During the epidemic, churches around the country are closed and onsite gatherings have stopped. Now gatherings only can be held on-line. The two major sacraments of Christianity - baptism and communion - are also cancelled or postponed.
Summer is soon coming, and it is not yet known when worship services in China will resume. Since the pastoral work of the church cannot cease, some churches have begun registering applicants in baptismal preparation classes.
One Ningbo Church has recently opened three courses:
1. A registration notice for a baptismal preparation class in 2020 is open to all who have attended the service regularly for more than one year and who are clear about their salvation. The lessons will be given online every Wednesday and Friday from June 17 to July 10, 2020. Those who are absent for more than two classes will not be able to participate in the final assessment. The baptism is tentatively scheduled for July 26.
2. There is also a notice on the opening of a class in basic theology and dogmatics. The purpose of this class is to help members to systematically understand the Christian faith, distinguish and resist heresy, and better apply theology to actual life and service. Classes are held every Saturday from May 30th.
3. A Bible study class giving an overview of the Book of Hebrews will be held on Tuesday night.
The Beijing Haidian Church has also opened an online baptismal preparation class and a Bible study class. The baptismal preparation class is mainly for people who want to be baptized into the church or who are interested in Christian faith. The class is held in the form of a Zoom meeting every Saturday night, starting from May 9th. At the same time, the church is also offering a class in the essentials of faith.
A Bible study class started on March 2 this year, and they have finished Philippians, Colossians, and 1 Thessalonians, and are currently studying 2 Thessalonians. Registration is ongoing for the Zoom meeting, scheduled for every Saturday afternoon, starting on May 16th.
- Translated by Abigail Wu
