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Questions and Answers About “God’s Church” in Beijing, China

The Mariners China Team has been making annual trips to Beijing since 2003 to work with Christian business partners that sponsor a business ethics conference. The conferences are mostly attended by Christian house church leaders and members, with the goal of encouraging them to incorporate Biblical ethics in their businesses. While practicing religion is restricted by the Chinese government, promoting ethical business practices (based on Biblical principles) with government approval has been welcome.  

The following provides some insights into “God’s Church” and His Work in Beijing. Though “religious” and Christian practices are governed and restricted in China, God’s Church is thriving wherever His Followers gather. The questions and answers that follow are a compilation of information from our Christian friends and partners in Beijing for the purpose of educating our church community on the God’s Chinese Church – registered and house/non-registered.

With a population of nearly 1.4 billion and growing, Chinese are one of the fastest growing populations of new Christians in the world. While the “house church” grows, the recognized and “legal” church in China is the government registered church. The desire to learn more about the government church and how it works grew from a growing desire to help leadership of Chinese Christians, regardless of their religious structure. The 2007 Business team leaders sought to network with some established church ministries (not house “underground” church) during the Fall 2007 trip. Through a series of “divine appointments”, we met a devoted Christian pastor of a registered church in Beijing, and a friendship began. Just 4 weeks after meeting him, this pastor began a vision sabbatical at Mariners Church, funded by the China Business Team and China Business fund. During this time, he learned how large American churches are organized and run, new ministry directions, and contemporary worship styles. The shared experience was a great learning experience for Mariners Church to understand more about Church in China and opportunities to support the growing Christian population.

China is a vast country and as the saying goes, “Whatever you hear about China is true. Somewhere. Some place.  Sometime.” China is THAT BIG! The other issue that makes China confusing is the lack of consistent rules or consistent policing of the rules. Local government agencies can interpret rules differently, so what is “okay” in one area of a city may be “illegal” in another area.  

This Q&A is based on our actual experience and that of our Christian partners in Beijing. It in no way is intended to imply a national view of the experiences in God’s Church in all of China. The hope is that is provides a basis for serving the Christian Chinese partners of Mariners Church.

How new is the Christian church in China?
What is the Chinese Church system,  ie: the government registered church?
What is the RAB?
What is the CCC?
What is the TSPM?
What does it mean to be a government registered church?
How does it differ from “house churches” we hear about?
How does the registered church deal with the conflict that Christian values have in a Communist, atheist government?
What major differences might you describe between churches in China and those in the United States?
What are some of the restrictions, guidelines, or boundaries that must be adhered to in China?
How is the registered church funded? Is it a government funded church?
What is a House Church?
Why do House Churches not want to “register”?
What are the restrictions that threaten House Churches?

How new is the Christian church in China?
Christianity was brought to China through the efforts of many different missionary groups from all over the world throughout the centuries, most notably by many Christian churches in the late 1800s – early 1900s.   

As an example, one of our partner churches began in the early 1900s and has continued church through the years, in various forms and locations. At one time in the 1920s, an American church group in Beijing even raised money by opening a hankerchief factory to fund the church and charity outreach.  

In 1954, the national Three Self Patriotic Movement Committee of the Christian Churches of China was founded and many churches joined this Christian self governing organization. However, the Cultural Revolution strictly prohibited any religious activities from 1958 to 1978. In 1958, sermons in all churches were banned and the buildings were occupied by the government. Many groups of Christians in Beijing moved to the cemeteries in the suburbs for meetings. Thus, began the “house church” movement in Beijing and throughout China.

In 1984, the religious policies of Chinese Communist Party were carried out. After being closed for 27 years, our partner church resumed worship in 1985 with about 1000 believers. This church continues to grow and recently, built a much larger worship center to accommodate thousands of believers.   

The Registered Church System in China

What is the Chinese Church system,  ie, the government registered church?

From a local church standpoint, the Chinese Church system consists of a church governing system that works with the Religious Affairs Bureau (RAB) of the Central Chinese Communist government. The Chinese Church governing bodies are the China Christian Council (CCC) and the Three Self Patriotic Movement (TSPM or 3S). The Religious Affairs Bureau (RAB) is the department of the Central Government that oversees all religious affairs. The local church is governed by all three organizations at the district, city, province, and national levels.

