Indigenization And Cooperation:The Research On The National Christian Conference In 1922

The National Christian Conference was held in Shanghai in 1922, from May 2 to May 11. Different from the three National Christian Conference in the late Qing dynasty,this conference with some outstanding features occupies an important seat in the history of Christianity in China. It is thus clear that the conference held in 1922 marks the development of Christianity in China is continuing, represents the importance of Chinese in the Chinese Church is gradually strengthened, and indicates the further pursuit of Chinese Christians in the integration of nature and unity. In order to trace the first time of coming up indigenization, the author starting from the 1922 National Conference of Shanghai, focuses on speech and discussion about sermon、medical treatment、literature、woman etc during the conference. So that we can find track of union and unity, and know better about historical position and value of the conference.The whole thesis is divided into six parts. First chapter briefly introduces the background and reasons. There are many factors that affect the organization of the conference, including two internal ones, May Fourth New Culture Movement and Non Christian Movement, and some external ones, assembly tradition、huge development of Chinese Christianity since 20 century and Christian’s awakening. Second chapter presents preparation and convening, participants and core philosophy. Third chapter makes a brief introduction to the National Christian Council as one of the most important results. Highlights of this chapter include the founding and achievements of China Continuation Committee, how to build National Christian Council in China and significant contributions of it. Forth chapter focuses on the reformation of Christian Ministry in this conference and detailed plans on how to make Christianity participate in the industrial economy and the improvement of social morality. All of these show great pursuit of indigenization of Chinese Christians and awareness of necessity of union. Fifth chapter emphases the proposal of the conference for the training and utilization of local elites. In Chinese church, lacking leaders is one of the reasons for slow development of Christianity in China, and thus the conference takes over the status quo and future training plan of them, displaying the concept of nature and cooperation. The last chapter concludes historical status of the conference and sorts out the evaluation of people in those days and future generations.In short, this paper closely focuses on the preparation and convening, and not only studies what general organization it has, but also explores how it embodies core concept of indigenization and cooperation. On the basis of last three congress, the 1922 Shanghai National Christian Conference responded effectively to the current situation of the 1920s,and pointed out first direct idea of building "Chinese Church",which reflecting the concept of indigenization. It not only summed up the practice of the indigenization and unity before 1920s, but also opened the door to the indigenization movement and church unity. So, this conference has such an irreplaceable position that we can not ignore the function of it in the history of the Christian in China.