God Loves China More

"God loves China more…" You might not believe this, especially if you are a harried expat who has dealt with the teeming, selfish, overwhelmingly bad-mannered masses of China's peasant underclass during Chinese New Year, but it's true. If God loves every man, woman and child in the world, there are more per square inch here in China than anywhere else. This means that God cares for China more than anywhere else in the universe. I am always overwhelmed by this when, in the middle of horrible Spring Festival traffic, I look into the faces of the people and see all the stress, tiredness, expectation and hope in their eyes. 

It always amazes me how little the world cares about China, except as a political foil. Many ministries see China as a "market" and something to be "controlled," without an understanding of the special situation here on the ground, or concern for long-term sustainability or the pastoral realities within the Chinese culture. It is always amazing how foreigners without any experience in China can get so bent out of shape because their "way" can't be respected or played out by the huge ocean of humanity here in China. 

If you've been offended by Chinese Christians, I am truly sorry for the hurt and misunderstanding. The Apostolic Gospel must be preached to the Chinese people, by the Chinese, in a way they can understand, fully obedient to an orthodox faith, but fully applicable, practical and respectful of the ancient Chinese culture and their traditions. There is no glory or power, money or influence in it for those who have taken up this cross in China. "He must increase and we must decrease." Establishing an Apostolic, Orthodox, Catholic Church in this context is the whole goal, and western church politics, foibles, and desire for control must bow to this end. 

Pray for those who hold the dream of the restoration of China's Ancient Eastern Church! If you fear China, pray for her. If you love China and want to help her, respect the leadership of the Chinese and realize Chinese Christians will never be a part of "Western Christendom." Pray for China's masses and for those who say their Masses!