Rev. Wu Wei, president of the China Christian Council (CCC), welcomed a delegation of four from the Church of England, this year’s first visiting guest from the U.K.
According to CCC&TSPM, on January 25, Rev. Wu briefed the guests on the ongoing ministries in the sinicization of Christianity, standardized management of the churches, publication of the Bible, talent nurturing, as well as the challenges to the churches in China after COVID-19.
Rt Revd. David Urquhart, Bishop of Birmingham and Archbishop of Canterbury’s envoy to China, hoped that the young delegates would get a better understanding of China and its churches during this trip. He also congratulated the newly elected CCC&TSPM leaders on behalf of the Archbishop of Canterbury. According to Bishop David, the U.K. churches are also experiencing a decline in attendance as a result of the pandemic.
At the meeting, Mr. Wang Baocheng, acting deputy director of the Social Service Ministry of CCC&TSPM, introduced the recent years' ministries in charity, poverty alleviation, and student assistance, as well as training on elderly care, following which the guests raised related questions.
The next day, the delegation arrived at Nanjing Union Theological Seminary in Jiangsu. Bishop Urquhart said that this was their first visit to China after the COVID-19 pandemic. Both sides engaged in discussions on religious dialogue, reading of scriptures, and worship rituals.
- Translated by Poppy Chan
