| dc.description.abstract | The purpose of this study is to introduce the unique context of the “Three-Self”
Patriotic Movement of Protestantism under the government of the Communist Party of
China in Shanghai and to determine how the Shanghai Seventh-day Adventist Church can
be effective within this context. In order to accomplish this purpose, the study first
examines the geography, culture, history and the religious heritage of Shanghai. Secondly,
it gives an overview of the “Three-Self” Patriotic Movement in general and outlines how
the Shanghai Seventh-day Adventist Church has been affected both before and after its
implementation.
After enumerating some contemporary scholars’ strategies about healthy church
growth, this study shows that leadership, God’s Word, small groups, dynamic evangelistic
methods, and witnessing through social services could be effective church growth
strategies which may be appropriate for the current political and social situation in
Shanghai. The study also shows that contextualization is a very crucial factor for church
ministry, especially in Shanghai which is faced with a unique yet challenging background
given the presence of the government oversight of all church activities. Based on the
findings of this study, several effective recommendations regarding church growth are
proposed for the leaders of the Shanghai Seventh-day Adventist Church. | en_US |
