Haidian Christian Church...

Today I visited a native Chinese church. While there are many myths, misconceptions, and outright lies floating around the Western church about the Chinese church, I am not here to try to argue or disprove them. I will just say that my experience at this church was nothing like what I had been told growing up as a Southern Baptist that the Chinese church would be like.

Again, a church visit in the style of the Mystery Worshipper from
http://www.ship-of-fools.com/

The church: Haidian Christian Church, Beijing, China

Denomination: Non-Denominational, (There are no denominations in China. Haidian Christian Church is a member church of the China Christian Council, the governing body of the Protestant churches in China.)

The building: The church is in a new, sleek modern building nestled amongst the skyscrapers of Zhonguancuan. Its original building being deemed unsafe as well as too small to hold the crowds of worshippers, this new building was built.

Notice the cross in the entryway.

The church: The congregation is one of the fastest growing and most dynamic churches in Beijing. Six Sunday services are held: 5 in Chinese and 1 in English. At their annual baptism services it is common to have more than 100 new converts baptized. How many churches anywhere in the world can claim that? The church has a small book/gift shop selling Bibles in Chinese, Christian books translated to Chinese and Christian artwork and knick knacks.

The neighbourhood: The Zhong Juan Cun area of Haidian district is known as Beijing's Silicon Valley. It is where to go if you work in technology or are looking to buy a computer. It is also the area of the city where I work.

The cast: The service was led by a young lady whose name I did not catch. There was a small choir and music leader. The preacher was Pastor Wu, senior pastor of the church.

The date & time: Sunday, 14, September, 2008 11.00 am

Name of the service: English Fellowship- This is not a foreigners service. The majority of the congregation was Chinese college students who are learning and regularly speak English.

Size of Congregation: I would guess about 1000 in this service. It was standing room only. Also, one of the Chinese services was going on in the main sanctuary upstairs. From what I have been told, all services are standing room only here.

Did anyone welcome you? A greeter at the door pointed me in the direction of the English service and a very friendly family of Indonesians from Arizona noticed me as an American and we had a short conversation in the entryway. Inside the worship room, a college student approached me and asked me to fill out a survey getting foreigner's opinions on tourism in Beijing.

Describe the Sanctuary: This sanctuary was actually the overflow room that is used during the Chinese services. It was primarily filled with green plastic chairs. Bleachers surrounded the main floor area and there were some pews in a small balcony area in the back. Every seat was taken despite the pastor stating that attendance was down due to the Mid-Autumn holiday.

Pre-Service Atmosphere: People were talking, praying, reading the scriptures, and the worship choir was rehearsing. Yep, its Sunday in Beijing!

Opening Words of the Service: Good morning brother and sister.

Books Used: None used. Words and scriptures were projected onto a screen.

Musical Instruments: Acoustic Guitar

Worship Style: Why don't I show you? Watch the following video:


Sermon Length: 20 minutes

On a scale of 1-10, how good was the preacher? 8, Excellent, simple sermon challenging the church to be the church, even including a relevant T. S. Elliot poem, not something I expected in a Chinese pastor's sermon!

Sermon Topic: Jesus healing the man at Bethesda from Matthew. The pastor drew the analogy of visiting and praying with athletes in the Paralympic villiage and told several stories of people he had ministered to over the years in Beijing who were spiritually paralyzed. Jesus is the answer to our physical and spiritual needs. The church should be a Bethesda pool of spiritual healing always. Those in need physically and spiritually should find those needs met by the Church of Jesus Christ.

What part was like being in heaven? Experiencing the joy of Chinese Christians able to worship freely and openly.

Anything you didn't like? The microphone had a short in it and let out several ear splitting crackles. Pastor Wu commented that the mic needed some pastoral care and would be thrown away soon!

Did anyone speak to you after the service? No, everyone made a mad dash for the door.

After Service Coffee? None that I saw, however this being the Mid-Autumn Harvest Moon Festival, Chinese moon cakes were passed out to all worshippers. THESE ARE NOTHING LIKE MOON PIES IN THE U.S.!

Would you make this your church home? Absolutely, it is close to my apartment and very dynamic. However, my work schedule doesn't permit me to attend here normally.

Did this service make you glad to be a Christian? Yes, the Chinese church is one of the fastest growing in the world. I am glad to have experienced it.

What is one thing you will remember most? At the end of the service visitors were asked to stand. After being applauded, the choir and congregation stood to sing a welcome song during which the people tried to clap to the beat. They were all off and I couldn't help but think, "Man, Chinese people are so white!", but seriously the sincerity of worship and the boldness of the message was a rare thing to witness; I think those things are what I will remember most.