A Dangerous Undercurrent – Mobilize NOW!
Christianity is growing in China. Not all of it is healthy, but never-the-less it is growing. The Chinese government recognizes this and are being informed about this situation. The following quotes are translate from an article entitled: “An Analysis of the Reasons for the Rapid Growth of Christianity in Today’s China” by the China Social Sciences Press (Beijing in June 2010).
The article shows that the government recognizes that growth of Christianity in China:
“Researcher Duan Qi points out that the non- institutionalised church has thrown off the restrictions placed on evangelism by the TSPM and Christian Council, believing they have received the ‘Great Commission’ from Jesus to spread Christianity. They have ignored government prohibitions; so the government has found it hard to control them, and they have gained a great number of converts. We can see that one of the reasons for the growth of the house- churches is they avoid government control.”
With the amount of Christians and Christian activity in China, persecution is considerably low. I haven’t met one Chinese Christian since living here that had to endure persecution by the government because of their faith in Jesus. Most missionaries that I know are operating without much interference from the government. There are cases of persecution but it is not the majority compared to the amount of Christians in this country. Therefore, I think it is safe to say that the Chinese government has been relaxed on the oppression of Christians. I currently am led to believe there is a unofficial open door to spread the gospel and plant churches in China. We must mobilize and use this opportunity NOW!
While the waters seem to be calm and peaceful, there is a deadly undercurrent developing. The problem is Christianity is being painted as a Western political force that wants to change and overtake the Chinese government. This doesn’t seem to be something that is new, but if people in the government really starts to embrace and believe this type of propaganda that is being fed to them, then persecution could become a majority problem.
The articles continues to warn the government of the potential dangers of Christianity:
“It is not that the government’s religious policy has led to the so- called loss of balance between religions, but rather that illegal Christian evangelism has challenged the government religious policy and finally brought about the break-up of the religious situation in China.
Their basic aim is to use Christianity to change the character of the regime in power in China and to overturn it.”
“Faced with this abnormal growth, we must undertake State interference, and to take legal and administrative means so that religion does not have a free market and expand out of control. This interference has two sides: firstly, undertaking every kind of work to strengthen our foundations, and heighten our joint national strength, strengthening the racial pride and self- confidence of the Chinese people. Also, strengthening the system of core socialist values and propagating the superior cultural traditions of the Chinese people and eliminating the present fertile bed causing the disorderly expansion of Christianity, as well as resisting infiltration from abroad which uses religion.
Secondly, as regards Christianity’s growth inside the country, we must use the method of combining government policy leadership to control it according to the law and undertake ideological education, so gradually the Christianity fever calms down and we can establish normal religious order.”
“…we must formulate a strategic plan and take comprehensive action to resolve the problem.”
Download the PDF and read the entire article from OMF.
We must mobilize and use the open door that we have NOW! The lamb of God, Jesus, will overcome the dragon of China!
06.29.11
Is it protecting or excuse making?
I was thinking the other day when talking to a friend, “why are we more scared than those we are “protecting”?
The reason many people don’t do things in China is to protect the national believers. But that is really just an excuse because we are scared.
I remember that after I preached at the church many people recorded it and one guy said he was uploading to the Chinese version of Facebook (renren).
Not only that, but they openly talk about Christian things, share scripture, and make groups that all point to them being Christians.
So why do we withhold information and soften our proclamation? They aren’t.
Is it protecting or excuse making?
Let’s go forward no longer making excuses, no longer being afraid.
Question:
What are some things you or other people have done because of fear that now seem a little outlandish?
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“First and Foremost”
” Ominously, the Chinese government has spoken its mind through official state-owned newspapers. One of these papers, the Global Times, ran an editorial last week that stated: “All Christians, as well as those of other faiths, are Chinese citizens first and foremost. It is their obligation to observe discipline and abide by the law.”
“But our citizenship is in heaven,” Paul reminds us, “and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.” [Phil. 3:20]
While the New Testament commands Christians to obey the righteous laws of a nation, believers cannot bend the knee to the regime as their primary allegiance. No Christian is “first and foremost” a citizen of any earthy kingdom or nation. This is a despotic demand for the idolatrous worship of the state. ”
Source: AlbertMohler.com
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Resurrection Festival, Balloons, & Piñatas!
