Xi’an: New Perspective on the City

 Editor’s note: Xi’an church leaders share their challenges in leading other believers in a “season of quiet.” They long to press on with the work of the gospel, but face real obstacles in casting a wider net. Instead, many are choosing to grow deeper and pressing into discipleship of existing believers. They sometimes feel frustration with their city or culture, but as they mature individually and in their faith, they are also coming to see the beauty and riches of their history.


A Quiet Season

Hu Yang: Congregations in Xi’an are small and lack vitality. Everyone is cautious, afraid of security issues. I see a real lack of cohesion and vitality.

Many churches in Xi’an have a lot of children. In our church, children make up almost half the congregation. We need to focus on how to pastor families and parents well, and instill in parents a sense of mission in raising their children. This is quite difficult, because the parents’ hearts haven’t been fully shepherded. It feels like we are just spinning our wheels, going through the motions generation after generation. It’s a pity, because we really need to reach both children and parents.

Right now, my main struggle is the lack of vitality. We also lack pastors. My own church does not have this sense of vitality. Our church has many small, scattered meeting points – some meeting places have just a few people, others have more than 30. We are trying to find solutions, to connect with and serve people. We are looking to rent spaces that aren’t too hidden, and are slowly making progress, seeing new people come and even some seekers. The atmosphere is more open than in homes, but it still feels quite restrained. I think the main factor is the larger environment.

I would not say that Xi’an churches are lying dormant, but this is a season of quiet. How can we, as a church, challenge new co-workers to continue the work in this season?

Slowly, I have discovered beautiful aspects of our traditional culture: deep piety, reverence for the Bible, a thirst for truth, genuine care for others, and putting love into action. These are precious qualities of Xi’an!

I would not say that Xi’an churches are lying dormant, but this is a season of quiet. How can we, as a church, challenge new co-workers to continue the work in this season? How can we expand the house church model more effectively? It’s not easy to transition our small groups into a larger group. It is very difficult to gather everyone together.

Instead, our church is focusing on discipleship, and encouraging lay leaders to serve more actively. We want to establish church governance, and appoint lay workers as elders and deacons. We also hope to bring in full-time workers to train our elders. Although we appear scattered, we are trying to build cohesion and become more active.

The Beauty of Traditional Culture

Wang Hu: Many Xi’an house churches are deficient in church governance, and even in basic common sense. This might be influenced by the traditional house church model, or by Xi’an’s deep roots in traditional culture. This often leads to confusion about church structure, and how to balance love and truth.

Gradually, by studying systematic theology and culture, I have found my own way through these issues. Books by authors like Tim Keller, which addressed many cultural issues, have been very helpful and helped me see my city from a new perspective. This concept of the kingdom of God and the redeemed city have impacted me deeply, and I have been able to apply this perspective to my own church and city.

Slowly, I have discovered beautiful aspects of our traditional culture: deep piety, reverence for the Bible, a thirst for truth, genuine care for others, and putting love into action. These are precious qualities of Xi’an!

I have been deeply influenced by the older generation of Chinese pastors, with their respect for Scripture and approach to biblical training. Now, our generation needs to reflect on how to carry these positive aspects forward, using common sense, structure, and theology. We need to organically integrate life and structure. It is crucial that we engage with this generation.

Slowly, I have discovered beautiful aspects of our traditional culture: deep piety, reverence for the Bible, a thirst for truth, genuine care for others, and putting love into action. These are precious qualities of Xi’an!

For awhile, I struggled to find my place in the church. I wasn’t sure if I should become a full-time pastor, or continue with my business. Finally, I’ve found a fulfilling path serving as a ruling elder. I now know I am not called to be a full-time pastor.

This has also borne fruit in my company. The company grew during the pandemic, which is a special blessing from God. I and my company have benefited from trainings I received years ago from teachers like Tim Keller. Those trainings (on things like time and energy management or stress-free work) were intended for pastors, but are very insightful for me. I’ve integrated principles from the trainings into my work, and used them to train my employees.

For me, now work and church service are the same thing. As a Christian, I do the same thing in every area of life, whether is my company or the church. While the context is different, the underlying principle is the same. Still, it is challenging to maintain consistency across different roles and identities. But while challenging, it is also beautiful.

Grace-Filled Fruit

One example of this is how, over the past few years, many people have witnessed how our family’s efforts to homeschool our children have gradually yielded much grace-filled fruit. My wife stays home with our kids. Through this, her own learning, spiritual growth, and biblical knowledge have all rapidly increased. She went from someone who didn’t enjoy reading, to someone who has been transformed and is influencing those around her.

The gospel is nourishing and empowering us to impact those around us, even non-believers. Every day feels vibrant and full of grace.

Another blessing is that about a dozen brothers and sisters from our church participate in a daily morning reading and sharing group. This requires perseverance, but it has become a gospel-centered community for us.

We’ve experienced the difficult beginning phases of growth: some have left, others stayed. As we move into later stages of growth, the gospel continues to grow and flourish within us. The gospel is nourishing and empowering us to impact those around us, even non-believers. Every day feels vibrant and full of grace.


Hu Yang and Wang Hu are elders in their house churches in Xi’an.

Pray for Xi’an believers to see the beauty of their city and their people, and to carry forward the legacy of previous generations of Chinese Christians.

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Further Reading

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LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT IN CHINA

With rising pressure and persecution in China, there are two challenges imperative for church leaders. The first challenge is for current leaders to love Christ above all else, and not to stray into legalism or love of the world. The second challenge is to raise up the next generation of leaders, who will humbly model Jesus even if current leaders are arrested.

