INcontext International contacted some Chinese friends to find out how the Chinese Church is doing today and how increasingly restrictive governmental policies have impacted the Church. This is a sensitive topic, but we felt that such an article can lead to greater awareness among the global Church community and encourage greater prayer support for our brothers and sisters in and from China.
Background: Aversion to foreign influence
Although Christianity is legal in China, it is required that all churches be registered with the Three-Self Patriotic Movement (TSPM), which reports to the State Administration of Religious Affairs. The TSPM was established in the 1950s based on pre-existing principles of being indigenous and not reliant on foreigners (self-governance, self-support, and self-propagation), but became an organisation or umbrella group under the control of the State, which seeks to ensure that churches are patriotic towards their nation and do not endanger national security in any way.
The problem with the TSPM is that it seeks to regulate the doctrine preached in churches – to restrict any teachings perceived as a threat to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and to adapt Christianity to suit a socialist society in the Chinese context. For example, preaching about the resurrection and second coming of Jesus is forbidden. Christians are essentially expected to love their country more than their God and respect the authority of the CCP as the highest authority.
In the 1980s, the government had granted some freedom of religious belief through Document 19, but the situation has deteriorated since. Friends of INcontext confirmed that China has become an increasingly hostile environment for Christians lately.
Increasing regulations and restrictions since 2017
Especially since 2017, there has again been a strong emphasis on the ‘Sinicization’ of religion in China. Attempts to regulate and monitor churches and Christian ministries have increased, through various regulations and measures, including new regulations introduced last year relating to venues, staff, financial donations and online religious activities. Many churches not wanting to be regulated by the government have decided not to register their churches and to rather meet in secret. Since it is difficult to gather in large groups, believers meet in smaller groups, oftentimes in homes. Meeting in smaller groups requires more leaders to be equipped to shepherd these groups. This has been a challenge and something the global Church can pray for.
Registered (or at least known) churches are closely monitored. Increased surveillance is enabled by the installation of cameras inside and outside of churches to identify and monitor attendees, and facial recognition technology and other digital surveillance tools are used to track Christian activities. Churches connected to foreigners or established by missionaries have been affected by increased scrutiny and many missionaries have been kicked out of the country based on different kinds of accusations. Some local church or ministry leaders also facing serious accusations have fled the country. It can be dangerous for those outside of China, including Chinese missionaries, to connect with leaders in China. Believers meeting in unregistered ‘underground’ churches are constantly at risk of arrest, imprisonment, raids, confiscations and other forms of persecution. Believers need prayer for wisdom, courage, and perseverance in navigating these challenges. The families and fellow congregant members of those imprisoned need prayer for comfort, peace, and provision. One contact especially requested prayer for the protection and strengthening of pastors and leaders.
The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic
The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic should not be underestimated. The Chinese Church was in ‘lockdown’ longer than many other countries, under much stricter regulations. This period severely isolated many believers and led to new ways of doing things that can be difficult to change. Like in most countries, some Chinese churches did well during the pandemic, while others struggled and have not recovered since.
Another impact of the pandemic is that it contributed to the worsening economic situation in China. This has contributed to it becoming harder to financially support Chinese missionaries serving in other countries, in addition to reasons related to persecution and closer surveillance. A friend requested prayer for the Chinese Church to be faithful in sending and supporting missionaries despite these challenges.
The impact of events in Hong Kong since 2020
In 2020, significant events in Hong Kong also led to some major changes for the Chinese Church. Beijing introduced a national security law in 2020, which has given the CCP expanded powers to punish critics, silence dissent, and curtail certain freedoms in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. This decision triggered widespread political unrest in Hong Kong, since it was expected that the region would retain their level of autonomy and associated freedoms for many more years. In 1997, an international treaty was signed between China and Britain when Hong Kong was transferred from British to Chinese control, introducing a Basic Law for Hong Kong whereby Hong Kong could be largely self-governing for fifty years (except for in matters relating to security and diplomacy). The framework is referred to as ‘one country, two systems’. In March 2024, the adoption of Article 23 added security legislation further solidifying Beijing’s control over Hong Kong.
Since the events of 2020, the environment in Hong Kong has increasingly resembled that of China. Many people unhappy with these developments have left Hong Kong, mostly migrating to Europe or the United States. The Church in Hong Kong used to enjoy much greater freedom than the Church in mainland China and served as a hub for Christian ministry in Asia. The changes in Hong Kong have thus had far-reaching consequences, including for the Church in mainland China.
Growth of the Church
It is impossible to know the true number of believers in China, and there are varying opinions about both the current number and the rate of growth. It seems to some that the Church isn’t growing as much as previously (especially in the 1980s and 90s), however, Voice of the Martyrs recently interviewed a house church pastor who said the Church is still growing. We know that despite the environment for Christianity becoming increasingly tough in China, the Lord is sovereign and always working. Some have argued that enduring persecution and suffering are part of the DNA of the Chinese Church and have significantly contributed to its maturity and devotion. A friend asked for prayer for the unity of the church, and for believers to stand firm. Let us pray for Chinese believers in accordance with Hebrews 10, that they will persevere in faith, holding unswervingly to the hope they profess in our faithful Lord, encouraging and spurring one another on towards love and good deeds, and not giving up meeting together.
Please pray with us for the following:
- For wisdom, protection, strength, perseverance, and peace for Chinese believers in the face of adversity
- For the Chinese Church to be unified in obedience to God’s Word
- For the Lord to continue His work among the Chinese, and continue sending and sustaining Chinese missionaries as they take the Good News to other nations
Reference note:
In addition to first-hand feedback, sources consulted include DPM China, Barnabas Aid, BillionBibles.com, Church in Chains, Voice of the Martyrs, Council on Foreign Relations, Associated Press News, Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada, and Pew Research Center.
