Co-hosted by CCC&TSPM and the Asia Pacific Forum, the 2024 China-US Christian Forum convened at the headquarters of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) on August 28 and 29, 2024. Led by Rev. Wu Wei, President of CCC and Nanjing Union Theological Seminary, an 18-member delegation from the Church in China included people from the political, with representatives from the political and academic circles as well as the Christian community in China.

The theme of the forum was “Opportunities and Challenges for Christianity in the Post-Pandemic Era”. More than 40 participants from the main Christian denominations, seminaries and church organizations in the US attended the event.

A welcome banquet was held on the evening of August 27. Rev. Bruce Woodcock, Co-Chair of the Asian Pacific forum and the host of the banquet, introduced all attendees both from China and the US, and warmly welcomed the delegation from the Church in China. Rev. Wu Wei and Rev. Elizabeth A. Eaton, Presiding Bishop of ELCA, delivered speeches respectively. Representatives from both countries exchanged greetings and ideas to renew friendship.

On the morning of August 28, the 2024 China-US Christian Forum officially kicked off. Rev. Dr. Lin Manhong, Vice President and General Secretary of CCC, and Ms. Patti Talbot, Vice-Chair of Asia Pacific Forum, hosted the opening ceremony.

Rev. Wu Wei and Rev. Rafael Malpica Padilla, retired Executive Director of ELCA Global Mission, delivered keynote speeches on “Retrospect and Prospect”.

In reviewing the great achievements of the Chinese society since the reform and opening up, Rev. Wu Wei placed special emphasis on the development of the Church in China, including the ongoing Chinanization of Christianity and its future agenda. The past four decades have also witnessed fruitful accomplishments in the multi-field and multi-level exchanges and cooperation between the churches in China and US. Despite cultural differences, these interactions allowed the two sides to establish a bond that is beneficial for mutual understanding and further cooperation.

Differences in culture, history and politics should never become barriers to communication. Rather, we need to seek common ground while reserving differences and learning from each other. With concerted efforts, more consensus was expected between the two sides to open a new chapter of China-US interaction in Christianity, said Rev. Wu.

Rev. Rafael Malpica Padilla reviewed the good interactions between the churches in China and US, stressing that the forum was not only a platform for faith and communication, but also a window for cultural interaction. The unity of the Church in China provided good experience for the unity of the ecumenical churches. It was believed that churches in China and the US could become blessings for both two countries and the ecumenical church alike.

Afterwards, 16 pastors and scholars from China and US gave speeches on education and talent training, social care, research and publication, and church ministry. Through the speeches, the two sides had an in-depth discussion and exchange to facilitate mutual understanding.

The closing ceremony took place on the morning of August 29, moderated by Ms. Gu Jingqin, Interim Chief of Overseas Relations of CCC&TSPM, and Rev. Dr. Y. Franklin Ishida, ELCA Program Director for Asia and the Pacific.

Rev. Dr. Lin Manhong reviewed and summarized the one and a half day's forum. The excellent keynote speeches and addresses were conducive to communication, understanding and consensus. The forum was a successful feast, enabling both sides to enhance mutual understanding and respect, and achieve win-win cooperation. It is expected to strengthen future exchanges between the churches in China and US, and normalize the China-US Christian Forum so as to improve the understanding between the churches and the people in the two countries. Let the world listen to the true stories instead of being misled by false ones. And we are committed to working for the common future of the churches and the people in the two countries.

Rev. Dr. Chan Ben, Area Director of East and South Asia of the American Baptist Churches, affirmed the positive influence of this forum on the exchange between China and North American churches. Rev. Chan looked forward to more productive interactions and meetings between the two sides in the future.

At the closing luncheon, Rev. Geng Weizhong, Residential Vice President of CCC, spoke on behalf of the Christian community in China. Rev. Geng expressed gratitude for the warm reception and considerate arrangements from American churches, and congratulated on this successful event. Rev. Geng also hoped that both Chinese and American Christian communities could become the driving force for harmonious coexistence of China and the US, and contribute to the peace and development in the two countries.

Translator & editor: Bei Feng