Adapting in Difficult Circumstances: Protestant Pastors and the Xi Jinping Effect

To understand the consequences of Xi Jinping’s rise, one must look down as well up. Even in face increased repression, people have a say over how it unfolds and shape takes. Many Chinese pastors are adapting to harsher policies new ideological narratives by striving lessen threat Protestantism is perceived pose. They reduce competition, not preaching about politics, dissociating from dissidents, supporting China Dream; security concerns, becoming financially self-sufficient, severing ties missionaries, building church; collective action fears, dividing congregations, avoiding networking, viewingsmall churches part God’s plan. By adjusting Protestant practice incorporating Party ideologies into their faith, aim show they can live with being steeled repression.