CCC&TSPM (Chinese Christian Council & Three-Self Patriotic Movement) held a preaching exchange meeting and training sessions for the theological education team in Kunming, Yunnan.
Nearly one hundred members of the team from all over the country attended the training, titled Love the Country and Christianity, Honor God and Benefit People, from the 16th to the 19th of June, according to CCC&TSPM.
Dr. Wang Haoyu, professor of history of Yunnan Normal University, gave a lecture on the topic "The Centennial History of the Communist Party of China and the History of the Yunnan Local Party", on the morning of June 16.
Rev. Xu Xiaohong, chairman of the CCC, addressed a seminar on the morning of the 18th, titled “Advanced Persons Among Christians With One Heart - Progressive Force in the Chinese Revolution”, introducing Christians who walked with the party in the revolutionary struggle.
Six sermon demonstrations were held in the Kunming Trinity International Church during the afternoons of June 16 to 17.
Some pastors shared stories of Old Testament figures who were concerned about and loved their country, citing the scriptures from 1 Kings and 2 Kings, in which the prophet Elisha gave up everything to follow Elijah when he was called. After a persevering pursuit, he was doubly inspired to become the successor of Elijah. With uncorrupted service, he was clean and not greedy, being a patriotic model as he still cared about the safety of his country before dying.
A pastor quoted scriptures from the Gospels and New Testament letters to state that Jesus taught us to love our country, relatives, and family. He stated that Jesus explicitly said "my kingdom is not of this world", but that was not an excuse for avoiding our responsibilities and obligations in this world. Jesus set for Christians a perfect example of patriotism, which was not narrow-minded nationalism or chauvinism, but a love of the country and nation with justice and truth, he added.
Members of the team held group discussions on the afternoon of June 18 on how to further promote the Sinicization of Christianity and the construction of theological ideology. Three pastors made a summary report on behalf of their own groups, pointing out that these sermons played a good demonstrative role. They also suggested that speakers preach the correct message in a language that was easier for believers to understand and accept. Some representatives also said that in addition to busy service, they would strengthen their own learning and equipment in order to better nourish believers.
They visited the Yunnan Military Lecture Room for Ground Force for patriotic education on the morning of June 19. The next day, some went to churches in Kunming, Yuxi, Chuxiong, Lijiang, and Dali to conduct preaching exchanges.
- Translated by Abigail Wu
