Dragon Leaders or Oldest Sons?

Editor’s note: This article was initially published in 2017, but we are re-running it again because so many Chinese pastors and churches continue to struggle with the pressure to be perfect in and of themselves. Instead, the gospel tells us that Jesus is the only perfect One, and we can rest with him as the true Dragon Leader.


Playing a Dragon Hero

In Chinese culture, the goal of society is to produce “dragons,” or extraordinary people. Leaders must be perfect heroes. This culture of leadership has penetrated every corner of Chinese society, and churches are not exceptional.

Pastors and church leaders are treated as the heroes of churches and local communities, putting tremendous pressure of them to maintain a perfect image. They work hard to make sure they are perfect in people’s eyes. If they fail to produce such a perfect image, they are forced to fake it for their congregations. But, surely, no one can be perfect. Sooner or later, all will eventually fail.

This mountain is the pressure from his people, the pressure from himself, and the pressure of playing a dragon hero before his congregation.

Chenxing has been pastoring his church for more than fifteen years. Now his church has more than ten gathering places across the city. I still remember what he shared four years ago in our training class: “I am so tired, so tired. I can’t even do anything, I still feel tired. A mountain is on me.” This mountain is the pressure from his people, the pressure from himself, and the pressure of playing a dragon hero before his congregation. The mask he has been putting on has become too heavy and too fragile to cover the real Chenxing. He preaches the gospel regularly to his church, and even to many other churches.

But, while he understood the idea of “grace alone,” he forgot to taste it and drink it. He said: “I tasted it 20 years ago, but then I shifted to working for my salvation, working hard to please people, working hard to earn my identity.”

Earn It: The Core of Dragon Culture

Chenxing finally realized all of this after watching a sermon called “Prodigal God” by Timothy Keller, a pastor from Redeemer Presbyterian Church in New York. Keller points out that after accepting Jesus Christ, many Christians are still trying to earn their own righteousness in God’s eyes.

Not only does the younger son need to come to the father, but so too the older son who stays at home and is even more distant from his father. The older son does not know his father’s love; he still wants to earn his father’s favor. Therefore, he has been living under the law, not grace, wanting to create his own perfect image of what it means to be a son and ignoring the true son, Jesus Christ.

While he understood the idea of “grace alone,” he forgot to taste it and drink it.

And this is the core of dragon culture: perfecting man’s image, earning respect from others. Receiving, rather than earning, the perfect image is the true understanding of the gospel. It is grace alone that saves us and sanctifies us. No one, especially those who try hard, can be the real dragon. In fact, the man-made dragon leader is the enemy of the true gospel.


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The doctrine of “grace alone” reminds leaders of urban unregistered churches about true identity in Christ. Christians are people who have received their true identities from Christ. Through faith, humans become children of God. No one can grant you your birthright apart from your parents. No one can remove the right to be children of God. God loves us and he has granted us to be his children through Christ. This is the true meaning of grace alone, and it is this doctrine that secures the true identities of Christians, the children of God. Nothing can change this fact.

Jesus, the Real Dragon

Now, Chenxing says, “Once I discovered my problem, I started to remind myself, ‘Grace alone, I am living by grace alone.’ Now I can tell my coworkers and my congregation that I am not a perfect pastor, only Jesus Christ is ‘the real dragon.’” He adds, “For so many years, I had been trying to be someone I am not. Now I am free – grace has set me free.”

All fake dragons are exposed by the light of the gospel, and the Real Dragon, Jesus Christ, reigns in the ancient land of the dragon. He will set his people free!

The gospel of “grace alone” brings church leaders to think hard about true grace: Jesus Christ has accepted who we are, even while we were sinning against him. We do not need to earn our salvation; we do not need to earn our sanctification. We already have them in Christ.

For church leaders, this is the source of power to imitate our Lord and serve the local church. Change in the lives of leaders brings about change in local churches. The culture of “saving face” can be replaced by the culture of grace. All fake dragons are exposed by the light of the gospel, and the Real Dragon, Jesus Christ, reigns in the ancient land of the dragon. He will set his people free!


Simon Liu is a church planter and works with church planting networks.

Pray that Chinese pastors who feel pressure to be dragon leaders will instead find freedom in their identity as children of God.

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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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