22 August 2016

In a recent state-level religious meeting, Chairman Xi Jinping emphasized the importance of dealing with religious matters. He reiterated that China shall maintain various religions independent from external influences, avoid being influenced by extreme religious thoughts and assimilate religions with the socialism with Chinese characteristics. As learnt from Chinese social media (but not yet verified), government officials of the United Front Bureau of a

certain province said the government had suggested the following solution to deal with the millions of Christians meeting in unregistered places:

1. If unregistered churches are willing to be managed by the government and guided by China Christian Council, they can be registered;
2. If unregistered churches are willing to be managed by the government but not willing to be guided by China Christian Council, they can be put on record by the government;
3. If unregistered churches are not willing to be managed by the government or guided by China Christian Council, the government shall guide and transform their thoughts;
4. If unregistered churches are not willing to be managed by the government or guided by China Christian Council and they are infiltrated by external forces, they shall be crackdown. Although the piece of news is not yet verified, this would definitely affect the implementation of religious policies by local government officials. As heard from Chinese church leaders in some regions, local government officials asked some unregistered churches not to gather too many people (e.g. less than 100 people) or move to other places for church meetings.

Church services for children under threat in Guizhou province

In mid-July, a house church in Guizhou province was threatened by the local authorities to stop church services for children. Parents were told that their children would be barred from college and military programs if they allowed them to attend services. There are a number of minority groups living in Guizhou Province. In general, religious restrictions in Guizhou are slightly tighter than many regions in China, because the China government pays particular attention on 'management' of areas with minority people groups. Hence, local government officials tend to implement tighter religious restrictions. In China interpretation and implementation of religious policies is heavily governed by local officials.

PLEASE PRAY:

• The Chinese church leaders would have wisdom to deal with the situation as they did in the past decades
• Chinese Christians would grow further in faith, as they face the changing political environment in China
• This church in Guizhou would have courage and wisdom to deal with the situation
• The parents and youth affected would have peace and continue to put their faith on God
• Children and youth ministries in China will continue to flourish in various regions in China despite possible tightening restrictions

Source: Open Doors