Mr. Helge Gaard, general secretary of the Norwegian Mission Society (NMS), visited the CCC&TSPM office based in Shanghai.
Rev. Shan Weixiang, vice chairman of the national TSPM, received the delegation and presided over the symposium on Tuesday, reported CCC&TSPM.
Shan expressed gratitude for the longstanding support of the NMS towards the social service ministries of CCC&TSPM. He provided a brief overview of the current development of the church in the context of China's economic and social progress. He also introduced the historical and cultural background of the "Three-Self" principles (self-governance, self-support, and self-propagation), emphasizing the purpose and significance of the Chinese church's commitment to the sinicization of Christianity.
Mr. Helge Gaard shared the development history of the NMS and its current global ministries. Mr. Haakon Kessel, director of the International Department of the NMS, shared their understanding of faith and the philosophy of their ministry – recognizing and respecting diversity in the Christian faith, sharing the gospel, resisting injustice, and alleviating poverty. They expressed their understanding of the diversity and distinctiveness of churches worldwide and their endorsement of the concept of "sinicized Christianity."
During the meeting, both sides discussed topics such as the path to unity for churches, challenges faced by Chinese Christians, international exchanges of the Chinese church, and the importance of the localization of Christianity.
- Translated by Abigail Wu
