Editor’s note: Several years ago, we had a conversation with a Chinese house church pastor about how he evaluated the current situation of Chinese believers. Although things change rapidly in China, the issues he discusses in this two-part interview are still real issues churches face. For instance, he discusses the difficulties pastors face in supporting themselves and their families. This challenge is perhaps an even bigger issue today than it was a few years, as many pastors face charges of embezzlement because their church receives tithes from congregants. Also, the economic downturn of recent years is impacting churches as well as all of society.
This is the second part of our conversation with Zhuang on some of the dangers facing the Chinese church; part one can be found here.
China Partnership: How can those of us outside of China pray for you? Not just you, but how can we pray for Chinese churches?
Zhuang Qin: As churches grow, they need to protect the faith. We need to help the faith be established in this environment and to maintain it as our own faith, so that it does not waver or change. Also pray that the Chinese government will know that Christians are a blessing and a good thing for society.
Pray for Chinese preachers. In general, they are lacking a good seminary foundation. Most of them have problems in their knowledge and grasp of the Bible. They need opportunities for good studying, so that when they go to share, the truth comes out.
Chinese preachers are really to be pitied, because most preachers don’t have any salary. In Chinese churches, they haven’t understood that they need to provide for their preachers. So preachers have to go work, do manual labor to earn money, and then serve. When I did that, most of my time was used up before I could serve. Every church needs someone who can spend all their time serving, but most don’t have someone who can do this. Newer city churches understand more. But in the countryside, most churches don’t support their preachers. Once, we told countryside preachers that they need to step out in faith and share their needs. They were totally shocked! They didn’t dare tell others. I know a guy who spends all his time split between working and serving. He can’t every really plant a church.
In general, [preachers] are lacking a good seminary foundation. Most of them have problems in their knowledge and grasp of the Bible. They need opportunities for good studying, so that when they go to share, the truth comes out.
Chinese churches are really weak in this area. If you do this, they will look at you strangely and think you’re greedy. You really can’t bring it up with anyone.
This issue of support is a big challenge we face. Our general experience is failure and defeat.
Country preachers just need a little money every month: they have their house already, they grow their own food, they just need a little for life’s expenses. But they can’t find it. Because of this they are entangled with other concerns and have to go out and do manual labor. How can they have time for anything? They don’t have time to listen to one lecture, not to mention spending time reading. This is a really common problem. Chinese people do have money, but they don’t do a good job sincerely contributing. City churches are a little better; most preachers I know at city churches have a salary. But it is not a full salary, just partial. This is a big need.
Pray that followers can be established and firm in their faith. Pray for preachers to have opportunities to study, to understand systematic theology and the background of the Bible.
Every church needs someone who can spend all their time serving, but most don’t have someone who can do this. Newer city churches understand more. But in the countryside, most churches don’t support their preachers.
CP: How can we pray for you yourself?
Zhuang: Pray for me personally, for my health and for funds for this work.
I am tired. We need a team to serve together. Right now, I feel like everything is on me, to get it all done. It’s just me by myself, and I really need others! Right now, it is just my one family, and we do not have a team.
Zhuang Qin is a pseudonym for a Chinese house church pastor. He became a Christian in middle age, and he and his wife have one daughter.
Pray for Chinese pastors to receive the financial and communal support they need to serve God and people.
