Invited by the Outreach Foundation of the Presbyterian Church in the USA, a Chinese church delegation visited Charlotte, North Carolina.
On August 31, an 18-member Chinese delegation attended the China Ministry Forum, which was co-sponsored by the Outreach Foundation and the Westminster Presbyterian Church. On the second day, the delegates attended the Sunday service held in the Westminster Church.
This visit followed the China-US Christian Forum (2024), conducted at the headquarters of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) in Chicago, Illinois, from August 28 to 29.
Led by Rev. Wu Wei, president of the China Christian Council (CCC), the Chinese delegation was joined by over 50 American participants, including Presbyterian pastors, elders, co-workers, and lay leaders who have a deep interest in the church in China. Most of the American attendees came from the Outreach Foundation, Westminster Presbyterian Church, the North Carolina Presbytery, and Presbyterian churches in some other U.S. states. Additionally, leaders from some Chinese American ministries and representatives from other denominations' global mission division took part in the forum.
Rev. Owen Stepp, senior pastor of Westminster Presbyterian Church, delivered a welcome, offered prayers, and led a morning devotion during breakfast.
The opening addresses were given by Outreach’s Executive Director, Rev. Dr. Mark Mueller, and the Chairman of the Board of Directors, Mr. Rick Wesley. Mr. Wesley remarked, “You have crossed the ocean to see us. We have long hoped for this time of fellowship and exchange, and thanks be to God, the Lord has done great things for us, and we rejoiced… Many of us American Christians have heard much but understood little about the Christian churches in China, so we want to hear directly from you…”
He expressed his hopes for future annual reciprocal exchange visits to strengthen friendship and understanding, allowing U.S. and Chinese churches to serve as instruments of God's peace.
In his response, Rev. Wu Wei expressed gratitude for the warm hospitality and active participation of the U.S. side. He introduced the Chinese delegates and expressed their desire to enhance communication and exchange between churches in both nations. He also extended an invitation to U.S. church friends to visit China.
Rev. Dr. Lin Manhong, vice president and general secretary of the CCC, delivered a keynote speech, providing a comprehensive and concise overview of the history, current state, features, and ministry highlights of churches in China. She also discussed the challenges and problems they face. Rev. Owen Stepp spoke on the mission and values of Westminster Presbyterian Church, emphasizing how collaboration in mission can enrich church spirituality and unity.
In the subsequent presentations, Rev. Xu Yulan, chairperson of Shanghai TSPM and chairperson of the board of directors of East China Theological Seminary, shared insights into the ministries of churches in Shanghai. Rev. Pan Xingwang, chairperson of Zhejiang TSPM and president of Zhejiang Theological Seminary, gave an overview of the seminary’s work. Ms. Zheng Wei, assistant to the secretary general of the Amity Foundation, discussed Christian social service in China. Dr. Meng Zhenua, director of the Institute for Jewish and Israel Studies of Nanjing University, presented research developments and future prospects for academic studies on Christianity in China.
It is worth mentioning that one of the focal points for the Chinese church is working to contextualize their theology and worship to be consistent with Chinese culture and relevant to the rapidly changing Chinese society while “submitting to a biblical and classical definition of the faith and embracing the great historical heritage of ancient catholic tradition and Protestant Reformation.”
The Chinese church delegates pointed out that to have real success in the broader population of China, the church would have to become the “Church of China” rather than merely a “Church in China.” The hymns' methods of worship and church architecture would need to reflect more of the Chinese culture rather than merely copy one of the Western cultures. They also put forward that they are living in a post-denominational period as they seek more unity in faith. The church must reflect and respond to the culture and society of China, including seriously engaging and critically embracing socialist values.
After the presentations, there was half an hour Q&A session. Rev. Geng Weizhong, CCC’s vice president, delivered the closing exhortation, calling on churches in both countries to seek new life rooted in Christ, mature in Him, and reach unity in faith.
