A Different Testimony in Our City

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Editor’s note: This July, China Partnership is praying for and sharing content about ministry within Chinese cities. In recent decades, much of Chinese Christian growth has happened within her urban centers. As of 2017, there were 102 Chinese cities of more than one million. The urban Chinese church faces many challenges. Some of these obstacles, such as secularization or financial pressures, are familiar to Western Christians, but other trials, like overt persecution, are not ones encountered by the Western church. Pastor Zhu Min graciously shares about developing a holistic vision to love and bless his city, and about the difficulties the church faces as she carries out her mission in China’s urban contexts.

I want to begin by thanking Christians overseas for their care and prayers for the Chinese church. They help us feel warmth from the Lord in the midst of the cold of this political winter. 

I live in Xiamen, a small city [population of about 4 million] on the southeast coast of China. My city faces Taiwan, with the Taiwan Strait separating us. Xiamen is beautiful, and within China is a famous tourist attraction. In 2020, housing prices in Xiamen were the fourth-highest in China, coming in behind Shenzhen, Beijing, and Shanghai.

The majority of people who live here in Xiamen face a lot of pressure due to high housing and consumer prices. Compared to other big cities, salaries here in Xiamen are much lower. At the same time, this city attracts a lot of wealthy people from surrounding areas and even from across the whole country, because Xiamen has such a beautiful environment and the infrastructure is so comprehensive. Similar to other large cities, Xiamen is very secular. All day long, people think only about money and houses. I myself was born and raised here, and I have witnessed Xiamen’s transformation from a forward-thinking yet simple and small city, to the crowded, developed, and famous urban center it is today.

The biggest problem the church faces in my city is the onslaught of secularization. This is seen in the following areas. First, people love to talk about houses and are very focused on money. Second, many people live under a lot of pressure, earning low wages while facing high costs of living. More than ever before, people are looking for opportunities to get rich and change their current status. Third, non-Christians are less and less interested in religious belief. When people have free time, they immerse themselves in mindless entertainment rather than in deep thought or in seeking for answers to the questions of life. So-called Christians are also lukewarm about their faith, considering faith to be an extra encumbrance in addition to the other burdens they bear. Many people merely attend Sunday services and are not truly committed to Christ or the church. Fourth, outside of church attendance, believers generally show little evidence of their faith. In word, in deed, and in thought, the lives of Christians are no different than the lives of non-believers. Fifth and finally, most Christians are desirous of the things of the world, and are afraid to pay the price that is required for their faith. This directly results in the church’s lack of power in the face of political threats and persecution. 


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It is true that external persecution of the faith is occurring more and more frequently, but the situation inside the church is actually more worrisome. Many people within the church are not awakened to the deeper spiritual crisis: they are double-minded in their loves. They want both the love of God and the sensual pleasures of the world, but are unable to gain either. 

I long for the church to pay attention in more specific ways to groups within our city that are easily neglected: those in the red-light districts; the young generation; the rich and the elite; and government workers and officials, a group that many Christians have given up on. Some of the people in these groups have been doing some deep thinking; some of these people are struggling and lost; some live in fear and in bondage. Some of these people need answers; some of them long to be comforted; and some of them need to be challenged. All of them need Jesus! But many times the church loses sight of the Great Commission. The church loses her evangelistic strength. The church is loose and casual in her view of what the church is, and is not systematic in her teaching and training to answer the practical problems believers face in various areas. In response, believers launch out from the church, seeking wrong answers from the world to the questions they face.

I long for our church to live out a different testimony here within Xiamen: to follow the command of Christ, to live with a missional mindset, to sincerely care for others—for their lives, but most of all for their relationships with God. I long for the lives of believers to be focused not on attaining houses and money. Instead, may we live with true assurance and eternal hope in the midst of the hardships we face. May the gospel be our way of life, and may we view all things with a holistic, biblical worldview. I hope that the sinners of this city will sense the love and acceptance of the church. I hope that the intellectuals of this city will receive the answers for which they long and that they will be challenged by the truth. I hope that people of all ages and all walks of life will receive, in the church, the care and the help they need—and this includes the government workers who are persecuting the church.

 

  

Zhu Min (a pseudonym) lives and pastors in his hometown of Xiamen.

 

FOR PRAYER AND REFLECTION

– Pray for Chinese Christians and churches to live out a testimony of radical acceptance, serious thought, and loving challenge as they make disciples within their cities.

Our blog exists, not just to transmit information, but to resource the global church to share the joys and burdens of the Chinese church. Our hope is that everything you read here will lead you to intentional, knowledgeable prayer for the Chinese church. 

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Further Reading

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The J-Curve: Suffering Because Of Sin
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Xi'an: Rich Cultural Heritage
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The J-Curve: Suffering with Jesus
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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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