China has a complex, confusing, and convoluted religious structure; however, it is having one of the greatest revivals in history. Chinese Christians have been crushed since the Reds took over (with the help of the U.S. State Department!) in 1949. Persecution usually produces fruit. Could the absence of persecution of U.S. churches be one reason we aren't seeing much fruit in our churches?
Could another reason be that most U.S. churches are also registered, in that they are incorporated and thereby are “creatures of the state”? Is a sovereign God pleased that His blood-bought church is a “creature of the state”? Are U.S. church leaders bowing down to the golden calf of tax deductibility, and how will church leaders and committed laymen react when that “privilege” is taken away?
The Chinese leaders are atheists and hate the churches but realize that it is impossible to wipe out all Christians, so they are trying to control them through registration. The Religious Affairs Bureau controls all religion and insists that all churches register with the Three Self Patriotic Movement (TSPM). Three Self refers to self supporting, self propagating and self governing.
The Communist leadership permits registered churches to exist but doesn't permit worship outside of the approved churches and their designated hours. It is illegal to teach children the Bible in Sunday schools or youth groups before they are age 18. Preaching "excessively" about the Second Coming of Christ and other eschatological issues is also frowned upon. The TSPM has many dedicated Christians and many evangelical pastors; however, they are controlled in many areas of religious activities. And the control varies from city to city.
To qualify as a "registered" church they must have a committee of five to run the church and the committee must be approved by the Religious Affairs Bureau. All TSPM pastors must have the approval of the TSPM, are on the government payroll receiving better than average salaries.
Alex Buchan says there are three formal restrictions called the "three designates" that govern the churches. They are: "designated pastor, designated place of worship, and designated sphere of ministry." In some provinces an approved church must have a preacher's certificate, a baptism certificate and a registration certificate, all issued by the Three Self Patriotic Movement! They must also use only books that are government approved.
All thinking Christians would conclude that these restrictions are outrageous; however, Chinese Christians in the government-approved churches defend them as progress! They are quick to point out that official churches did not exist 25 years ago, and since 1990, they have increased from 6,000 to more than 13,000 under state control. Their membership during that time has increased from 5 million to almost 28 million. So what's the big deal about some state control? American and Chinese pastors seem to ask the same question! American pastors say, “Being incorporated doesn’t affect us—much.”
While there are many committed Chinese Christians in the registered churches (as there are in U.S. incorporated churches) there are still massive problems, not the least is the Scriptural position of Christ as Lord of His church. If the government (any government) is head of the church, it is impossible for Christ to be. After all, anything with two heads is a monstrosity and it never reproduces!
One pastor told of Religious Affairs Bureau officials who came to his church and sat in the front where they drank beer, smoked and talked while church leaders treated them royally and almost kissed their rings. As a result, numerous laymen left the church to join with illegal "house church" Christians.
Millions of dedicated Christians have done the same thing: They refuse to be identified with registered churches and have fled them to serve Christ and worship in illegal "house churches," and to suffer the consequences. Americans are following their Chinese brethren into house churches and unincorporated churches.
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