The post-pandemic era has been a time of reflection, adaptation, and transformation for the Chinese church. Faced with challenges such as declining membership, a stricter religious environment, and societal shifts, both registered and unregistered churches sought innovative approaches to pastoral care, community engagement, and spiritual formation.
As we begin 2025, the editorial team of China Christian Daily (CCD) has selected the top 10 Christian news stories of 2024 based on the number of views, keyword searches, shares, and prominence of articles.
Below is part 2, Nos. 6-10 of CCD'S top 10 news stories of 2024. Read part 1 of CCD's top 5 news stories of the year here.
6. As the largest global Evangelical conference after the pandemic, the Fourth Lausanne Congress on World Evangelization was held in South Korea.
On September 22, the Fourth Lausanne Congress on World Evangelization (Lausanne 4) officially kicked off in Incheon, South Korea, gathering over 5,200 Christian leaders and evangelists from 202 nations, including some hundred Chinese Christians from China and diaspora, with an additional 5,000 participants joining virtually from around the world. The attendance surpassed the number of 4,200 people at the Third Lausanne Congress in Cape Town in 2010, making Lausanne 4 the largest global Evangelical conference after the pandemic.
Themed "Let the Church Declare and Display Christ Together," Lausanne 4 strengthened reflections, collaboration, and action, particularly encouraging Christians in the workplace to live out the witness. Thematic sessions around the Book of Acts and missiological engagement plenaries covered the topics of the Holy Spirit, the missional community, the persecuted church, and so on. Trending issues across the world were also discussed, concerning justice, sexuality, creation care, and how to reach Gen Z.
The State of the Great Commission, was released months before the congress, and the Seoul Statement, launched on the first day of Lausanne 4, stated the status quo of global evangelism with biblical reflection alongside a probe into current and future challenges.
Among CCD’s exclusive interviews with a former Korean medical missionary, a Russian Baptist leader, two evangelical pastors, and more, the most-read article was the one with Christopher J. H. Wright: “Interview: ‘God Is on Mission and We Participate in It,’ Says Chris Wright, Chief Architect of 2010 Cape Town Commitment”. He hoped that “Lausanne will continue to uphold an integrated mission theology and practice that reflects the wholeness of the gospel, addressing the need for individuals to repent and be saved, our engagement with societal issues of compassion and justice, and our care for God's creation.”
For more, please view our September 2024 newsletter.
7. Korean cult “Shincheonji” was suspected of hosting a Christian conference in Hong Kong to attract mainland believers.
Heresies and cults have always been an issue of the Chinese church. The cult "Shincheonji" from South Korea, who had been actively enticing Chinese believers online during the pandemic, was suspected of hosting the "2024 New Year Joint Conference for Global Chinese Pastors" on January 14 in Hong Kong.
Claimed to be initiated by the collaboration of churches and pastors from Hong Kong and mainland China, the conference featured the theme of "Redemption of Resurrection, the Blood and Flesh of the Lamb," with around 300 attendees, mostly mainland Chinese believers.
The Christian Times, an online Christian newspaper in China, revealed that the Chinese participants were from different regions of mainland China, and the live situation was later broadcast online. Speakers from varied regions, such as Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Guangzhou, and Heilongjiang, claiming to be house church pastors, came forward to share.
During the event, the organizers did not disclose their specific background or mention the name of the Shincheonji Church of Jesus, but only promoted some spiritual courses scheduled to follow. However, those familiar with their situation mentioned that the Shincheonji Church typically lets people attend classes in phases, revealing their identity later, with significant confusion. The content of the on-site preaching raised explicit questions, especially the sharing of the last speaker with the theme of "Redemption of Resurrection, the Blood and Flesh of the Lamb" discussing prophecies from Revelation, the return of Jesus, and the new blood and flesh of Jesus, similar to the content spread on the website and videos of Shincheonji.
