“If you are not allowing Chinese people into your church then what is the point of having a ministry in China?” I asked. The question seemed to surprise him momentarily and it was until later that I received an answer.

“It’s best to have Bible studies with the Chinese people,” he said. “Ten to fifteen people at your apartment is better than having a big house church.” I agreed with him. Large house churches in China, like large churches in America, often have problems such as doctrinal strife and financial woes which can diminish their message and effectiveness.

“We are registering so that foreigners, including Taiwanese,Hong Kongers, and other non-Chinese Asians can worship together legally.” He seemed to be implying that ex-pats in China just like anyone else need to have fellowship and be fed. The Chinese ministry would still take place outside of the ‘church’ setting.

“What Chinese Christians need most is sound doctrine,” he continued. “People may be brought to the Lord by a foreigner but what about after that foreigner is gone or the person moved away?” He briefly talked about the Three Self Church which many in China turn to after they have been saved.

“Nothing good can come out of the Three Self Church in China,” he stated. He explained that he had talked to hundreds of faithful congregants from these government churches and that “only two or three could tell me what the gospel is.” My experience with the Three Self Church in China has been more positive; hymns are sung,bibles are opened, and messages about the power of Jesus are delivered in government churches throughout the land. However, I do agree with him that most of these ’state’ churches are probably lacking in ’sound doctrine’ that is necessary to help a new Christian to grow. My friend believes that this discipleship is more effective when it is provided in small group gatherings and will also attract less attention from the authorities.

No matter how many churches choose to register or how many decide to stay ‘underground’ in China, the average Chinese person today has many more opportunities to hear the ‘good news’ than ever before. The fields are ripe for harvest but more discipling is needed so that thorns do not choke the seeds that have been planted across this religiously barren land.

Related Article: Are Christians Still Persecuted in China?