In this ministry known as a “calling,” we often focus on those at the forefront, while overlooking the group standing silently behind them—their families. They have given up personal boundaries, private space, and the leisure of ordinary family life, yet in return, they have found a rare and often unspoken warmth. Today, we step into the lives of these people who, though unordained, are equally called and sent.

Amid the ever-changing tides of the times, should the church also adapt to keep pace? Pastor Chen, who has long served in an urban church in northern China, candidly noted that many traditional church practices once regarded as “spiritual” have become outdated and, in some cases, obstacles to the church’s healthy development.

The Protestant churches of China have been growing like a new sprout breaking through the soil, well sown and well harvested, since the resumption of gatherings in the 1980s, but in recent years, this splendid original scene seems to have been shadowed, and church development appears to have reached a growth ceiling. I believe that eight unhealthy tendencies hinder church revival.

After decades under the guidance of a founding pastor, a church in northern China has embarked on a bold experiment in shared leadership. Moving away from a single-leader structure, it has introduced a “Three-Role Division” model that distributes authority among three teams—the Administration, Pastoral Ministry, and Overseers.

Building a Three-Self church from the ground up may appear cumbersome, but the process can be summarized in four essential steps: people → venue → system → registration. While neither quick nor easy, this path ensures the church’s stability, legality, and long-term sustainability.

Whether to ordain bishops has long stirred debate within the Chinese church, reflecting its historical legacy and its search for identity in a post-denominational era.

In East China, a township church revived through small groups while a city church overcame resistance to reforms. Both found growth and vitality by prioritizing unity among co-workers over programs.

Christian chat groups offer convenience, but overreliance can foster superficial faith and empty formalism. Believers are urged to focus on Scripture, simplify online engagement, and return to true fellowship to nurture genuine spiritual growth.

On September 13, 2025, at HKSKH All Saints' Cathedral, a conference on "The Unfinished Business of Nicaea" featured a keynote by Professor Volker Henning Drecoll, who argued that the popular understanding of the Nicene Creed's origin as a simple fight against "Arianism" is a historical distortion, largely crafted by Athanasius for theological and political ends.

To stem the loss of co-workers, churches must break free from rigid thinking, establish fair and transparent support systems, foster relationships rooted in mutual love and support, recognize the value of every co-worker, and provide space and hope for growth. Ultimately, the vitality of a church is not measured by its buildings but by the people willing to dedicate themselves. Retaining them is essential to securing the future of rural churches.