Old Pastor and Local Bureaucrats: Recasting Church-State Relations in Contemporary China

Abstract

In examining the relationships between a state-recognized Protestant pastor and local bureaucrats, this article argues that church leaders in contemporary China are strategic in enhancing interactions with the local state as a way to produce greater space for religious activities. In contrast to the idea that the Three-Self church structure simply functions as a state-governing apparatus, this study suggests that closer connection to the state can, at times, result in less official oversight. State approval of Three-Self churches offers legitimacy to registered congregations and their leaders, but equally important is that by endorsing such groups, the state is encouraging dialogue, even negotiations between authorities and the church at local levels.

Church and state in contemporary China: securing Christianity

“…This observation also resonates with broader studies of church-state dynamics in China. This research demonstrates that although the party-state maintains considerable power over religious groups, Christian communities are not without leverage in their interactions with local authorities (Huang, 2014;Koesel, 2014;Liu and White, 2019) and can be given a wide berth in their activities, especially when they signal support in patriotic ways (Huang and Yang, 2005;McCarthy, 2013).…”

Consuming missionary legacies in contemporary China: Eric Liddell and evolving interpretations of Chinese Christian history

“… 15. Jifeng Liu and Chris White, Old Pastor and local bureaucrats: Recasting church–state relations in contemporary China, Modern China , forthcoming. …”