China (MNN) – President Xi Jinping and his administration are clamping down on China’s only legal church, insisting that congregations include more communist ideology in their liturgy. Erik Burklin from China Partner says the push is part of a larger movement to infiltrate communist thought across all of China. And yet, cracks are evident in the CCP’s foundation.
“When you’re trying to control a population of 1.4 billion, that gets very complicated,” Burklin says.
Reports indicate members of the Religious Affairs Bureau are nervous.
“Because they don’t know, ‘Well, what if I don’t enforce [new regulations] properly? What happens to me then?’”
Meanwhile, the church of China stands on a different foundation, one with a Cornerstone not fashioned by human hands.
“Jesus did say, ‘I will build my church,’ and this is how we can pray for the Chinese church: we need to remember that He will build it no matter what comes against it,” Burklin says.
He anticipates CCP leadership and the Chinese population at large eventually pushing back against an ideology doomed to fail.
“There’s only so far you can go with Communist ideology. We know this from history,” Burklin says.
Please pray for President Xi Jinping. As he seeks further control of his people, ask the Lord to reveal Himself as the one who holds hearts of kings in His hands.
“He controls what Xi does and what other leaders around the world do, and so we as Christians have that hope; and that’s what we need to look to,” Burklin reminds us.
On another hopeful note, there are over 50,000 registered churches and an equal or greater number of unregistered churches operating in China every week. Amidst restrictions on children in worship services, parents are taking shepherding to heart.
“On top of that, they’re printing Bibles now, rather than getting rid of them under the Mao regime,” Burklin says. “So that’s what the Christians are thankful for.”
By God’s hand, Burklin points out, Xi Jinping will continue his plans as the Lord carries out His.
Pray that Chinese believers will stay strong in the Scriptures and their faith. Pray for the Chinese church leaders navigating new waters. Pray also for members of the Religious Affairs Bureau, who will need to work closely with church leaders to enforce new regulations.
“As a result of enforcement of that, they will get to know more pastors,” Burklin says, “and God can use this to reach those individuals as well.”
Please pray also for China Partner as they prayerfully consider new ministry directions both within and outside of China.
(Photos courtesy of China Partner)
