Resources on Church and State

ChinaSource Blog Posts

Old Rhetoric, New Normal

What's really new in the "new normal" of today's China?

Chinese Church Voices

Responding in a Time of Testing

As Christians in China enter a "tumultuous time," a brother stresses the need for a peaceful stance towards authorities and the danger of spreading rumors.

ChinaSource Blog Posts

Religion Returning to the Center

For a deeper understanding of some of the issues facing the church in China today, check out this e-journal from Germany.

ChinaSource Blog Posts

3 Questions: Being Theologically Prepared

A conversation with Dr. Carsten Vala of Loyola University on the current situation of the church in China.

ChinaSource Blog Posts

Christians United For China

A call to prayer for the church in China.

Chinese Church Voices

Regulating the Internet

The State Administration for Religious Affairs releases draft regulations calling for strict control over online religious content.

Chinese Church Voices

A New Tool for Suppressing Churches?

Rental leases being used to suppress Chinese house churches.

Chinese Church Voices

Flying the Flag

Official religious groups propose the national flag be displayed at places used for religious activities. 

ChinaSource Blog Posts

China’s New Approach to Religion

Implications for the Church

What are the new challenges facing Christians in China?

ChinaSource Blog Posts

Get Back in the Sandbox!

Is Christianity being singled out for pressure, harassment, and restriction. Or is part of something bigger?

ChinaSource Blog Posts

Understanding the Chinese Communist Party

Understanding the role of the CCP in Chinese society and how it functions is crucial. Here are resources to help.

Chinese Church Voices

Peace in Detention

An account in three points by a believer who was detained in Chengdu.

ChinaSource Blog Posts

The Politics of Protestant Churches and the Party-State in China

A Book Review

In a society where religious life is tightly proscribed and managed by the Party-State, how is it that so many independent (“illegal, but free”) churches have sprung up and not only survived, but thrived?

ChinaSource Blog Posts

A "New" New Normal?

Management of religious affairs will be shifted from, SARA to the United Front Work Department—what questions should we be asking? 

Chinese Church Voices

When the Police Come Knocking

A Guide for Churches

Guidelines for pastors and church staff on how the church should respond to government intervention, including what to do when the police come knocking at your door.

ChinaSource Blog Posts

Persecution or Potential?

The voice of one of many Chinese Christians who are calling for believers to step into the NGO space as a means of extending the church’s witness in society and establishing its credibility in the eyes of the government.

The Lantern

New but Not Normal

April news from ChinaSource.

Blog Entries

Bibles in China: The Gray Zone Shrinks

Bibles are now no longer for sale online in China, and that is, indeed, bad news. But we need to be clear what hasn’t happened and what has happened. 

Chinese Church Voices

Being the Chinese Church in the Face of Growing Political Uncertainty

Chinese Christians are asking how they should respond to the new religious regulations. Here is one pastor's response.

Blog Entries

Goodbye, SARA

The State Administration of Religious Affairs (SARA) will be absorbed by the Party’s United Front Work Department.