The China-U.S. Christian Fellowship convened in Shanghai, fostering friendship and collaboration between the Christian communities from both countries.
From October 15 to 16, the China Christian Council & the National Committee of Three-Self Patriotic Movement (CCC&TSPM) hosted the event at Holy Trinity Cathedral in Shanghai, with over 70 representatives from churches in Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces, Shanghai, Hong Kong, the United States, and Singapore attending. The gathering also marked the 30th anniversary of the Christian Leadership Exchange (CLE) in the United States.
On the evening of October 15, CCC&TSPM hosted a welcoming banquet for the attending representatives, presided over by Ms. Gu Jingqin, chief of the Overseas Relations Department. Rev. Lin Manhong, vice president and general secretary of the CCC, welcomed the guests from China and abroad. In her remarks, she emphasized the significance of unity and collaboration in sharing and communicating with the Lord, along with the need for mutual respect, openness, honesty, and adherence to laws and regulations in friendly exchanges.
On the morning of October 16, during the opening ceremony, Rev. Xu Xiaohong, chairperson of the TSPM, reflected on the history of exchanges with the Christian Leadership Exchange. He also addressed and refuted false claims made by certain American politicians, who have spread rumors of religious persecution and Bible tampering to discredit and undermine China.
Rev. Erik Burklin, president of China Partner, and Mr. Ed Ward, chairman of the board of directors of Evergreen Family Services, viewed the exchange meeting as a valuable opportunity to share perspectives, learn from one another, and explore possibilities for future collaboration.
Rev. Wu Wei, president of the CCC, provided an overview of the current state of churches in China, the challenges they face, and the sinicization of Christianity. He reflected on the history of Sino-U.S. Christian exchanges, hoping this sharing session would mark a new chapter in the relationship between the two Christian communities.
Mr. Fred Messick, former vice president of Fuller Theological Seminary, outlined the development of Christianity in the United States, highlighting overall trends and the challenges currently faced by American churches. Rev. Bruce Woodcock, partnership officer for Asia and the Pacific of the Episcopal Church, provided an overview of his church’s history and current status.
Following these introductions, both sides delivered keynote speeches on four sub-topics: church ministry, social services, theological education and training, and publishing and distribution. The Chinese speakers represented the national, provincial, and municipal CC&TSPMs in China, including those from Shanghai, Zhejiang, and Jiangsu provinces, along with the national theological seminary and the Amity Foundation. After each presentation, both sides engaged in responses and discussions.
Concluding the meeting, Rev. Lin Manhong emphasized the significance of exchanges between Chinese and American churches. Rev. Shan Weixiang, vice chairperson of the national TSPM, noted that this exchange meeting could potentially overcome false information and move beyond malicious misunderstandings and misinterpretations. He stressed the need for mutual visits and open communication between China and the United States. Pastor Shan further anticipated that the two churches would foster Sino-US cooperation and that this session would bless both congregations.
Rev. Dr. Stephen Lee, senior pastor of Saddleback Church in Hong Kong, and Dr. Paul Leung, a member of the CLE Board of Directors, expressed their gratitude to CCC&TSPM, hoping for ongoing friendship and cooperation between the two parties.
中美教会人士分享交流会（China-U.S. Christian Fellowship）于上海举办，促进两国教界友谊与合作。
据中国基督教两会，10月15日至16日，中国基督教两会在圣三一堂举办中美教会人士分享会，有来自江、浙、沪以及美国、新加坡、中国香港教会的70余位代表参加。本次分享会适逢美国基督教人士交流协进会（Christian Leadership Exchange）成立30周年。
10月15日晚，中国基督教两会设宴欢迎参加代表，由海外联络部临时负责人顾静琴同工主持。中国基督教协会副会长兼总干事林曼红牧师欢迎海内外嘉宾，接着提到在主内分享交流中，合一和合作精神的重要性，以及相互尊重、公开坦诚、依法依规的态度和做法在友好交往中的重要意义。
10月16日上午，开幕式上，中国基督教三自爱国运动委员会主席徐晓鸿牧师回顾了与美国基督教人士交流协进会的交往历史，同时驳斥了美国政客为故意抹黑和打压中国而编造的宗教迫害、篡改圣经等谣言。
中国伙伴机构总裁林铭立牧师（Rev. Erik Burklin）和常青教会会长埃德·沃德先生（Mr. Ed Ward）认为这次分享会是听取彼此意见、互相学习、探索今后合作的良好契机。