Several churches and Christian organizations in Hong Kong issued statements, saying that individuals associated with this cult had visited them. Pastors, unaware of the situation, took photos with these believers, and the photos were exploited to deceive people's trust. Therefore, they declared that the group hosting the joint gathering had no connection with them and that they had not participated in planning or supporting these activities, urging Christians to discern carefully.
8. New book Wang Mingdao's Diaries was announced to be published.
On December 9, China Graduate School of Theology hosted a public lecture titled "A Hero of His Time: The Publication Launch of Wang Mingdao's Diaries" in Hong Kong.
Wang Mingdao (1900-1991), a famous independent Chinese Protestant pastor and founder of the Christian Tabernacle in Beijing, was in prison for his faith from 1955 to 1980. His Fundamentalist identity and claim over the separation between church and state exerted a great influence on the Chinese church.
Dr. Ni Buxiao, associate director of Christianity & Chinese Culture Research Centre and adjunct assistant professor at Alliance Bible Seminary, introduced that the manuscripts, spanning forty years (1915-1955), were remarkably preserved and written without publication in mind, containing invaluable personal reflections and intimate details that serve as crucial primary sources for academic research. In 2014, Dr. Ni was fortunate to interview Wang's son, Wang Tianduo, and gain access to these original diaries. With the family's subsequent permission, the manuscripts are being now prepared for publication.
Dr. Ni believes that Wang Mingdao's diaries are not only a record of his personal journey of faith but also a reflection of the complex circumstances of Chinese Christianity during that era. His unwavering faith and uncompromising spirit continue to inspire many believers to this day.
9. New religious measures, rules, and guidelines were introduced.
On November 1, the National Religious Affairs Administration (NRAA) issued the "Measures for Teacher Qualification Recognition and Title Evaluation in Religious Institutions" and the "Measures for Conferment of Academic Titles in Religious Institutions," which took effect on January 1, 2025.
The "Measures for Teacher Qualification Recognition and Title Evaluation in Religious Institutions" consists of five chapters and 31 articles. It defines the authorities responsible for conducting teacher qualification recognition and title evaluations in religious institutions, along with the roles of related parties. It also specifies the requirements, procedures, and supervision measures for teacher qualification certification and title evaluation.
In Yunnan Province, the Ethnic and Religious Affairs Commission and the Cyberspace Administration jointly formulated the "Implementing Rules for the Implementation Measures for the Administration of Internet Religious Information Services in Yunnan Province" (hereinafter referred to as “Implementing Rules”), effective on January 1, 2024.
Additionally, on September 14, Zhejiang Province introduced the "Guidelines for the Sinicization of Religious Activity Venues’ Construction (Trial)" at a press conference co-hosted by Christian and other religious groups in Hangzhou.
During the second (joint) meeting of the current Standing Committee of CCC&TSPM held on December 18 in Shanghai, three regulations were approved in principle: "Code of Conduct for Christian Clergy in China," "Management Measures for Chinese Pastors," and "Management Measures for Fellowship Activities in China's Christian Venues."
10. Persecution and suppression continued.
Open Doors launched its World Watch List 2024 on January 17, where China ranks 19th among the 50 countries where Christians are most persecuted. Several house churches were banned and pastors were sentenced on charges of "frauds," illegal business operations," or "organizing and funding illegal gatherings."
On November 19, the Asia Society Policy Institute’s Center for China Analysis (CCA) hosted a virtual discussion on the evolving religious landscape in China. Pulitzer Prize-winning author Ian Johnson said that all religious groups in China, including those receiving some government favor, face greater difficulties today compared to 15 years ago. For instance, minors are entirely barred from participating in religious activities or entering places of worship. Johnson observed that many religious communities are adopting a "wait-and-see" approach, enduring the current environment while hoping for better conditions in the future.
Whitman College Assistant Professor Yuan Xiaobo added that while national-level policies regulate religion in China, their enforcement often depends on local contexts. Implementation is influenced by relationships between local officials and religious practitioners and can vary significantly across regions.
