When the Tolerance Ends
Earlier this month brought word that dozens of pastors and leaders of Zion Church, one of China’s so-called megachurches with locations in Beijing and around the country, had been arrested.
Earlier this month brought word that dozens of pastors and leaders of Zion Church, one of China’s so-called megachurches with locations in Beijing and around the country, had been arrested.
The persecution story may be unending, but neither is persecution the end of the story.
Readers may be left with the impression that the Three-Self Church either willingly cooperates and blindly accepts the government’s agenda, or passively submits, powerless and resigned. But is that really the case?
It seems fair to say that the road ahead will remain challenging for Catholic Christians in China, especially for those who are staying faithful to the pope.
The 2024 Hong Kong Church Census Briefing offers rich data for further reflection and deeper insight into the evolving church landscape.
Renewal is never easy, but it’s not impossible. So, will we finally stop the excuses, or will history repeat itself—again?
But the question is: should we still use the term "Nestorian" to refer to this early Chinese Christian movement?
My prayer is that the local church in China will lead the way in reaching out to those who are disabled.
As a pastor from Durban, South Africa, of Indian origin, I am both humbled and honored to reflect on the life and ministry of Pastor Hsi (Xi Shengmo).
Join us on March 20, 2025, in the Twin Cities for Dr. Glen Thompson’s lecture on China’s earliest Christians, their history, and lessons for today. Free and open to all!
In Pastor Hsi, written by Mrs. Howard Taylor, we can tell that the pastoral problems Pastor Hsi encountered when the Shanxi Church was established more than a hundred years ago are exactly the same as those we face today: there is the danger of false teachers, the pain brought by church division, and the various different voices from inside and outside the church.
As this painful summer passed, poor Pastor Hsi endured unspeakable suffering and pressure, but most of his co-workers still supported him firmly. The love and loyalty of people were a great comfort to him. But they still had to go through this refining furnace together. Sometimes it even seemed that God’s hand had withdrawn, and Satan was destroying the ministry at will.