In Chinese the the name for Easter is “fùhuójié” or “Resurrection Festival.” It was exciting to me to realize the name was translated this way, but I was quickly saddened when I realize not many people know what it means nor do many people celebrate it.
On Sunday night I asked a few people about that day being the “Resurrection Festival.” One couple checked the calendar to see if it was on there and then they said it wasn’t. Then they ask me if it was an American holiday or Chinese holiday. I told them it was a Christian holiday. He then look at me and said “Jesus resurrected,” I agreed, “Yes, that’s right!” I then asked him if he understand it and he said “No.”
To a lady at the next store I said “Happy Easter!” She just looked at me confused and said she didn’t know anything about it. But there was one lady whom I said “Happy Easter” to and she smiled and greeted me back.
That all took place on Sunday night, but Sunday morning we had a great time celebrating the Resurrected Saviour! During the Sunday school hour we had a time of outreach, trying to gather a crowd and invite them to our main service at 11 Am. Here is what took place:
- From about 10:00 -10:40 am we had a time of activities which included piñatas full of candy and then tossing dozens of balloons out of the second story window each containing a piece of candy. Needless to say, this drew a crowd of children and adults.
- At 10:40 they invited every to come to the service and a good majority of the crowd migrated over to our building.
- We had two big signs hanging up in the commons area promoting our event the previous day.
At 11:00 am our service started and the place was packed! We made changes to our auditorium layout and everything was going smoothly. We had nearly 130 people show up! Here are a few things that happened in the service:
- The children’s church worked hard having a craft time, puppet show, and a message from one of the preachers!
- We enjoyed the Lord’s supper and then had baptism at the end of the service, two people were baptized!
- There was one person saved at the end of the service in response to the gospel being preached!
- There were tons of first time visitors who were all given a gift and visitor card.
It is exciting to see the Lord work! He is using the church and missionaries here! Come and join us!
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Mission Strategies for Foreign Missionaries in China
There are several different strategies foreign missionaries consider when doing missions work in China. I have seen, heard, and met people doing all of the ways mentioned in the excerpt below. Our desire and strategy best fits with the fourth way presented below. Continue to Pray as we endeavor to learn more of this language so that we can effectively evangelize, disciple, plant, and train!
“Mission strategies for foreign missionaries in China:
There are many. I will mention a few that I know of. One: work with and through the existing public and legal TSPM (Three Self Patriotic Movement) churches. Don’t choose this one unless you have no problem with women pastors, infant baptism, sprinkling instead of immersion and the knowledge that these practices will not change through your influence in the state-run public churches.
Two: evangelize and try to introduce your contacts to existing house groups. This sounds good, but as in choice number one you will have some inherent problems. It is not easy to find an organized house church that practices all of the things that you may consider essential to sound doctrine and practice. You will also need to know the language and culture before you can reasonably understand what the potential house group is all about.
Three: find some way to train existing house church leaders in sound doctrine. This has several aspects. Those who have money and the contacts to do so prefer occasional itinerant preaching. This method is very popular for overseas Chinese or others foreign missionaries who can speak Chinese. Another aspect of the third method is to set up short-term training centers and invite national pastors and evangelists to attend. This method is popular with those who have a wide perspective on “the church” in China. This is quite costly but is seen by some as the best method to do the most good in the shortest amount of time.
The fourth strategy I will mention is to go to an area, spread the Gospel, disciple your own converts, organize a local church under your own leadership and when the training and timing is right, allow the local church to govern itself in every area. Many call this church planting. This is the strategy that we have in China. Please keep in mind that real results cannot be measured in a short period of time.”
Source: Indigenous Principles Applied Today in China (2006)
{Emphasis Mine}
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Notes from the Villages
This past Friday we went out surveying villages surrounding our city. During our time surveying we found out a lot of interesting information about the religious condition of the villages.
Firstly, let me tell you a little background about what we are doing. We had three teams go in three different directions with the task to survey villages looking for existing churches, Christians, and pastors. This was for a new ministry that we are preparing to start in partnership with our home church, Vision Baptist Church, to reach out into the villages. The villages have less appeal for full-time workers, less financial support for gaining valuable resources, and many times less educated and trained Christian leaders. We hope through this ministry we can have a part in changing that by providing valuable resources and training to those who are interested.
