Last week, Christian organizations in Shanxi, Shaanxi, and Shandong conducted spring training sessions and seminars aimed at improving the pastoral ministry skills and overall competence of clergy while fostering learning and collaboration among church staff.
From Monday to Wednesday last week, the Xihedi Meeting Point in Lingchuan County, Jincheng City, Shanxi Province, hosted its annual spring training, with an attendance of over 20 participants, including church workers and representatives of believers from various villages, said the municipal TSPM. The training was led by Rev. Wang Maikui, director of the Board of Supervisors from the municipal CC&TSPM, and Rev. Feng Yanli from the Jincheng Chengqu Church.
Rev. Wang Maikui focused on the theme of "Marriage and Family," teaching God's purpose in establishing marriage, the responsibilities of husbands and wives, effective spousal communication, family financial management, and principles of child-rearing. His session aimed to help attendees understand their responsibilities as Christians in their respective family roles and apply God's word in their daily lives.
Rev. Feng Yanli, delivering on the theme "Church Establishment and Development: Lessons from the Church of Antioch," emphasized that establishing a church requires birth, nurturing, and teaching. Drawing from Barnabas' work, life, ministry, and support of Paul, she encouraged attendees to collaborate, serve faithfully, and diligently spread the gospel for the Lord.
The TSPM of Huyi District in Xi'an City, Shaanxi Province, held a spring training session for pastoral volunteers from last Wednesday to Friday. Elder Zhang Caiping, chairperson of the host organization, attended the event, along with more than 80 pastoral staff and choir members from the district.
According to the organizer, to enhance pastoral workers' preaching skills and overall competence, Rev. Wang Hong, president of Shaanxi Bible School, Rev. Chen Dingliang, vice president, and Teacher Wang Tian were invited as lecturers. They respectively taught courses on "Study of Christian Worship," "Healthy Pastors," and "Studying the Bible Through Maps."
Last Friday, Qihe County’s TSPM in Dezhou City, Shandong Province, hosted the "2025 Spring Symposium for Pastoral Staff in On-campus Further Education," which was attended by leaders of the host organization and 10 co-workers continuing education at Shandong Theological Seminary.
The host organization reported that during the symposium on February 7, Rev. Kong Xiang'an, director of Qihe County’s TSPM, provided an overview of the county's Christian ministries in the previous year and presented the work plan for the upcoming year. The 10 co-workers shared their lives and testimonies from their time at the seminary, highlighting their spiritual growth and academic achievements during their studies.
Rev. Kong concluded by encouraging everyone to focus on both internal and external development, cultivating good habits, being diligent in learning and thoughtful in reflection, remaining humble and obedient, and adhering to school discipline. Finally, he distributed living allowances for the new semester to all co-workers in further education.
