The Outreach Foundation of the Presbyterian Church in the USA visited the China Christian Council (CCC) and the Three-Self Patriotic Movement (TSPM), refreshing their friendship and engaging in discussions and exchanges concerning church ministry in the post-pandemic era.
Rev. Shen Xuebin, the vice president of CCC, received the delegation on July 24th, as reported by CCC&TSPM. The delegation includes Executive Director Rev. Dr. Mark Mueller and Associate Director Rev. Dr. Thomas Boone, who introduced the group members. Some of these members have maintained close ties with the Church in China for over two decades, with their relationships even extending back to their parents' generation. Others have made multiple visits to China, and a special duo consisting of a grandfather and granddaughter.
Throughout the meeting, Rev. Shen shared the state of multilingual worship in major Chinese cities, such as worship services conducted in English, Japanese, and Korean, among others. In response, Rev. Mueller recounted his own experiences attending worship in Shanghai. He expressed how, despite traveling vast distances to China, the worship experience felt familiar, with elements akin to those found in American churches, such as the recitation of the Apostle's Creed, the singing of hymns, and the communal recitation of the Lord's Prayer, which evoked a sense of being back home during worship.
Following these discussions, the members of the delegation posed inquiries, encompassing the historical significance of the Holy Trinity Cathedral in Shanghai, the challenges faced by churches in the aftermath of the pandemic, and the vital issue of pastoral care for the younger believers. In response, Rev. Shen addressed each question.
- Translated by Abigail Wu
