NEWS / Churches struggle to publish online

Since March 1 when the Administrative Measures for Internet Religious Information Services went into effect, no entity can legally provide any internet religious-related information services without government licensing.

Not even Three-Self Patriotic Movement churches (the only Protestant churches that have government approval) are able to operate online without first receiving a license. The application process generally runs smoothly. However, requirements for the license vary from province to province. Some provinces require training for religious bodies and some require exams to obtain the license. 

According to China Christian Daily sources, some churches will not seek licensure. They include those churches that have been listed on the official blacklist. Also, churches in rural areas or smaller towns and counties are not optimistic about gaining a license. Churches without personnel who oversee online ministry find it difficult to state and plan their goals for online pastoral ministry as required for licensing. In at least one Muslim area, all online religious activities have been curtailed.

Sources: This post relies on an article published by ChinaSource on April 12, 2022. (Find additional information about China on their website.) China Source developed its article from a post by China Christian Daily. That article is at “TSPM Churches Attempt to Obtain Internet Religious Information Service License.” Christianity Today has published a similar article, Can China’s New Regulations Really Stop Evangelism on the Internet?