The Rev. Canon Bruce W. Woodcock, co-chairman of the Asia Pacific Forum (APF) and the Episcopal Church's partnership officer for Asia and the Pacific, visited CCC&TSPM and the East China Theological Seminary.
Both parties engaged in exchange for future cooperation and mutual visits.
According to CCC&TSPM, on February 26, Rev. Xu Xiaohong and Rev. Wu Wei, chairman and president of CCC&TSPM, welcomed the delegation from the APF.
Rev. Xu reviewed the friendship between the two sides, hoping to increase exchanges and cooperation. He also looked forward to the other side actively participating in the China-USA Protestant Church Forum to be held in the U.S. this year.
Rev. Wu introduced the current ministries of the CCC&TSPM by promoting the sinicization of Christianity, strict governance of religions by the law, talent development, and the value of thrift and temperance. He also emphasized God's grace despite the hardships that churches in China faced following COVID-19.
Rev. Woodcock brought greetings from Dr. Andrea Mann, co-chairman of the APF, and the director of global relations for the Anglican Church of Canada, with the hope of fostering friendship between the two sides. During the meeting, delegation representatives presented their churches' current situations and discussed theological education, church pastoral care, and mutual visits.
On the morning of the following day, Rev. Xu Yulan, chairman of the Shanghai TSPM, welcomed the first visitors from across the ocean to Shanghai churches this year, reported the municipal CC&TSPM. Rev. Xu discussed the current state of Christianity in Shanghai, including foreign-language-speaking services, the challenges of COVID-19 to Shanghai churches, and the churches' responses.
In the afternoon, the delegation extended their visit to the East China Theological Seminary, said the seminary.
President Xie Bingguo briefed on the situation of the seminary, including an address on recent studies into the sinicization of Christianity and emerging challenges in theological education.
Pastor Woodcock anticipated promoting communication and future cooperation between seminaries on both sides. The exchange included pulpit ministry, church liturgy, holy music ministry, and pastoring post-pandemic, with a focus on the sinicization of Christianity.
On February 29, the delegation visited Nanjing Union Theological Seminary, and Rev. Chen Yilu, the executive vice dean of the seminary, welcomed the delegation, reported the school.
The delegation was briefed on the running of the seminary, including its history, faculty team construction, curriculum design, library resources, academic publishing, and especially the doctoral program aimed at cultivating high-level talents for the Church in China.
Rev. Woodcock expressed appreciation for the achievements of the seminary. Delegation Members discussed the sources of student enrollment and the career paths of graduates with the faculty and students.
The Asia Pacific Forum (APF) consists of directors from several mainstream churches in North America who work in mission and ministry with ecumenical partners across Asia and the Pacific areas.
- Translated by Poppy Chan
