With the rapid progress of industrialization, urbanization, informatization, and globalization, on the one hand, many new urban house churches have sprung up and thrived like bamboo shoots after the rain. On the other hand, some urban house churches have gradually shrunk, stagnated, and even split apart. It is the responsibility of this generation of pastors to face the challenges of urban house churches head-on and, through faith and prayer, rely on the Holy Spirit to respond to these challenges.
The pulpit of urban house churches in mainland China refers to preaching and information-sharing conducted by preachers during Sunday services and other occasions. The challenges discussed here refer to problems or crises, both internal and external, that affect the church’s pulpit. I believe the current challenges facing the pulpit of urban house churches in mainland China are as follows:
(1) Internal Challenges
The Word is the foundation of church building, and the pulpit is the sacred place for proclaiming God’s Word. Those who stand on the pulpit must preach the truths of the Bible while bearing witness to the message through their own lives. After about 20 years of development, the quality of preachers and the standards of the pulpit in urban churches have significantly improved, but many obvious problems remain:
1. Severe Overload on Preachers
On the one hand, newly emerging urban churches have a high proportion of first-generation Christians and young people, leading to a substantial need for pastoral care. On the other hand, the overall number of preachers is low, and there are not enough equipped preachers, with many of them being lay brothers and sisters who serve while holding secular jobs. This creates a serious imbalance between the supply of and demand for pastoral care. Many pastors receive dozens of calls daily, engaging in personal counseling, follow-up visits, preaching, and evangelism, often leaving them breathless. The overload of preachers manifests in both physical and spiritual exhaustion:
- Physical Exhaustion: The mission field is vast, the workload is overwhelming, and the meeting points are scattered, leaving many workers exhausted. A lack of exercise leads to physical decline. Furthermore, the political environment and safety concerns create significant psychological pressure. The household registration system and the illegal status of house churches result in severe deficiencies in medical insurance and social welfare for house church preachers, coupled with inadequate financial support. Many of God’s servants endure highly unjust treatment. Seeing so many friends and mentors on the frontlines grow increasingly haggard fills my heart with anxiety, compassion, and love.
- Spiritual Exhaustion: As spiritual warfare intensifies, resources like prayer houses, spiritual retreats, and seminaries within the house church system are scarce, and there is a serious lack of spiritual elders to provide covering. Soldiers have nowhere to heal, train, resupply, or equip themselves. Additionally, the system of sabbatical years is not well-established, leaving many pastors in a constant state of giving without spiritual replenishment, which is highly dangerous. There is an urgent need for intercession and help.
2. Potential Crises in the Families of Preachers
From the time of Adam and Eve until today, the family has been an ancient battlefield and the easiest fortress to breach from within. No matter how glamorous a ministry appears, if this domain is breached, all achievements will crumble. Urban house churches in mainland China are still in their early stages, much like childhood or adolescence. During this period, the families of preachers require special care and attention to prevent problems before they arise, leaving no room for Satan to break through. The potential crises currently facing the families of urban house church preachers can be divided into two aspects:
- The Pastor’s Wife—the Loneliest Role: Due to cultural male chauvinism and erroneous views of the pastor’s wife within the church, many people regard the pastor’s wife only as a helper, often overlooking her role altogether. At the same time, the burden on pastor’s wives is heavy. They must support their husbands, who are on the frontlines for the Lord, while also counseling and caring for married or unmarried sisters in the church. Many pastor’s wives live in a silent, invisible state, much like John the Baptist said, “He must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:30). Regardless of how wise and intelligent a sister may be, the role God has given her is that of the “body.” While this has its validity, long-term exploitation and neglect of the pastor’s wife can lead to symptoms of depression and severely hinder the husband’s ministry. Preachers must serve and uplift their wives, and the church must avoid leaving the pastor’s wife “on the sidelines,” showing her respect instead of expecting a “two-for-one deal.”
- Children—a Vulnerable Group: As the saying goes, “It is darkest under the lamp.” The children of devout preachers may not necessarily fear the Lord. The descendants of the righteous are not automatically righteous, but they do have more opportunities to hear the gospel and know Jesus. The Bible offers many tragic examples, such as the two sons of Eli (1 Samuel 2:12-26) and the two sons of Samuel (1 Samuel 8:1-3). Preachers’ children may face the temptation of glory within the church, being taught from a young age to set an example as the children of preachers. If preachers fail to adequately model self-sacrifice at home, their children may easily fall into temptation and judgment. Moreover, preachers’ children are often neglected due to the heavy demands of ministry. I once asked a preacher’s child if he wanted to be a preacher when he grew up. He said no. When I asked why, he said, “I’ve seen how hard my dad works, and that’s enough.” While this example may not be representative, it serves as a reminder for preachers to fulfill their promises in parent-child education, to love and accompany their children, and to be good role models.
