On November 14, 2018, Rev. Shan Weixiang, vice-president of China Christian Council (CCC), spoke about solutions to pastoring challenges facing the Chinese church.
In a lecture given at Fujian Theological Seminary, the three-self church leader said that it is increasingly clear that at present the Chinese church was experiencing slower membership growth and an aging population.
In his speech entitled "Pastoring Challenges Facing the Chinese Church and Discussion about Solutions", Rev. Shan shared three solutions to the pastoring difficulties.
The first was to promote the sinicization of Christianity that expressed faith in a language and mindset that Chinese people were able to understand.
With urbanization, large masses of migrant workers have rushed into cities and it is necessary to nurture them, making a clear distinction between pastoring and administration, enhancing volunteers' ministry capabilities, and improving the congregation's ecclesiology and sense of belonging.
Since the elderly make up a large proportion of Chinese congregations, they faced dilemmas such as being neglected in a younger culture, engaging in worship and service, suffering from pessimism because of "empty nests", being prejudiced by pastoral staff, and being biased in ministry.
The pastor said that the church should value shepherding the group, doing follow-up care with them, and encouraging young people to serve them.
- Translated by Karen Luo
