Last week, seminaries across China held opening ceremonies for the Spring Semester 2025, emphasizing theological study, spiritual growth, and discipline. Leaders encouraged faith, academic excellence, and moral integrity while outlining new semester plans and institutional improvements.
According to Guangdong Union Theological Seminary, during the opening ceremony of the second semester for the 2024-2025 academic year on February 17, Rev. Qiu Dan exhorted students to build themselves up in the truth and remain in God's love. She emphasized that this kind of self-discipline does not rely on personal perseverance but on looking unto the Lord Jesus Christ. She urged the students to not only systematically study Biblical knowledge, church history, and systematic theology, but also to use this theological equipment to help everyone establish a strong foundation of faith.
According to Nanjing Union Theological Seminary, during the opening ceremony of China's national seminary on February 18, Rev. Wen Ge, who is responsible for the teaching work of the seminary, cited Matthew 25:14–30 to encourage everyone to study hard, glorify God, and edify people for the sake of God's entrustment and the healthy inheritance of Chinese Christianity.
During the opening ceremony on the same day at Zhongnan Theological Seminary, Rev. Zhao Qiufen, vice president and academic dean of the seminary, informed the participants of the arrangements for the new semester of the academic affairs office, emphasized the importance of safety awareness, and explained the devotional requirements for the new semester. After the ceremony, the seminary hosted a two-day spiritual retreat for the new semester with the theme of "Expanding Your Potential."
At the opening ceremony of Zhejiang Theological Seminary on February 19, Rev. Zheng Congzhen, dean of academic and student affairs, delivered a sermon named "Cloudy Life" with verses 13–17 in James 4, encouraging the students not to be deceived by the fleeting and impermanent appearances of life but to actively seek the guidance of the Lord.
Later, Rev. Pan Xingwang, president of the seminary, pointed out in his speech that in the new semester, it is essential to implement the rectification requirements from last year’s national religious school assessment, focusing on management, teaching, learning, and discipline. He mentioned that the root of some current issues in the church is that churchgoers do not understand God's love and lack His love, therefore, the seminary adopts the "four-in-one" caring education model (the "four-in-one" caring education model cultivates new pastoral talents with CC&TSPM, theological seminaries, churches, and families), aiming to help everyone better understand God's love.
According to Shandong Theological Seminary, at the opening ceremony last Thursday, Rev. Dong Meiqin, director of Shandong CC&TSPM and president of Shandong Theological Seminary, pointed out that in the past year, Shandong Theological Seminary has made progress in teaching, research, and practice. In the new semester, it is expected that all the staff and students will establish a correct view of the country, history, and life; they should study religious knowledge deeply, improve their thinking and practical abilities, strengthen their personal growth, and uphold moral integrity and ethical conduct.
Afterward, Rev. Xia Lingjun, chaplain of Shandong Theological Seminary, gave a sermon titled "Pursuing Spiritual Growth." Finally, students who performed outstandingly last semester were awarded certificates and prizes.
- Translated by Livingstone Shi
