Review: China's Reforming Churches

China's Reforming Churches: Mission, Polity, and Ministry in the Next Christendom, Bruce P. Baugus - editor, Reformation Heritage Books, May 2014, 320 pages.

China's Reforming Churches is a collection of essays which covers the history of Presbyterian missions to China, the current state of the church with its challenges and opportunities, and the potential indigenization of the reformed faith in China. The writing is more scholarly and theological than typical missions stories, but this gives the necessary depth to accurately depict the complex nature of China's church and culture. It's easy for Western Christians to see the Chinese church through the lens of one of four narratives: the persecuted church, the needy church, Christian China, or the missionary church. [99-103] While all these aspects are true, a single one does not give the whole picture, and to think those would distort the true nature of the Chinese church. This book offers a more in-depth look beyond the stereotypes.

My favorite essays were on the history of missions including the influence of the Korean Presbyterian church, the perceived challenges facing the Chinese church, and the conversation with two of the leading reformers. Even though I have family ties to the Little Flock movement, there was much I did not know about the Reformed heritage of my people. I learned a great deal from this book.

If you are interested in missions in general and China in particular, China's Reforming Churches is well worth reading. It is very informative and gives a theologically grounded perspective on God's work in this country. Although it is written from a Presbyterian perspective, there is much for the non-Presbyterian reader as well. I recommend this book.

Purchase this book at  Amazon | Reformation Heritage Books

[I received a copy of this book from Reformation Heritage Books via Cross Focused Reviews. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."]