Is Compassion Conditional?
One of the difficult realities of life in China (or any other developing country) is the daily encounter with beggars.
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Celebrating Life and Death at Easter
This year Qingming Festival–Chinese Tomb Sweeping Day–and Easter fell on the same weekend. While Christians around the world were celebrating an empty tomb many in China were remembering their dead and caring for tombs still filled with bones.
Beijing Christians Celebrate Qingming Festival
This year April 5 was an interesting day for Christians in China as Easter coincided with Qingming Festival (grave sweeping). On the day they celebrated the empty tomb they were also expected to tend to the tombs of their ancestors. In some cases, the ancestors were themselves Christians, so ceremonies and services are conducted at Christian cemeteries.
ChinaSource at The Gospel Coalition Conference
Two years ago I had the privilege of leading a workshop on the church in China at The Gospel Coalition National Conference in Orlando.
Insuring Those Who Serve
Facing a medical crisis is difficult at any time. When it happens far from home, family, and familiar medical facilities it can be devastating. Having good, accessible insurance can relieve some of the concern and the financial burden of medical care overseas. One insurance provider that has been serving cross-cultural workers in Asia for years is Talent Trust Consultants (TTc).
Chinese Students in the U.S.
Last November the Institute of International Education published a report on international students in the United States and American students going abroad. According to the report, there were more than 880,000 international students enrolled in American institutes of higher education during the 2013-2014 academic year.
Is the Year of the Sheep Really Unlucky?
February 15, 2015 marked the first day of a new year in the Chinese calendar. According to the Chinese zodiac, which assigns an animal to each year in a 12-year cycle, currently we are in the Year of the Sheep.
One of the superstitious beliefs about the Year of the Sheep is that it is an unlucky year, which means among other things, that it is best not to give birth to a child during this year. In this article from the online journal Territory, the writer delves into the history of this belief and how it is harmful to society. He also contrasts it with what the Bible says about the source of blessings in life, notions of child-rearing, and the nature of sheep.
Space, Place, and Face
As urbanization has redrawn the landscape of China, its effects have been far reaching, altering not only the physical geography but also the social fabric in multiple dimensions.
The Spiritual Discipline of Perseverance
It is a very tricky thing to assess when it is time to leave a particular field of service or line of ministry.
Teaching about Easter
Whether you are in the US or working in China, Holy Week offers a great opportunity to introduce Chinese friends to the gospel.
Cults and Christianity in China
Last fall the popular news magazine Phoenix Weekly carried this article on the relationship between Christianity and cults in China.
Xi’s “New Normal” and the Chinese Church
Is China’s church facing a nationwide crackdown?