China (MNN) — The Chinese Communist Party is banning foreign missionary activity, effective May 1. According to International Christian Concern, the regulations “prohibit foreigners from preaching, sharing their faith, or establishing religious organizations without official government approval.” Kurt Rovenstine with Bibles for China says the legislation is not a surprise but is discouraging. On the other hand:  

“It doesn’t slam the door closed; it just makes it a whole lot more difficult to keep open. There’s more steps in the process, more scrutiny in the process,” he says. 

New restrictions are part of the administration’s strategy to maintain sole influence on the Chinese people, as they deal solely with foreigners.

 “It doesn’t talk about what a Chinese church can do in relation to their Chinese neighbors,” Rovenstine says. 

Expats could also be affected. 

“Their own ministry in and amongst themselves is even potentially highly scrutinized.” 

Perhaps ironically to Western nations, Chinese officials are proud of religious freedom in their country. 

“They say, ‘We’ll allow it but within this context,’ and the net effect is that the religious freedom they tout is not much of a freedom at all,” Rovenstine says. 

Rather than an overt push to remove foreigners, Rovenstine sees this as a quieter closing of heavy doors resulting from anti-foreigner sentiment. 

“Restrictions are such that the result will be, ‘It’s just too hard.’ There’s no way to get past all the things you have to go through,” he says. 

BFC already works in the country and has a strong relationship with the local church. Because of this, the new regulations won’t immediately impede their work. 

“And I praise God for that,” Rovenstine says. 

What will suffer is Americans’ ability to visit, meet with pastors, and take an active role on the ground in China. Foreign funding may also present challenges, with much yet to play out as the restrictions are interpreted and applied. 

Please pray for missionaries to China facing new hurdles with this legislation. Pray that God would continue to open doors for ministry, and pray that the Holy Spirit would help believers discern appropriate actions in the midst of sweeping changes. 

 

Images in this article courtesy of Bibles for China