The City of Churches: A Study on the Development of Wenzhou Christianity and its Link to Economy, Politics, and Globalization

Abstract

The recent phenomena of economic growth, rising Protestantism, and the fragmentation of TSPM churches and house churches all exist in one area called Wenzhou. Especially, house churches in Wenzhou were considered as exceptional examples with having physically large church buildings and presentations of their faith within the public square and workplace. All evidences point that the unregistered Wenzhou house churches are not underground at all but rather on-ground churches. This article investigates this distinctiveness of house churches in Wenzhou through the lens of the linkage between this religion and the local economy, politics and its trends and desire towards globalization. Thus, above mentioned distinctiveness are part of natural consequences caused by both Wenzhous economic growth and the strategic accommodation between the local government and the house churches in Wenzhou. The implications of Wenzhou house churchs scope of possible influence remain uncertain, however, there is a possibility that as Wenzhou Study and the Wenzhou model of economic development serves as a microcosm of Chinas rural industrialization and modernization.