What is the RAB?
The Religious Affairs Bureau (RAB) is the bureau of the government of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) tasked to manage all government approved religions and religious affairs in China. The goal of the RAB is to establish a bridge through which the five government approved religions can be managed and contribute to the “harmonious” society. New policies and rules of the PRC government are made known to the religions by the RAB. For example, a monthly meeting is held for all Christian clergy at the district level for new policies, updates, and other communication.  
What is the CCC?
China Christian Council is mostly known as the CCC. A church agency established under the government that is mostly concerned with urban and rural church development, seminary management, pastoral overseas studies, etc. It also manages the printing and distribution of Bibles. The role is much more managerial and administrative over all the government registered churches in China.    
What is the TSPM?
Also known as Three Self Patriotic Movement or 3S. A government agency with the purpose of ensuring that the PRC government direction is made known in, and followed by, the government registered churches. It is also responsible for the construction and launch/implementation of theological thought. A predominant theme for the TSPM is how to lead Christians as part of the government goal of a “harmonious society. It works with and beside the Chinese Christian Council (CCC) in governing the activities of the government registered churches in China. Sometimes seen as more traditional and legalistic in its Christian values, it tends to be more politically focused than the CCC.    
What does it mean to be a government registered church?

A government registered church is a member of the CCC / TSPM church system, and is registered with the local district RAB office. It is NOT a government sponsored church. The registration is not just for churches, but for any non-government or non-profit organization. The registration is for the organization, not for individuals. To be a government registered church, the church must be a large CCC / TSPM church, or it can be a meeting point under the recommendation and oversight of a large CCC / TSPM church. As part of registration, the organization is audited a few times a year for financial records, purpose, and operations.

How does it differ from “house churches” we hear about?

House churches are not registered with the government and are independent of the Chinese Church system.    Technically, they are not legal organizations or gatherings from the government’s viewpoint, although they exist and function, both in the urban and rural areas of China. The RAB, CCC / TSPM organizations encourage local house churches to affiliate with their district Chinese Church as meeting points. The key issue for the government is that independent organizations of all kinds tend to operate secretly which raises suspicion and scrutiny to their activities. The government position is that organizations need to be open and forthright with their activities, whether religious or socially oriented. The key reason house churches do not want to affiliate as a meeting point is the potential threat or fear of government intervention or oversight.

How does the registered church deal with the conflict that Christian values have in a Communist, atheist government?

Relationships within the district governing organizations and the local church are very important. Honesty and integrity is highly valued and good relationships within the registered church structure are key. While there are conflicts in the theology and values between Communist and atheist belief systems,   there are also harmonious themes that are aligned. The Chinese Church is highly encouraged to teach and preach on a social gospel theme, ie, teachings that promote the construction of a harmonious society. Sermons and messages at our partner church are not previewed or edited before the Sunday services. However, pastors are encouraged to preach on topics that are constructive: moral and ethical consciousness, helping the poor, treating everyone fairly and with respect, etc.    Teachings do include salvation by God’s grace and the resurrection of Christ. Though not prohibited, pastors seldom preach on hell, legalistic theology, the Second Coming of Christ, or Revelation.

What major differences might you describe between churches in China and those in the United States?

There are many differences, but here are a few major differences.

  • The first major factor and difference is the authority and oversight of the government and church agencies which play a big role in the government registered church. Churches cannot have outdoor evangelistic assemblies or openly evangelize on the street. All religious activities must be in the physical church building.
  • In addition, the government is atheist, which leads to the need to develop a “harmonious society” with vastly different belief systems.
  • There are virtually no denominations in the government registered Chinese Church. Differences exist among the churches that tie back to the earlier missionary roots of the church. For example, some churches baptize by “full immersion” and some “sprinkle”. Some have a more liturgical service.
  • Only seminary graduates may preach in the government registered church, ie, no lay pastors, per law.
What are some of the restrictions, guidelines, or boundaries that must be adhered to in China?

A unique set of policies and boundaries exist due to the Chinese Government, CCC and RAB authorities. Here is a sample of guidelines that most shape the church community in China. This is a general set, not an exhaustive list:   
Worship services only held on Sunday. No Saturday or midweek services, though Bible Studies and prayer meetings are held throughout the week.

  • No evangelism or church activities outside the walls of the physical church building or meeting point locations.
  • No Foreigners can evangelize or preach. Exceptions can be granted, but only for very special circumstances – it is a lengthy and difficult process.
  • Only Chinese native seminary graduates can preach and teach in the govt. registered church.
  • CCC will only fund seminary graduate as church pastors – no paid lay pastors.
  • No evangelism to children under the age of 18.  Churches have Sunday “integrity”, “character” programs for children.
  • Foreigners are actually not encouraged to attend the government registered Chinese Church. They are encouraged to attend the International Christian Fellowship for foreigners. In Beijing, the Beijing International Christian Fellowship (BICF) has a large congregation of 4,000-5,000 members. Most of these are Christians from around the world, working at the embassies or business corporations in Beijing. Services at the BICF are in English.
How is the registered church funded?

Is it a government funded church? Registered churches collect weekly offering in boxes at the exits of the sanctuary. These funds pay for the church staff and operation of the church. Contrary to most beliefs, the government does not fund the church. The church sends offering funds to the BCC and in return, the BCC pays the pastoral staff of the church. Currently, the church cannot receive funds from foreign sources and access to outside sources of assistance is prohibited to restrict the foreign influence within the Chinese church.

