Five Observations from a Week in China
Even though I have been keenly aware of the immense changes that have taken place in China over the past few years, what I saw and experienced was more was more familiar to me than different.
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The Last Mile
As the old Chinese saying goes: "The final mile counts for half the journey. Without it, the previous ninety-nine are wasted" (行百里路者半九十). Fully engaging with the Bible, transforming life, resembles a long and arduous road.
Chinese Upbringing and US Culture
Pray that the Chinese Gen Z can find their true meaning and identity, that their worth would not in their achievements, but of a higher force.
Resilience and Renewal
The topic of church development must be considered in the spirit of John the Baptist's words, "He must increase, I must decrease." We must recognize that what needs to be developed is the universal church as part of the kingdom movement, not a specific local church or organization.
God Is on the Move, Part 1
During the zero-COVID chaos, Chinese churches found hope and resilience, witnessing God's presence amid isolation.
Home Is the Bridge to Our Hearts
Home and family are very vital topics to a Chinese person, often providing bridges to their heart’s desires and offering a way to present Christ as the way to give a perfect home and family—the home and family found in knowing him.
Lighting the Future: A Candle in the Dark, Part 2
Hearing the incredible stories from both the children and their parents, I feel I understand why the Chinese church is once again facing severe oppression… This implicit self-exodus happening in China seems to embody God’s mercy and unfailing love. Without this persecution and oppression, we would undoubtedly lose our children forever; under the communist schemes, our children would be brainwashed and become poorly educated rebels against the truth.
The Appeal of the Pentecostal Movement in Hong Kong
Mayfield highlights…the essential continuity that bound the early Pentecostal missionaries together with their evangelical contemporaries; the way in which the “heat and noise” of Pentecostal worship, which often repelled Europeans, actually served to attract the Chinese masses; and the strategic role that women played in the founding of Pentecostal churches.
An Alternative to Being Marginalized
An outreach approach acceptable to the government and public interest will be a solution. The police can block a venue, but charity, merciful actions, and care for neighbors can gain societal support.
Creating a Truly Chinese Church
A truly “Christian” Chinese church will not only be thoroughly enculturated, but it will also retain the entire “rule of faith” shared by the rest of the universal church. Finally, Chinese Christians, knowing they are part of the universal church, will continue to seek to share the joys and trials of the indigenous churches of all other cultures. Such a church would be biblical, God-pleasing, and truly Chinese.
Collective Misunderstanding
Deeply committed Syrian Christians traveled thousands of miles to plant a church in China, enjoyed a season of imperial favor during which the gospel took root and spread, and succeeded in communicating the essential message of Christ’s suffering for the salvation of the world and his resurrection from the dead.
The Predicament of Young Pastors in Contemporary China
I believe that this is not an era that demands achievements or pursues accomplishments, but rather an era that yearns for spiritual awakening. We must genuinely return to a place of rest, waiting upon God, encountering him in the depths of our souls, and hearing his gentle whisper. We must recognize that he is greater than all our actions and possessions, yet he encompasses our entire lives.