Secondly, on our first survey of the villages we found out a lot of information about the villages and surrounding townships. The findings seemed to be relatively the same for each team, which went in three opposite directions. Our team went about 70 kilometers (43.4 miles) outside of the city at our farthest point. We visited around 10 villages and here is what we found:
- Religion, Religion, Religion! RELIGION is here in China! Honestly, I was expecting for us to go into a village, ask about a church and there wouldn’t be any, but the opposite was true! There were people who said their village had several “churches.”
- More investigating into the several “churches” showed us there is major separation between these groups. “We believe this way and they believe that way,” type of attitude.
- The cults are there. The one main question that was asked to see if we should even continue with them was “Do you believe Jesus Christ is the only way of Salvation?” Some agreed, some wouldn’t answer, and others said they believed differently.
- Openness. Many people in the villages knew about these groups. We would just pull into a village and ask whoever was outside if they knew of a church that served the Lord. Usually we only had to ask two or three people before we found someone who knew about the “religious scene” of the village. They would then tell us what house to go to or take us there and introduce us to the people. No room for hiding.
- People we very hesitant about us (understandable). They seemed to be aware of cults and other false groups coming into their village and/or they were scared of the government.
- Even though we found some Christians, they still weren’t the majority of people. Our team would ask groups of people if they believed and they would kind of laugh and say no.
- Those who claimed to be Christian (believe in Jesus Christ only) and were willing to talk to us, generally had the following characteristics:
- They had no pastor!
- They would meet every once-and-awhile with other believers in the village.
- There was no organized local church for them to participate in.
Summary: We found several small pockets of Christians, who are without leadership and guidance. If we are able to build a relationship with them by giving them some valuable resources and training, we think we can make a difference and further the gospel in these villages (more details to come in the future about this project).
Here are a few pictures from our trip. Click here to watch the SLIDESHOW and see all the pictures.
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“…so that we can witness to others…”
“The founder of the China Inland Mission, J. Hudson Taylor, once witnessed to a Chinese seeker. “How long have your people had this message?” the man asked, and Taylor told him, “Hundreds of years.” “Then why did you not come sooner?” the seeker cried. “My father sought the truth his whole life and died without finding it!”
We have the truth, not to embalm it, and “preserve” it, but to share it with a lost world. We have assurance, not so that we can become a religious elite, but so that we can witness to others who have no assurance. Truth and assurance are not ends in themselves; they are the means to the end of taking the gospel to the whole world. “As Thou didst send Me into the world,” said Jesus, “I also have sent them into the world” (John 17:18).
Jesus finished the work the Father gave Him to do, but His church has not yet finished the work that the Savior gave us to do. Our priorities are confused. We waste our financial and human resources on grandiose schemes that have little or no relationship to the commission God has given us. We are rearranging the furniture while the house is burning down. We are entertaining the saints when we ought to be evangelizing the sinners. To paraphrase Mark Twain, lies are running around while truth is still putting on her shoes.
True, we have sacrificed to build impressive buildings and outfit them, but “to obey is better than sacrifice” (1 Samuel 15:22). This does not mean that it is not God’s will for us to erect sanctuaries and offices; but it is a reminder that such programs, even in the will of God, are not a substitute for obedience. God wants our sons and daughters-and ourselves-as much as He wants our silver and gold, and perhaps more; for if He has us, He will have everything.”
Wiersbe, W. W. (1988). Prayer : Basic training (140). Wheaton, IL: Tyndale.
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Sunday’s Report
“Ten new kids” is what the missionary and the church asked everyone to pray for. Would ten new kids come after the festival and the many hours of work and prayer? The right processes were put into play and all we could do is leave the product in the Lord’s hands.
As Sunday school started there were about 6 news kids that had come and even some of their parents too! Then as Sunday school was well under way a group of 4 more kids came in the church. The children’s classes are in another building, so I walked them over to the other building. As I was walking back, I saw a lady walking with 4 kids behind her. It seemed kind of weird to me so I kept glancing back and then they all started waving to me. (I guess it was obvious who I was since I was a white guy in a suite.) They were all wanting to come to church, as well, so I showed them to the children’s class.