(2) External Challenges
In addition to internal challenges, urban house churches in mainland China also face serious external challenges. Postmodernism, along with the New Age movement, impacts people’s hearts, while secularism and pluralism work in tandem from both within and without. Prosperity theology and heretical teachings are rampant, and traditional culture and populism are converging. The church’s pulpit must not only uphold holiness by teaching believers to live pious lives but also courageously respond to various trends to prevent worldly ideologies from infiltrating the church.
1. Heresies and Cults Confuse the Truth and Destroy the Church
In recent years, heretical and cultic activities have been rampant in urban churches in mainland China, with many weeds sprouting up and capturing numerous souls. These heresies and cults exhibit three main characteristics: first, they are closely tied to the market, such as yoga classes affiliated with gyms or businesses run by the Unification Church; second, their target audience is highly educated young people, such as “the Young Disciples of Jesus,” (耶青會) which focuses on top university campuses; third, returning overseas individuals who have fallen into heresies become agents for these groups in mainland China. Currently, the heresies and cults affecting mainland China come from three main sources:
- From the West: The main heresies coming from the US include Jehovah’s Witnesses and the Mormon Church, which are popular among intellectuals and the middle class. In mainland China, they typically increase membership by pulling people away from orthodox churches and evangelizing unreached people. From Canada, there is the Toronto Blessing movement. It’s also worth noting that some extreme charismatic groups have recently arrived from Canada, emphasizing imminent end times (claiming it will happen within the next one or two years), preaching visions, speaking in tongues, and appointing pastors everywhere, which has had a bad influence on house churches. These groups should be watched carefully.
- Homegrown Heresies: Mainland-grown heresies and cults include groups like Eastern Lightning, the Disciples Church, the Three Grades of Servants, the Spiritual Christianity, the Cold Water Sect, the Shouters, and the Established King. These heresies mainly influence rural churches and the outskirts of urban areas, with less impact on intellectuals. Churches affected by heresies require a long period of pastoral care and teaching to recover. For instance, a house church affiliated with the Three-Self church in northern Zhengzhou was infiltrated by Eastern Lightning. This heretical group bribed authorities, used financial temptation to entice church leaders, and even threatened to kill those who resisted, employing both hard and soft tactics to achieve their goals. Such heresies are enemies of all good and must be actively guarded against and denounced from the pulpit.
- From South Korea: Korean missionaries have made significant contributions to the Chinese church, but we cannot ignore the damage caused by Korean heresies and extremism. In recent years, Korean heretical groups such as the Young Disciples of Jesus, the Mark’s Upper Room, the Central Church of All Nations, the Church of God of Ahn Sahng-hong, and Park Tae-Seon’s Heavenly Father Church have been active in major cities. These groups, after being condemned as heretical in Korea, began plundering souls and collecting money in China, employing highly malicious tactics.
2. Beware of the Zealots and Prosperity Gospel
God’s Word is like fire—it permits no impurities; God’s Word is like light—it allows no darkness; God’s Word is like pure gold—it tolerates no mixing. The pulpit of the house church faces two main enemies: the Zealots and the Prosperity Gospel.
- Beware of the Zealots: Simon the Zealot and Thaddeus were part of the Zealot party, but after believing in Jesus, they turned toward the path of righteousness. The way of the cross is not a path to overthrow the Roman government but one of sacrifice, self-denial, and salvation. Due to historical reasons, many leaders of urban house churches in China today are connected to the movement of the late 1980s. However, this should not become the core event of one’s life. The central event in the life of a Christian should be the “event of the cross.” As Pastor Yuan Zhiming (远志明) said, “We lost the earth but gained heaven.”[1]1 While democracy and freedom as political ideals are not wrong, they are not God. They are merely elementary, worldly political concepts. Without the transformation of the heart, no political concept will be anything more than an empty castle in the sky, a complete falsehood. Only the ancient path of the cross can cleanse the human heart. This is the fog that China’s house churches must break through. The church must not be hijacked by the Zealots. We should not listen to whoever speaks the loudest but to the eternal truth. We should focus on the Jesus of the cross.
