"From 2018 to 2022, the China Christian Council and Three-Self Patriotic Movement (CCC&TSPM) successfully accomplished the diverse tasks outlined in the Five-Year Work Plan for the Sinicization of Christianity in China (2018–2022)," said CCC&TSPM.
In an article published in China Religion, Issue 4, 2023, CCC&TSPM reviewed its past five-year effort in prmoting Christianity in the Chinese context.
It introduced, "To commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Three-Self Patriotic Movement in 2021, CCC&TSPM initiated a series of activities centered around the theme of 'The Sinicization of Christianity.'"
"Over the past half-decade, CCC&TSPM conducted specialized research on the localization of Christianity, conducting visits to churches and theological colleges in regions such as Zhejiang, Fujian, Shandong, and Jiangsu. Comprehensive questionnaires were administered, and the findings were deliberated upon in over a hundred dedicated symposiums," it added.
Following a dedicated three-year effort, a substantial revision of the Shorter Catechism Pamphlet was undertaken, incorporating content more closely aligned with the real-life experiences of Chinese Christians.
Beginning in 2020, this umbrella organization for all Protestant churches in China embarked on a project to create a Bible version with commentary. This project prioritized the reflection of creative thinking and accomplishments in the theological development within the Church in China.
"Over the course of these five years, CCC&TSPM's flagship publication, Tianfeng (or Heavenly Wind), featured 65 special articles and 270 theoretical research pieces centered on the indigenization of Christianity. Each issue explored the sinicization of Christianity from multifaceted perspectives encompassing church administration, spiritual development, pastoral care, architectural elements, and sacred music. Over 400 news reports and feature articles on this subject matter were disseminated."
In commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the publication of the Chinese Union Version Bible in 2019, an international academic conference on the localization of Christianity was convened. CCC&TSPM members also participated in the centennial celebrations of the Chinese Union Version Bible held in Singapore and the celebration of 200 million copies of the Bible printed by Amity Printing Company. During these events, a seminar focusing on the Chinese Bible and the localization of Christianity was hosted.
Over these five years, two thematic symposiums centered on "Advancing Christianity in the Chinese Context" were held, providing a platform for dialogue among government, religious institutions, and academia. These symposiums facilitated the distillation of key theoretical insights and research accomplishments in the realm of the sinicization of Christianity.
As a pivotal endeavor to promote the contextualization of Christianity, the Preaching Team for the Advancement of Theological Thought in China organized a variety of types of training and preaching exchange activities on four separate occasions during this five-year period, with nearly 500 participants.
"Throughout these five years, CCC&TSPM provided training and advanced education for theological college educators, who were mobilized to compose or co-author new textbooks. These textbooks encompass subjects such as The History of Christianity in China (already completed and in use), Introduction to the New Testament (final draft completed), and Chinese Christian Ethics (initial draft completed)."
CCC&TSPM encouraged Chinese believers to engage in activities like writing, reading, singing, and painting the Bible on Bible Day, which falls in December each year. This has involved expressing themes of love through traditional Chinese calligraphy, art, music, and various ethnic languages. Concurrently, emphasis was placed on integrating Chinese elements into the design of Bible covers.
Recently, CCC&TSPM oversaw the creation of a brand-new hymnal with distinctly Chinese rhythm by Chinese authors. This project has reached a preliminary stage, showcasing a selection of 100 Chinese-style hymns.
"On World Day of Prayer, CCC&TSPM crafted prayers tailored to the specific circumstances of the church in China, moving away from relying on prayer templates from other nations, as had been the practice in the past. Additionally, during worship, clerical stoles and attire with a Chinese flair were introduced."
- Translated by Abigail Wu
