In October, a delegation from the Outreach Foundation visited China, having exchanges with church leaders, seminary faculty and students, and local believers. Some of them also joined the International “Amity Cup” Ping Pong Tournament in Nanjing in late October, co-hosted by faith-based organizations both in China and the U.S.
Aaron Stewart, senior pastor of University Place Presbyterian Church, spoke with China Christian Daily about his trip, the tournament, and his thoughts on Christianity in the U.S.
China Christian Daily: Could you please introduce yourself to our readers?
Aaron Steward: I am a pastor of a church in Seattle, Washington. We partner with the Outreach Foundation, which is interested in equipping and helping churches in China, particularly through the registered “three-self” churches, but really all Christians. This is my third visit to China to support the faith of the Christians here.
China Christian Daily: What were your takeaways from this trip?
Aaron Steward: We visited the Amity Foundation and met with several church leaders in Nanjing. We learned a lot about the Nanjing Union Theological Seminary and how churches are equipping pastors for work in various regions. As Americans, we value and want to support the ongoing theological education of ministers within China’s context.
China Christian Daily: How do you view the sinicization of Christianity in China?
Aaron Steward: One challenge in the global spread of Christianity has been the unintended impact of colonization, where Western norms and values were often imposed alongside the gospel. When the gospel was shared with the Chinese people, there was also an imposition of Western values or mindsets that were not sensitive to preserving the unique Chinese cultural experience of the gospel. For example, many church buildings in China are decidedly Western rather than reflecting Chinese architectural styles. So there's a healthy, important, and beautiful movement to help the Chinese people experience Christianity and contextualize the gospel in their culture, not through the lens of Western culture. Since the Scriptures were originally written for an ancient Near Eastern context, we want to read scripture through that historical lens rather than impose our cultural viewpoints. This is as true for Westerners as it is for Easterners. So the Chinese Christians also need to be mindful not to put their norms onto the scriptures.
China Christian Daily: Is there anything you’d like to add about your trip to China?
Aaron Steward: It's beautiful to see how Chinese Christians desire to honor their country and hold their faith at the same time. The cultural value of harmony here is really beautiful. American Christianities tend to want our expression of faith to be in disharmony with the government, then we treat those of authority and responsibility as opposition to Christianity.
China Christian Daily: It’s been a few years since your last visit due to the pandemic, what changes have you observed?
Aaron Steward: There have been changes in how some regions can relate to American Christians and churches, depending on their particular context. We formerly had a partnership with a church that we are no longer able to relate with so closely, out of needing to honor the boundaries the government has put on them. That's been hard and discouraging, but we respect it.
COVID also impacted American churches. It made many of us more cautious and protective of our energy and resources around the world. Churches like mine are trying to stay committed to partnership with Christians around the globe. But many churches have suffered a decrease in financial resources, and shrink their global presence, with COVID playing a significant role.
China Christian Daily: In your view, how can Christians from both countries work together to strengthen relationships?
Aaron Steward: One thing is to continue to believe in the power of friendship and relationship. We can see each other as friends in Christ and partners in the Gospel, and not participate in the negativity and conflict between our governments.
China Christian Daily: How was the Ping Pong competition?
Aaron Steward: That was so fun. I'm an athlete and played football at college. It was impressive to see the athleticism of people of all ages--they were phenomenal ping-pong players. It was a very large tournament and so well done. Amity did such a great job in putting on that tournament, and we were honored to be guests to play and have fun. It was a wonderful experience of international friendships, and all celebrating around a love of ping pong and the desire for partnership, friendship, and mutuality.
China Christian Daily: Can you share with us some changes and challenges faced by churches in the U.S.?
Aaron Steward: The United States is in a position after Christendom, which lasted for 1,700 years and came to an end at the end of the 20th century. In the American Church, we have the generation that still knew and experienced the church being respected and invited into many of the cultures, activities, and values. But now, the church is pushed out, and we call this Post Christendom. With that comes a lot of grief, but I think it is healthy for the church to see itself as differentiated from the privileged center of culture. This is where we can learn a lot from Chinese Christians, who have never held a position of cultural privilege. Christians in America have to work through their grief at the loss of cultural privilege and find a new identity in living faithfully to the Gospel in ways that aren't so ingrained in the broader culture.
China Christian Daily: Do you have any words for Christians in China?
Aaron Steward: Jesus says, get in the boat, there will be a storm, but you will not die, because I am in the boat with you. We must keep our eyes focused on Jesus Christ, no matter what happens in the broader world. As important and anxiety-producing as that may be, if we keep our eyes on Jesus, we will make our way through the challenging times we live in.
