Reflecting Reality (2)

Dear praying Friends:

A few months ago, we discussed ways in which ministry among Chinese worldwide must reflect the twin realities of China’s rapid rise and America’s precipitous decline.

Now let us think a bit about another aspect of the fast-changing situation facing Chinese Christians and all who would serve them: The relatively sudden imposition of restrictions upon some churches in China.

Relative Freedom

For a number of years, large unregistered (often called “house”) churches in China’s major cities have enjoyed considerable freedom of action.

Meeting as large congregations numbering several hundred in rented or even purchased premises in semi-public places (like office buildings and restaurants), conducting a full range of ministries, and even publishing much of their news on Web sites, they have been largely left lone by both local and central government officials.

With occasional exceptions, even cooperating with Western and other foreign Christians seemed to be tolerated.

These urban churches are composed mostly of younger professionals, highly educated and confident. Though not at all anti-government or eager for political power, they have, in effect, defied government regulations, largely with impunity.

Many of the leaders of these churches have created informal networks with their peers within metropolitan areas and even across the nation. The 200 or so who attempted to attend the Lausanne Congress in Cape Town last October represent the epitome of this sort of nation-wide association.

Experienced leaders were saying that the age of “red persecution” (suffering for the faith) had been replaced by “white persecution” (the temptations of rampant secularism in a post-modern society), though in some rural areas house churches were subject to harassment from officials.

Recent Restrictions

When the would-be delegates to Cape Town last October were prohibited from leaving the country, the earlier optimism took a blow. It seemed that both the political rulers of China and the leaders of the Three-Self Patriotic Movement (TSPM) just could not countenance the possibility of so many unregistered church leaders forming even closer connections with a worldwide movement.

Then the leaders of Shouwang Church in Beijing were told that they could no longer meet in the restaurant where they had been gathering as they waited, vainly, for the keys to the space they had purchased in a large office complex.

Rather than returning to the small-group format with which they had started, the top leaders, in a highly-controversial move, decided to take their Sunday worship outdoors to a pedestrian area near a big shopping mall. For several weeks now, the police have prevented their members from gathering in public, and the five pastors and elders have been placed under house arrest.

Other unregistered church pastors have come out publicly in support of Shouwang, and have even sent a petition to the National People’s Congress calling for re-examination of religious regulations, but not many are optimistic that the government will relent any time soon.

Meanwhile, a few other church leaders who had tried to go to the Lausanne Congress have been arrested, and there are reports of foreign Christians’ visas being denied or not renewed. AS part of a wider crackdown, academic and cultural conferences involving Westerners have been cancelled. Non-profit organizations, including charities, are under close scrutiny, especially those with foreign connections.

Government organs have insisted that they will enforce the regulations which call for all Protestants to meet under the auspices of the TSPM, and angrily denounce all expressions of support from the West.

There is a definite chill in the air. No one knows how long it will last; most believe it is connected with official paranoia about the possible spread of the turmoil in the Middle East to the Middle Kingdom, and with the run-up to a major leadership change in 2012. There are reports in the press of an intense struggle between hard-left Maoists and more moderate elements in the Party. At least for the moment, the Marxists seem to have the upper hand in certain departments, such as propaganda, security, and some academic think tanks, where anti-Christian biases have led to misleading reports to the government.

Nor does anyone know whether the restrictions will extend to unregistered churches that are not part of the group that tried to attend the Lausanne Congress; for now, they seem to be left alone. Smaller groups meeting in homes also seem to be tolerated, though that could change.

What to do now?

How shall Western-based Christians who love China and want the church there to grow peacefully respond?

Prayer. As always, our only hope is in God, who is still on His throne, and fully capable of advancing His kingdom against all opposition. We can come to Him with humble supplications for Chinese Christians, Chinese government leaders, and all who seek China’s welfare, that wisdom, peace, and gentleness would prevail.

Silence. I know many will disagree with me here, for there are calls for Christians in the West to speak out in support of our brothers and sisters in China who are in conflict with the authorities. Considering the historic, and now heightened, suspicion by the Chinese government that Chinese Christians are tools of American strategic policy, however, I think we should keep quiet for a while.

Indirect ministry: A variety of avenues for communicating God’s love to Chinese remain open: The Internet; radio; distribution of Scriptures and Christian literature; legitimate relationships formed through business, education, the arts, and travel; medical and mercy work; equipping Chinese Christians living outside of the mainland; genuine hospitality to Chinese now in the West; partnership with experienced organizations that know how to serve the Christians in China in a way that does not disturb the peace; low-key contacts by wise, discreet visitors to China who refrain from open evangelism or training. As always, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Macao, and other such places are still fully available to those who would seek to reach Chinese worldwide with the Gospel.

Please remember us in your prayers, for we and our team have many such opportunities to share the love and truth of God in Christ.

For example, both Dori and I plan to travel in June to Taiwan, where I have a number of preaching and teaching engagements scheduled. Others in our group are reaching out to Chinese in Taiwan, the U.S., and England.

Yours in His mercy,

Wright