On January 16, the National Committee of the Three-Self Patriotic Movement of the Protestant Church in China and China Christian Council (hereinafter referred to as CCC&TSPM) released the "Measures for the Administration of Fellowship Activities in Protestant Venues in China" (hereinafter referred to as the Measures).
Formulated in accordance with the revised "Regulations on Religious Affairs" and the "Church Order of Protestant Churches in China," the measures have 14 articles, outlining clear provisions governing the entities authorized to conduct fellowship activities within Protestant venues, their organizational and management structures, the scope of activities, and oversight mechanisms.
Defined Establishment Entities and Management Responsibilities
Articles 3 and 4 specify that fellowship activities may only be established by legally registered Protestant churches (meeting points) and must be integrated into the venues' internal management systems. Individuals, CCC&TSPMs at all levels, and seminaries are not permitted to independently organize fellowship activities, and no organization or individual may conduct activities in the name of a Christian fellowship.
Regarding the governance, the fellowship leader is to be appointed by the venue's management body and, in principle, should be a full-time clergy member or a member of the venue's management organization. Fellowship activities are to be carried out under the direct oversight of the venue.
Standardizing Fellowship Activities, Naming Principles, and Membership Composition
With regard to the nature and operation of fellowship activities, the "Measures" set out systematic regulations. Article 5 specifies that fellowships may not be named after industries, professions, guilds, or regions. Article 8 defines the scope of fellowship activities, which primarily includes the study of policies and regulations, Bible study and interpretation, instruction in Christian doctrine and church rules, and the sharing of faith experiences, as well as fellowship and mutual support.
Concerning membership composition, Article 6 states that fellowship members should be believers who regularly participate in worship at the venue. Article 7 further provides that foreign participants in fellowship activities must comply with relevant national policies and venue regulations and may not take part in the organization or management of such activities.
Financial Transparency and Geographical Restrictions
To regulate the operation of fellowship activities, the "Measures" set out requirements regarding funding and the scope of activities. Article 9 stipulates that all expenses related to fellowship activities are to be arranged by the venue's management organization. Fellowships may not establish separate offering boxes, nor may they collect donations in the name of the fellowship.
Article 10 provides that fellowship activities are generally to be held within the venue and may not be conducted across venues or administrative regions. Where cross-venue or cross-regional study and exchange activities are necessary, applications must be submitted in accordance with relevant regulations issued by local religious affairs authorities or church bodies. The "Measures" further state that venues do not support, maintain contact with, or participate in fellowship activities organized outside the venue in the name of Christianity.
Administrative Reporting and Accountability Mechanism
The "Measures" further clarify requirements for reporting and supervision. Article 11 stipulates that when a fellowship conducts major activities, makes key personnel appointments, or involves significant sources or expenditures of funds, these must be reported to the local religious affairs department through the local CC&TSPM.
Article 12 assigns supervisory responsibility to CCC&TSPM and its affiliated venue management organizations. Fellowship activities that fail to comply with the regulations will be required to make corrections; in serious cases, activities may be suspended in accordance with the law, and the fellowship leader, as well as the responsible church (meeting point) leader, may be held accountable.
