A few days ago, the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region CC&TSPM launched an initiative of donations to help poor pastors over financial difficulties.
The initiative letter stated, "The lack of financial resources for pastoral staff is a long-standing problem in churches of the autonomous region, and pastors of some grassroots churches only have a meager living allowance of a few hundred yuan per month. The sharp drop in church contributions directly affected the lives of pastors during COVID-19, and some even temporarily lost their income, as a result of the long-term suspension of in-person services due to the pandemic. But pastors still insisted on responding to God’s call, watching the church and shepherding the flock."
“So we set up the Ministry of Donations on Good Shepherd Sunday in accordance with the teachings of the Bible and church traditions. On Good Shepherd Sunday every year (the third Sunday after Easter), churches in the whole autonomous region share the same scriptures, submitting the Sunday offerings to the Guangxi CC&TSPM. We make overall arrangements to help the pastors living in poverty in the region. So we urge all believers and staff of churches to actively participate in this holy work to offer constant prayer and contribution!" it added.
On the fourth Sunday of Eastertide, Good Shepherd Sunday is also known as the World Day of Prayer for Vocations which falls on April 25 this year. As on that day all churches share John 10: 14: "I’ am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me."
- Translated by Abigail Wu
