The church in China warns congregations to be alert to heresies and cults, especially since onsite services and gatherings have been suspended amidst the coronavirus outbreak.
Pastors have to nurture their flocks via network platforms, but online ministries seem to be a difficulty for a large portion of churches without experience or knowledge. Since these churches have regarded online ministries as a supplement to normal shepherding, their role has been more passive.
Thirsty for devotional messages, some Christians seek sermons and messages on the Internet, falling prey to heresies and cults.
In contrast to the less developed online ministries of mainstream churches, some heretic and cultic organizations used the Internet and advanced technology to begin evangelizing more than a decade ago.
In late February, the Jilin Christian Council & Three-Self Patriotic Movement (CC&TSPM) urged its churches to resist the erosion of belief caused by the notorious Korean Shincheonji Church of Jesus, as part of the effort to prevent and control Covid-19. The Shandong CC&TSPM also launched a similar notice to protect Christians from heretics and cults in fighting the epidemic.
On February 28 the Suzhou St. John's Church appealed to its members to hold on to proper faith and honest deeds and watch out for heresies and cults during the outbreak.
The Xinji Church of Hebei also told its members to be on guard against cults and heresies on March 20, 2019. It claimed some heresies were active in the city's densely populated areas, including shopping malls.
- Translated by Karen Luo