- Beware of the Prosperity Gospel: The prosperity gospel refers to studying the lives of successful people and applying their principles to achieve fame and wealth. Christian faith is not about success. Success may be a by-product of faith, but it is by no means the goal of faith. The danger of the prosperity gospel lies in substituting eternal God with temporal wealth, as the prophet Jeremiah said: “They have forsaken me, the fountain of living waters, and hewed out cisterns for themselves, broken cisterns that can hold no water.” (Jeremiah 2:13). Multi-level marketing organizations in China often serve as vehicles for the prosperity gospel. They mimic Christian testimonies, sermons, and hymns, but they replace Christ with “money.” They call it the prosperity gospel, but in reality, it is worshiping Mammon. Ultimately, this path leads people to eternal destruction. Churches must be vigilant against similar teachings or materials, such as “How to Succeed,” “Successful Christians,” or “How to Be a Leader.” If we use the methods of the prosperity gospel to attract people to church and claim it’s “for the purpose of evangelism,” how different is that from heretical cults that lure people with beauty and sensuality?
3. Beware of the Trends of Consumerism and Sexual Liberation
In this crooked and perverse generation, postmodernism manifests itself in two significant ways: consumerism and sexual liberation. Seventy years of atheistic education have hollowed out the hearts of many Chinese people, leaving only a shell. In this world of flashing lights and vibrant distractions, people are like the walking dead. Western fast-food culture, along with “cheap grace,” is attacking people’s hearts. Some churches have become like supermarkets, where a donation buys a few hours of enjoyment; others have become like clubs that no longer teach “holiness” and have even turned into dens of thieves.
- Beware of Consumerism in the Church: As the Western church model gradually migrates into China’s house churches, some churches have begun implementing the pastor employment system. Under this system, some pastors dare not offend people or preach the full counsel of God’s Word. When being a pastor becomes just another job opportunity, the good shepherd becomes a “hireling.”[2]2 If preaching becomes a “purchase,” then the pastor becomes a “performer.” Another concern is that many believers in open urban churches are not highly committed. Much like in American churches, when the message or church discipline affects certain believers’ interests, they choose to leave and find a more comfortable church. This is a very dangerous situation. “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me” (Matthew 16:24). If some “Christians” treat the church as a “supermarket” of their own choosing, then we must seriously reflect on the biblical story of Simon the Sorcerer, whom Peter harshly rebuked.[3]3 The pulpit is not for consumption; it does not belong to the elders or deacons, nor to the believers—it belongs to God. Those who stand at the pulpit should rightly divide the Word of truth on behalf of God (2 Timothy 2:15).
- Beware of Sexual Immorality: According to the “Report on Sexual Health Perceptions in China” published by China’s official magazine Xiaokang (小康) on April 7, 2012, the rate of premarital sex in China reached 71.4%. Many young people had engaged in premarital sex before coming to faith or were long bound by immoral videos and behaviors. After they came to faith, their path of repentance and sanctification faces many challenges. Among post-80s and post-90s believers, the percentage bound by lust is very high. With the spread of the internet and instant communication tools like mobile phones, the speed and likelihood of eye sin have greatly increased. As the saying goes, “Chains and hell are in your pocket.” In this situation, the pulpit faces great challenges in teaching holiness. If the church does not preach about holiness and enforce discipline, it will become a den of thieves. However, when we deal with such issues justly, great love and compassion are required. Without holiness, no one will see the Lord because God is holy (1 Peter 1:16). In this age, Christians must resolve to live holy and victorious lives, no matter the cost. When addressing this issue from the pulpit, we must not shy away, for sometimes, avoiding offense to people is to offend God.
Conclusion
No age has made it easier to seek the truth, and no age has made it easier to encounter Satan. The tides of informatization, globalization, and modernization have swept people away, leaving them unable to escape. Yet the path to life is one of swimming against the current, a path that wages war against the flesh, the world, and Satan. Those who stand at the pulpit are like generals rallying the troops. Only the pure gospel of the cross can save lost souls. To preach the gospel is to join the battle!
Editor’s note: This article is an excerpt from the book Here We Stand: Reflections on the Future of the Chinese House Church, originally written in Chinese and translated by the ChinaSource team with the author’s permission.
Endnotes
Image credit: Mitchell Leach via Unsplash
Joshua Guo
Born in 1980 in Anyang, Henan, Rev. Joshua Guo holds a BA from the China Youth University of Political Studies and an MA from Peking University’s School of Government. He was baptized on Christmas Day in 2004, began leading a student fellowship in 2007, and became a full-time minister in …View Full Bio
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