Ideas

Editorial reflection and analysis on issues shaping Chinese Christianity.

Latest

A red lantern’s reflection shimmering on the wet pavement of a street. Open Doors has released its latest World Watch List, the annual roster of countries where persecution of Christians is most extreme. China moved up in the rankings, from 19th to 15th place among the 50 nations profiled.

More than Conquerors

Open Doors has released its latest World Watch List, the annual roster of countries where persecution of Christians is most extreme. China moved up in the rankings, from 19th to 15th place among the 50 nations profiled.

Brent Fulton • January 31, 2025 •

John C. H. Wu on the Incarnation of the Word of God

The Christian life is lived in real, concrete situations: the union of the transcendent and the immanent, flesh and spirit. The “secret” to navigating this world successfully, as Wu says, is our “union with him,” and with his people.

John A. Lindblom • January 21, 2025 •

A farmer is working in the field. When the officials find that the service satisfies their interest, they would even introduce us to connect with some other channels which we can leverage to multiply our impact.

Extending Blessings

When the officials find that the service satisfies their interest, they would even introduce us to connect with some other channels which we can leverage to multiply our impact.

JI Yajie • January 10, 2025 •

Comic exhibition about faith launched in Guangzhou Guangxiao Church, Guangdong, in April 2024. Guangxiao Church and Zion Church, two of Guangzhou’s leading and historical churches, are pioneering youth-focused outreach efforts to counter the decline in youth attendance. To attract them to the church, the two churches offer various youth-centered activities, including a "Faith Pharmacy," comic exhibitions, and storytelling sessions.

Engaging Gen Z Anew

Guangxiao Church and Zion Church, two of Guangzhou’s leading and historical churches, are pioneering youth-focused outreach efforts to counter the decline in youth attendance. To attract them to the church, the two churches offer various youth-centered activities, including a "Faith Pharmacy," comic exhibitions, and storytelling sessions.

ChinaSource Team • December 17, 2024 •

A cross stands on a traditional Chinese roof. Chinese house churches must deliberate on how to be genuinely Chinese and truly Christian. Both the concepts that are overemphasized cause distortion. It takes constant navigating to be “in the culture but not of it.” Authentic Chinese Christianity will result from keeping both ideas in healthy tension as Chinese house churches negotiate between indigenizing and acting as pilgrim communities.

Cultural Harmony and Gospel Fidelity

Chinese house churches must deliberate on how to be genuinely Chinese and truly Christian. Both the concepts that are overemphasized cause distortion. It takes constant navigating to be “in the culture but not of it.” Authentic Chinese Christianity will result from keeping both ideas in healthy tension as Chinese house churches negotiate between indigenizing and acting as pilgrim communities.

Jeferson Chagas • December 13, 2024 •

Several hands high-fiving, showing togetherness. ChinaSource was formed in 1997, reflecting the spirit of the Lausanne Movement and in accordance with the Lausanne Covenant. Together with other global ministries, Dr. Brent Fulton and several colleagues founded ChinaSource with the goal that the global church would better understand the church in China and seek ways to serve Christ’s church together.

Renewed Commitment to Partnership

ChinaSource was formed in 1997, reflecting the spirit of the Lausanne Movement and in accordance with the Lausanne Covenant. Together with other global ministries, Dr. Brent Fulton and several colleagues founded ChinaSource with the goal that the global church would better understand the church in China and seek ways to serve Christ’s church together.

ChinaSource Team • December 11, 2024 •

People watching the train speeding away on the platform. In the face of uncertainty and anxiety about the future, Christians must return to the essence of the gospel. While the gospel has the power to transform society, societal change has never been the primary focus of Christian faith. The gospel transforms society by bringing hope to individuals and inspiring moral renewal. The gradual transformation of individual lives collectively fosters societal progress.

How Should Chinese Urban Churches Confront Anxieties in Today’s Era

In the face of uncertainty and anxiety about the future, Christians must return to the essence of the gospel. While the gospel has the power to transform society, societal change has never been the primary focus of Christian faith. The gospel transforms society by bringing hope to individuals and inspiring moral renewal. The gradual transformation of individual lives collectively fosters societal progress.

Sam Ren • December 10, 2024 •

A young Chinese woman prays in the church. May we welcome [Chinese international students], love them, teach them about Jesus, and disciple those who believe. May we prepare them well to return and may the churches in China prepare well to receive them.

Insights into the Sojourn of Chinese Returnees

May we welcome [Chinese international students], love them, teach them about Jesus, and disciple those who believe. May we prepare them well to return and may the churches in China prepare well to receive them.

Joann Pittman • December 9, 2024 •

A young girl, who is a member of one of China’s minority groups, looks at the camera smiling and wearing a bright pink headscarf. Will you join us in praying for the unreached peoples? Together, let us commit to being part of God’s mission to make disciples of all nations and to plant healthy churches that will reproduce to surrounding villages and across generations.

Why Church Planting Among Unreached People Groups in China?

Will you join us in praying for the unreached peoples? Together, let us commit to being part of God’s mission to make disciples of all nations and to plant healthy churches that will reproduce to surrounding villages and across generations.

Will Rusher • November 15, 2024 •

A table with empty chairs in a meeting room. Rather than assuming their long experience, carefully honed strategies, and ready resources will carry the day, leaders from traditional sending nations need to learn to listen to others at the table whose ideas may seem foreign, perhaps even misdirected, and whose available resources pale in comparison to the perceived task at hand.

Who’s at the Table?

Rather than assuming their long experience, carefully honed strategies, and ready resources will carry the day, leaders from traditional sending nations need to learn to listen to others at the table whose ideas may seem foreign, perhaps even misdirected, and whose available resources pale in comparison to the perceived task at hand.

Brent Fulton • October 29, 2024 •