The Christian CCC&TSPM of Suzhou hosted a seminar titled "How Urbanization Influences Chinese Churches" at Dusu-Lake Christian Church in the afternoon of March 8, 2017. Duan Qi, a researcher at the World Religions Institute at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, was invited to speak.
According to the website of the CCC&TSPM of Suzhou, Prof. Duan Qi stated at the seminar that the influence of urbanization on Chinese Christianity has four aspects. One is that the majority of the believers shifted from rural to urban believers. Second, urban churches with better economies attract younger people. Third, different types of Christians like intellectuals, bosses, and migrant workers emerged in churches. Fourth, many rural churches wither.
Everyone was deeply inspired and reminded by the brilliant seminar, which was informative on many aspects. There was a panoramic introduction, as well as case studies and trend analysis on organizations and movement.
There were 47 fellow workers of the church at the seminar. They said that this seminar helped them deeply understand the current situation of Chinese churches. The opening, reform and the urbanization process contributed to economic development, population mobility, and the diversification of society. These changes gave Chinese churches, especially urban churches, opportunities and different challenges in management, shepherding, services, evangelism, and more.
Duan Qi is a researcher at the World Religions Institute at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, who studies Christianity, and focuses on the history of Chinese Christianity and modern American Christianity. Her works are "Western Society and Church," "The Course of Endeavor-Indigenization of Christianity in China," "Evolution of US Religion," and "History of Christianity."
Translated by: Grace Hubl