中国基督教协会会长吴巍牧师介绍了中国教会的基本情况和当下面临的挑战，以及基督教中国化事工。吴牧师回望中美基督教交流的历史，并展望未来，希望通过此次分享会，开创中美基督教交流的新篇章。
美国富勒神学院前副院长弗雷德·梅西克先生（Mr. Fred Messick）介绍了美国基督教发展的基本情况、整体趋势以及当下美国教会面临的挑战等。美国圣公会亚太伙伴关系官员布鲁斯·伍德考克牧师（Rev. Bruce Woodcock）介绍了美国圣公会的历史和现状。
随后，双方就教会事工、社会服务、神学教育与培训、出版与发行四个分论题进行专题演讲。中国参加专题演讲的人员分别是来自中国基督教两会，上海市、浙江、江苏省两会，国家神学院，爱德基金会相关负责人。双方在每场演讲之后都进行了回应和探讨。
闭幕式上，林曼红牧师强调了中美教会交流的重要性。中国基督教三自爱国运动委员会驻会副主席单渭祥牧师表示，此次分享会可以跨越虚假信息，走出恶意的误解和曲解。他认为，中美之间需要相互走动和坦诚的交流，希望中美教会可以推动中美两国的合作，也愿此次分享会成为两国教会的祝福。
香港马鞍峰教会主任牧师李志刚和美国基督教人士交流协进会董事会成员梁维正先生表达了对中国基督教两会的感谢以及继续彼此友谊与合作的盼望。
中美教会人士分享会在上海举办
The China-U.S. Christian Fellowship convened in Shanghai, fostering friendship and collaboration between the Christian communities from both countries.
From October 15 to 16, the China Christian Council & the National Committee of Three-Self Patriotic Movement (CCC&TSPM) hosted the event at Holy Trinity Cathedral in Shanghai, with over 70 representatives from churches in Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces, Shanghai, Hong Kong, the United States, and Singapore attending. The gathering also marked the 30th anniversary of the Christian Leadership Exchange (CLE) in the United States.
On the evening of October 15, CCC&TSPM hosted a welcoming banquet for the attending representatives, presided over by Ms. Gu Jingqin, chief of the Overseas Relations Department. Rev. Lin Manhong, vice president and general secretary of the CCC, welcomed the guests from China and abroad. In her remarks, she emphasized the significance of unity and collaboration in sharing and communicating with the Lord, along with the need for mutual respect, openness, honesty, and adherence to laws and regulations in friendly exchanges.
On the morning of October 16, during the opening ceremony, Rev. Xu Xiaohong, chairperson of the TSPM, reflected on the history of exchanges with the Christian Leadership Exchange. He also addressed and refuted false claims made by certain American politicians, who have spread rumors of religious persecution and Bible tampering to discredit and undermine China.
Rev. Erik Burklin, president of China Partner, and Mr. Ed Ward, chairman of the board of directors of Evergreen Family Services, viewed the exchange meeting as a valuable opportunity to share perspectives, learn from one another, and explore possibilities for future collaboration.
Rev. Wu Wei, president of the CCC, provided an overview of the current state of churches in China, the challenges they face, and the sinicization of Christianity. He reflected on the history of Sino-U.S. Christian exchanges, hoping this sharing session would mark a new chapter in the relationship between the two Christian communities.
Mr. Fred Messick, former vice president of Fuller Theological Seminary, outlined the development of Christianity in the United States, highlighting overall trends and the challenges currently faced by American churches. Rev. Bruce Woodcock, partnership officer for Asia and the Pacific of the Episcopal Church, provided an overview of his church’s history and current status.
Following these introductions, both sides delivered keynote speeches on four sub-topics: church ministry, social services, theological education and training, and publishing and distribution. The Chinese speakers represented the national, provincial, and municipal CC&TSPMs in China, including those from Shanghai, Zhejiang, and Jiangsu provinces, along with the national theological seminary and the Amity Foundation. After each presentation, both sides engaged in responses and discussions.
Concluding the meeting, Rev. Lin Manhong emphasized the significance of exchanges between Chinese and American churches. Rev. Shan Weixiang, vice chairperson of the national TSPM, noted that this exchange meeting could potentially overcome false information and move beyond malicious misunderstandings and misinterpretations. He stressed the need for mutual visits and open communication between China and the United States. Pastor Shan further anticipated that the two churches would foster Sino-US cooperation and that this session would bless both congregations.
Rev. Dr. Stephen Lee, senior pastor of Saddleback Church in Hong Kong, and Dr. Paul Leung, a member of the CLE Board of Directors, expressed their gratitude to CCC&TSPM, hoping for ongoing friendship and cooperation between the two parties.
China-U.S. Christian Fellowship Opens in Shanghai
