Ideas

Editorial reflection and analysis on issues shaping Chinese Christianity.

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People gaze up at a sky adorned with vibrant, colorful umbrellas. Much of the program at last week’s Fourth Lausanne Congress was structured around 25 issue areas, or gaps. Yet some have pointed out that this granular approach to the overall mission effort ignores the context of each of the gaps, as well as the ways in which they interrelate.

Closing the Gaps

Much of the program at last week’s Fourth Lausanne Congress was structured around 25 issue areas, or gaps. Yet some have pointed out that this granular approach to the overall mission effort ignores the context of each of the gaps, as well as the ways in which they interrelate.

A racially diverse group of people do “hands in” all together. The Lausanne Covenant included Christians on both sides of disagreements who might otherwise be divided. Instead, the leaders of the congress sought to create a covenantal community across such differences and in service of a shared mission for “the whole church to take the whole gospel to the whole world.”

Reaffirming the Lausanne Covenant

The Lausanne Covenant included Christians on both sides of disagreements who might otherwise be divided. Instead, the leaders of the congress sought to create a covenantal community across such differences and in service of a shared mission for “the whole church to take the whole gospel to the whole world.”

A black and white image of an elderly Tibetan man, wearing a white sun hat. The finish line of the Great Commission is not merely evangelism or church planting; it is to bring about the obedience of faith among all peoples, resulting in healthy, biblical, local churches that display the glory of Christ in their communities and beyond.

What’s the Finish Line of the Great Commission?

The finish line of the Great Commission is not merely evangelism or church planting; it is to bring about the obedience of faith among all peoples, resulting in healthy, biblical, local churches that display the glory of Christ in their communities and beyond.

A group of people sit around a table with open Bibles, praying together. It is our responsibility to actively seek the opportunities for building shalom and to pray earnestly for the authorities until we see the alternative doors opened for holistically blessing the people in China.

Building Shalom Even in Adversity

It is our responsibility to actively seek the opportunities for building shalom and to pray earnestly for the authorities until we see the alternative doors opened for holistically blessing the people in China.

A Bible in Chinese is surrounded by other books, their spines all turned away from view. Cynthia Oh’s eye-opening book is a reminder that nothing is impossible in China, and that, in our attempt to draw definitive conclusions about what is happening or not happening, we often miss what God is doing.

China’s Banned Bestseller

The availability of the Bible in China has long been a contentious topic. Whether it’s China “rewriting the Bible,” scripture apps disappearing from the…

A group of Chinese and American young people stand outside talking. While hearing from the church in China is undoubtedly more difficult than it was even 10 years ago, God is still creating unexpected channels that connect believers the world over.

Hearing from China’s Church 

While hearing from the church in China is undoubtedly more difficult than it was even 10 years ago, God is still creating unexpected channels that connect believers the world over.

A sign with the word “Love,” with a heart for the O, and the Chinese character for love below. The journey of identity for Christians on both sides of the strait is to "leave the old identity" and experience a journey of a new identity, no longer bound by the unchangeable "past determining the future" but renewed in the light of the gospel.

Identity Beyond Nationalism

The journey of identity for Christians on both sides of the strait is to "leave the old identity" and experience a journey of a new identity, no longer bound by the unchangeable "past determining the future" but renewed in the light of the gospel.

A young man looks at a departure and arrival schedule in an airport. China is creating the avenues for people-to-people, education, and cultural exchanges. Christians should be among the first to respond to openings like this.

Come and See: Welcoming 50,000 Youth

China is creating the avenues for people-to-people, education, and cultural exchanges. Christians should be among the first to respond to openings like this.

A multicultural group of people put their hands together for a common work. Daniel's wholehearted sincerity and purity made him distinguishable among all officials. This purity of Christ's love in our hearts can also make our non-profit organizations stand out, even under governmental restrictions.

Navigating Faith and Governance

Daniel's wholehearted sincerity and purity made him distinguishable among all officials. This purity of Christ's love in our hearts can also make our non-profit organizations stand out, even under governmental restrictions.

A smiling elderly Asian woman sits on a bed. Churches across varied regions are providing diverse elderly care services to their local communities… However, they still face challenges such as difficulties in management and operations, insufficient professionalism among service personnel, and overall low service levels.

Learning to Care for the Elderly

Churches across varied regions are providing diverse elderly care services to their local communities… However, they still face challenges such as difficulties in management and operations, insufficient professionalism among service personnel, and overall low service levels.

A girl looks at suitcases hung from the ceiling. Looking back now, the formation of the Mobile School was not man-made but arranged. We only needed to follow the guidance resolutely. Although the "Long March" has just begun, "a single spark can start a prairie fire!"

The School on the Move—A New Long March

Looking back now, the formation of the mobile school was not man-made but arranged. We only needed to follow the guidance resolutely. Although the "Long March" has just begun, "a single spark can start a prairie fire!"