The “House” (Non-registered) Church

What is a House Church?

House churches are not registered with the government and are independent of the registered Chinese Church system. Technically, they are not “legal” organizations or gatherings, although they exist and function, both in the urban and rural areas of China. The RAB, CCC / TSPM organizations encourage local house churches to affiliate with their district Chinese Church as a meeting points. The key issue for the government is that independent organizations of all kinds tend to operate secretly which raises suspicion and scrutiny to their activities. The government position is that organizations need to be open and forthright with their activities, whether religious or socially oriented. The key reason house churches do not want to affiliate as a meeting point is the potential threat or fear of government intervention or oversight.

Why do House Churches not want to “register”?

There are 2 main reasons for the existence of house churches, as a result of the Chinese Cultural Revolution from 1958-1978. 1.)  Given the history of the Chinese Cultural Revolution where churches were closed for 27 years and all books banned, there is a high level of distrust among some Christians toward the government. Many pastors and believers were severely persecuted or killed, as were scholars, professors, and anyone who rebelled against the revolution. These believers continue to fear that if the government knows they are Christians, the government will try to influence the teachings, limit their access to the Bible, or worse, persecute them or ban Christianity. 2.) In rural areas, there are no established churches, so the Christians meet in homes. This is much like what was done during the Cultural Revolution.

What are the restrictions that threaten House Churches?

The key issue for the government is that independent organizations of all kinds tend to operate secretly which raises suspicion and scrutiny to their activities, potentially to harm society or to undermine the government. The government position is that organizations need to be open and forthright with their activities, whether religious or socially/politically oriented.
 
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If you would like to serve here or in China, join our team of volunteers on various activities throughout the year, join our prayer team or have a question, call 949.769.8223.
 
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“God is Doing New Things in China!”

“Forget the former things, do not dwell in the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up: do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.“
Isaiah 43:18-19

True to God’s Word, we see new things and a changing Church in China!

1. What’s different about China?

China is 1.3 BILLION people, and the most important thing we have learned is that “most everything they say about China is true….somewhere, some place, sometime, for somebody”. It’s that BIG! Because of this, it is difficult to make general statements about China – it all depends on where you are  - the religious climate can be that different from area to area, even from district to district within the big cities. The government is communist and atheistic. Churches are either government registered “Open Church” or unregistered “House Church”. Our Mariners activities have historically been with the House Church or unregistered ministries, but now have begun to establish a partnership with a registered church partner as well.

2. What things show “change” in the Christian climate in China?

A developing spirit of unity between some Open and House Church Christians
  • Some people attend a house church in the middle of the week and the local Open Church for Sunday Worship, ie, house church functions as a “small group”.
  • Fewer people in Beijing and Shanghai are reluctant to the Open Church vs. the past.
Working with Local Government Authorities on the CEO Business Ethics conference have resulted in good relationship building.
  • A Business Partner had to interact a lot with the local authorities on the conference for approval. He is building a relationship of openness and integrity with them, and they responded well to the 2007 conferences and the future of the conferences.
  • A corporate VP of a major Christian-run semi-conductor company shared that working with the government as a known Christian has not been an issue. They agree to disagree on faith issues, but maintain respectful working relationships and agree in principle to ethical business practices.
Government does work with some Christian entities.
  • The Chinese Government does not like surprises (who does?). One leader of a “social service” ministry was the fourth non-government/non profit ever to operate in China. He openly told them he was a Christian and about his social service “ministry”, and he has been working there for 28 years. He said the key was to be open, transparent, obey the government rules, not hide his faith and beliefs and build relationship with them.   He obeys their rules to not directly share his faith or evangelize, but through relationship is able to be a Christian in a service non-profit in China.
Our Perceptions of Government Registered Church changed!
  • Just like in America, the quality of “Bible teaching” in China varies from church to church, whether they be government registered or not. There is a range of solid to weak Christian teaching across China, just like in America.
  • The pastor of our “Open” church partner teaches from the Bible and is a solid seminary trained teaching Pastor. He has studied in Canada and the U.S.
  • The overall structure of the Chinese Christian Council and Three Self Patriotic Movement (government registered church) feels very traditional, like a mainline denomination.
  • There are 50,000+ government registered churches in China – from smaller meeting points (registered house churches to large churches) serving est. 16 Million people.

3.  Does the China Team partner with both “Open” Church (government registered) and House Church, ie: non-government sponsored churches in China? Isn’t there a conflict of interest in serving with both?

Yes, we do serve and partner with both Open Church and House Church groups based on the integrity and solid Christian beliefs of their leaders. We are committed to serving where God is working, opening doors and leading us – whether it be in the unregistered House Churches or registered Open Church. We will support and serve God’s Work with Chinese believers without judgment of government registration or not. We want to support and pray that the believers will be unified on the main thing – Salvation by Grace through Christ, regardless of how / where they choose to worship.