Reflections from a Closed-Door Meeting with Urban House Church Pastors

China-Partnership-Reflections-Closed-Door-Meeting-Urban-House-Church-Pastors

Ryan moved to the United States from Guangzhou, China, at the age of twelve. Ryan received his Master of Divinity at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary and is currently serving as an Assistant Pastor at New City Presbyterian Church in his US hometown of Cincinnati, OH. He also serves as the China Partnership Translation Manager.

If you have been following the news or the reports from China Partnership, you may be familiar with the heightened persecution and pressure confronting the house churches in China. Some churches, like Early Rain Covenant Church in Chengdu, have been publicly banned and had their leaders arrested. More and more churches are receiving notifications from the government to cease operation. The penalties for disobeying these orders range from imprisonment to large fines. While some house churches have not yet received official notifications from the government, they are receiving eviction notices from landlords, visits by police officers, and many of their members have had their jobs taken away. Under these circumstances, some urban house church leaders have felt an increasing urgency to meet, share experiences, and encourage one another. I had the privilege to join them in a closed-door meeting. Here are some observations I took away after spending a few days with them.

Guided by a theological vision.

Under these tense circumstances, some house church leaders naturally respond by asking practical questions: “What is the best place to meet? How will we come up with the funds to pay the fines? When should we split into small groups and when should we hold large-group worship services? How can we defend our legal rights?” 

While these questions are important to consider, most house church leaders are much more concerned with a theological question: what is the church? Therefore, before devising any practical strategies, they look to scripture and their theological commitments to formulate a vision for the church. Their vision was especially guided by their reflections on ecclesiology and eschatology (the doctrines of the church and of the end times): what will the church look like in the new heavens and the new earth, and how can they move their congregations and their cities toward that end? Despite increasing pressure from the government, house church leaders continue to plant churches and gather for worship because they see the church as the scaffolding of the kingdom of God. One pastor even said to the police officers, “The church belongs to God, I don’t have the courage to shut it down. If you have the guts, you can do it yourself.”


Would You Pray With Us Today?

Sign up to receive our weekly prayer emails with requests for the house church in China

Persecution is ordained by God.

The theological commitment of these house church leaders has also given them a high view of God’s sovereignty. On the one hand, they are comforted by the assurance that those who persecute them will one day have to answer to God. On the other hand, they see persecution as a form of discipline. It is an opportunity for them to grow stronger in faith and in prayer. There is now a higher sense of urgency to train new leaders, deepen their theological understanding, and clarify their mission. Since some churches are no longer able meet in their usual worship space, they see persecution as an opportunity to plant new churches in other neighborhoods. Many pastors acknowledge that the biggest threat facing their churches is not persecution, but their own fear that prohibits them from moving the kingdom of God forward. One pastor even encouraged his church by saying, “Do not waste this opportunity that God has given us!”  

Treat law enforcement with love and respect.

On any given Sunday, local officials may visit some of these urban house churches. These officials can come from a variety of departments: the local police station, the religious bureau, the public security bureau, the department of education, the department of cultural affairs, etc. These officials may come for a variety of reasons: to intimidate, to harass, to investigate, to observe, to confiscate properties, to shut down gatherings, even to arrest pastors and members. At the beginning, some of these officials could be very harsh in their tone and attitude in order to intimidate church members. But over time, as church leaders demonstrated their resolve and faithfulness to their calling, the tone of some officials has become softer and even courteous.  

While church leaders and members want to stand firm in their faith, they have also made it a goal to treat officials with gentleness and love, thereby often earning their respect and courtesy. As some of the same officials have repeated interactions with these pastors and leaders, they are actually able to get to know each other very well. The pastors and leaders recognize that many of these officials have never heard the gospel before, and this may be the only opportunity to share the gospel of Christ with them. The goal was not to win the respect of government officials, but to win their souls for Christ.

The officials also have their fears.

While government officials seem to have the full support of the national government, they also know that religious freedom is a right guaranteed to all Chinese citizens under the Chinese constitution. To some extent, local officials know they are in the wrong legally. While they have to follow orders from above, they themselves are often uncertain about the proper legal procedures and standings. The number of agencies involved in some situations can also create a bureaucratic nightmare for people on all sides.  

On one hand, the officials are afraid of pressure from the national government above. On the other hand, they are afraid of creating more trouble for themselves by doing something wrong. Most of the officials hope only to keep their jobs and please everyone involved in the situation. They harbor no personal animosity or professional interest in persecuting these church leaders, many of whom they have gotten to know quite well. Some of the officials may even have a haunting suspicion that they are offending the almighty God.  

