China (MNN) -- Digital discipleship for Christians in China has become much harder.
New restrictions from the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) claim greater authority over religious expression, this time in the digital sphere.
Just eighteen short paragraphs make up "Regulations on the Online Behavior of Religious Clergy," published September 15. But together, the articles state that online preaching and teaching can be shared only through government-licensed platforms. Teaching children, raising funds, and using AI in evangelism online are also prohibited, along with much more. (Read the full English translation of the articles here.)
"The internet is a wonderful thing. But it's also the renegade information stream in the world. There is very little accountability," says Kurt Rovenstine with Bibles for China.
He says the new regulations are a natural progression of where the CCP is taking the nation.
"[In] the last year, there's been restrictions on gatherings -- who can gather where, and with what kind of supervision, the restriction of any kind of foreign influence on in-person meetings," Rovenstine notes. "That has continued to progress in a way that gives China much more control in the 'Sinicization' of all things religious and Chinese."
He says while the September 15 restrictions are not surprising, they are disappointing, "because the regulations not only affect the churches in China, but it is targeting a lot of people who are working outside of China and trying to get content into China."
Think of Christian leaders in China who have been walking the line between government regulations and following Christ. The new rules will require creativity from them and from believers outside of China in order to disciple others and share the gospel. It will call for risk.
"It's a 'wait and see' [situation]. I do think there will be a lot of people from outside of China [who] will challenge this. It will be a game of chess on the internet," says Rovenstine.
Let this news help you pray more strategically for fellow Christians in China. A brother who works in China told Rovenstine, "Our response [to Chinese Christian leaders who feel trapped] is to feel their frustration and pray for the courage and tenacity in the midst of new challenges every day."
Rovenstine adds, "[Pray] that God would give them creativity and courage to know [what] He's leading them to do, to continue to be the spiritual leaders within China and be obedient to the Word of God and not the mandates of man."