Insights about the Three-Self Patriotic Movement
Here is an English summary of a Chinese article about the the Three-self Patriotic Movement. The author sums up the article and gives interesting insight about the current condition of this movement that so many want to easily embrace.
A Critique Of the Three-Self Patriotic Movement
Previously, I have written about how China’s churches are regulated.
Today, I read an interesting article about the Three-self Patriotic Movement (TSPM), China’s official protestant church. The article, written by a pastor who left the TSPM for a house church, offers a critique from someone who has worked there and has later become disenchanted.
It is a long article. I select some interesting points to share.
1. The theological structure of TSPM:
The author claims the TSPM theology is to massage Christianity into the box of communist party rule. The direct result is to make every Christian to devote themselves to the progress of China’s socialist state. The TSPM also promotes harmony between Christians and non-believers.
2. The organization structure of TSPM:
Founded in 1951, the TSPM proclaims to be self-governance, self-support and self-propagation. China Christian Council was founded in 1980, supposedly because the TSPM had lost its reputation.
The two organizations forms the main body of China’s protestant church, even though in reality they are just one entity with two names. Officials within the two organization often carry two titles. They does divide labor, however: the TSPM is in charge of administrative duties while China Christian Council is responsible for theological matters.
The two organizations have a centralized leadership structure, but local entities enjoy much freedom to formulate local rules.
Some local churches have rules such as “no self-appointed preacher is allowed in the church,” “no unauthorized foreign preacher is allowed,” “no children under 18 is allowed,” “no preaching to communist party members,” “no preaching to China’s Liberation Army members (I’m sure some people would be ecstatic to have this rule in the U.S.),” or my personal favorite: “no preaching among atheist.”
3. The TSPM’s relationship with the government: the author claims the government has full control of both the TSPM and China Christian Council (as stated above, the two organizations can be considered as one. For simplicity reasons, I will just use TSPM from now on).
This is hardly surprising. Not only leadership roles are directly appointed by the government (often officials at the ethnic and religious affairs office), theology schools and graduates appointment are also determined by the government. Local churches REPORT their accounting books to the government. Large expenditures require government sanction.
As such, TSPM has to be consistent with the government’s propaganda themes. It has used slogans such as “Love your country, Love Christianity; Glorify God and Benefit the People.”
4. TSPM’s current status: building churches have been the focus of TSPM in recent years, the author wrote. This is to show religious freedom to the outsiders, but corruption is rampant among different levels of TSPM.
Again, written by someone who fled from TSPM, the article might be biased. But these claims seem to be reasonable ones.
F.A.Q. – Finances in the TSPM/CCC Churches
Here are some frequently asked questions about the Church in China taken from the Amity News Service.
Where does the church’s money come from? Does it come from the government? For registration, a church must have its own legal income. In most cases monies come from offerings which members and others who come to worship put in offering boxes at entrances to the church building. Some churches also have other money raising projects or businesses. For example, a church in Shandong Province has a tea shop and uses the income to help pay church workers. There are also churches who have received and may still receive payment in rent and compensation for property confiscated by the government during the Cultural Revolution, but this is compensation rather than a government subsidy.
How are the pastors paid? Are they paid by the church? Older pastors are retired from jobs they held when churches were closed and have pensions from that source. Therefore, less money is needed in church budgets to support them. Some Provincial Christian Councils provide the pastors’ salaries. In other areas the pastors are paid by the church. In some poor areas where the church cannot afford to pay a living wage, younger pastors often become bi-vocational.
How can a foreigner contribute money to the Chinese Church? A foreigner can freely place money in the offering boxes at the churches. Other monetary gifts can be given as long as they are designated for or can be used for projects initiated by the Chinese Church itself.
(Note: These questions and answers should be seen as information about the current condition of the “Church” in China and they are not endorsed by Project China)
F.A.Q. – Leadership in the Church
Here are some frequently asked questions about the Church in China taken from the Amity News Service.
What do Chinese Christians see as their greatest challenge? Many feel the greatest challenge is leadership development. There are relatively few ordained pastors to shepherd increasing numbers of new believers. In Zhejiang Province, for example, there is just one ordained pastor per 10,000 believers.
Why is there such a shortage of ordained leadership? This is in part a result of the closing of churches and seminaries during the Cultural Revolution. During that time no training of leaders could take place. It is also due to the rapid growth in the number of believers in recent times. In addition, many areas are slow in ordaining today’s younger seminary graduates.
What are the ramifications of the scarcity of trained leadership? With lack of adequately trained leadership, strange beliefs, heresies and even cults can develop, especially in the countryside. Guidance of well-trained leaders can help in discernment.
