing bodies and almost all WCC commissions and in hosting commission meetings and governing bodies of the WCC. The Three-Self principle of Chinese churches—self-governance, self-support, and self-propagation of the Gospel—have played a crucial role in the growth and unity of the church since their implementation in 1950. According to Rev. Wu, the Protestant Christian community comprises approximately 38 million Christians, supported by over 12,000 ordained pastors, 40,000 full-time preachers, and 200,000 lay preachers. There are 22 seminaries and Bible schools with around 3,500 students, producing 1,100 graduates annually who serve in churches. Bible printing, including editions in ethnic minority languages and in Braille, is a priority. However, the church faces challenges such as the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, which temporarily reduced baptisms and church attendance. Nonetheless, recent trends show a recovery in in-person worship.
The church also faces issues of secularization and commercialization of faith.
Pillay shared about the WCC’s Strategic Plan, which focuses on strengthening fellowship, deepening solidarity and community, understanding mission, theological ecumenical formation, climate justice, and advocating for peace under the Pilgrimage of Justice, Reconciliation, and Unity. He emphasized the potential for collaboration with TSPM and CCC, particularly with the upcoming Nicaea 2025.
Visit to Nanjing and meeting with Jiangsu TSPM and CC
The same day, the delegation was received by Rev. Shi Li, vice chairman and general secretary of the Jiangsu TSPM and CC. He provided insights into the situation of churches in Jiangsu, where there are around 1,000 pastors and elders serving 1,400 congregations. He also discussed the Jiangsu Theological Seminary, which offers four-year undergraduate programs.
Upcoming visits and meetings
In the following days, the WCC delegation will visit the Nanjing Theological Seminary and Amity Printing Company in Nanjing as well as the State Administration for Religious Affairs, the Chinese Catholic Patriotic Association and the Bishops’ Conference of Catholic Church in China, and the Chinese Islamic Association in Beijing.
The WCC delegation is accompanied by Rev Dr. Manhong Lin, CCC residential vice president and general secretary, and Xuebin Zhou, a teacher at Nanjing Union Theological Seminary.
Photo gallery
Originally from Webpage "The WCC"
CCD edited and reprinted with permission
Chinese Churches Bring Strong Witness to Christian Unity
