It’s a shift you might not see in headlines, but it’s happening—within the Chinese Protestant church, some believers are quietly finding their way to Catholic or Orthodox traditions. This quiet trend has stirred curiosity, concern, and heartfelt dialogue, especially after we published Standing in the True Light and Crossing the Divide.
At a time when such shifts are often discussed from the outside, we felt it was vital to hear from someone ministering within China. We spoke with Rev. Iosue Kwok (pseudonym), a house church leader who has witnessed this firsthand. His response is not a critique, but a thoughtful reflection born from years of ministry, study, and encounters with Catholic spirituality. His voice opens a window into both the struggles and resilience of the church in China—inviting deeper understanding and prayerful engagement.
A Personal Encounter with Conversion
My initial conversation with Rev. Iosue touched on the rising number of Chinese Protestants converting to Catholicism or Orthodoxy. His engagement with this topic began while studying Latin. “I wanted to read Confessions in the original,” he said, “to engage with medieval thinkers from the Roman Empire. To take it a step further, to better read relevant Latin literature and complete his doctoral dissertation, he chose to study Latin.
During this time, Rev. Iosue noticed a pattern. “I heard that about 30% of students in each Latin class ended up converting to Catholicism,” he said. With a chuckle, he recalled his TA, a nun: “She told me, ‘We don’t expect anything—just hope you, a Protestant pastor, might convert.’ I said, ‘I think I’ll disappoint you.’ And I did.”
“Don’t get me wrong,” he added. “Latin gave me a broader perspective and deepened my view of the universal church. It showed me our Protestant church is not floating—it’s built on history and the saints.”
Paradoxically, this exposure clarified his convictions. “It didn’t draw me away. If anything, it confirmed my faith in the Reformation. History cannot go back.”
Reasons for Conversion
When I asked Rev. Iosue why some Chinese Protestants are turning to Catholicism, he paused thoughtfully and then offered several observations—not as judgments, but as reflections born out of both personal encounters and years of ministry experience.
1. Challenges within the Chinese House Church
Rev. Iosue pointed to the relative immaturity and fragility of many house churches, particularly when they face internal conflict, leadership transitions, or external pressure. In such situations, believers can feel overwhelmed by the lack of theological grounding or historical depth available to support them.
“Sometimes,” he shared, “they just don’t know where to turn.” In the absence of robust discipleship and institutional stability, some believers find the structure and intellectual tradition of Catholicism appealing.
He mentioned specific cases where disputes over political engagement or governance issues pushed people away—not necessarily from Christ, but from their Protestant communities. The effects of the Cultural Revolution, he noted, have also left gaps in leadership, with many churches today led by younger pastors who are called and gifted, but still gaining experience.
2. Unity or Assimilation? A Pastor’s Reflections on Ecumenism
Our conversation turned to the ecumenical movement, a topic Rev. Iosue approached with both affirmation and caution. He affirmed the spiritual intent behind efforts to foster unity among Catholic, Orthodox, and Protestant communities, citing Jesus’s prayer in John 17. Yet he stressed that true unity should not come at the cost of theological integrity.
He reflected on the richness of diversity in creation and in the twelve tribes of Israel. “Diversity is part of God’s design,” he said. “It’s not a weakness that we have different traditions. Those differences help us reach different people.”
What concerns him is when unity becomes a strategy for assimilation. “This is not just dialogue,” he said, referencing to Pope Francis. “It’s a coordinated effort to bring traditions back together, sometimes in ways that can unintentionally erase important distinctions.”
He pointed to past proposals to canonize Martin Luther. “Think about that. If Luther, the figurehead of the Reformation, is declared a Catholic saint, what message does that send to Protestant identity? At a conference marking the Reformation’s 500th anniversary, someone joked that if that happened, Luther would be rolling in his grave.”
Beyond theological symbolism, Rev. Iosue noted that the movement has gained traction in academic and church circles, especially through Catholic funding and support for theological institutions. Respected Protestant voices, including those from the Reformed tradition, have become influential proponents of Catholic-Protestant unity.
“What’s ironic,” he said, “is that those who once rejected Catholic authority are now its closest partners. It’s not that they were bought off. It’s more complex. It’s about theological longing.“
He offered a comparison: “When thinkers pursue a concept of the absolute, it can create unexpected bridges. Theologically, this pursuit of structure, permanence, and order can mirror itself across traditions.”
To illustrate, he offered a philosophical analogy. “Even philosophical or theological pursuits of the absolute can, if unexamined, mirror ideologies of control or power.”
Despite these concerns, Rev. Iosue engages Catholic spiritual resources. “I’ve read Nouwen and Merton. I’ve practiced Ignatian meditation. During the pandemic, the Examen brought me great clarity. These helped me focus on Christ, not to become Catholic, but to draw closer to God.”
He added, “I also encourage my disciples to explore these resources, but I always provide a framework. I call it a spiritual vaccine, engaging while staying rooted.”
