It’s hard enough living as a Christian in China; now Beijing is trying to make it impossible to die as one.

New regulations effective February 1 bar priests and pastors from participating in family funerals outside of their churches, and “no more than 10 family members of the deceased are allowed to read scriptures or sing hymns in a low voice.”

Beijing’s stated aim is to, “get rid of bad funeral customs and establish a scientific, civilized and economical way of funerals.”

So, for those keeping score at home, what started with the removal of crosses from churches grew into the demolition of church buildings, mass arrests, banning internet Bible sales, re-writing of Scripture to reflect Communist ideology, and now this.

I hope you’ll join us May 14-17 at our Wilberforce Weekend as we honor Pastor Bob Fu, who has devoted his life to aiding persecuted believers in China. Come hear his courageous witness. For more information, visit WilberforceWeekend.org.