Scholarly Panels
Contributions from academics drawing on the method and resources of their respective disciplines.
Panels / topics proposed to date:
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Sino-Vatican Relations in Historical Perspective
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Sociological Perspectives on Christianity
in Contemporary China -
The Sinicisation of Religion in China Today
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Environmental Issues and the Faith Communities of China
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suggestions for panels and topics
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suggestions concerning speakers (including yourself)
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submission of brief abstracts
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other suggestions or feedback
Note: Panel organizers (only) will have conference registration fees waived in appreciation for their service to the gathering.
Presentations and
workshops
Discussion forums and practical advice from people involved in the life of the Church in China and in the Chinese diaspora.
Practical workshops and presentations requested to date:
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Faith and the Current Generation
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Social Services: Making a Contribution in China Society
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The American University Context
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Relations among Christians and China
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Paths to Discipleship
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Religion in the City
Click this button for a form to enter:
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suggestions for workshops or presentations
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suggestions concerning speakers (including yourself)
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other suggestions or feedback
Note: Presenters will have their conference registration fees waived in appreciation for their service to the gathering.
Periodical Resources
Concerning Christianity in China
We offer here a comprehensive list of resources concerning Chinese theology and the
Church in China. Some will facilitate exploration of the relationship between Christianity
and Chinese culture, drawing on a range of disciplines, including history, philosophy,
theology, and sociology. Others provide news and essays pertaining to contemporary
developments that affect the life of the Chinese Church.
Currently, this list includes mainly resources in English, or bilingual resources in
Chinese and English. We have plans to expand this list in the coming months to include
other languages.
For comments, corrections, or suggestions regarding additional publications and news
sources to include, please contact the USCCA Communication Coordinator at director@uscatholicchina.org.
[Note: Rev. Rob Carbonneau, CP, Ph.D., USCCA Board Member, reviewed these resources on 3 October 2023; all periodicals remain relevant.]
Asia News
AsiaNews serves as an information platform serving the Church’s mission in Asia. It makes known to the larger world developments that affect the life of the Church in Asia. And it serves the need of the local Churches in Asia by providing them with information concerning the worldwide Church, including words of the Pope, other statements from the Vatican, and developments which affect the life of the Church as a whole. Accordingly, articles on its website can be read in Chinese (as well as Italian, Spanish, and English). To receive daily headlines from AsiaNews, subscribe here.
AsianNews is the press agency of the Pontifical Institute for Foreign Missions (PIME). The editor-in-chief of AsiaNews is Fr. Bernardo Cervellera, a PIME missionary who also heads Agenzia Fides, the official news agency of the Vatican.
Bitter Winter
寒冬: 一本關於中國宗教自由及人權狀況的雜誌
Bitter Winter is a highly professional, respected source for news on religious rights in China. Its site is published in five languages (English, Chinese, Italian, Korean, Chinese). Its governing board consists of scholars, members of civil society organizations, and civil servants with strong credentials in academic and government circles. In addition to news articles covering recent developments in China, the Bitter Winter site includes interviews, opinion pieces, public documents, and archives of past content extending back to May 2018. One cannot subscribe to a newsletter or listserv for Bitter Winter, but one can follow Bitter Winter on Facebook.
Bitter Winter is published by il Centro Studi sulle Nuove Religioni (the Center for Studies on New Religions), abbreviated as CESNUR. CESNUR, as its name implies, focuses on “new religious movements,” which almost universally incur hostile rhetoric and persecution, and accordingly, the board and contributors of Bitter Winter take a watchdog perspective. Indeed, CESNUR often takes up the cause of the groups it studies, from the Unification Church in the E.U. to the Church of Almighty God in China.
Center on Religion and Chinese Society E-Newsletter
中國宗教與社會研究中心
The E-Newsletter of the Center on Religion and Chinese Society (CRCS) is a free update that comes out monthly. Much of the information contained in the newsletter pertains to the research of CRCS, pertinent research and conferences, and related publications. This publication is essential for those who are concerned with social trends and religion in China and among Chinese throughout the world. Those interested in subscribing to themay do so on the newsletter’s main page (link above).
