On the afternoon of February 19, 2024, Rev. Wu Wei, President of CCC, and others received a delegation from the Korean Methodist Church (KMC) at CCC&TSPM’s headquarters. Friendly exchanges among the two sides revolved around the Chinanization of Christianity, the Reconstruction of Theological Thinking, and so forth. Rev. Dr. Lin Manhong, Vice President and General Secretary of CCC, was the moderator.

Rev. Wu Wei expressed sincere welcome to both new and old friends, and introduced the situation of the Church in China. He briefly reviewed the development of Christianity in China, expounding the significance and purpose of the Three-Self Principles.

Rev. Wu referred to the great efforts made by the Church in China to reshape the impression of Christianity as a “foreign religion” in the Chinese public. And today’s ongoing Chinanization of Christianity is to express faith in our own way, to play an active part in the development of the country, and to bear witness to the Lord in our situation.

Meanwhile, the Church in China is committed to cultivating highly competent people and promoting church development. In the future, we expect more dialogues with the churches in South Korea to share experiences in the indigenization of Christianity and the reconstruction of theological thinking, so that we can learn from each other and grow together.

During the meeting, Rev. Dr. Lin Manhong briefed on the situation of CCC&TSPM. Mr. Jiang Guoqiang, staff from the Theological Education Department, introduced the delegates to the specific ministries of CCC&TSPM in theological education in recent years.

On behalf of the KMC delegation, Bishop Chul Lee, President of the KMC, gave thanks to the warm reception and sharing from CCC&TSPM. He mentioned that given the fact that the two countries are geographically close to each other, the tradition of good interactions has lasted for years. Many with concern and love to Chinese churches would like to foster their understanding. He believed that this exchange could be a good chance to deepen mutual friendship.

Other delegates also made speeches, who raised questions about the international prestige and current challenges of the Church in China during the discussion. They said that South Korean churches have achieved certain progress in the indigenization of Christianity in the past, while challenges have increasingly arisen as well.

Now South Korean churches are very much concerned about the Chinanization of Christianity, and they will once again reflect on this subject and discuss it with the Chinese counterparts. They also believe that the Chinanization of Christianity will become a fruitful ministry of the Church in China.

The delegation also visited the Holy Trinity Church and the Grace Telling Bookshop.

Translator & editor: Bei Feng