A seminar on theological education in China was held in Liupanshui, Guizhou Province.
The workshop, organized by the China Christian Council and Three-Self Patriotic Movement (CCC&TSPM) on July 26-27, was attended by approximately 70 participants, consisting of leaders of provincial CC&TSPMs and theological colleges as well as academic deans, reported CCC&TSPM.
Rev. Xu Xiaohong, chairman of TSPM, pointed out that the core of sinicizing Christianity was the localization of the theological ideological system, which lied in the sinicization of theological education, and the indigenization of theological college textbooks formed the foundation of sinicizing theological education.
Prior to the opening ceremony, Rev. Yang Xingpin, dean of Guizhou Bible School, delivered a sermon based on Judges 8:22–23, titled "Is it Devotion in Faith or Deviation in Knowledge?" The sermon aimed to encourage pastoral workers to adhere to the comprehensive revelation of the Bible and develop a more accurate perception of God.
On July 26, 21 theological colleges, including Nanjing Union Theological Seminary and Yanjing Theological Seminary, presented reports on their current situation, challenges, and coping strategies.
The following day, Professor Tian Mengkui, director of the Education and Teaching Evaluation Center and the Institute of Higher Education at Guizhou University, delivered a report entitled "Building an Effective Education Quality Evaluation System to Promote the Construction of a Quality Culture with Distinctive Features."
Rev. Shan Weixiang, vice president and general secretary of CCC, delivered a working report titled "The Current Situation and Prospects of Theological Education in China."
In the afternoon, participants engaged in discussions and exchanges regarding the sinicization of Christianity, the management of theological colleges in the new era, and the implementation of the work report's spirit. They also provided constructive suggestions to address the challenges faced by theological colleges.
Rev. Chen Dingliang and Rev. Geng Weizhong, the chairman of the Shanghai Christian Council, spoke on behalf of their respective groups during the closing ceremony, which Rev. Shan presided over. They proposed conducting research and investigations at theological colleges to enhance their teaching and research capabilities. They also urged attendees to strengthen inter-college exchanges and resource sharing, unify textbook compilation efforts, promote faculty title evaluations, and support theological colleges and graduates.
- Translated by Abigail Wu