His concern is not in the use of Catholic practices, but their uncritical adoption. “Some pastors introduce these practices without context. The danger is that believers may start thinking Protestantism is shallow. That’s not true. We need to recover the richness of our tradition.”
He guides disciples through works like Jonathan Edwards’ Religious Affections and John Owen’s Of Communion with God the Father, Son and Holy Ghost, and helps them reflect deeply on spiritual discernment. “There’s depth here,” he said. “We need to reclaim it.”
In his view, turning to Catholicism is not always about doctrine. It is sometimes a response to spiritual fatigue. “Some seek shelter in what feels more stable. I understand that. But we are called to covenantal faithfulness, rooted in grace, perseverance, and the cross.“
3. Stability, Strategy, and the Catholic Church’s Influence
We then discussed what Rev. Iosue sees as the Catholic Church’s intentional and long-term efforts to engage Protestant intellectuals in China. He described these efforts as marked by coherence, patience, and careful investment in people.
He highlighted the unity and discipline among Catholic clergy and religious orders. Many live communally and do not have the same family responsibilities, which allows them more space to devote themselves fully to ministry.
By contrast, Protestant pastors, especially those in house churches, often face difficult realities: limited finances, lack of housing support, and the pressures of family life. Many juggle pastoral care, logistics, and personal responsibilities alone.
This disparity, he noted, is not only institutional, but also impacts spiritual formation and long-term sustainability. “It’s much harder,” he said, “for a Protestant pastor to endure in ministry without burning out. Some have no support system, not even help finding a school for their children.”
He shared that in recent years, many Catholic clergy trained overseas have returned to China, often from respected institutions like the University of Notre Dame. “They come back well-formed, well-educated, and deeply committed,” he said. “Meanwhile, far fewer Protestant seminarians are returning. Some stay abroad due to family reasons or political concerns.”
As this trend continues, Rev. Iosue worries about an imbalance in influence. “In major cities, you can already feel it,” he said. “Catholicism is growing. Protestant churches, by comparison, often feel scattered, under-supported, and vulnerable.”
Some Protestants, especially younger believers, are drawn to the stability, direction, and spiritual depth they find in Catholic communities. Rev. Iosue understands this longing. Rather than reacting with concern, he offers a pastoral response rooted in hope. “The Lord has placed his lampstand among us,” he said. “We must wake up, strengthen what remains, and care for the sheep God has entrusted to us.”
Addressing the Challenges
What, then, is the way forward for Protestant communities in China? It is not about resisting change, but about growing deeper in grace and rootedness.
In light of these trends, Rev. Iosue offered several pastoral recommendations:
- Strengthening Protestant Foundations:
Return to the works of the Reformers and early church figures. Recover the richness of our tradition before the split. - Education and Awareness:
Study Catholic theology and ecclesiology—not to attack, but to understand and discern with wisdom. - Developing Leaders:
Equip the next generation with both solid theology and spiritual formation. Depth and character are equally essential. - Healthy Church Governance:
Build accountability systems that prevent burnout and abuse. Support pastors so they can serve with endurance. - Unity and Cooperation:
Work together across denominations. “The enemy is not each other,” Rev. Iosue reminded, “but the spiritual forces of darkness.” - Pastoral Boundaries:
Refrain from sheep-stealing. Respect each other’s ministries and uphold integrity in gospel witness.
These are not defensive strategies, but invitations to grow into the fullness of our calling.
For Those Considering a Change
To those who are exploring other traditions, Rev. Iosue offered the following advice:
- Commit to a Local Church:
“Be rooted,” he said. “Growth happens in community. Don’t wander alone.” - Engage in Classic Readings:
Read broadly: Augustine, Aquinas, San Francesco, Calvin, Edwards, John Owen, Abraham Kuyper, etc. “Depth safeguards you from being easily swayed.” - Practice Spiritual Disciplines with Discernment:
Catholic traditions can be enriching, but they must be grounded in Scripture and guided by theological clarity. - Be Cautious and Prayerful:
“Do not make decisions based on emotion or aesthetics. Know what you are choosing—doctrine, accountability, community.”
Conclusion
As many search for stability in unfamiliar places, Rev. Iosue reminds us that it is not novelty or nostalgia that sustains faith. Rather, it is a return to the living foundation that has held through the centuries.
This rise in conversions is not merely a theological shift. It reflects deep spiritual longing, structural fragility, and the desire for rootedness. Rev. Iosue’s response is not shaped by worries, but by invitation: to return to the depth of the Protestant tradition, to recover the wisdom of past saints, and to pursue discipleship that is both grounded and discerning.
As a pastor still ministering inside China, his voice carries weight. Not because it speaks for everyone, but because it speaks honestly. His life and ministry are a quiet testimony to what is possible when we engage the richness of church history without abandoning our place in it. Through his story, we are reminded that resilience is not found in resistance alone, but in the slow, faithful work of rebuilding what was never meant to be lost.
