Multiplication of churches in India fueled by persecution and simple structures
In his paper, "Church Planting in India," Stanley Mehta summarizes a presentation by D. R. David at the Bless India Conference held in Chennai in January 2006. He says, "amidst all the pressures and changes, the church in India is growing more rapidly than ever before. The persecution has begun to bring together many Christian leaders who have operated rather independently of one another in the past." Most of us in the Western world have heard the incredible reports coming from China, but I was really thrilled to read Mehta's explanation of the growth in India (underlining added):
Much of the growth of the church has been coming through cell groups (networked together as part of larger worshipping congregations) and house churches (in which the cell performs all the functions of a church). The cell and house church models have drawn increasing attention, not only because of their rapid multiplication, but also because of their suitability for apprentice-style leadership development, their ease of cross-cultural adaptation, and their ability to survive and even thrive during times of persecution.
The combination of local agitation as well as official harassment and media attacks have prompted Indian Christians to rethink their strategies of evangelism. In many places public meetings and street preaching have become nearly impossible, though in some areas well-publicized evangelism and healing services can still be conducted without interruption. However, in general there is a growing emphasis on friendship evangelism, home meetings, and practical service (e.g. health, literacy, AIDS prevention, environmental initiatives) that plainly benefit the entire community (non-Christians as well as Christians) and that win a hearing for the Christians. Two common criticisms leveled against the Christians by their opponents are that (1) They are outsiders, not true patriots, mere agents of the west, kept alive by foreign money; and (2) all their "good works" are simply dishonest ploys to "convert" (i.e. to rip away from their community and their culture) the ignorant.
When Christ explodes onto the scene of some pagan culture, persecution is a certainty. The place of church gatherings matters not one bit. If communitie—be it organized religion, local economies, or traditional cultural practices—are feeling and seeing the impact of the gospel there will be persecution. Paul experienced it in every city in which he ministered. I love his Acts 20 description of his ministry to the Ephesians. There was nothing loud and boistrous about his evangelistic style. In fact he was charged by the Corinthian super-apostles and perhaps even the “laity” of being “unimpressive” in person. Nevertheless, he was mistreated, beaten or slandered in each and every city where he served.
Something recently caught my eye in Acts 19 as it relates to the type of message preached by Paul and his associates. Even though they ministered in the midst of a VERY pagan culture, complete with statues erected even to the “unknown god”, it was not their habit to publicly speak against these gods (see Acts 19:37) or their pagan practices. Paul’s teaching was done “publicly and from house to house”, “serving the Lord with all humility and with many tears and trials” (see Acts 20:19,20). Still, he and his companions were mistreated. In fact, if he had not been friends with some of the Asian leaders, he and his company would have suffered even more (Acts 19:31).
So, Paul’s aim of living a “quiet life”, conducting himself “properly to those who are outside” (I Thess 4:11,12) did not secure for him a “persecution free” environment. But it did produce much fruit for the kingdom of God! God bless our brothers and sisters in India as they multiply and bear fruit. The problem with Americanized “Christianity” is that we invite “persecution.” But even so, we really do not experience persecution. We might get made fun of by secularists and liberals, but that’s about it. We Americanized Christians certainly don’t make it our aim to live a quiet life. We take up the whole armor of political and religious conservatism and try to fight the good fight, but, we make no real impact on culture.
We have taken our eyes off the ball. We need to refocus on Christ and the reconcilation that is found in Him alone!