Theological Education Sunday in Chinese Churches

Following the opening worship and ceremony on September 8, 2025, Yanjing Theological Seminary held a flag-raising ceremony for the national flag at the seminary square in Beijing.
Following the opening worship and ceremony on September 8, 2025, Yanjing Theological Seminary held a flag-raising ceremony for the national flag at the seminary square in Beijing. (photo: Yanjing Theological Seminary)
By Katherine GuoSeptember 17th, 2025

For several decades, churches in China have observed a practice known as Theological Education Sunday. On a designated Sunday, all offerings collected in worship services are dedicated to supporting theological education. Since many churches hold multiple services over the weekend, all donations from Saturday and Sunday gatherings are counted toward this fund.

As a new academic year begins for seminaries across the country, it is timely to revisit this tradition and how it is carried out in different regions.

This tradition has international precedents. In many Western churches, Theological Education Sunday is also observed annually to highlight the importance of theological training for the future of the church. In denominations such as the Episcopal Church and the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), the day serves both to raise awareness and to collect special offerings that support seminaries and theological programs.

Protestant churches in China currently serve millions of believers through a wide network of congregations and seminaries. According to Rev. Xu Xiaohong, chairperson of the national TSPM, as of 2020, there were approximately 38 million Christians nationwide, around 60,000 church buildings, over 14,000 clergy, and 22 theological institutions. This growth underlines the ongoing need for well-trained church leaders.

One of the earliest examples of Theological Education Sunday in China is Yanjing Theological Seminary, a regional seminary serving ten provinces and municipalities in North China, including Beijing, Tianjin, Hebei, Inner Mongolia, Shanxi, Shaanxi, Gansu, Ningxia, Xinjiang, and Qinghai. Since its reopening in 1986, the seminary's board has designated the first Sunday of March and the first Sunday of October for Theological Education Sunday, with congregations across the region praying for the seminary and contributing all offerings to support its ministry and training needs.

Some local CC&TSPMs have also established their own initiatives to support the development of regional and local seminaries, bible schools, as well as training centers.

Since the founding of East China Theological Seminary in 1985, the Shanghai CC&TSPM has designated the third Sunday of March as Theological Education Sunday. During the weekend, offerings from Shanghai churches are directed to East China Theological Seminary as operating funds. The goal is to encourage believers to value theological education, care for the training of ministers, and uphold the seminary in prayer.

The seminary was jointly founded by the Christian councils of Shandong, Zhejiang, Jiangxi, Fujian, and Shanghai, and currently maintains both theology and sacred music departments.

Hubei province observes the first Sunday of November, directing offerings to support theological education within the province. The regional Zhongnan Theological Seminary, jointly established by the Christian councils of Hubei, Hunan, Guangdong, Guangxi, Henan, and Hainan, is located in Wuhan, Hubei.

In 1999, the Jiangsu CC&TSPM launched the Jiangsu Theological Education Sunday to strengthen the theological education of Jiangsu Theological Seminary.

Shandong observes the second Sunday of November, with funds benefiting Shandong Theological Seminary.

Hainan Province also marks the first Sunday of November, supporting the Hainan Christian Training Center.

In addition, Fujian Theological Seminary and Jiangxi Bible School benefit from dedicated offering days initiated by their local churches.

Similarly, Hangzhou has designated its own offering Sunday, with donations collected to support both Zhejiang Theological Seminary and the Hangzhou Christian Training Center.

In the initiatives issued by local Christian Councils, churches are urged to take the offering day seriously, mobilize believers widely, and ensure that all funds are fully submitted and transparently managed under provincial supervision.

Overall, Theological Education Sunday has become a vital means for Chinese churches to nurture future pastors, support seminary staff, and strengthen the training of both full-time ministers and lay workers. This enduring tradition reflects the church's commitment to investing in theological formation as an essential foundation for the growth of Christianity in China.

related articles
LATEST FROM Church & Ministries