Ideas

Editorial reflection and analysis on issues shaping Chinese Christianity.

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China’s Cities—Should We Not Be Concerned

Jesus told the parable of the lost sheep leaving 99 sheep to go after the one lost one. At a recent missions conference held by a church in China, one of the speakers commented that the ratios for China are almost the opposite with leaving five sheep to go after the 95 lost ones.

People gaze up at a sky adorned with vibrant, colorful umbrellas. Much of the program at last week’s Fourth Lausanne Congress was structured around 25 issue areas, or gaps. Yet some have pointed out that this granular approach to the overall mission effort ignores the context of each of the gaps, as well as the ways in which they interrelate.

Closing the Gaps

Much of the program at last week’s Fourth Lausanne Congress was structured around 25 issue areas, or gaps. Yet some have pointed out that this granular approach to the overall mission effort ignores the context of each of the gaps, as well as the ways in which they interrelate.

A racially diverse group of people do “hands in” all together. The Lausanne Covenant included Christians on both sides of disagreements who might otherwise be divided. Instead, the leaders of the congress sought to create a covenantal community across such differences and in service of a shared mission for “the whole church to take the whole gospel to the whole world.”

Reaffirming the Lausanne Covenant

The Lausanne Covenant included Christians on both sides of disagreements who might otherwise be divided. Instead, the leaders of the congress sought to create a covenantal community across such differences and in service of a shared mission for “the whole church to take the whole gospel to the whole world.”

A black and white image of an elderly Tibetan man, wearing a white sun hat. The finish line of the Great Commission is not merely evangelism or church planting; it is to bring about the obedience of faith among all peoples, resulting in healthy, biblical, local churches that display the glory of Christ in their communities and beyond.

What’s the Finish Line of the Great Commission?

The finish line of the Great Commission is not merely evangelism or church planting; it is to bring about the obedience of faith among all peoples, resulting in healthy, biblical, local churches that display the glory of Christ in their communities and beyond.

A group of people sit around a table with open Bibles, praying together. It is our responsibility to actively seek the opportunities for building shalom and to pray earnestly for the authorities until we see the alternative doors opened for holistically blessing the people in China.

Building Shalom Even in Adversity

It is our responsibility to actively seek the opportunities for building shalom and to pray earnestly for the authorities until we see the alternative doors opened for holistically blessing the people in China.

A sign with the word “Love,” with a heart for the O, and the Chinese character for love below. The journey of identity for Christians on both sides of the strait is to "leave the old identity" and experience a journey of a new identity, no longer bound by the unchangeable "past determining the future" but renewed in the light of the gospel.

Identity Beyond Nationalism

The journey of identity for Christians on both sides of the strait is to "leave the old identity" and experience a journey of a new identity, no longer bound by the unchangeable "past determining the future" but renewed in the light of the gospel.