On the morning of January 25, 2024, Rev. Wu Wei, President of CCC, and other staff received a group of four led by Bishop David Urquhart, the Archbishop of Canterbury’s Link with China. The conversation revolved around the current church development in the two countries.

As the moderator, Rev. Dr. Lin Manhong, Vice President and General Secretary of CCC, noted in her speech that they were the first delegates from the UK this year, and that our good relations have continued through virtual meetings during the pandemic to share about church ministries and to deepen our friendship.

Representing CCC&TSPM, Rev. Wu Wei welcomed the visit of Bishop David Urquhart and other delegates. He introduced the guests to the ongoing ministry of the Chinanization of Christianity, along with the ministries of standardized church governance, Bible publishing and talent cultivation, and mentioned the challenges facing the churches in the post-pandemic era.

Rev. Wu pointed out that years of efforts to promote the Chinanization of Christianity meant that the Church in China should be closely integrated with the country and the nation to ensure a healthy inheritance of Christianity in China.

Bishop David Urquhart said that the young delegates would like to gain a better understanding of the society and the churches in China, and to strengthen the friendly relations between the churches in China and the UK.

To his delight, Bishop David Urquhart was able to visit CCC&TSPM again and convey the Archbishop of Canterbury’s congratulations to the new leadership. He shared that the Church of England was also facing the challenge of shrinking church membership in the wake of the pandemic. He also expressed interest in the Chinanization of Christianity, and expected more opportunities for exchanges.

During the meeting, Mr. Wang Baocheng, Deputy Director of the Social Service Department of CCC&TSPM, briefed on the ministries of public welfare and charity, poverty alleviation and scholarship, as well as caregiver training in recent years. The guests asked questions on related topics.

Afterwards, the guests visited CCC&TSPM’s affiliated Holy Trinity Cathedral and the Grace Telling Bookshop.

Translator & editor: Bei Feng