All-in-all the Church’s attendance was up by about 30 compared to the past two weeks! The church had over 10 new kids and a lot of new moms, dads, and grandparents. The Gospel was preached! Amen!
Pray for our progress in the language so that we can be more of a help and be more involved in this exciting work. Watching all God is doing is exciting but I want to be in there fully sharing the Gospel as well (in Chinese)!
Another note is that over the past three weeks the offerings have been good! People are really giving and it is exciting to watch them take on this responsibly and give with a cheerful heart!
Thanks for praying!
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Kid’s Festival
We had another awesome weekend. With the help of a short term missions group that is here the church put on a Kid’s Festival. It was very similar to a “Fall Festival” in the states. I had little involvement, due to language studies, but I was able to help pass out flyers the night before and help the day of the festival. Here is what took place:
- Games & Activities: The group came up with several different games and activities that were inexpensive yet fun! This included face painting, a fishing game, nock-down-the-bottles game, jewelry making, and many more. They we super creative with the games and the children enjoyed all of them.
- Prizes: All of the kids were given a bag which included a flyer and business card with information about the church. They used this bag to collected the candy they received from each station for participating. They could even win a gold fish!
- Location: The festival was held in the middle of the plaza of the housing estate where the church is located. So when we told people about the church or they asked, we could simply point to our location.
- Invitations: They did a great job getting the flyers out before the event. The flyers included the information on one side and a paper-cut-out-craft-thingy on the other side. They passed them out in public, in front of the school as the kids were being released and in the housing estates. The night before we took the rest of the flyers and put them on the front of the main-entrance-doors of the apartment buildings.
- Play: In the middle of the event the group put on a play as it was narrated in Chinese. Everyone crowded around and seemed to enjoy it.
We had no idea what was going to happen. Would anyone come? Would we get in trouble? As we had these thoughts in the back of our mind we moved forward and the Lord gave us a beautiful day on Saturday. The sun was shining bright the weather though chilly was starting to warm. The team met early at the church to start preparations and setting everything up. The people started coming, and more came, and before we knew it, we had a huge crowd being involved and interacting with the group and church members. Over 150 came out that day! Wow! Many asked about the church and all the children received invitations in their bag.
At the end of the event, everyone had a great spirit and started to clean up. But it wasn’t over. We moved the games inside the daycare where we have the church. After lunch, we put on a smaller version of the festival for the children who attend there. Many of them have some sort of disability.
This was a great day and outreach for the church, it seemed, but would anyone come to church the next day because of it? The neighborhood definitely knows we are here!
Find out what happened in the Next Post: Sunday’s Report.
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“Open Church” This Weekend at 10!
We had another great Sunday! There were a few new visitors and it is exciting to see the Lord work. One of the best way to describe the changes over the past couple weeks is comparing it to an “open house” but for the church, and having it every week. An open house “is an event held at an institution where its doors are open to the general public to allow people to have a look around it in order to gain information on it (wikipedia).” We desire to invite and open our doors to the general public that they may gain information about the glorious Lord Jesus Christ and know of His redemptive work on the Cross.
Here are some quick thoughts from this past week:
- We continued going door-to-door putting out information from the church.
- This week we included a sermon series flyer!
- We staple all the information together and then hang it on the door or doorway with a piece of tape.
- The packet usually includes a flyer about the church or sermon series, a business card with a map of the church location, email address, phone number, and basic info. Also, we include a gospel tract of of some sort.
- Our rented building has a couple windows and glass doors that you can easily see through and see what is going on.
- People walking by the building can hear the church singing loud and clearly so many of them look inside the windows or door to see what is going on. They just kind of stare as they walk by.
- The stage is setup right in front of one of the blocked off doors, so you can see the preacher preaching from the street as well.
- We have a sign, that we haven’t been able to put up yet, but it will allow people who get our information to be able to recognize where our exact location is.
We may not always do things just like this, or even think of something better in the future. But we want to always be bold and open concerning the Gospel. Families are having the gospel delivered to their doorstep and those who are interested have a place where they can “gain information.”
Read Related Articles: Sunday’s Service and Prayer Request for Today.
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