| Today,
February 19, the four-day China Church Symposium begins in Pasadena,
California. The stated purpose of the event is to "explore
opportunities for East-West communications and partnerships."
Discussions will include "understanding religious liberty
issues." The problem is that the entire Chinese delegation which will
be the benefactors of the symposium are all either officials of the
Chinese Communist state church (the CCC and TSPM) or officials of the
state Religious Affairs Bureau. In spite of this, the sponsors of the
symposium state in their promotional literature that these individuals
"will give us a comprehensive view of the state of the church in
China."
Last week, WCU put out a press release to alert Christian Americans
to this betrayal of the true Body of Christ in China. We also asked
Christians on our e-mail network to speak up for their suffering brothers
and sisters in China by contacting several sponsors of the Pasadena
symposium, including Prison Fellowship International. According to PFI,
they have received many contacts from our network.
Yesterday, Pastor Ralph Ovadal spoke with Ron Nikkel, the President
of PFI. Mr. Nikkel staunchly defended his decision to host a gathering of
Chinese Communist puppets and officials masquerading as Christians. He
insisted the situation in China is "complex" and called Pastor
Ovadal's press release "stupid." Mr. Nikkel also would not agree
to at least give members of the underground church in China a chance to
speak at this year's or even next year's symposium.
"There is nothing complex about China and the Church of Jesus
Christ. There are two churches. One is a puppet church which dances to the
Communists' tune and features Party members in positions of authority. The
other is the true Church which is being hounded and persecuted for being
true to the gospel and its Author. Does Ron Nikkel and the other Americans
hosting this symposium realize that it is unlawful for pastors in the TSPM
church to preach the true gospel of Christ? Do they realize that it is
unlawful for them to preach that Jesus Christ is Lord of lords and King of
kings? Will they speak up for the millions of
Christian Chinese who face sanctions ranging up to and including death
simply because they love the Lord their God with all their heart, mind,
soul, and strength? From all indications, they will not do so; and thus
they will compound their betrayal of the suffering Chinese church."
Ralph Ovadal, Pastor, Pilgrims Covenant Church and Director,
Wisconsin Christians United
Religious Affairs Bureau: The RAB oversees the
administration of state religious policy and often calls upon the Public
Security Bureau (the Chinese intelligence and police service) for arrests,
surveillance, and implementation of its policy. RAB personnel are
appointed by the Communist Party and most are Party members.
Three-Self Patriotic Movement: The TSPM, the state
church, is very political in nature, touting Communist Party policies
within the church. The Party or TSPM leadership, who are often Party
members, select TSPM pastors who must remain politically loyal. Many TSPM
personnel are Communist agents.
China Church Council: The CCC, TSPM's sister
organization, constitutes the leadership structure of the state church,
promoting Party policies and presenting a propagandized image of the
church in China to foreigners. The CCC implemented the "Ten Don'ts
for Churches," which includes prohibitions of young people in
churches, the preaching on Revelation, and unregistered churches.
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