View From the Wall

Bible Study Fellowship in Beijing

Where to Go from Here?

BSF materials and methods are being used in China. The author looks at three influential factors for analyzing their appropriateness and value in Chinese society.

Lead Article

Vision or Vanity? What Are We Passing On?

Both foreigners serving in China and Chinese are experiencing a profound shift in roles. Chinese believers are stepping to the forefront, as it should be, but what should foreigners be passing on to them? How does vision play into this and do we want to pass it on?

Supporting Article

Ways to Pass the Baton

Practical Tips

Encouraging and supporting local believers as they pursue God’s calling in their lives is much more difficult than simply teaching what is most comfortable for the teacher. Here are a few suggestions to help ensure that outsiders ministering in China remain focused on serving local Chinese Christian communities.

Resource Corner

Chinese Church Voices

With translated sermons, articles and blog posts, this new web site provides a platform from which non-Chinese speakers can access conversations taking place within China's on-line Christian community to broaden their understanding of the issues facing the Chinese church.

Articles

The Chinese Church and the Global Body of Christ

Pastor Jin briefly looks at the history of the church in China and how it influences today's church as well as the changes the present-day church faces. He identifies six challenges facing the church and also looks to the future. In a side bar, he challenges the North American church.

View From the Wall

Mentoring in a Chinese Context

Those who have mentored share some of their insights and discuss the needs of Chinese leaders that would benefit from mentoring. The role of foreign Christians in mentoring is addressed along with a look at how Jesus mentored other. Mentoring resources are suggested.

Editorials

Urban Church Structures

Editor's note: This editorial originally appeared in "The Structure of China's Urban Church" (CS Quarterly, 2011 Spring)

Lead Article

The Transformation and Renewal of the Structure of Chinese House Churches

China's rapid economic and social changes have compelled the churches in China to transform. By far the factor that contributed most to the need for structural changes within the Chinese house churches has been urbanization. Other factors have contributed as well: the one-child policy, increasing availability of higher education, and increasing opportunities for theological education and leadership development.

Supporting Article

How Should Chinese Urban Churches Organize Themselves?

Over the past sixty years, the Protestant church in China has grown exponentially. Most of this increase has taken place in what are often called house churches. Many of these congregations meet in large buildings and are still called house churches. Therefore, the debate of whether it is better to meet in smaller groups in homes or to gather together in a larger venue. In addition, there is also debate about whether individual home-based congregations should join together in larger networks. This article will examine the question of a proper place for Christians to meet together.

Peoples of China

Church Structure in China

Proposed Questions for Exploration

When interacting with church leaders in China, questions about the church inevitably emerge. At some point, issues concerning church structure will be brought up. How they respond will deeply affect the long term growth of the church. It is both exciting and agonizing to observe.