At the Sunday service held at Westminster Church on September 1, Rev. Wu Wei addressed the congregation, while Rev. Lin Manhong presided over the communion service.
2024年8月31日到9月1日，应美国长老会外展基金会邀请，中国教会代表团一行18人由中国基督教协会会长吴巍牧师带队访问夏洛特。8月31日，代表团出席了由外展基金会和西敏长老会教会联合举办的主题为“以基督为中心的联合”中国基督教事工论坛交流活动。9月1日，代表团参加了西敏教会的主日礼拜。
此次访问是中国教会代表团继8月28日至29日在芝加哥美国福音信义会总部举行的中美基督教论坛（2024）之后的又一访问。
参加论坛的美国代表有50余人，主要是来自外展基金会、西敏教会、长老会北卡区会以及多个州的长老会教会的牧师、长老、同工和关心中国教会的平信徒义工领袖，一些北美华人事工组织干事以及其他宗派外宣部门的相关同工也参加了论坛。
西敏教会主任牧师欧文（Owen Stepp）致欢迎词，献上祷告并带领早餐会灵修分享。外展基金会执行主任马可（Mark Mueller）博士和董事会主席卫斯理（Rick Wesley）先生作论坛开幕式致辞，欢迎中国代表团的到来。
卫斯理先生说：“你们跨越重洋来看望我们。我们早就期待着这样的团契与交流，感谢上帝，主为我们成就了大事，我们欢喜快乐……许多美国基督徒对中国教会听得多，但了解得少，我们想听你们直接分享……”卫斯理先生表达了对未来每年互访的期望，盼加强友谊与理解，使中美教会成为上帝和平的器皿。
吴巍牧师作回应致辞，感谢大家的热情款待和积极参与，介绍了中国代表团成员，表达了加强两国教会沟通交流的愿望，邀请美国教会同工同道访问中国。
中国基督教协会副会长兼总干事林曼红牧师作主旨演讲，介绍了中国教会的历史沿革、当前概况、特点特色、事工重点以及存在的各种问题挑战。欧文牧师介绍了西敏教会的使命和价值观，阐述了开展合作性宣教如何促进教会灵性复兴与合一。
在随后的专题分享环节，上海基督教三自爱国运动委员会主席、华东神学院董事会主席徐玉兰牧师介绍上海地区教会的事工情况，浙江基督教三自爱国运动委员会主席、浙江神学院院长潘兴旺牧师介绍浙江神学院的情况，爱德基金会秘书长助理郑蔚女士介绍中国教会的社会服务事工，南京大学犹太及以色列研究中心主任孟振华教授介绍国内学界的基督教研究动态和前景。
中国教会的重点之一是努力将其神学和敬拜本土化，在“坚守圣经真理，承袭大公教会传统和新教改革的伟大历史遗产”的同时，与中国文化相融合，与中国社会相适应。
中国教会代表指出，基督教信仰要想在中国广大民众中扎根，教会必须成为“中国的基督教”，而不是“基督教在中国”。赞美诗的敬拜方式以及教堂建筑需要更多地反映中国文化，而不是复制西方文化。代表还提到，现今中国教会正处于后宗派时期，信仰上寻求更大的合一。教会必须反思并回应中国的文化与社会，包括回应和吸收社会主义价值观。
专题分享结束后有半个小时的问答互动。最后，中国基督教协会副会长耿卫忠牧师作闭幕劝勉，以“在基督里”为题呼吁中美两国教会信徒寻求扎根基督、联于基督、在基督里长大成人、同归于一的美好新生命。
9月1日，代表团参加西敏教会主日崇拜，吴巍牧师上台致辞，问候会众。林曼红牧师参与主礼圣餐。
中文翻译转载自《福音时报》
中国基督教事工论坛在夏洛特举行 促进中美教会对话
Invited by the Outreach Foundation of the Presbyterian Church in the USA, a Chinese church delegation visited Charlotte, North Carolina.
