China’s church unity confronts a new threat.

China (MNN)–Church leaders point out that the Chinese government wants to control everything, including religions.
That has led to a crackdown on Christian activities and groups. Missionaries in China believe much of the harassment stems from the government’s fear of a mass movement teaching ideals that do not always follow Communist thinking.

In spite of that, the church appeared to stand firm. A closer look revealed a sometime divisiveness between believers.

For years, those involved with the registered churches suspected house church movements, and the house church leaders said they would not submit to government’s control of the Gospel.

Yet, China Partner’s Erik Burklin senses recent growing unity of the house church movement and the registered church. “Both sides are not only willing to talk to each other but to also start fellowshipping with each other. There’s many house church Christians who attend on the weekends, a registered church and vice versa, people who attend a registered church on the weekends, during the week, will go to a house church for further Bible study.”
a different, more subtle threat, creeping into the church. “I think what happens within the church and what happens from the government is not so much detrimental as is the growth of materialism and the desire to become rich and wealthy can be for the Chinese church in the future.”
Please continue to pray for the strength and testimony of Chinese church.