The Center on Religion and Chinese Society is based at Purdue University. Founded by Dr. Fenggang Yang, it was established to advance the social scientific study of religion in Chinese societies and among the Chinese in diasporas. According to the Center itself, the meaning of “Chinese” and “religion” as used here is broadly inclusive, taking in all religions and spiritualities practiced by the Chinese anywhere in the world. “[B]eing Chinese in the global era means being cosmopolitan and going beyond existing boundaries.” Nonetheless, a primary focus of CRCS is Christianity on the P.R.C., its circumstances, and is ongoing social development. CRCS is one of the premier social scientific research centers on religion, and especially Christianity, among Chinese in the English-speaking world.
China Bridge
神州橋樑
China Bridge is a one-page feature published in English that appears in the Sunday Examiner, the weekly of the Diocese of Hong Kong. While the Sunday Examiner is published each week, China Bridge articles appear approximately monthly. These articles deal with a range of topics concerning Christianity, religion, and social issues in China. China Bridge has been published since March 1991; articles that have appeared since 2003 are available on the website of the Holy Spirit Study Centre.
The Holy Spirit Study Centre (HSSC) is a research institute of the Diocese of Hong Kong. It was established in 1980 by the late Cardinal John Baptist Wu out of pastoral concern for China and the Church in China. Its primary practical task has been to gather, store, and analyze pertinent data about China that will serve to broaden understanding of the Mainland’s rapidly changing situation, as well as to effect appropriate Christian responses.
China heute (China Today)
中国教讯
The German language journal China heute concerns itself with religions in the Chinese cultural sphere, with special attention given to Christianity in the People’s Republic of China. Founded in 1982 by the Institute Monumenta Serica, the journal provides up-to-date information, documentation, background reports and analyses, as well as historical and bibliographical notes. Scholars, China-watchers, and Chinese who speak German will find China heute a great resource.
Currently, China heute is published four times a year by China-Zentrum e.V. (The China Center). You may access past issues at the journal’s website free of charge. You may also request a free trial hard-copy edition and/or subscribe there. China Zentrum suggests a free-will offering to defray cost of publication and mailing.
The China-Zentrum e.V. was established in 1988. The aim of this officially recognized nonprofit organization is to foster encounters and exchange between cultures and religions in the West and in China. The affiliate members of the China-Zentrum are Catholic aid organizations, religious orders and dioceses in Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Italy.
China Infodoc Service
神州橋樑
The China Infodoc Service is a listserv that sends subscribers reprints of articles dealing with China and politics, human rights, and religious affairs. In general, subscribers receive one or two articles a day, drawn from a range of sources, including occasional articles in French. There is no online portal or website. Inclusion in the listserv may be requested by emailing: china.infodoc@online.be
This listserv is a private initiative taken by former free lance journalist Rik De Gendt of Aalst, Belgium, who has run this service since 1997.
Ching Feng: A journal on Christianity and Chinese religion and culture
京風
Ching Feng is one of the major publications of the Christian Study Centre on Chinese Religion & Culture (CSCCRC) of the Chinese University of Hong Kong. This journal promotes “critical and constructive studies of all aspects of Chinese Christianity, Chinese religion and culture, and the dialogue between Christianity and other religious traditions in Asia.” The perspective is historical, theological, pastoral, and humanistic. Originally appearing under the title Quarterly Notes, it has been published since 1957.
CSCCRC publishes Ching Feng in two issues per year, often in one combined volume. In some years a supplementary issues is published. People who live outside of Hong Kong may visit here here to subscribe. Past issues are indexed journal website and may be back-ordered. Individual articles are catalogued in ATLA Religion Database and EBSCO Discovery and may be requested electronically through those services.
