Ideas

Editorial reflection and analysis on issues shaping Chinese Christianity.

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How Many Catholics in China?

Last weekend I had the privilege of attending the 25th National Catholic China Conference at Loyola University in Chicago. The United States Catholic China Conference sponsored the conference and the theme was "The American Catholic Church and China in an Era of Globalization."

Random Gleanings about Education in China

Last week I had the privilege of attending a consultation on education in China, co-hosted by ChinaSource. Below are some random gleanings from a day of note-taking:

Same Same, But Different: Postmodernism in China

When shopping in street markets in Asia, I'd often hear the reply, "Same same, but different." The one item was the same as the other but somehow different. Maybe they didn't have the one I wanted but this other item would be just as good. Same thing but different.

The autumn issue of the ChinaSource Quarterly (due out next week) deals with the effects of postmodernism on China and the church.

Urge for Faith

Historical events following Mao's death left an ideological vacuum in China. This has created a strong need for faith, even an urge, so as to avoid the risk of further social disruption and political instability. While postmodernism, with its relativity and lack of absolutes, is trying to fill this void, it also leaves people questioning and open to exploring faith.

Leading Abundantly

Originally published in 2010 as a three part series, this article challenges leaders to develop greater capacity in three areas where resources are often lacking in ministy.

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Three Battles Every Leader Must Win

Originally published in 2009 as a three-part series on leadership development for Christian leaders in China, the author looks at three of the core issues that impact believers who are called to be leaders.

Why Stewardship Matters for China

Chinas economic growth is unprecedented in recent history, and the effects have been jarring. Having been involved with China long enough to remember when ordinary citizens needed ration cards to purchase basic necessities, I can also recall my shock and surprise when I first saw advertisements for a new weight loss program plastered on the side of a bus in a prosperous southern Chinese city.