Image

China to Tighten Control of Churches, Including Database of State-Approved Church Leaders

The Chinese Communist Party is set to introduce tighter regulations and more state control of Christian ministry in China, including a database of authorised church leaders with strict requirements.

The Chinese Communist Party is set to introduce tighter regulations and more state control of Christian ministry in China, including a database of authorised church leaders with strict requirements.

According to the Barnabas Fund, it was confirmed last week that the Measures for the Administration of Religious Personnel issued by the State Administration for Religious Affairs (SARA), which was first announced in November 2020, will come into effect on May 1, 2021.

The new measures include the creation of a “database of religious personnel” authorised by the state to perform religious ministry.

In order to qualify, church leaders must be those who “love the motherland, support the leadership of the Communist Party of China, support the socialist system, abide by the constitution, law, regulations and rules, [and] practice the core values of socialism.”

Authorised religious personnel are obligated to resist “illegal religious activities and religious extremism” as well as “infiltration by foreign forces using religion.”

Churches and religious organisations will also be required to conduct formal assessments of their pastors by applying a “reward and punishment” system, recorded in the database.

Religious leaders and organisations that fail to satisfactorily adhere to the regulations may face de-registration, fines, or criminal prosecution.

In December, international Christian watchdog organisation, Release International, warned that persecution of Christians in China is set to rise in 2021, following President Xi Jingping’s efforts to ‘clean up’ anything that does not advance the Communist agenda.

“Tough new laws controlling religion have been imposed. Non-registered churches have been raided and closed in 2020, and increasing numbers of registered churches have been made to install CCTV cameras and put up posters proclaiming communist ideals and beliefs,” the organisation’s annual Persecution Trends survey notes.

In 2018, the pastor of one of China’s largest unregistered protestant house churches made international news headlines after he, and dozens of church members were arrested for ‘inciting subversion of state power’ and ‘illegally operating a business.’

According to a statement from Early Rain Covenant Church, Pastor Wang Yi was secretly tried on December 26, 2019, at the Chengdu Intermediate People’s Court. Four days later, the court found him guilty and sentenced him to nine years imprisonment.

“From the perspective of society, he is exercising his freedoms of religion and speech, rights granted to Chinese citizens by the Constitution and laws of China,” the church said.

China’s constitution guarantees religious freedom, but since President Xi Jinping took office, the government has tightened restrictions on religions seen as a challenge to the authority of the ruling Communist Party.

The Christian church has seen explosive growth in China over the past several decades. Before 1949 there were only 4 million Christians in the country. Today, that figure is reaching 67 million. More than three times the population of Australia.

Special Request:

For nearly eight years, we've highlighted issues ignored by mainstream media and resisted globalist ideologies eroding Western civilization. We've done this joyfully, without paywalls, despite personal costs to our team. Your support has kept us going, but operating costs exceed donations, forcing us to use ads. We’d love to ditch them, so we’re asking for your help. If you value our work, please consider supporting us via Stripe or PayPal. Every bit helps us keep fighting for our kids’ future. Thank you!

What's New?

Use the blue arrows at the bottom to scroll through the latest.
ACL Under Investigation for Quoting Greens Party Policy

ACL Under Investigation for Quoting Greens Party Policy

The Australian Christian Lobby (ACL) is currently under investigation by the Tasmanian Anti-Discrimination Commissioner after distributing flyers during the federal election that quoted publicly available policy positions from the Australian Greens party.
By
by Staff WriterJun 23, 2025
We Are in the Middle of Armageddon

We Are in the Middle of Armageddon

"I am writing this for people who would think to themselves, 'How on earth can some Christians look at the Middle East and not see biblical prophecy playing out before our very eyes?'"
By
by Jereth KokJun 23, 2025
Freedom Depends on Personal Responsibility

Freedom Depends on Personal Responsibility

"Real freedom isn’t just the absence of external constraints; it’s the ability to live with the consequences of one’s own actions."
By
by Staff WriterJun 22, 2025
Family Voice Australia Urges Health Minister to Keep Ban on Gay Men Donating Blood

Family Voice Australia Urges Health Minister to Keep Ban on Gay Men Donating Blood

"This is not about discrimination. It is about science, safety, and protecting life."
By
by Staff WriterJun 22, 2025
Griffith Roundabout Renamed in Punjabi for Town’s 3.6% Sikh Population

Griffith Roundabout Renamed in Punjabi for Town’s 3.6% Sikh Population

The Sikh community in Griffith makes up just 3.6% of the town's population.
By
by Staff WriterJun 21, 2025
Australian Christians Party Champions Freedom and Responsibility in First Major Address

Australian Christians Party Champions Freedom and Responsibility in First Major Address

“Australia's foundations are solid, even if we have forgotten them. Our legal system, our freedoms, our sense of fairness—they did not just fall from the sky. They were built on a Christian heritage that honours dignity, mercy, compassion and personal responsibility.”
By
by Rod LampardJun 21, 2025
NSW Premier’s Staff Face Arrest for Refusing to Front Inquiry Into Hate Speech Laws

NSW Premier’s Staff Face Arrest for Refusing to Front Inquiry Into Hate Speech Laws

“The inquiry has agreed to issue arrest warrants” just to get Labor staffers to show up, according to NSW Libertarian John Ruddick.
By
by Rod LampardJun 20, 2025
Man with Highest IQ in the World Says Christianity is True: “The World Needs to Catch Up”

Man with Highest IQ in the World Says Christianity is True: “The World Needs to Catch Up”

Kim, who has an IQ score of 276, said it "is a highly rational conclusion."
By
by Staff WriterJun 20, 2025

Image

Support

If you value our work and would like to support us, you can do so by visiting our support page. Can’t find what you’re looking for? Visit our search page.

Copyright © 2025, Caldron Pool

Permissions

Everything published at Caldron Pool is protected by copyright and cannot be used and/or duplicated without prior written permission. Links and excerpts with full attribution are permitted. Published articles represent the opinions of the author and may not reflect the views of all contributors at Caldron Pool.

Caldron Pool does not condone the use of violence, threats, or intimidation for political or religious purposes. We strongly advocate for peaceful, respectful, and free communication and open debate without fear of reprisal or punishment.