Building a Biblical Church: Our Challenges
Editor’s note: What is the church? How can a church be governed by the Bible? These are questions that Christians have struggled with for more than two millennia, and as the Chinese church continues to mature, Chinese believers are also facing these difficult and important questions. Wu Jing shares how he and his young church […]
Hallelujah! I’ll Never Build A Grand Church
Editor’s note: We are continuing to throw it back this summer and autumn by re-sharing a few of our favorite blog posts from over the years. This was initially published in 2016, as a Mainland Chinese pastor shared about God’s grace to himself and his church in recent years. It has been lightly edited and […]
3 Tips for Hosting Chinese
If you’re like me, hospitality is not something that comes easy, even in my own culture. I’m naturally introverted and opening up my home can sometimes feel chaotic, even overwhelming. With the added element of cross-cultural hosting, I can feel at a loss. But there is something perpetually rewarding in sharing life together with other […]
Misconceptions About Discipleship: Part One
Every Christian is called to discipleship. Every Christian is called to encourage faith and love in other believers. God wants every single Christian to learn how to build deep, encouraging relationships with one another.
How to Face Persecution: Caring for the Persecuted
It is very important we visit believers who have just been released from jail. Most of these people live in fear, and don’t talk much when they get out. It is important for us to encourage them, listen to them, and help them to return to the church. Although a few are beaten, for most people the hurt is not physical, but emotional and spiritual.
How to Face Persecution: The Whole Church’s Response
Our church is not as prepared as we thought. People still have many fears. As pastors of the flock, we must first acknowledge our weaknesses. I want them to fix their eyes on Jesus’s grace. Victory does not lie in wisdom or courage, but in the grace of Christ. We need to communicate the power of this grace to those who persecute us.
How To Face Persecution: Pastoral Care
A church under persecution is in great difficulty. Communication among members is limited. Believers face great pressure, and many spiritual challenges… Under persecution’s pressure, the weaknesses and struggles church members experience are very real.
The Word Over the Sword: Thy Kingdom Come
Paul was bound for the sake of Christ, not because of the trickery of the Jewish people or the religious policies of Rome. In the face of the sword’s power, Paul focused on the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, the one on whom Israel was counting. When the church faces the power of the sword, she must also focus only on the Savior.
A Clash of Swords and Words: Thy Kingdom Come
What is the secret to church victory? An important secret lies in whether you and I dare connect our church and personal life goals to the end of life, and the purpose God has designed for us. Do we trust the reality that Jesus, who is risen from the dead, reigns in heaven?
How Should We View Our Persecution?
When we encounter persecution, the most important question is: does our response make plain the cross of Christ? When we are persecuted, we need to repent and confess our sins to the Lord. It is necessary that we repent, so we can see that we are no more righteous than those who persecute us.
