wfn.org | Chinese Christian Delegation Visits NCC and CWS

["Nat'l Council of Churches" <nccc_usa@ncccusa.org>]

Chinese Christian Delegation Visits NCC and CWS, Reports Rapid Growth of
Protestantism

October 15, 2003, NEW YORK CITY -- Leaders of the Protestant community in
China met on Tuesday (Oct. 14) with their U.S. ecumenical partners - the
National Council of Churches and Church World Service - to reaffirm their
long-standing ties.

The church is prospering now in China, reported the Rev. Cao Shengjie,
president of the China Christian Council (CCC).  She said there are more
than 16 million Protestants and 50,000 Protestant churches and meeting
places in China.

The Rev. Cao recalled the CCCs long-time relationship with the U.S.
ecumenical movement, continuing, More importantly we are looking forward
and hope our visit will help promote more mutual understanding and mutual
support.

Presbyter Ji Jianhong, chairperson of the National Committee of the
Three-Self Patriotic Movement of the Protestant Churches in China, said the
Chinese churchs principle of independence in propagation, support and
governance doesnt preclude friendship.... Mutual visits are a must for
developing the relationship between the churches of our two countries.

Both Rev. Cao and Presbyter Ji were elected to their positions at the 7th
National Chinese Christian Conference in May 2002.  Rev. Cao also is vice
president of the National YWCA of China, and Presbyter Ji is executive vice
president of the Nanjing Union Theological Seminary.

The nine-member delegation from China visited the New York offices of the
NCC and CWS, global humanitarian agency of the NCCs 36 member churches, as
part of an extended U.S. visit Oct. 4-26.  The delegation invited the NCC
and CWS to return their visit, if possible in 2004.

The top executives of the NCC and CWS brought greetings to the delegation.
We thank God for bringing you here and for the good news about Chinese
Christians, said the Rev. Dr. Bob Edgar, NCC General Secretary.  Said the
Rev. John L. McCullough, CWS Executive Director, You bear witness by your
very presence of the meaning, power and presence of Christ.

The history of Christianity in China dates back to the seventh century,
reports background information brought by the delegation.  Missionary
efforts in the 18th through mid 20th centuries saw the Protestant Christian
community grow to around 700,000 by 1949.  In 1954, Chinese Protestant
Christians initiated the Three-Self Movement, which mapped out an
independent road to building the church - and moved Chinese Protestantism
away from its perceived association with western imperialism.

During the Cultural Revolution, between 1966 and 1976, churches and
Christians continued to experience persecution and many churches were closed
down.  Then China opened up, and in 1980 the China Christian Council was
established.  The China Christian Council has established 18 theological
seminaries and Bible schools and more than 70 centers across China
distributing Bibles and hymnals.

Priorities include reconstruction of theological thinking, personnel
training, development of churches and church organizations, and social
service, according to information brought by the delegation.  Challenges
include deepening understanding of the faith among believers.

The Rev. Cao was critical of outside groups, including some from the United
States, that come to the Chinese Christians and say, We want to help but
you must do things the way we want.  They tell us, You arent a real
church.  That sometimes causes a split in our church...and social
 disorder.

She thanked the NCC for its statement of support, in the 1980s, of the
three-self principles of the Chinese church: self-supporting, self-governing
and self-propagating.  Reaffirming that commitment, Dr. Antonios
Kireopoulos, the NCCs Associate General Secretary for International Affairs
and Peace, said, You can count on us to be a partner in spreading the
Gospel, extending Christian compassion, and working for peace and justice.

It is generally recognized that problems do exist for Christian communities
in China.  But the Rev. Cao described significant improvement over the past
20 years.  Some people have a memory of the Cultural Revolution.  That
ended more than 20 years ago.  They take for granted things are the same.
They are not.

In certain cases of religious persecution, particularly in isolated places
where the actions of local authorities dont reflect the general societal
trend of opening up toward religion, the Rev. Cao said, We try to pass
those cases to the government and ask for correction.

According to the Rev. Cao, Chinas government increasingly recognizes that
religion has a deep root in peoples heart - and can play a positive role.
We encourage our members to be a good Christian and a good citizen at the
same time.

-end-

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NCC Media Contact: 212-870-2227/2252; news@ncccusa.org

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