MINISTRY//God is laughing
Did you know God is laughing?
On March 1, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) will implement restrictions on its internet. All religious communication, except for that which the CCP approves, will be forbidden.
We may be sad
Since Chinese censors will easily find email and social media messages with Christian content, we will no longer share our faith on those vehicles. For that reason, I've written to my closest friends in China, "It will soon be harder to talk about the Father we share. Please remember that every time you get any message from me that I am celebrating we are part of the same eternal family."
How sad that emailed Scripture passages and graphics will no longer reach our friends. How sad that we won't be allowed to remind each other of God's grace, to encourage each other, and to share our prayers with each other.
But God laughs
And, yet, Psalm 2:4,5 says, in the face of anti-Christian conspiring nations and plots to overthrow God's kingdom, "The One enthroned in heaven laughs; the Lord scoffs at them. He rebukes them in his anger."
And the God who sacrificed his Son for us promises, "Those who know your name trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you" (Psalm 9:10).
Please pray for the perseverance of the Church in China. Pray that, in spite of restrictions on the gospel's spread, the Spirit will bring hundreds of millions more to faith. And pray for 316NOW and other Confessional Lutherans groups that work to proclaim Jesus as Savior across China. Tap here to download a free copy of 316NOW's monthly prayer guide.
316NOW has found a way to safely teach our classes online. Read more here.
BarnabasAid's description of China's new regulations
The Chinese government has introduced measures to restrict Christian online activities. On December 20,2021, the State Administration of Religious Affairs announced restrictions that will take effect from March 1, 2022.
It will no longer be possible to conduct religious activities online without government authorization.
Organizations and individuals wishing to provide religious information online must apply to the provincial Department of Religious Affairs. Sermons, religious ceremonies, and training activities may be broadcast online only after obtaining a special license.
It will no longer be possible to conduct religious activities online without government authorization.
Online communications must also not "induce minors to become religious, organize them or force them to participate in religious activities." The measures also ban foreign organizations and individuals or organizations established by foreigners from operating online religious information services within China.
The government's aim is to further promote the "sinicization" of religion. The clampdown comes amid increasingly restricted access to digital and printed Bibles. In October 2021, Christian software company Olive Tree Bible Software was forced to remove its Bible app from the Apple App Store in China after failing to gain government authorization.