The Emergence of a New Type of Christians in China Today

Abstract

REVIEW OF RELIGIOUS RESEARCH 2004, VOLUME 46:2, PAGES 183-200 A new community of Christians is emerging in some of China's economically developed coastal areas. Chinese scholars have started to call them "Boss Christians, " a term that distinguishes them from the uneducated farmers or elderly city dwellers who have traditionally made up the majority of the Chinese Christian population. They are private-business owners or employees, young, educated, open-minded, and active in both social and church work. They are becoming the majorfinancial supporters of the churches and boosters of democratic practices in the local church management. Unlike the underground Christians or those in the official "Three-Self Association" and the "Catholic Patriotic Association," they have no fear displaying their financial and religious status, and are competent in dealing with the government on behalf of the churches. They are enthusiastic sponsors, organizers, and participants in public welfare activities as well as in evangelization work. Case studies from Zhejiang Province reveal two factors that will likely determine the future prospects of Chinese churches. One is the development of a younger generation of open-minded, theologically well-trained clergy who can coordinate with international Christian communities. The other is the emergence of these economically strong and politically competent "Boss Christians." These developments, along with the conversion of more and more of the cultural and intellectual elite in the metropolitan areas, will greatly affect the shape of Chinese Christianity