Christian Churches in China urged to become the Salt and Light for this world.

By Reuben Mete

Mr. Da Wei Ge, one of the Young Lutheran Youth Leaders from China attending the 05^th International Leadership Consultation currently going on in Neuendettelsau, Germany concluded the individual participant’s introduction session presentation of national, individual and leadership backgrounds today. Mr. Ge was the second last presenter before South Korean’s Kim.

Young world leaders share their passions and talented openly during the 30 minutes introduction presentation and also share a lot of gifts. Nicaragu’s Sergio Rios Carillo was the first presenter beginning the sessions yesterday on a very high note. Brazil, Tanzania, Mozambique, German, Singapore, Philippines, Papua New Guinea, Australia and Malaysia also made very impressive presentation.

“Christianity first entered China in 635 A.D” said Mr. Ge. Afterwards Christianity entered China two more times, in the 13^th and 17^th Century. In the 19^th Century, Protestant Christianity was brought to China, but unfortunately it was associated with colonization and was seen as a ‘foreign religion’. In the 1950s, in order to change the image of Christianity as a foreign religion, Chinese Christians initiated the three-self Patriotic Movement. The churches in China took the road of self-administration, self-support and self-propagation and thereby earned respect and recognition from the Chinese people.

In 1958,Chinese Christians begun the practice of United Worship, based on the principle of mutual respect, brothers and sisters ‘bear with one another in love, making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.’ Mr Ge also mentioned that during the period of the Cultural Revolution (1966-1976), church life was eliminated. In 1979, with the implementation of the policy of religion freedom, church life resumed and the churches in China endeavored to move beyond ‘three-self’ to ‘three-well’ that is administering it, supporting it and propagating it well. 

Mr. Da Wei Ge performing a Beijing Opera as part of his presentation

During the last 30 years, the development of Christianity and growth of the church in China have been obvious and various and ministries are taking root onward and bearing fruit upward. The church in China is really fully of God grace, and many new and unprecedented developments in the fields of theological renewal, church administration, theological education and training, publication, social service and international tiesare taking place. In 1998, a theological renewal movement was launched, showing that the church in China is growing not only in years, but also in wisdom, establishment its own theological voice to better spread the gospel and build up the churches in China and also to contribute to the voice for better spreading the gospel and building up the churches in China and to contribute to the ecumenical church movement. 

“The Churches in China are young but God is always accomplished abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine. Under the guidance of God, the churches in China will develop further and enhance every kind of ministry, endeavoring to be ‘the light and salt’ of the world and striving to promote social harmony and world peace” said Mr. Ge. He also mentions that churches in China faces heavy responsibility and has a long way to go. “Our hope is in God’s guidance and protection. We also hope for the prayers and support of brothers and sisters from ecumenical churches,” Ge said.