China’s national theological seminary held its 2021 graduation service and ceremony in its auditorium on June 25.
After the flag-raising ceremony, the graduation service began under the auspices of Rev. Chen Bin, deputy president of the seminary, according to CCC&TSPM.
Then Rev. Yue Qinghua, chairman of the Fujian TSPM (Three-Self Patriotic Movement) and president of Fujian Theological Seminary, gave a sermon titled "Regretless Calling", citing Isaiah 6: 1-8. He encouraged undergraduates to learn to balance and grow up before God by focusing on and serving Him to be the beloved. Afterward, the choir of the seminary presented a hymn, "Bless the Lord".
During the graduation ceremony, Rev. Shan Weixiang, deputy president and general secretary of Chinese Christian Council (CCC), encouraged the graduating students to have a spirit of exploration, innovation and hard-working like a willing ox, to realize the Sinicization of Christianity. Saying each of them had the responsibility of running churches with Chinese characteristics, he urged them to become a positive and progressive force in society to let churches be acceptable to God, people and the society.
This year 2021, 143 students from the seminary graduated, including 123 undergraduates, 15 postgraduates, and five doctoral students. This year marks also the first time that this seminary is awarding a doctoral degree.
Finally, Rev. Gao Feng, president of the seminary, commissioned them to service with blessings to congregation.
- Translated by Abigail Wu