This does not mean that the persecution against the house churches is not serious; the national government appears quite determined to put an end to all house churches, and their strategies will only become more coordinated over time. But orders are carried out by humans, and humans are often weak. Sensing this, house church leaders see a higher sense of urgency to share the love of Christ with the officials persecuting them.

Human rights defense is a common grace.

While the church leaders trust that persecution is ordained by God, they also know God has given them certain legal rights under the Chinese constitution. Therefore, they are not afraid to employ legal counsel to defend their rights, because these rights are a common grace given to all Chinese citizens. They see legal action not as a vindictive measure, but as a way to protect the church. Their legal defense often exposes the hypocrisy between the government’s actions and the law of the land.  Sometimes, the best legal defense can only buy them more time, but this has given the leaders opportunities to pray for guidance and protection. 

But legal defense also comes with its own risks. As one pastor says, “We also must prepare for the worst when we actively confront the government.  But the harder things get, the more we manifest the glory of the cross and experience real peace in Christ. On the other hand, the more we hide, the harder it will be for us to give an account to Christ and to understand the meaning of ‘counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name.'”

As I listened to these house church leaders exchange stories and encouragement, I grew more and more grateful that God has continued to give such wisdom and courage to these leaders. However, I am also learning more about the difficult challenges they face. Their gatherings continue to be illegal in the government’s eyes, and finding a place to meet (or even to live) has become more and more difficult. Many of their members have lost their jobs; some have been sent back to their hometowns; some are under surveillance. All of these situations have created more work and anxiety for these church leaders. They not only have to come up with a proper course of action that is faithful to God, they also have to make sure the people of their congregation remain firm in their faith. Often, the offers and rewards of the opposition are very seductive. All these challenges will only become more acute in the coming months and years. This should remind those of us in the West to continue to pray for our brothers and sisters in China, and to support them with our encouragement and resources.

Share This Story

Further Reading

zhimai-zhang--2RoVoqtNCs-unsplash
Full-Time: Testimony of God's Grace and Call
Read More
serwin365-Vwc7Tui8GFY-unsplash
Burden Lifted: Testimony of God's Grace and Call
Read More
petr-sidorov-fHT4wSJ-M04-unsplash
Not a Shred of Peace: Testimony of God's Grace and Call
Read More

LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT IN CHINA

With rising pressure and persecution in China, there are two challenges imperative for church leaders. The first challenge is for current leaders to love Christ above all else, and not to stray into legalism or love of the world. The second challenge is to raise up the next generation of leaders, who will humbly model Jesus even if current leaders are arrested.

WILL YOU JOIN US IN PRAYING FOR LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT IN CHINA? PRAY FOR:

  1. Current leaders to grow in their daily walks with Christ
  2. Current leaders to shepherd and raise up new leaders
  3. New leaders who love Christ and will model him to the world
  4. New leaders to love and care for the church

Videos

ABOUT LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT

About Shenyang

Shenyang is a city located in northeastern China and is the capital of Liaoning Province. It is known for its rich history and cultural heritage, including the Shenyang Imperial Palace, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Shenyang is also a hub for China’s heavy industry, with companies such as the China First Automobile Group and the Shenyang Aircraft Corporation having their headquarters in the city.

Videos

Stories from Shenyang

About Qingdao

Qingdao is a city located in eastern China and is famous for its beaches, beer, and seafood. The city is home to several landmarks, including the Zhanqiao Pier and the Badaguan Scenic Area. Qingdao is also a major port and has a thriving economy, with industries such as electronics, petrochemicals, and machinery.

Videos

Stories from Qingdao

About Xiamen

Xiamen is a city located in southeastern China and is a popular tourist destination known for its beautiful coastal scenery, including Gulangyu Island, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The city is also a hub for China’s high-tech industry, with companies such as Huawei and ZTE having research and development centers in Xiamen.

Videos

Stories from Xiamen

About Chongqing

Chongqing is a city located in southwestern China and is a major economic center in the region. The city is known for its spicy cuisine, especially its hot pot dishes, and is also famous for the Three Gorges Dam, the world’s largest hydroelectric dam. Chongqing is also home to several historic sites, including the Dazu Rock Carvings, which are UNESCO World Heritage sites.

