The Executive Forum on Ministry in China is scheduled for February 22 thru 24 at the Cook Communications campus in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
This forum, sponsored by the China Partner, Cook Communications, Evergreen, the International Bible Society (IBS), and the Christian Leadership Exchange (CLE), will consist of meetings such as discussion sessions and question/answering sessions on topics concerning the current status of the registered-church in China.
In a November 24, 2004 newsletter, representatives from the China Christian Council (CCC) and the Three Self Patriotic Movement of Protestant Churches in China (TSPM) invited United States ministry leaders to attend a church leadership exchange forum on the current situation of the registered-church in China.
The China church delegation will be comprised of Prebyter Ji Jianhong, TSPM chairperson; Rev. Mei Kangjun, CCC President; Ms. Chen Meilin, CCC Executive Associate General Secretary; Rev. Bao Jiayuan, CCC Associate General Secretary; and Rev. Xie Sheng, Interpreter for Presbyter Ji.
Dr. Wing N. Pang, CLE Executive Director, explained, “We want to build mutual understanding. The aim of the conference is to build people together.” Pang explained that in the past the forum has attracted the interests of Christian publishers, local churches, and mission agencies.
This year alone, he says, the forum has registered participants representing ministries such as the Campus Crusade for Christ, Tindale Theological Seminary, Fuller Theological Seminary, the Overseas Council, Wycliffe Bible Translators, and Walk to the Bible ministry. So far, this is the seventh time a forum of this kind has been hosted in the United States, he said.
In 1994, the first Executive Forum on Ministry in China was hosted in Mainland China. The first meeting attracted sponsoring from Christian organizations in Hong Kong, Taiwan, and the Canadian and Singaporean Chinese community.
Erik Burklin, President of China Partner said, “I think it is important for the [ministry] leaders in our country to meet with [the] key leadership from the CCC and TSPM. That is why I think the forum is beneficial.”
Burklin explained that in the past, many misunderstandings arose due to a lack in understanding on the present church situation in China, especially with the registered churches. He added, “I think it is good for people to get to know the registered churches.” Burklin also said, in his opinion, that another benefit for attending this forum is the opportunity to learn firsthand the current situation in China.
