The first session of the training course on sinicized pastoral theology under the program “Preaching in Linyi” was held in Linyi, Shandong.
Nearly 150 clergy members from across the city participated in the six-day training organized by Linyi Municipal CC&TSPM from May 13 to 18, reported the organizer.
The unveiling ceremony of the project titled “Preaching in Linyi” was held on May 9 at the Demonstration Base of Sinicized Christianity in Linyi City, Shandong Province. “The initiative is to innovatively advance the sinicization of theological thought in Linyi,” said CCC&TSPM.
Professor Chen Yilu, executive vice president and doctoral supervisor of Nanjing Union Theological Seminary, was invited to give a special lecture titled "Pastoral Theology in the Sinicization of Christianity." He introduced the direction and tasks of pastoral theology in the new era from the aspects of its definition and core content, as well as the essence and mission of the church.
Dr. Li Hongyu, an advisor to Shandong CC&TSPM, lectured on the theme "Learning to Be a Good Shepherd," focusing on the identity and positioning of pastors and church management to illustrate how to be workers of the times. Dr. Zhang Jianshun was invited to give a lecture titled "Interpretation, Preaching, and Application of the Bible in the Chinese Context," exploring how to divide and proclaim the word of truth and tell the story of the Chinese church from a Chinese perspective.
Rev. Wu Jianyin, advisor to the Shandong CC&TSPM, was invited to interpret the "Outline of the Five-Year Work Plan for Advancing the Sinicization of Christianity in Shandong Province (2023-2027)."
Later, the training participants visited and exchanged at the Demonstration Base of Sinicized Christianity in Linyi City and three local churches that practice the Sinicization of Christianity.
Next, they aim to construct the theoretical system and practical path of the project named "Preaching in Linyi," which features the promotion of Christianity in the Chinese context and the transformation and popularization of theological thought development achievements.
- Translated by Abigail Wu
