A Three-Self Protestant church, the local state and religious policy implementation in a coastal Chinese city 1

This chapter will analyse how an individual ‘Three-Self’ ² Protestant church negotiates with the local state in order to serve its own perceived needs. While earlier studies have focused on either compliance or resistance in face of religious policy, we will examine the development of personal relations and negotiation with local state actors by church workers in order to further church projects. We will outline a range of church activities while focusing on one particular proselytising strategy. The task of proselytising is regarded as central to the existence and purpose of the church and is further catalyzed by a growing sense that the End Days ³ (mori) are imminent, an issue which is sensitive for the state. Various activities conducted in this church occupy a grey area in what local religious policy allows and yet continue often with the knowledge of local state actors, as Chau (2009) has noted with reference to popular religion.