How important unity must be for Jesus, that right before he was arrested, before he faced the suffering on the cross—at that moment, he did not refer to the horrible suffering which was to come. Rather he was thinking about the issue of unity.
Those I interviewed in China… expressed repeatedly that holding tight to these unexamined views of themselves and their positions was a big hindrance in reconciling relationships. Yet, as their mindsets shifted, a door to potential reconciliation opened.
Chinese pastors and ministers are often under tremendous pressure—from the state, their congregations, and family issues. While believers in the global church cannot be physically present in China, we can support these workers through intercessory prayer.
Pursuing heart-level reconciliation can be hard, humbling work. A labor of love. Yet when our love is infused with God’s love—our source of strength to reconcile—we can persevere in the process.
This little analogy from the retail world breaks down easily. But it does make me stop and think. Am I one of the “half-hearted creatures…fooling about when infinite joy is offered?”
People shared their conflict stories, how they viewed face issues (saving, giving, and losing face), the hindering impact of face on reconciliation, and how God enabled them to set aside face to apologize and forgive…They have demonstrated that conflict resolution and relational restoration in face-saving cultures is possible!
How should Chinese Christians celebrate Chinese New Year? What’s the best way to live out the gospel during the celebrations? A pastor from mainland China reflects on these questions.
At least in the denominational circles that I am a part of, saying the Lord’s Prayer together seems to have fallen by the wayside. I have no idea why, and I have found myself recently wishing that we recited it more.
A Chinese professor has seen the glory of God in his own life; he will not be able to ignore God when he returns to teach in China. He knows this will introduce him to dilemmas requiring courage. “Will I have the courage?” he wonders.
Though the world may change its fashion, you will still remain the same; your compassion and your cov'nant through all ages will remain.
When our friendship storyline is out of step with the larger cultural narrative, whether in China or in the West, how do we as the body of Christ continue to build bridges of understanding?
Due to mistaken theological understandings regarding ministry and family, the importance of fatherhood is often neglected. The author discusses the role of the father and what it means to be an effective father.