I just got back from a trip to China, sponsored by Fuller Seminary. I had the wonderful privilege of meeting with pastors from the Chinese Christian Council. This is the state-regulated church. I know there is a lot of discussion and debate concerning the registered and the underground church in China. I am still trying to sort it all out. It will take some time. But this much I know. These pastors in the Chinese church are wonderfully evangelical and are working hard to proclaim the gospel in a difficult situation. I went to one church with a huge building with over 6000 people in attendance on a Sunday. Their worship is heart felt. When they sing, they sing with great joy. When they pray the Lord’s prayer, they pray like they believe God is listening. When they hear the Word preached, they are attentive and seeking to discover how to live out their lives as followers of Jesus.

Our Western contexts, where we have great freedom to worship and to speak, often leads to a sense of apathy and nominalism. There is no sense of that in China. It is not easy to be a Christian in any part of the church. Still, these brothers and sisters, worship and serve with great joy. They serve with hopes that God will continue to work.

Pray for the church in China. God is doing great things!