Chapter 4

“Christians in America need to get over their insatiable hunger for persecution stories, and we in the house churches must get over our persecution complex. Yes, there has been persecution in this city's past, but our greatest need is not eliminating persecution but building up mature fellowship and developing unity among Christians."

—Beijing House Church Pastor, 2006

What a wonderful and apt quote from this Beijing House Church pastor! I think it sets the stage for this whole chapter. First things first! I must state this disclaimer…. I do not believe that there is no persecution of Christians in China. I know and believe that there are Christians today who are suffering for their faith. As you just read in this chapter, my intention is to help the church in the West to refocus its attention off of the persecution of Christians in China and on to the much bigger story in China, which is the growth of the Chinese church and its increasing influence in China. It is becoming widely accepted that persecution is not the main story of Christianity in China today and it is my contention that many in the West have a hard time letting go. But it is when we let go that we see China with new eyes and we see how we can best engage with what God is doing. As another example of this, Christianity Today recently had a wonderful article in its May 2008 issue called ‘Great Leap Forward,’ about Chinese Christians. In the article, they told a story about Job, a new convert in Beijing who started a Bible Study in his home. The Bible Study quickly grew to 100 people and from this study, they started a ‘House Church.’ Upon starting the House church, he quickly engaged with local Government officials. Here is a small excerpt from the article:

Job was accustomed to working with government officials, security officers, and other influential people in his city of 7.8 million people. As a doctor, he regularly treated local Party officers. He saw no need for his church to meet clandestinely. Rather, Job met with officials monthly, keeping them informed of the church's activities, even inviting them to Christmas and Easter services. Job and his wife now rent office space and do not hide the fact that it's for church services.

Job is consciously avoiding the traditional approach that unregistered house churches once used. "The old house-church movement's relationship with the government is confrontational," he says. "We are looking at coexisting. For them to ask anything of us, we will look at it, and if it's proper, we will do our best to cooperate." Last Christmas, Job's church, together with urban house churches across China, worked with local officials to deliver "parcels of love" to needy families.

It's a strategic gesture, a great leap forward for Christians eager to express God's love for their neighbors. "Government acceptance of us depends on our community contribution," says one pastor.1

If persecution was as widespread as some people would have you think, do you think Job would have had this interest and success in engaging with government leaders? Aren’t the government leaders the ones who are supposed to be persecuting? I would highly encourage you all to read this article, which can be found here.

I had two other intentions in writing this chapter. I wanted to use this chapter as another ‘call to action’ for more responsible reporting on stories on China. I’d be interested to read on this blog of other stories you may have about hearing only half the story. I also have had a long standing approach to those who are suffering persecution that while its hard to go through persecution, it is clear in Scripture that God also uses it for His purposes in our lives. And if that is the case, why do we get so upset with the Chinese government when they do persecute? After all, isn’t the current massive growth of the Chinese church the fruit of the persecution of the 1950’s, 60’s, and 70’s? Interested to read your thoughts!

1. http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2008/may/19.22.html