In previous days at least two letters were released to that congregation (and circulated around the world) from their under-shepherds. One was written by an elder shortly before he was arrested titled “How the Church Should Face Persecution.” The other, is from the pastor and is titled “My Declaration of Faithful Disobedience.” Both of these letters are filled with gospel-hope and a Christ-centered joy, they are also pastorally instructive.

Tomorrow morning as the sun rises on the first day of the week, Christians across the globe – from many tribes, languages, and nations – will greet the coming week by gathering together to worship Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. For many that will be done with ease. We’ll wake our kids up, feed them a hasty breakfast, get them dressed and out the door. When we arrive at the church building we’ll exchange pleasantries, catch up on the week’s happenings, and meet together around God’s Word. When the benediction is pronounced and the closing doxology sung, we’ll return to the comfort and rest of our homes. Despite the ease with which many of us will be permitted to worship, there will be others who worship tomorrow morning under the threat of hurt and danger; persecution and loss; sword and death. There will be those who worship and as they do they will worship as those who know that death is gain.

Throughout this last week many of us were made aware of the great persecution against members of Early Rain Covenant Church in Chengdu, China. The oppressive and communist regime have sought out and arrested more than 100 of their pastors, elders, and members. Some have been treated inhumanely and abusively, other released but now under surveillance, and others have been charged with suspicion of subverting State power.

In previous days at least two letters were released to that congregation (and circulated around the world) from their under-shepherds. One was written by an elder shortly before he was arrested titled “How the Church Should Face Persecution.” The other, is from the pastor and is titled “My Declaration of Faithful Disobedience.” Both of these letters are filled with gospel-hope and a Christ-centered joy, they are also pastorally instructive. In the contingency plan the elders drafted in the event of persecution (can you imagine writing a persecution policy for your congregation?) there’s an unwavering commitment to continue worshiping:

Neither paper seals nor arrests should hinder our determination to worship in our church sanctuary […] If there is no place indoors where we can worship, we will begin worshiping outdoors.

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