What is the Chinese Church doing to develop new leaders? The CCC and regional and provincial Christian Councils have opened 18 seminaries and Bible colleges since 1980, and a few theological students are also sent overseas for further training. In addition to the regular course of study training future pastors, there are many places which also offer lay training courses. The Chinese Church relies heavily on its lay leadership.
How are the newly trained leaders being integrated into the work of the church?Sometimes there are very dedicated older pastors working hand in hand with enthusiastic younger pastors. On the other hand, sometimes committed older leaders have trouble truly sharing positions of power with the younger generation of leaders. Sometimes, as both generations have difficulty accepting each other’s vision for the work of the church, the generation gap in the church leadership can be a difficult and sensitive issue. In some areas the younger leaders are able to serve with the natural enthusiasm they bring. In other areas they can be disheartened by delays in achieving the level of participation they would like to have.
Does the government choose the church leaders? In general church leaders are chosen by the churches. However, in some areas the CCC has experienced pressure from local governmental officials in making appointments. In 1996 a Religious Affairs Bureau official from Henan Province wrote an article (printed in the Chinese church magazine, Tian Feng) criticizing any government appointment of church workers as illegal and harmful, pointing out that the Chinese constitution guarantees the right of lawful organizations to govern themselves.
(Note: These questions and answers should be seen as information about the current condition of the “Church” in China and they are not endorsed by Project China)
F.A.Q. – Elements of Worship in TSPM/CCC Churches
Here are some frequently asked questions about the Church in China taken from the Amity News Service.
What are sermons in TSPM/CCC churches like? Sermons are generally conservative expositions of a Biblical text, focusing on topics like salvation, ethics or seasonal themes. They encourage believers to help society as part of their witness to Christ’s love. (Being both a good Christian and a patriotic citizen are encouraged in much the same way as in our countries.)
What are public prayers in the church like? Traditional prayers of the church are used as well as prayers offered freely from the heart of the person praying. There is no prescribed form and no restriction.
When and how often is the Lord’s Supper celebrated? This varies from one congregation to another. Churches with ordained pastors choose freely how often to celebrate the Lord’s Supper and often follow the original tradition of that congregation. Those without ordained pastors wait until one can visit and lead that service. The same is true for services of baptism.
(Note: These questions and answers should be seen as information about the current condition of the “Church” in China and they are not endorsed by Project China)
F.A. Q. – Bibles And Other Christian Resources
Here are some frequently asked questions about the Church in China taken from the Amity News Service.
What can I tell people who want to bring or send Bibles to Christians in China? Bibles are being published in China, and smuggling of Bibles from abroad engages Christians in an illegal activity which tarnishes the witness of the church and generates suspicions that all Christians engage in illegal acts. Smuggled Bibles can be confiscated, and possession of them also put recipients at risk as participants in an illegal act.
The best way to help provide Bibles is with contributions to the United Bible Societies, Amity or other groups cooperating with the CCC in the printing and distributing of Bibles. Contributions (designated for the printing and distribution of Bibles in China) can be made through the American Bible Society, 1865 Broadway, New York, NY 10023, or through the China Christian Council, 219 Jiujiang Road, Shanghai 200002, China.
How many Bibles are printed in China? Since 1987 the China Christian Council has published more than 42 million Bibles in China (at the Amity Printing Company), and is continuing to publish several million each year. Before the Amity Printing Company was established, an additional three million Bibles were printed on other presses.
How can a person get one of these Bibles? Bibles can be purchased at most churches. The costs of Amity Bibles are subsidized, hence relatively low. The churches obtain the Bibles from distribution centers throughout China. Even churches who prefer not to work through the CCC can obtain these Bibles through East Gate Ministries.
Is the Chinese Bible printed in China different from those available overseas? The Chinese Bibles printed in Nanjing are the traditional Union Version translation. This translation is also still used by most Chinese congregations in all parts of the world, including Hong Kong. Though other recent Chinese translations exist, this is the one most accepted by the majority of believers in China. It is printed in both the complex characters, familiar to the older generation, and in the simplified characters, which the younger generation can read, mostly the latter.
Does the Amity Printing Company print any other resources for the churches? They also regularly print hymnals and other Christian literature for use in the churches and for use by individual Christians. These materials are made available through churches.
Can foreigners give Christian books and resources to Chinese Christians? There is generally little concern over an individual gift, but foreigners are not allowed to distribute printed religious materials without prior permission. (This prevents the distributing of materials whose theological grounding is questionable.)
(Note: These questions and answers should be seen as information about the current condition of the “Church” in China and they are not endorsed by Project China)
F.A.Q. – Church Growth and Evangelism
Here are some frequently asked questions about the Church in China taken from the Amity News Service.
Is the church growing? Yes. Though the percentage of new believers varies quite a bit from one area to another, growth is occurring and in some areas the rate is very high. In addition, new churches are constantly being organized and built.
