Pray For Authorities

Recently CCSM was presented with a request to share with our readers a little about the leaders of China’s official state church system. Who are the key figures and how can we pray for them? Therefore, in the upcoming months we will present a few of these leaders in the hope that our readers will put into action Paul’s call for prayer as in Timothy 2:1 above. The ministries of Paul and Timothy both faced Jewish law and Roman rule. Paul and Timothy understood what it was like to practice and share their faith under authorities even when those authorities were sometimes hostile to the spread of the gospel.

The chart below is designed to give some insight as to how the TSPM, the state authorised church, operates under the government oversight.  We show it only to share with our readers the situation of the Church in China so they have a better understanding.  

Christ never promised his disciples deliverence from Roman rule, but rather salvation from the wages of sin and restoration of right relationship with our creator. Every believer should seek God’s Kingdom (and by this His ‘Kingship’) and His righteousness, wherever he is [Matt 6:33] - in Rome, in China or elsewhere. Only by obediently following the lead of the Holy Spirit will any believer hear the words, “well done my good and faithful servant”.  

Likewise, CCSM has no interest in political activism, our only desire is to serve, strengthen, and support our brothers and sisters in China through informed prayer, provision of the gospel and communion. In return we are encouraged by God’s faithfulness to the Chinese Church in their struggles and strengthened in our own faith by their witness.

The Chinese state church has two arms - the CCC (China Christian Council) and the TSPM (Three Self Patriotic Movement). Together they are known as the “Two Councils (Lianghui)”, or the National Christian Councils.  The TSPM, broadly speaking, runs the administration of the Chinese Protestant Church, whereas the CCC is the body that governs the theology. It formulates church order, training programs, Bible school and seminary education, and is editor of all church literature. Through the CCC the Chinese church is represented at the World Council of Churches. The only legal way to distribute Bibles in China is under authorisation of the Lianghui, although it is not clear as to how, or who, exactly determines the number to be printed by Amity Press for distribution in China. 

The first TSPM leader we will feature this month will be Pastor Wu Wei 吴巍牧师, president of the China Christian Council (CCC). 

“I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people—  for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness”.  Paul’s 1st letter to Timothy, ch. 2 v.1-2.

“Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.”  Paul’s letter to the Romans ch.13 v.1.

 “The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the LORD; he turns it wherever he will.” Proverbs 21:1

Prayer Points

Praise God that He is high above all authorities in Heaven and on Earth.

Praise God that He does not sleep, that He loves justice and the He rules in the kingdom of men (Daniel 4:17).

Pray that the Chinese church (and the church elsewhere) will be have the faith and strength to live under authority, as described in 1 Peter 2:13-25, fearing God and honouring the king.

May the church heed the warning in Jude 1.8-9 before they pray, or speak, about authorities.

Pray for the authorities in China, both those in government and in the church.

Praise God that the ruler of this world has nothing in Christ.  (John 14:30 NKJV)