On April 24-25, a 12-member delegation from the National Council of Churches of Singapore (NCCS) visited CCC&TSPM and the East China Theological Seminary.
During the meeting with CCC&TSPM on April 25, Rev. Wu Wei, president of CCC, provided the delegation with an overview of CCC&TSPM's organizational structure and functions. He reflected on the longstanding relationship between the churches of China and Singapore and expressed appreciation for the support and assistance the Singaporean churches have extended to their Chinese counterparts over the years. Rev. Xu Xiaohong, chairperson of the national TSPM, outlined four major areas of focus for the Chinese church in recent years: the sinicization of Christianity, operating the church by laws and regulations, nurturing church leaders, and pastoral care in the post-pandemic era.
Rev. Dr. Ngoei Foong Nghian, general secretary of the NCCS, gave a brief introduction to the NCCS and expressed hope that this visit would provide insights into the valuable experiences of the Chinese church throughout its development. Rt. Rev. Dr. Titus Chung Khiam Boon, vice president of the NCCS and Archbishop of the Anglican Church in the Province of South East Asia, affirmed the significance of the Chinese church's efforts in promoting the sinicization of Christianity and stressed the importance of resuming in-person exchanges following the pandemic. He noted that maintaining a strong relationship between the two sides requires ongoing collaboration.
On April 24, the delegation visited East China Theological Seminary, where both sides engaged in discussions on theological education, church ministry, and the challenges faced in the current era.
During the meeting, President Xie Bingguo noted that over more than a decade of friendly exchanges between the seminary and Singaporean churches, the two sides have maintained close cooperation in academic and faculty exchanges. He provided an overview of the seminary, highlighting its achievements in disciplinary development, distinctive educational practices, and specialized library collections. Bishop Lu Guan Hoe, president of the NCCS, gave a brief introduction to the recent developments of the National Council of Churches of Singapore.
As part of the visit, students from the Department of Sacred Music performed for the guests. Following the exchange, the delegation, accompanied by President Xie, toured the seminary's auditorium, library, and other facilities to gain a deeper understanding of its educational environment and accomplishments.