Who does evangelism? What form does it take and where does happen? Chinese Christians are encouraged to demonstrate Christ’s love in the way they live, and most evangelism happens in one-to-one contacts. Evangelism also occurs when non-believers come to churches, either invited by friends or relatives or drawn by a special service or religious event. By law foreigners are not allowed to proselytize.
What is required to become a baptized member of the church? What form of baptism is used? Most China Christian Council churches require new believers to attend worship for at least a year, attend a class for new believers and be questioned about their faith by the church leaders. New believers can usually choose the method of baptism — immersion or sprinkling.
(Note: These questions and answers should be seen as information about the current condition of the “Church” in China and they are not endorsed by Project China)
F.A.Q. – The Rights of Christians
Here are some frequently asked questions about the Church in China taken from the Amity News Service.
Are Christians persecuted in China? The Chinese Constitution and laws provide for the right of all citizens to hold their own religious beliefs and to engage in regular worship and other “normal” religious activities. However, religious policy and its implementation in specific areas are two different things. Interpretation of the policy by local government officials may vary, and they do not all equally abide by or enforce the rights upheld by the policy. In some areas, cases of harassment, imprisonment and other kinds of persecution do occur. Church leaders respond to these on a case by case basis, working to have believers’ legal rights honored. Rights are most easily protected for members of registered churches because their legal status helps in appealing to higher governmental authorities for help in ending any illegal infringements.
Are Christians held back in their career opportunities? Certain kinds of jobs require party membership, and because Christian faith and party membership are incompatible, a Christian would not be eligible for such positions. (To keep this in perspective, note that only 4-5% of the total population are party members.) In other cases, bosses may initiate or encourage discrimination, but illegal actions can be challenged.
(Note: These questions and answers should be seen as information about the current condition of the “Church” in China and they are not endorsed by Project China)
F.A.Q – Registration of Churches #2
Here are some frequently asked questions about the Church in China taken from the Amity News Service.
What are “house churches”? This term is unclear because both “home meeting points” and “meeting points” are often described as “house churches.” They usually do not have their own ordained pastor and rely on lay leadership for most of their activities. A “meeting point” has its own building, while a “home meeting point” meets in a private home. Many Christian groups start as home meeting points, grow into meetings points, and from there sometimes become churches with a church building and pastor.
Are there registered “meeting points” and “home meeting points”? Yes. In fact the majority of registered Christian bodies are meeting points. Many home meeting points operate as adjuncts (like Bible study groups) of registered meeting points or churches, so home meeting points don’t need to register in most provinces.
What is the “underground church”? A more appropriate description might be “churches which chose to remain unregistered,” which usually means they do not relate to the local Christian Council or TSPM. “Underground church” is often a misnomer as some of these congregations are quite public.
(Note: These questions and answers should be seen as information about the current condition of the “Church” in China and they are not endorsed by Project China)
F.A.Q. – Relations to Other Christian Groups
Here are some frequently asked questions about the Church in China taken from the Amity News Service.
How do the Protestant and Catholic churches in China relate? Protestant and Catholic Christianity are separate bodies, who respect each others rights as religious believers. Except for cooperation in proffering suggestions to the government about religious policy to further respect for and protection of the rights of all religious believers, they have had very little contact so far.
What kind of contact is possible between foreigners living in China and local Christians?There is no legal restriction in contacts made at worship or in informal contacts as friends. Most Amity teachers find contacts with church members limited only by the language barrier and individual choices. In most places, however, local Chinese are not permitted to attend services or religious gatherings organized and led by foreigners.
(Note: These questions and answers should be seen as information about the current condition of the “Church” in China and they are not endorsed by Project China)
F.A.Q – What is the TSPM & CCC?
Here are some frequently asked questions about the Church in China taken from the Amity News Service.
What is the Three-Self Patriotic Movement (TSPM)? The term “three-self” refers to self-support, self-government and self-propagation, and the TSPM is a movement within the Protestant church in China to promote these principles. It began in the 1950′s in order to promote the idea that the Chinese Church is not dependent on or controlled by foreign mission bodies, that it is possible to be both a Christian and a good patriotic citizen, and that Christians should identify themselves with the aspirations of the Chinese people.
What is the China Christian Council (CCC)? Founded in 1980, it aims to be the umbrella organization for all Protestant Christian churches in China and seeks to unite Chinese Christians around their belief in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. It works to provide for theological education and for publication of the Bible, hymn books and other religious literature. It encourages the exchange of information among local churches in evangelism, pastoral work and administration. It has formulated a church order for local churches, and seeks to continue to develop friendly relations with churches overseas. The CCC and the TSPM are known as the “two national Christian bodies” (liang hui).
(Note: These questions and answers should be seen as information about the current condition of the “Church” in China and they are not endorsed by Project China)