China: Gov't (Still/Again) Struggling Over what to do with the House Church

The Chinese government continues to be in a quandary about what to do with the House Church. Frankly, this story has been going on a l o n g time. Still, one must recognize progress with precaution and concede that slow change has occurred over the past 25 years. Then again, hardliner "crackdowns" remain and they are ordered quite frequently.

Some in the Central Government's Chinese Communist Party (CCP) are looking for a way to exist peacefully with the House Church. -They recognize Christians' positive contribution to society as a whole. At the same time, other high ranking government officials are wary of the House Church because she is not controlled like the "Three Self Patriotic Movement" (TSPM) government-sanctioned church. Furthermore, some government leaders remain hardcore Communists (aka Atheists that still believe "religion is the opiate of the people") while others are not pure Communist ideologues. Moreover, there are secret Christians among CCP ranks at all levels.

So there you have it! My preface to the Christian Newswire story below. A preface that is necessarily marked by multiple modifiers like "then again", "on the one hand, "some, while others", "on the other hand", "still" and the like. -Such is China!

As the Chinese government's evolving struggle over what to do with the House Church continues, please pray that God's sovereignly implements His answer!

"The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD, Like the rivers of water; He turns it wherever He wishes." Proverbs 21:1


CHCA President, Pastor 'Bike,' Issues 4th Open Letter to President Hu Jintao -- HENAN, China, Aug. 31 - Christian Newswire

With the 60th Anniversary Celebration of Communist Party rule in China rapidly approaching, Chinese authorities continue vilifying Christians as "imaginary enemies, " boldly taking actions to dismantle and control the independent Christian church, especially in Beijing. In response, Pastor "Bike" Jiang Mingxuan, President and Founder of the Chinese House Church Alliance, issued his fourth public "Open Letter to President Hu Jintao," on August 16, 2009.



Pastor "Bike" with Newly Ordained Pastors at the Chinese House Church Alliance

In the letter, he listed grievances of specific house churches against the local governments: "These state officials mistreat millions of Christians in China as the "social disturbance." They impose fines and enforce detention to the Christians, claiming they are "cult" and "illegal gathering". Those officials robbed items and money from the Christians and keep the value to themselves." He appealed to President Hu Jintao to reform corruption in the Chinese government and promote legal equality for all believers.


Pastor Bike also shared Christ's love with the President: "The Christians in China were arrested, beaten and killed like lambs by your subordinates but they endure the hardship and love you like Jesus does regardless." Though he assured the President that Chinese Christians would not avenge themselves, he cautioned that "the...persecution Christians suffer will make them stronger warriors for Christ; however, those who persecute the children of God will have to pay the penalty."