Videos

Stories from Chongqing

About Nanjing

Nanjing is a city located in eastern China and is the capital of Jiangsu Province. It is one of China’s ancient capitals and has a rich cultural history, including the Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum, the Nanjing City Wall, and the Confucius Temple. Nanjing is also a modern city with a thriving economy and is home to several universities, including Nanjing University and Southeast University.

Videos

Stories from Nanjing

About Changchun

Changchun is a city located in northeastern China and is the capital of Jilin Province. It is known for its rich cultural heritage and is home to several historical landmarks such as the Puppet Emperor’s Palace and the Jingyuetan National Forest Park. Changchun is also a hub for China’s automotive industry, with several major automobile manufacturers having their headquarters in the city.

Videos

Stories from Changchun

About Guangzhou

Guangzhou, also known as Canton, is a city located in southern China and is the capital of Guangdong Province. It is one of the country’s largest and most prosperous cities, serving as a major transportation and trading hub for the region. Guangzhou is renowned for its modern architecture, including the Canton Tower and the Guangzhou Opera House, as well as its Cantonese cuisine, which is famous for its variety and bold flavors. The city also has a rich history, with landmarks such as the Chen Clan Ancestral Hall, the Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall, and the Temple of the Six Banyan Trees. Additionally, Guangzhou hosts the annual Canton Fair, the largest trade fair in China.

Videos

Stories from Guangzhou

About Kunming

Kunming is a city located in southwest China and is the capital of Yunnan Province. Known as the “City of Eternal Spring” for its mild climate, Kunming is a popular tourist destination due to its natural beauty and cultural diversity. The city is home to several scenic spots, including the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Stone Forest, Dian Lake, and the Western Hills. Kunming is also famous for its unique cuisine, which features a mix of Han, Yi, and Bai ethnic flavors. The city has a rich cultural history, with ancient temples and shrines like the Yuantong Temple and the Golden Temple, and it’s also a hub for Yunnan’s ethnic minority cultures, such as the Yi and Bai peoples.

Videos

Stories from Kunming

About Shenzhen

Shenzhen is a city located in southeastern China and is one of the country’s fastest-growing metropolises. The city is renowned for its thriving tech industry, with companies such as Huawei, Tencent, and DJI having their headquarters in Shenzhen. The city also has a vibrant cultural scene, with numerous museums, art galleries, and parks. Shenzhen is also known for its modern architecture, such as the Ping An Finance Center and the Shenzhen Bay Sports Center. Despite its modernization, Shenzhen also has a rich history and cultural heritage, with landmarks such as the Dapeng Fortress and the Chiwan Tin Hau Temple.

Videos

Stories from Shenzhen

About Chengdu

Chengdu is a city located in the southwestern region of China, and the capital of Sichuan province. It has a population of over 18 million people, and it is famous for its spicy Sichuan cuisine, laid-back lifestyle, and its cute and cuddly residents – the giant pandas. Chengdu is home to the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, where visitors can observe these adorable creatures in their natural habitat. The city also boasts a rich cultural heritage, with numerous temples, museums, and historical sites scattered throughout its boundaries. Chengdu is a city of contrasts, with ancient traditions coexisting alongside modern developments, making it an intriguing and fascinating destination for visitors to China. 

Videos

Stories from Chengdu

About Beijing

Beijing is the capital city of China and one of the most populous cities in the world, with a population of over 21 million people. The city has a rich history that spans over 3,000 years, and it has served as the capital of various dynasties throughout China’s history. Beijing is home to some of the most iconic landmarks in China, including the Great Wall, the Forbidden City, and the Temple of Heaven. The city is also a hub for political, cultural, and educational activities, with numerous universities and research institutions located within its boundaries. Beijing is renowned for its traditional architecture, rich cuisine, and vibrant cultural scene, making it a must-visit destination for travelers to China.

Videos

Stories from Beijing

About Shanghai

Shanghai is a vibrant and dynamic city located on the eastern coast of China. It is the largest city in China and one of the most populous cities in the world, with a population of over 24 million people. Shanghai is a global financial hub and a major center for international trade, with a rich history and culture that spans over 1,000 years. The city is famous for its iconic skyline, which features towering skyscrapers such as the Oriental Pearl Tower and the Shanghai Tower. Shanghai is also home to a diverse culinary scene, world-class museums and art galleries, and numerous shopping districts. It is a city that is constantly evolving and reinventing itself, making it a fascinating destination for visitors from around the world.

Videos

Stories from Shanghai

give

A short message about partnering with us.