WILL YOU JOIN US IN PRAYING FOR LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT IN CHINA? PRAY FOR:

  1. Current leaders to grow in their daily walks with Christ
  2. Current leaders to shepherd and raise up new leaders
  3. New leaders who love Christ and will model him to the world
  4. New leaders to love and care for the church

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ABOUT LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT

About Shenyang

Shenyang is a city located in northeastern China and is the capital of Liaoning Province. It is known for its rich history and cultural heritage, including the Shenyang Imperial Palace, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Shenyang is also a hub for China’s heavy industry, with companies such as the China First Automobile Group and the Shenyang Aircraft Corporation having their headquarters in the city.

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About Qingdao

Qingdao is a city located in eastern China and is famous for its beaches, beer, and seafood. The city is home to several landmarks, including the Zhanqiao Pier and the Badaguan Scenic Area. Qingdao is also a major port and has a thriving economy, with industries such as electronics, petrochemicals, and machinery.

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About Xiamen

Xiamen is a city located in southeastern China and is a popular tourist destination known for its beautiful coastal scenery, including Gulangyu Island, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The city is also a hub for China’s high-tech industry, with companies such as Huawei and ZTE having research and development centers in Xiamen.

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About Chongqing

Chongqing is a city located in southwestern China and is a major economic center in the region. The city is known for its spicy cuisine, especially its hot pot dishes, and is also famous for the Three Gorges Dam, the world’s largest hydroelectric dam. Chongqing is also home to several historic sites, including the Dazu Rock Carvings, which are UNESCO World Heritage sites.

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About Nanjing

Nanjing is a city located in eastern China and is the capital of Jiangsu Province. It is one of China’s ancient capitals and has a rich cultural history, including the Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum, the Nanjing City Wall, and the Confucius Temple. Nanjing is also a modern city with a thriving economy and is home to several universities, including Nanjing University and Southeast University.

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About Changchun

Changchun is a city located in northeastern China and is the capital of Jilin Province. It is known for its rich cultural heritage and is home to several historical landmarks such as the Puppet Emperor’s Palace and the Jingyuetan National Forest Park. Changchun is also a hub for China’s automotive industry, with several major automobile manufacturers having their headquarters in the city.

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About Guangzhou

Guangzhou, also known as Canton, is a city located in southern China and is the capital of Guangdong Province. It is one of the country’s largest and most prosperous cities, serving as a major transportation and trading hub for the region. Guangzhou is renowned for its modern architecture, including the Canton Tower and the Guangzhou Opera House, as well as its Cantonese cuisine, which is famous for its variety and bold flavors. The city also has a rich history, with landmarks such as the Chen Clan Ancestral Hall, the Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall, and the Temple of the Six Banyan Trees. Additionally, Guangzhou hosts the annual Canton Fair, the largest trade fair in China.

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About Kunming

Kunming is a city located in southwest China and is the capital of Yunnan Province. Known as the “City of Eternal Spring” for its mild climate, Kunming is a popular tourist destination due to its natural beauty and cultural diversity. The city is home to several scenic spots, including the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Stone Forest, Dian Lake, and the Western Hills. Kunming is also famous for its unique cuisine, which features a mix of Han, Yi, and Bai ethnic flavors. The city has a rich cultural history, with ancient temples and shrines like the Yuantong Temple and the Golden Temple, and it’s also a hub for Yunnan’s ethnic minority cultures, such as the Yi and Bai peoples.

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About Shenzhen

Shenzhen is a city located in southeastern China and is one of the country’s fastest-growing metropolises. The city is renowned for its thriving tech industry, with companies such as Huawei, Tencent, and DJI having their headquarters in Shenzhen. The city also has a vibrant cultural scene, with numerous museums, art galleries, and parks. Shenzhen is also known for its modern architecture, such as the Ping An Finance Center and the Shenzhen Bay Sports Center. Despite its modernization, Shenzhen also has a rich history and cultural heritage, with landmarks such as the Dapeng Fortress and the Chiwan Tin Hau Temple.

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About Chengdu

Chengdu is a city located in the southwestern region of China, and the capital of Sichuan province. It has a population of over 18 million people, and it is famous for its spicy Sichuan cuisine, laid-back lifestyle, and its cute and cuddly residents – the giant pandas. Chengdu is home to the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, where visitors can observe these adorable creatures in their natural habitat. The city also boasts a rich cultural heritage, with numerous temples, museums, and historical sites scattered throughout its boundaries. Chengdu is a city of contrasts, with ancient traditions coexisting alongside modern developments, making it an intriguing and fascinating destination for visitors to China. 

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About Beijing

Beijing is the capital city of China and one of the most populous cities in the world, with a population of over 21 million people. The city has a rich history that spans over 3,000 years, and it has served as the capital of various dynasties throughout China’s history. Beijing is home to some of the most iconic landmarks in China, including the Great Wall, the Forbidden City, and the Temple of Heaven. The city is also a hub for political, cultural, and educational activities, with numerous universities and research institutions located within its boundaries. Beijing is renowned for its traditional architecture, rich cuisine, and vibrant cultural scene, making it a must-visit destination for travelers to China.

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About Shanghai

Shanghai is a vibrant and dynamic city located on the eastern coast of China. It is the largest city in China and one of the most populous cities in the world, with a population of over 24 million people. Shanghai is a global financial hub and a major center for international trade, with a rich history and culture that spans over 1,000 years. The city is famous for its iconic skyline, which features towering skyscrapers such as the Oriental Pearl Tower and the Shanghai Tower. Shanghai is also home to a diverse culinary scene, world-class museums and art galleries, and numerous shopping districts. It is a city that is constantly evolving and reinventing itself, making it a fascinating destination for visitors from around the world.

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