China’s strategy changes; so does 316NOW’s
February 16, 2022
The form of 316NOW’s ministry is changing.
The reason our ministry exists is not changing.
That’s not news. 316NOW’s approach to proclaiming grace across China has changed in many ways over the last two decades. But our goal of helping to raise up a Confessional Lutheran presence in China has not wavered.
China is cracking down on religion
What is new is that China is now adamant that no religious content will appear on its internet unless the Communist Party sanctions it. There’s more information here.
These restrictions will reshape our approach to ministry.
How will 316NOW’s ministry change?
As much as we love the people of China and are committed to do whatever we can so they enjoy heaven with us, our Father loves them infinitely more. Not even the gates of hell will prevail against his Church. Communist China cannot prevail. We will move firmly forward emboldened by that truth.
But that does not allow us to foolishly expose our friends in China or our ministry to unwarranted dangers. Even as we are as innocent as doves, we must be as wise as snakes (Matthew 10:16). We will use the best information we have and our prayer-fueled, Spirit-directed judgment to plot a course for the future. It also means, as we have more information, our judgment about an appropriate course of action must adjust. Being entrepreneurial is a core value of 316NOW. An entrepreneur’s ability to pivot and rapidly change course must be part of our operational style. Especially now.
For those reasons, the 316NOW will implement the changes below. These changes will remain in effect until circumstances determine adjustments are appropriate.
New operating procedures.
We will use an online teaching platform that offers end-to-end security for the communication we share with Christians in China.
To offer our students and our ministry as much protection as possible, we will
keep our class sizes between 6-8 students and include students who are known to each other.
stay alert to students or potential students who may be “spies.”
Note: Most illegal religious activities have been uncovered not by police surveillance, but by citizens who report suspected religious activities to the authorities.
limit communication that takes place outside the classroom to short phone calls and coded text messages.
We will repeatedly assure our students of our commitment to them and our Father’s commitment to us all.
We will increase our efforts to prepare students and their churches that are moving toward Confessional Lutheranism to stand on their own.
We will aggressively pursue additional contingency plans for proclaiming the gospel across China.
How you can assist 316NOW
Pray for the Church in China, for China’s 1.4 billion souls, for 316NOW, and for other Confessional Lutheran groups working there. You can download a pray guide with a suggestion for each day of the month by tapping here.
Offer to get involved. We are especially in need of fellow Lutherans with experience in blogging; email communication; website design; video production; marketing; and social media design, posting, and monitoring. Look over a more complete list of skills here.
Adjusting our ministry to meet these new challenges will increase our ministry costs. Your financial partnership is more important than ever.
For such a time as this
When Esther lived in Persia, her government was hostile to the gospel. Plans for genocide were launched to destroy the Jews. But God’s plan to rescue his people was in place long before Persia’s plan was developed. Years before God had positioned Esther to be queen and savior — for such a time as that (Esther 4:14). The obstacles the Chinese Communist Party is raising against the gospel and God’s people easily cause frustration, even fear. But faith in our Father’s never-wavering love for us in Jesus compels a sense of excitement and joyous anticipation. Our God is about to show how powerful and loving he is.
What a blessing it is to serve and support 316NOW during this time! How humbling that the Lord of the Church would entrust us with such responsibility.