From March 17 to 20, Shaanxi Provincial CC&TSPM held a comprehensive training session in Xi'an for clergy set to be recognized in 2025, gathering 103 trainees from churches across the province.
According to the host, the training covered a range of topics, including "Religious Policies and Regulations," "Scripture Interpretation and Preaching," "Explanation on Church Order of Protestant Churches in Zhejiang Province," "Qualities and Conduct of Pastoral Staff," "Preventing Heresy and Cult in the AI Era," "Sinicization of Christianity," "Three-Self and Patriotic Education," "Traditional Chinese Culture," and "History of the Communist Party of China." The lecturers included Rev. Wang Hong, president of Shaanxi Bible School; Rev. Wang Jun, chairperson and president of the provincial CC&TSPM; Dr. Wang Xiaoyong, associate researcher and director of the Practical Philosophy Research Office at the Shaanxi Academy of Social Sciences; and Dr. Zheng Jiayu, assistant researcher at the Academy of Marxism at the Shaanxi Academy of Social Sciences.
On March 19, participants took two comprehensive examinations on "Religious Policies and Regulations" and "Comprehensive Christian Knowledge."
During the training, morning prayers and devotionals were held, with biblical messages shared to inspire the trainees to become exemplary pastors in the new era.
At the graduation ceremony on March 20, Rev. Wang Jun delivered closing remarks, urging trainees to remain faithful to their mission and responsibilities and serve as examples of Christ and shepherds of their congregations. He also emphasized the importance of theological reflection in advancing the sinicization of Christianity while resisting cults and heresies. Additionally, he called on clergy to adhere to laws and regulations in church management, ensuring the church's healthy development.