On August 31, an 18-member Chinese delegation attended the China Ministry Forum, which was co-sponsored by the Outreach Foundation and the Westminster Presbyterian Church. On the second day, the delegates attended the Sunday service held in the Westminster Church.
This visit followed the China-US Christian Forum (2024), conducted at the headquarters of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) in Chicago, Illinois, from August 28 to 29.
Led by Rev. Wu Wei, president of the China Christian Council (CCC), the Chinese delegation was joined by over 50 American participants, including Presbyterian pastors, elders, co-workers, and lay leaders who have a deep interest in the church in China. Most of the American attendees came from the Outreach Foundation, Westminster Presbyterian Church, the North Carolina Presbytery, and Presbyterian churches in some other U.S. states. Additionally, leaders from some Chinese American ministries and representatives from other denominations' global mission division took part in the forum.
Rev. Owen Stepp, senior pastor of Westminster Presbyterian Church, delivered a welcome, offered prayers, and led a morning devotion during breakfast.
The opening addresses were given by Outreach’s Executive Director, Rev. Dr. Mark Mueller, and the Chairman of the Board of Directors, Mr. Rick Wesley. Mr. Wesley remarked, “You have crossed the ocean to see us. We have long hoped for this time of fellowship and exchange, and thanks be to God, the Lord has done great things for us, and we rejoiced… Many of us American Christians have heard much but understood little about the Christian churches in China, so we want to hear directly from you…”
He expressed his hopes for future annual reciprocal exchange visits to strengthen friendship and understanding, allowing U.S. and Chinese churches to serve as instruments of God's peace.
In his response, Rev. Wu Wei expressed gratitude for the warm hospitality and active participation of the U.S. side. He introduced the Chinese delegates and expressed their desire to enhance communication and exchange between churches in both nations. He also extended an invitation to U.S. church friends to visit China.
Rev. Dr. Lin Manhong, vice president and general secretary of the CCC, delivered a keynote speech, providing a comprehensive and concise overview of the history, current state, features, and ministry highlights of churches in China. She also discussed the challenges and problems they face. Rev. Owen Stepp spoke on the mission and values of Westminster Presbyterian Church, emphasizing how collaboration in mission can enrich church spirituality and unity.
In the subsequent presentations, Rev. Xu Yulan, chairperson of Shanghai TSPM and chairperson of the board of directors of East China Theological Seminary, shared insights into the ministries of churches in Shanghai. Rev. Pan Xingwang, chairperson of Zhejiang TSPM and president of Zhejiang Theological Seminary, gave an overview of the seminary’s work. Ms. Zheng Wei, assistant to the secretary general of the Amity Foundation, discussed Christian social service in China. Dr. Meng Zhenua, director of the Institute for Jewish and Israel Studies of Nanjing University, presented research developments and future prospects for academic studies on Christianity in China.
It is worth mentioning that one of the focal points for the Chinese church is working to contextualize their theology and worship to be consistent with Chinese culture and relevant to the rapidly changing Chinese society while “submitting to a biblical and classical definition of the faith and embracing the great historical heritage of ancient catholic tradition and Protestant Reformation.”
The Chinese church delegates pointed out that to have real success in the broader population of China, the church would have to become the “Church of China” rather than merely a “Church in China.” The hymns' methods of worship and church architecture would need to reflect more of the Chinese culture rather than merely copy one of the Western cultures. They also put forward that they are living in a post-denominational period as they seek more unity in faith. The church must reflect and respond to the culture and society of China, including seriously engaging and critically embracing socialist values.
After the presentations, there was half an hour Q&A session. Rev. Geng Weizhong, CCC’s vice president, delivered the closing exhortation, calling on churches in both countries to seek new life rooted in Christ, mature in Him, and reach unity in faith.
At the Sunday service held at Westminster Church on September 1, Rev. Wu Wei addressed the congregation, while Rev. Lin Manhong presided over the communion service.
China Ministry Forum Held in Charlotte to Foster U.S.-China Church Dialogue
