CHENG CHING-YI

INTRODUCTION
In the twentieth century the Chinese church ad outstanding leaders who served the universal
church.1 Cheng Ching –Yi became one of the most prominent leaders in the ecumenical
movement. This paper deals with the life and contribution of Cheng Ching.2

CHENG CHING-YI’S LIFE

Cheng aching –yi like azariah was product of the SCM. 3 The son of congregation pastor he had
him self been pastor of an independent congregation in Peking connected with the London
missionary society.4 He served as vice president of the international missionary council. 5 He was
not yet thirty years old when he rose to international prominence at the Edinburgh conference. 6
Though still young cheng had already translated the bible into mandarin in his effort to address
the culture of his own country.7

He was latter to be the chairman of the national Christian conference of 1922,sceratery of the
national Christian council of china and the first moderator of the church of Christ in china. As a
vice-chairman of the IMC he traveled widely and was a familiar figure in ecumenical and church
circles in the west8 easily at home in English, he had no difficulty in masking his convictions
know in the Angelo American world. Dignified, poised, possessed, of a deep faith his best
remembered words were characteristic of him; “o Lord, revive thy church, beginning with me”9.

THE CONTRIBUTION OF CHENG CHING-YI – TO THE UNIVERSAL CHURCH

The speech of cheng ching-yi from china in Edinburgh conference was significant. He was the
youngest delicate at the conference but came with a good deal of experience as a leader of
SCM.10 He spoke plainly “we hope to see in the near future a unnoted Christian church without
demonintal distinctions this may seem somewhat peculiars to summer of you but friends do not
forget to view us from our standpoint and if you fail to do that the Chinese will remain always a
mysterious people to you.. There is no time more important than the present. These days are days
of foundations from both political and religious standpoints the future of china will depend on
what is done at the present time….the church of Christ is universal but only irrespective of
denomations, but also irrespective of denominations, but also irrespective of nationalities”. 11 He
also questioned the appropriateness of carrying on denominational difference and loyalties which
were be shaped in western church history.12
1
Ninan Kohsy, A History of the Ecumenical Movement in Asia Vol. 1 (Hong Kong: CPPC, 2004) 84.
2
I bid., 83.
3
Ninan Koshy, Ed., A History of the Ecumenical Movement in Asia Vol. II (Hong Kong: CPPC, 2004) 372.
4
Ruth Rouse, Ed., A History of the Ecumenical Movement (Geneva: WCC, 1954) 380.
5
Ninan Kohsy, Op. cit., 84.
6
I bid., 83.
7
Ninan Koshy, Ed., Op. cit., 372.
8
Ninan Kohsy, Op. cit., 83.
9
Ruth Rouse, Ed., Op. cit., 380.
10
Ninan Kohsy, Op. cit., 51.
11
I bid., 52.
12
Ninan Koshy, Ed., Op. cit., 26.

1
In 1917 the China continuation committee achieved one of its initial success in drawing up a
comity agreement, setting forth principles to guide any mission proposing to open work in an
area in which another protestant society was already established. In the next two years the
agreement was officially approved by most of the mission. Its outstanding achievements were the
national Christian inference held in shanghai in May 1922, and the formation of the national
Christian council. For the National Christian Conference elaborate preparations were made. It
was hoped that gathering would not only issue in a national Christian council but that it would
prepare for marked advance in evangelism ant eh the building of the church in China to this end,
some what of the pattern of Edinburgh 1910, fire study commons were appointed. The most
comprehensive and detailed survey made of the missionary enterprise in any country was carried
through, and its findings were published in a massive volume, the Christian occupation of China.
On striking contrast with the centenary mission any in its personal, half the delegates to the 1922
conference were Chinese, and the chairman was Cheng Ching-Yi large proportion of those in
attendance represented the Chinese the Chinese was coming age.13

In 1932 the national council inaugurated a five year movement to advance the Christian forces
afresh after the destructive anti-foreign and anti-Christian tide of the 1920s. the five years
movement sought to deepen the life of Christians. Remembering the slogan given by Cheng
Ching-Yi “go forward” it also had as its aim the doubling of the number of Christian in the five
years.14

His distinctive Asian perspective was not always to the liking of all in those circle. But he was
highly respected.15

Conclusion
Cheng Ching-Yi’s contribution to the universal church from China is outstanding. He was will
accepted among all ecumenical leaders. He was interested in the growth of his national church.

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Kohsy, Ninan. A History of the Ecumenical Movement in Asia Vol. 1. Hong Kong: CPPC, 2004,.
Koshy, Ninan Ed. A History of the Ecumenical Movement in Asia Vol. II. Hong Kong: CPPC,
2004,
Rouse, Ruth. Ed. A History of the Ecumenical Movement. Geneva: WCC, 1954.

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13
Ruth Rouse, Ed., Op. cit., 380.
14
I bid., 383.
15
Ninan Kohsy, Op. cit., 83.