On June 6, a seminar themed “Theological Education and Sinocization of Christianity” was held in the chapel of Nanjing Union Theological Seminary. Two topics were discussed by scholars and seminary faculties during the seminar: “Personnel Training & Sinocization of Christianity” and “Theological Education & Church Construction.”
Reviewing the historical process of Sinocization of Christian Education in China, Professor Yiye Xu from Fudan University gave some suggestions on Christian Education in China, including establishing a mechanism of talent-introduction, more funding for theological education and research, joint training programs together with Academia and other religions, integrating foreign resources, etc.
Rev. Yilu Chen, Vice-president of Nanjing Union Theological Seminary, talked about the transition of Theological Education in China. He held that theological education should be more Chines since currently it is mostly Western. To achieve this goal, the groups who study theology would not be limited to seminary students for specific periods, but expanded to include professionals, becoming a lifelong study.
Rev. Chen Xun, Academic Dean of Yanjing Theological Seminary, said that theological education should include a good understanding of the entire present context of China, absorbing good humanism in the traditional Chinese culture and understanding the changes among believers both in the population structure and in the knowledge structure. With that understanding, theological education should establish a subject system and keep improving day by day.
Dr. Qinghua Yue, President of Fujian Theological Seminary gave a lecture on “The cultural practice of Sinocization of Christianity in Fujian.” Rev. Jun Wang, Chairman of the Provincial Committee of TSPM in Shaanxi, stated that theological education lays the foundation of the healthy growth of churches. Rev. Shangyong Long, vice-president of Sichuan Theological Seminary, stressed that personnel training is a guarantee to sinocization of Christianity.
Besides the seminary on theological education, an alumni sharing session was held that night. Rev. Shengjie Cao (Class of 1953), Rev. Kui Cai (Class of 2016), and Rev. Kequan Zhang (Class of 2002) also shared their blessings and visions on the event.
