This exciting new pioneering project aims
to teach the Chinese church more about the meaning of diakonia (the social work of the Church) and how to put it into practice. As in many countries,
there is a limited understanding in China of the concept and importance
of diakonia as a part of the church’s identity and life.
Church leaders were invited to join the
first part of lectures that took part in June.
Around 40 church leaders from around the province attended. In addition
many students from Hunan Bible Institute also attended. We heard from many of those who attended the
lectures that they were inspired to put what they had learnt into action in
their churches. Ultimately, this project will help them do this. During the last year of the project, some of
the attending churches will be given small grants to use for diaconal
projects.
Our partner in China, Amity, has explained how
this kind of a course is the first of its kind and very significant. The church in China is growing quickly and more
and more Chinese Christians would like to help serve in their church and the
community around them. The government is
also encouraging the church to do this.
However, there is a lack of awareness of how to do this and what it means. There has been some confusion about how the
church should run places like a home for the elderly. In some places, the
church has understood that non-profit equals making no money. So, what happens, is that the places go
bankcrupt as they have no extra money to fix the building, pay for furniture,
etc.
Those who attended lectures this year heard
about what diaconia is, it’s Biblical basis, proposal writing, running
projects, accounting and many other practical skills. When the lectures were
finished there was a lot of enthusiasm from those participating, as they wanted
to know more about how to do diaconal work and were asking for more
training!
to teach the Chinese church more about the meaning of diakonia (the social work of the Church) and how to put it into practice. As in many countries,
there is a limited understanding in China of the concept and importance
of diakonia as a part of the church’s identity and life.
Church leaders were invited to join the
first part of lectures that took part in June.
Around 40 church leaders from around the province attended. In addition
many students from Hunan Bible Institute also attended. We heard from many of those who attended the
lectures that they were inspired to put what they had learnt into action in
their churches. Ultimately, this project will help them do this. During the last year of the project, some of
the attending churches will be given small grants to use for diaconal
projects.
Our partner in China, Amity, has explained how
this kind of a course is the first of its kind and very significant. The church in China is growing quickly and more
and more Chinese Christians would like to help serve in their church and the
community around them. The government is
also encouraging the church to do this.
However, there is a lack of awareness of how to do this and what it means. There has been some confusion about how the
church should run places like a home for the elderly. In some places, the
church has understood that non-profit equals making no money. So, what happens, is that the places go
bankcrupt as they have no extra money to fix the building, pay for furniture,
etc.
Those who attended lectures this year heardabout what diaconia is, it’s Biblical basis, proposal writing, running
projects, accounting and many other practical skills. When the lectures were
finished there was a lot of enthusiasm from those participating, as they wanted
to know more about how to do diaconal work and were asking for more
training!
No comments:
Post a Comment