Taiwan Church News
3178 Edition
January 21-27, 2013
Editorial

Translated by Lydia Ma

A wave of “China fever” has swept through many Taiwanese churches in recent years because they have come to see China as a big harvest field that they can’t wait to enter. In the opinion of these churches, China has an enormous population and there is very little language barrier, which translates into easy and plentiful harvests that are sure to bring great satisfaction. We have seen many talented national Christian leaders plunge into China’s mission field and actively engage with citizen organizations in China. It seems as though these leaders have managed to toss aside political differences and set their sights solely on Christ’s Great Commission. However, is it possible that this is simply wishful thinking on their part?

One thing that we must remember whenever we come into contact with the Three-Self Patriotic Movement is that it is an organization governed by the State Administration for Religious Affairs of the P.R.C. Furthermore, leaders of this movement (or church) oftentimes serve simultaneously as government officials. For this reason, to think that we can put political differences and disagreements aside or to think that exchanges with non-governmental agencies can free us from the political realities between China and Taiwan is a misunderstanding.

We do not deny that many Taiwanese Christians and pastors who have gone to China to evangelize have seen many devout and passionate Chinese Christians. Indeed, most Chinese Christians who cherish Christian unity call us “brothers” and “sisters” in Christ. However, it is a fact that the Three-Self Patriotic Movement’s theology and statement of faith was approved and controlled by Beijing. Pastors from the Three-Self Church are commissioned by Beijing to teach parishioners to love China and to establish a socialist and harmonious church. Furthermore, this church is not allowed to preach the Gospel outside of the church building. It has essentially been tamed by Beijing and the truths of the Gospel that it teaches have been greatly compromised. Churches that aren’t willing to be regulated by Beijing have no other option but to go underground. However, by doing so, they must face significant oppression from the state-sanctioned Three-Self Church and the government itself.

Evangelism should be about sharing the “Good News” to people who need to hear it. It requires passion, courage, and attentiveness to the Holy Spirit’s guidance. If we aren’t careful, if we ignore the Holy Spirit’s guidance and venture ahead of God based on what we perceive to be a ripe field ready for harvest, we risk not only compromising Taiwan’s sovereignty, endangering underground churches in China, but also turning the “Good News” into “Bad News”. Many times in our lives, our good intentions and zeal end up wounding others and causing tragedies because we forget to check with God and God’s timing first.

Many Christians dream about taking the Gospel to China because they hope that it will do what the Revolution of Candles did for East Germany. However, if their missions and ministries are already being selectively allowed or spearheaded by Beijing, these ministries risk becoming travesties and tools of the government to further their hidden agenda.

It is a good thing that churches in Taiwan now have the ability to evangelize outside of Taiwan and to go on missions. We should celebrate and be thankful for this because it is a sign of spiritual maturity and fervor. However, just like a toddler who has recently learned to walk, we need restrictions and rules to avoid accidents and dangers. When it comes to this “China fever” among churches, we must pray to God to give us wisdom to understand his timing, his will, and his way. Let us heed the old adage that says, “Good planning and hard work lead to prosperity, but hasty shortcuts lead to poverty.” (Proverbs 21:5).