The Christian Study Centre on Chinese Religion & Culture is an ecumenical research institution based in Hong Kong. Founded through the collaboration of Protestant missionaries and church leaders in Hong Kong, it is committed to the study of Chinese religions and culture. Its publications and programs disseminate the fruits of research and theological reflection to local clergy and laypeople, as well as to Christians and academic communities worldwide.
ChinaSource Blog
The ChinaSource Blog is a platform where China ministry practitioners and experienced China-watchers offer timely analysis and insight on current issues relating to the church in China. Drawing from a broad spectrum of theological backgrounds, perspectives, and the experiences in China, in particular those of the especially Chinese Evangelical community, the Blog offers a broad and balanced perspective on the issues of the day.
The ChinaSource Blog is part of the platform of resources provided by ChinaSource (along with the ChinaSource Quarterly and ZGBriefs). ChinaSource was formed in 1997 at the Billy Graham Center of Wheaton College as a collaborative effort of several North American evangelical entities. In 2000, ChinaSource merged with the Institute of Chinese Studies, a research organ founded in the late 1970s at the US Center for World Mission. Through its online platforms, conferences, and contributions in both the Christian and secular media, ChinaSource facilitate informed discussion around critical issues facing China and its church.
ChinaSource Quarterly
The ChinaSource Quarterly provides readers with in-depth feature articles and pastoral reflections that explore the trends impacting Chinese Christians, as well as book and resource reviews. For over two decades its coverage has been marked by accurate, timely, and strategic analysis of issues affecting the church and Christian ministry in China. While originally focusing primarily on evangelical Christian witness in China, its coverage today is broadly ecumenical. You may subscribe to receive ChinaSource Quarterly electronically and also access back issues at the publication’s mainpage above.
The ChinaSource Quarterly is part of the platform of resources provided by ChinaSource (along with ZGBriefs and the ChinaSource Blog). ChinaSource was formed in 1997 at the Billy Graham Center of Wheaton College as a collaborative effort of several North American evangelical entities. In 2000, ChinaSource merged with the Institute of Chinese Studies, a research organ founded in the late 1970s at the US Center for World Mission. Through its online platforms, conferences, and contributions in both the Christian and secular media, ChinaSource facilitate informed discussion around critical issues facing China and its church.
The Chinese Theological Review
The Chinese Theological Review is makes available to an English-language readership theological essays, church statements, sermons, and other source materials originally written in Chinese by Chinese Protestant authors. Since 1985, it has played an important role in making available documents reflecting the life of the government-recognized Protestant Church in China. It is published by the U.S.-based Foundation for Theological Education in Southeast Asia in collaboration with the Amity Foundation, based in Nanjing, China.
Back issues of The Chinese Theological Review can be found on the website of the Amity Foundation here. To subscribe, visit here.
The Foundation for Theological Education in Southeast Asia (FTESEA) supports Christian theological education in China and South East Asia. It advocates before a wide variety of funding agencies for support for theological programs and schools, scholarships, consultations, and publications. Its aim is to promote Christian theological reflection arising within the specific contexts of China and South East Asia, as well as to foster collaborative relationships with theological schools, leaders of Christian churches, and ecumenical theological networks.
The Amity Foundation (爱德基金会) was established in 1985 under the leadership of Bishop K. H. Ting, who sought to create an Christian organization for social welfare. It has grown to be one of the largest independent charitable organizations in China. Is press, Amity Printing Company, is the largest Bible producer in China.
International Journal of Sino-Western Studies
国学与西学
The International Journal of Sino-Western Studies (IJS) is a Chinese-English bilingual peer-reviewed journal. It contains articles on pastoral and systematic theology, Biblical studies and Chinese classics, Church history, and cultural studies, all from a cross-cultural perspective. The articles in this journal are written especially with the academic community in mind. IJS is published twice a year in June and December in Finland, both in printed and electronic online versions. All issues are open access. For more information and to download current and back issues, visit the journal’s website.
IJS is published by the Nordic Forum of Sino-Western Studies (based in Helsinki) in cooperation with the Collaborative Innovation Center for Confucian Civilization 儒家文明协同创新中心 (based in Shandong).
