Shanghai: To Run or Not?

Editor’s note: As we continue to pray for Shanghai, we wanted to re-run one more earlier post. This post tackles a subject that many Chinese, and especially many Shanghainese, are seriously considering. Over the last several years, many Christians have begun to consider leaving China and making a life elsewhere. One Shanghai pastor who observed the phenomenon wrote this pastoral letter to his congregation to help guide them as they decide whether or not they should leave. The pastor clarifies that the decision to emigrate is not a matter of sin, but calls for much wisdom. He begins to lay out several principles which he believes Christians should lean on to guide them as they think about their future.

This translation has been edited and condensed from the original for both clarity and length.


Dear believers,

I am writing because, recently, many believers have asked: “to run or not to run?” Should they emigrate from China or work abroad? Because of the recent Shanghai lockdown and the negative news that has broken out in many places across the country, many people have become increasingly disillusioned with our society. Many desire to leave this bad situation. It is inevitable that Christians, who are caught in this same tide, will also ponder such options.

One Chinese website had many entries on the run tide. One entry called “What Is Run?” had more than 8 million hits. A netizen responded to that post saying, “Chinese young people have three choices: roll, lie, or run.”

Because so many members of our church are concerned about how to think about emigration and whether or not they themselves should emigrate, I have written down some thoughts to admonish and guide. I pray the Lord will guide all of us.

Many people have become increasingly disillusioned with our society. Many desire to leave this bad situation. It is inevitable that Christians, who are caught in this same tide, will also ponder such options.

Two Premises

In today’s society, many people have two basic premises when they think about leaving China.

First, they want to immigrate to a more developed country. Shanghai is cosmopolitan, and is one of the best cities in China. Many people are considering emigration because they are disappointed or despairing about the city and the nation. People want to move out of China, to someplace better than Shanghai.

Second, those who are able to consider emigration as an option, by default, have the ability and resources to do so. Not everyone has the “freedom” to choose such a path.

Not Sin; a Wisdom Issue

It is important to clarify: emigration is not a sin, but a matter of wisdom. Christians cannot judge or despise other Christians who choose to emigrate.


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At the same time, every Christian who is considering leaving the country should, out of godliness, carefully consider which choice is the best way to honor God and live a godly life. Do not be too hasty. Instead, think about the essence of the law: love God, love others. Root yourself in God’s word; pray persistently; ask for counsel from church members; and be sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit.

POINTS TO CONSIDER

Motives

Ask the Holy Spirit to illuminate your heart, especially any hidden motives. He does this as you quietly meditate and pray in God’s presence. We must be sensitive to the Spirit’s leading, for he often helps us see, urging and encouraging us to seek God’s glory and love others. But we must also be alert to temptation, for the human heart is deceitful above all things. We must come to God honestly and ask him to help us see the true fears and desires in our hearts.

Each person and family has their own unique situation. Some worry about their children, because they see the increasingly dire situation in public education. They don’t want their children to be brainwashed, but to receive a good education. After losing their personal freedom during the lockdown and witnessing the Xuzhou woman in chains and the violence in Tangshan, others long for safety and freedom. Some people oppose government ideology and totalitarian oppression and want to live in a more democratic society with rule of law. Some, especially those with special health needs, see the limited and deteriorating environmental, air, water, and medical conditions. They are considering countries with more abundant resources. Still others want to pursue careers overseas because the economy here continues to worsen. Finally, there are those who simply want a more comfortable and enjoyable life.

Emigration is not a sin, but a matter of wisdom. Every Christian who is considering leaving the country should carefully consider which choice is the best way to honor God and live a godly life.

The point is: do you want to emigrate and move abroad because you are trusting God? Or do you want to escape a difficult situation? You might answer that it’s hard to say. If that is your answer, then now is not the right time to decide. There are still too many things you have not considered.

If you know you are driven by avoidance and yet still want to emigrate, you are free to make that decision. In the end, you are accountable to God. While this is not a sin issue, heart motives are more important to God than outward behavior. If you believe emigration comes from godly motives, then be bold and trust God’s leading.

Still, allow me to make some more thoughtful points to help you see what godly purpose means.

Principles

Motives are not the only thing to consider; principles are also important. In matters of wisdom, it’s easy to make excuses and say that any choice is right. Yet often obvious, biblically clear principles are overlooked. The general outline of the law is to love God and love others. If I emigrate, am I considering the rest of my responsibilities? If I skip out on my responsibilities so I can achieve my desired goals, then, clearly, this is not God’s will.

For example, am I concerned about spiritual growth? Have I fully considered whether there are good churches that can shepherd me if I emigrate? Has God given me a burden to bless others in my current church? When you leave a job, you prepare in advance for the transition of responsibilities so the process will be smooth. In the church, you should consider whether God has entrusted you with responsibilities that are not yet ready to be handed over. Ought you to serve awhile longer? God undoubtedly leads us to a church specifically so we can edify one another and equip the saints. It is not that we cannot grow without others – for God causes us to grow – but that God wants us to commit to a community.

The core family should not be separated. If a couple is separated for a long time, this is a hindrance to the marriage and can lead both parties into temptation. If the cost of emigration is the sacrifice of family time and long periods of separation, this is a sign of God’s hindrance.

Do your parents need care? Each situation is different. Some have healthy parents who do not need financial help. [In China, adult children are expected to provide financially for their parents.] But some parents need a lot of companionship and care. Our generation is full of only children. For us, the responsibility of supporting our parents, providing for them financially, and accompanying them emotionally is unavoidable. Have we thought about this?

Christians should not actively seek out suffering. But, when the situation deteriorates, that is the time to test our hearts, and challenge ourselves to love God and love our neighbor.

Some of those considering leaving do not have the means to do so themselves. However, if their parents support them financially, emigration becomes an option. Yet the Bible clearly says we should leave our parents. When we become adults, we are to be financially independent. Our parents may be willing to give, but God does not call us to spend their money however we please. Instead, we must honor them and consider their good. My parents are reasonable, and do not ask for the return of their money [i.e. the money they spent raising him and investing in his education], so there is no conflict. But this is not a good starting point. A good starting point is always: how can I love others?

A wise parent understands boundaries, and knows the best blessing they can give their children is to teach them to take responsibility for their own lives. Think about this biblically. If your closest family does not support your decision to go abroad, this is within God’s sovereignty. Submit to it.

Our theology does not advocate looking for suffering; Christians should not actively seek out suffering. But, when the situation deteriorates, that is the time to test our hearts, and challenge ourselves to love God and love our neighbor.


Chariot of Fire is a pseudonym for a house church pastor in Shanghai.

Pray for Christians in Shanghai who are trying to decide whether God is calling them to stay or to go.

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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

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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 Guangzhou

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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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