On September 16, the National Religious Affairs Administration issued the "Code of Conduct for Religious Clerical Personnel in Cyberspace," the first official guideline regulating how religious professionals engage online since the 2017 revision of religious affairs regulations and the 2021 release of the "Administrative Measures for Internet Religious Information Services." The 18-article Code addresses “real problems” such as extremist remarks, commercialization through livestreaming, and fraudulent fundraising. Following its release, some Three-Self pastors have deleted past WeChat posts and turned to writing about church history or personal reflections, though most Christian accounts remain unaffected. How faith communities will adapt—or face tighter controls—remains uncertain.

The Chinese church is never alone. Founded by foreign missionaries, the church in China is an integral part of the body in Christ. Through onsite gatherings and online conferences, Christians in China are renewed and strengthened through reflecting on the Lord's command of loving one another and preaching the gospel unto the end of the world. This August, we highlight stories of unity and renewal—from an international forum on reconciliation held in Japan, to a mission conference shaping discipleship across generations, and diaspora missions inspired by Hudson Taylor’s legacy. These glimpses reveal how the church is being renewed in faith and witness, standing together in Christ.

Christianity has been introduced into China for centuries, with thousands of Western missionaries sacrificing their lives and dedicating themselves to this land. Their faithful service has borne much fruit over the past decades. As the church in China continues to grow in maturity, it has begun sending missionaries to other nations, seeking to repay the "gospel debt." In this issue, we present stories of missionaries of Chinese or overseas Chinese descent, sharing their mission journeys in various parts of the world. We also include two articles about foreign missionaries in China—one offering insights from a current worker, and the other reflecting on the legacy of a missionary who served and died in China around a century ago.

On June 9, the Pew Research Center released a new report, "How the Global Religious Landscape Changed From 2010 to 2020," featuring a revised method for measuring religious affiliation in China. It found that 1.3 billion people—90% of China’s population—were religiously unaffiliated in 2020, making it the country with the largest unaffiliated population globally. China’s Christian population did not rank among the world’s ten largest. Departing from past “custom estimates,” Pew now uses standardized measures of "zongjiao (formal religious affiliation), allowing for better international comparisons and internal consistency over time. In early 2025, Pew’s Conrad Hackett published a follow-up paper suggesting that Christianity in China may have stopped growing since 2010, based on data from a 2023 report. The claim drew varied responses at home and abroad—but the actual number of Christians in China remains uncertain. This issue brings together new and past articles that examine this important and complex subject.

Since the "Administrative Measures for Internet Religious Information Services" came into effect on September 1, 2023, real-name registration has become increasingly required for accessing sermons online in China. Many churches now offer livestreamed Sunday services, and believers can also access resources through a citywide CC&TSPM-developed app or official church websites, which adhere to the principle of closed information systems.

As the global church entered the season of Easter in April, churches across China journeyed through Holy Week and Easter with the living hope of the resurrection. From daily special services, foot-washing services, and candlelight vigils to dramatic performances and Easter Sunday celebrations, believers walked through Christ’s passion and resurrection with reverence and joy. Highlights include a free clinic in a Guangzhou church reflecting Christ’s compassion, a Bonhoeffer-inspired sermon in a northern house church, Taizé prayer in Wuxi Church, and immersive dramas that brought Scripture to life.

The advent of the AI era is inevitable, raising the question: Is the church prepared? In an article titled "A New Era of AI Is Here, and the Church Is Not Ready," Pastor Russell Moore, editor-in-chief of Christianity Today, questioned, What if Martin Luther had been unprepared for the Gutenberg era, or if Billy Graham had failed to embrace the television age? In China, pastors exhibit three primary attitudes toward AI: indifference, active engagement, and a wait-and-see approach.

In discussions about Christianity in China, misinformation often spreads faster than the truth. Over the years, various rumors have circulated regarding the availability, content, and even existence of the Bible in China. Some of these claims have led to unnecessary alarm, shaping misleading narratives in international discourse. This month, we take a closer look at three of the most widely circulated Bible-related rumors and compare them with the facts. From claims about Bible bans to sensational reports of rewritten scripture, we unpack what’s really happening on the ground.

The Chinese celebrate New Year twice—once on January 1 and again on the first day of the lunar year, which falls on January 29 this year. The Spring Festival typically lasts a week but can extend to two, filled with family reunions, festive meals, and the Spring Festival Gala. Ahead of the holiday, many churches visited elderly believers, retired co-workers, and vulnerable residents, while others distributed Spring Festival couplets. A Hubei church marked the Year of the Snake with a three-day fasting and prayer event. As urban churches see a decline with members returning home, rural churches experience a brief revival. Pastors encourage city churches to serve those staying behind through community activities and online pastoral care. Christians are also urged to practice hospitality, sharing their faith through acts of love.

December, known as "Christmas Month" by Chinese Christians, features diverse celebrations across urban and rural churches. This year, large city churches hosted tree-lighting ceremonies and festive events, while rural churches often celebrated earlier due to staff shortages. Programs included nativity plays, songs, and dramatic performances, such as Wenzhou Liushi Church’s plays on missionaries William Soothill and Matteo Ricci. House churches embraced localized celebrations with Chinese-style decorations, fan dances, and skits. In recent years, there has been a shift from gala-style festivities to smaller, flexible activities starting as early as November, with a focus on Advent reflection and charity events, highlighting the spiritual meaning of Christmas.