On June 3, East China Theological Seminary (ECTS) held a thesis defense session for its 2025 undergraduate theology graduates.
According to the seminary, the defense committee was composed of President Xie Bingguo and full-time faculty members. A total of 26 fourth-year theology undergraduates participated in the defense.
The seminary introduced the thesis defense system for undergraduate theology students in 2020. Over the past six years, students have demonstrated continuous improvement in writing proficiency, critical thinking, and practical application. This year's thesis topics span a range of fields, including biblical studies, intellectual history, Chinese theology, and practical theology. Compared to previous years, there is a noticeable increase in focus on the sinicization of Christianity. An increasing number of students are engaging in theological thought construction and showing greater interest in how sinicization is reflected in pastoral care, church administration, and social services.
During the defense, each student presented the background, methodology, content, conclusions, and original contributions of their thesis. Committee members provided feedback on aspects such as topic relevance, structural coherence, research methods, and academic writing standards, offering constructive suggestions for further revision and refinement.
Following a comprehensive review, all 26 students passed the defense.
Founded in 1985 by the CC&TSPMs of four provinces and one municipality in East China (Shandong, Zhejiang, Jiangxi, Fujian, and Shanghai), East China Theological Seminary relocated multiple times before settling in its current campus in Qingpu District, Shanghai, in 2000. The seminary occupies 17,843 square meters, with 7,635 square meters of building space. The theology program spans four years, with 60% of coursework in theology and 40% in general education. The Sacred Music Department, established in 2005, was authorized in 2011 by the State Administration for Religious Affairs to admit students from churches nationwide. In 2015, it launched a four-year undergraduate program in sacred music.
The seminary has more than 60 faculty members, including 14 full-time instructors and numerous part-time lecturers. Its library houses over 110,000 volumes. As of July 2024, the seminary has produced 1,641 graduates who are now serving in churches across the country.
