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. Before long, it demonstrated a robust momentum of rapid development. Numerous believers devoted themselves with reverence, and various church activities were flourishing, and it was as if watching a film scene which is so vibrant and hopeful. However, in recent years, this splendid original scene seems to have been shadowed, and church development appears to have reached a growth ceiling. Gradually, many deep-seated problems have surfaced. I believe that there are eight unhealthy tendencies, which are like thorns hidden in the dark, piercing the body of the Chinese church and seriously hindering its revival and development.
The "Distracted" Formalists: Worshipping as a Regular Formalism
In some churches in China, what should be solemn, soul-unifying moments often look like this: some people, who appear to be worshipping, are constantly gazing down at their phone screens and swiping through irrelevant information on social media.
Once, during a sermon, a sister in front of me was playing a video game from start to finish, although she did say "Amen" and stood up during the prayer. I heard others chat quietly with each other with topics ranging from domestic matters to worldly trivialities, right until the end of the service.
Faith should be founded on the pursuit of the truth, not on authority's indoctrination or superficial imitation. (Vasyl Olexandrovych)
Church as a Market: Improper Sales Promotion among Believers
A worrying commercial undertow has emerged in some churches. Some believers exploit the church, a special social platform, as a cover for promoting their products. They justify themselves by claiming it is out of care for fellow believers' lives and health. The selling involves everything from health products and cosmetics to all daily necessities. Even "direct sales" and high-risk investment schemes are quietly introduced.
I once saw people involved in illegal fundraising and high-interest returns talking grandly with church leaders, implanting their ideas. These so-called believers use service intervals to aggressively advocate the superiority and profit prospects of their products to other believers.
Jesus entered the temple courts and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves. "It is written," he said to them, "'My house will be called a house of prayer,' but you have made it a 'den of robbers.'" (Matthew 21:12-13)
Lost Souls: Coexistence of Bigotry and "Muddling Through"
Within the community of believers, there are two extreme and common trends. One group drifts towards religious bigotry, holding a one-sided and rigid understanding of doctrines. Intolerant of any differing opinions, they groundlessly attack and judge other faiths, even those within Christianity, like Catholicism. Conversely, other believers are muddled with their beliefs. Although they claim to believe in the Lord, they only have a superficial understanding of basic doctrines and are unaware of the core values of the faith. They blindly follow others and drift away. This is especially true in some rural churches where local customs and idol worship are mixed into Christianity. To make difficult choices in life or the impact of various ideological thoughts, they lack firm conviction and are easily swayed by external influences.
Friedrich Nietzsche said, "What does not kill me makes me stronger." A truly mature believer can both hold firm to their faith in suffering, like Job, who refused to muddle through, and say, like Paul speaking in Acts 26:25, "I am not insane, most excellent Festus, what I am saying is true and reasonable" to avoid bigotry.
Perfunctory Preachers Slacking in Sermons
Preachers are the soul figures of the church, bearing the important mission of preaching the gospel and leading believers to growth. However, some allow themselves to be led by AI. They are too lazy to do their own work. Their sermon is either simply reading from PPTs, unrealistic, or repeating platitudes. They deliberately stack up jokes, inspirational stories, and "chicken soup for the soul" to cater to popular tastes, while neglecting the deep meanings and interpretation of the Bible's essence. They merely stagnate on the knowledge learned in seminary, failing to face the new environment with new explorations. Some pastors do not even read books for years.
I have personally encountered such a situation: when a pastor was preaching, an elder sister in the pew remarked that his sermon was AI-written, sounded mechanical, and lacked "bones" or "flesh." Over time, I saw believers lose anticipation for the sermons, and their enthusiasm for the faith gradually cooled.
"And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as a human word, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is indeed at work in you who believe." (1 Thessalonians 2:13)
Cliques of Factionalism and Selfish Interests
In any organization, teamwork is crucial, but for the church, what is needed even more is the great unity of all members based on a shared faith. Unfortunately, some factionalists or cliques often operate around a core figure, driven by personal interests, consolidating their sphere of influence through personal communication and mutual flattery. Flattery individuals appeared in the church. In the decision-making process of church affairs, they attempt to manipulate the situation by seeking personal gains. They completely disregard the overall interests of the church and the feelings of many other believers.
"The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery, idolatry and witchcraft, hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy, drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God." (Galatians 5:19–21)
The Arrogance of Certain Church Leaders
In some churches, individual leaders are keen on pursuing fame and fortune, including social reputation and status. Some are even like politicians; as their position rises, their mindset undergoes a subtle change. They gradually forget that they are servants to all but develop a sense of aloof superiority. They are autocratic, refuse to listen to different opinions and suggestions, and believe their judgment is always right. Believers are afraid to approach them and express their thoughts and needs honestly. Their arrogance seriously affects the transparency and democracy of church administration, causing some churches to become bureaucratic and institutionalized, suppressing the initiative and creativity of the vast number of pastoral co-workers and believers.
"Whoever would be chief in the church must be the servant of all; otherwise, he is a thief and a robber." (Martin Luther, 1523, On Temporal Authority)
The Apathy Among the Church
Although the ideal church should be a harbor of love, where people care for each other, support one another, and love their neighbors as themselves, some churches show off their apathy. Apart from routine greetings, there is little deep spiritual communication between pastors and believers. When a believer is in trouble and pours out his heart to his pastor, they may often hear an "official response": "Okay, I've learned about it. Just pray for it." Mission accomplished.
In another case, a co-worker accidentally fell and broke a bone while rehearsing a Christmas praise program in the church and needed hospital treatment. The church leader casually remarked, "It has nothing to do with our church because she volunteered herself." Believers are like this to each other; they are busy with their own lives, turning a blind eye to the difficulties encountered by their fellow believers; they have no willingness to offer help. Even when a member passes away after being tormented by illness, and the orphaned children and widow are in great distress, some believers remain indifferent and refuse to offer even a little charity, not even when the church calls for it. In this environment, newcomers and seekers feel no warmth, and long-time believers will gradually lose their sense of belonging to the church.
The Church is established on the love of God, just as Christ loved the Church and gave himself up for her.
Accusing and Complaining: Bad Impacts on the Church and Society
One tendency is noteworthy: some people within the church campaign for malicious lawsuits and false accusations when their small personal interests are not satisfied. Petitioning and causing trouble lead not only to disunity within the church but, in some cases, to suspension of the church for several years so that they may no longer worship. Some have repeatedly filed complaints and petitions, causing their church to be locked down twice. Most of these individuals do this for their own gains, not for the righteousness of the church or the faith.
The Bible teaches us to pursue peace, to bear with one another in love, and to make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.
In 1539, Martin Luther wrote On the Councils and the Church that the true church has three marks: first, the pure preaching of the gospel; second, the right administration of the sacraments as instituted by Christ; third, believers suffering for the name of Christ."
Originally published by the Gospel Times
- Edited by Karen Luo, translated by Charlie Li