Religions & Christianity in Today’s China
中国宗教评论
Religions & Christianity in Today’s China (RCTC) is an English language e-journal initiated by the China-Zentrum in 2011. RCTC provides readers with information and analyses covering various aspects of religions and Christianity in China. In addition to major articles on changing topics, each issue contains a chronicle of significant developments titled “News Update on Religion and Church in China”. It is published in four issues a year, and contents of all issues are freely available in PDF version on the publication’s website, where one may subscribe, as well.
The China-Zentrum e.V. was established in 1988. This officially recognized nonprofit aims to foster encounters and exchange between cultures and religions in the West and in China. The affiliate members of the China-Zentrum are Catholic aid organizations, religious orders and dioceses in Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Italy.
eRenlai
人籟 (2010 to 2015)
Renlai magazine was a sophisticated publication dealing with China, values, and youth culture. It was issued in Chinese and English from 2010 to 2015, and those issues are available in the journal’s site. Its special focus was “the link between cultural diversity, sustainable development and spiritual empowerment, encouraging change by reporting on replicable success stories at the local level.” Offerings include videos, documentaries, animations, articles and networking tools. eRenlai’s was published to support young people in their endeavors to network with one another and build innovative and thoughtful community in contemporary Asian society.
Tripod
鼎
Tripod is a semi-annual, bilingual publication of the Holy Spirit Study Centre (HSSC), a research institute of the Diocese of Hong Kong. Concerned with Chinese society and with Christianity in China, it is Christian, ecumenical, and catholic in style and content. Its focus is the challenges and prospects of the Church in China. Following the spirit of the Second Vatican Council (1962-1965), Tripod encourages open dialogue and the free exchange of views. Each issue has articles in Chinese (with abstract in English) and in English (with abstract in Chinese). Past issues are posted online in the Holy Spirit Study Centre website. To order Tripod in hardcopy, or any other HSSC publication, please inquire at hsstudyc@hsstudyc.org.hk.
The Holy Spirit Study Centre is a research institute of the Diocese of Hong Kong. It was established in 1980 out of pastoral concern for China and the Church in China by the late Cardinal John Baptist Wu. Its primary practical task has been to gather, store, and analyze pertinent data about China that will serve to broaden understanding of the Mainland’s rapidly changing situation, as well as to effect appropriate Christian responses.
Union of Catholic Asian News (UCAN) listserv
The Union of Catholic Asian News (UCAN) listserv provides subscribers with daily headlines and news briefs concerning social, political and religious developments that relate or are of interest to the Catholic Church in Asia. This includes accurate and up-to-date news, feature articles, commentary and analysis, and multimedia content. You can sign up for headlines daily by clicking the “Newsletter sign-up” button on the top of every page.
UCAN is a network of journalists and editors that spans East, South and Southeast Asia. Launched in Hong Kong in 1979, its aim is to provide information on developments in the Asian Catholic Church for the body of all Catholic believers. It therefore strives to cover “the challenges and joys, the hardships and triumphs of ordinary people who strive to put their faith into practice in their communities by helping those less fortunate than themselves.”
ZGBriefs
ZGBriefs is for those who want and need to keep up on what is happening in China, but don’t have the time to monitor and track it all. ZGBriefs monitors more than 50 news sources each week and curates the most relevant and interesting stories out of China. Topics include government, religion, society, economics, education, travel, language, and books. You may subscribe free of charge on ZGBriefs’ mainpage.
ZGBriefs is part of the platform of resources provided by ChinaSource (along with the ChinaSource Quarterly and the ChinaSource Blog). ChinaSource was formed in 1997 at the Billy Graham Center of Wheaton College as a collaborative effort of several North American evangelical entities. In 2000, ChinaSource merged with the Institute of Chinese Studies, a research organ founded in the late 1970s at the US Center for World Mission. Through its online platforms, conferences, and contributions in both the Christian and secular media, ChinaSource facilitate informed discussion around critical issues facing China and its church.