June 4, 2010
Jinfen Church to be Demolished for not "establishing a harmonious and judicial society." The Church is located in Linfen, amongst the world's worst polluted place according to Blacksmith Institute. Despite the gloom the Christians here have always considered themselves most 'liberated' given the openness the Church professes its faith. Therefore when this large church building was erected some years back it finally drew the attention of Beijing who then pressured the city officials to do something about its 'religious problem.' On March 4 the Church leaders were slapped with the notice of an impending demolition of the building. Church members are in the midst of their 120-Day Vigil of Prayer and Fasting which begun on April 13, 2010.
see also, "Esther plea for her jailed parents, pastors of Linfen church"


CHINESE AUTHORITIES IGNORE PRO CHRISTIAN REPORT AND TURN TO PERSECUTION
July 14, 2009
A prominent Chinese scholar has suggested the government offer legal standing to house church Christians, but authorities have reacted with raids, arrests, forced church closures and a ban on the Chinese Federation of Christian House Churches. Scholar Yu Jianrong and others have concluded that house churches are a positive influence on society, but the government is wary of such influence. The government-commissioned study by Yu and associates suggested that officials should seek to integrate house churches and no longer regard them as enemies of the state.  
Yu’s research estimated the total number of Protestant house church Christians at between 45 and 60 million, with another 18 to 30 million attending government-approved churches – potentially putting the number of Protestant Christians at 100 million, higher than that of Communist Party members, which number around 74 million. Yu, a professor at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences Rural Development Institute, claimed that some official churches under-reported attendance to deflect government scrutiny.

Yu examined the rapid growth of house churches and concluded that love and concern for fellow believers and the evangelistic nature of Christianity were key factors driving the growth of the church. Though not a Christian himself, Yu attended some house church meetings and was impressed by the religious devotion of church members. He also noted that the focus was not on democracy or human rights but rather on spiritual life and community. Yu said “I think we have reason to use Christianity to advance the democratization of China,” 
A summary of Yu’s findings was presented at a government seminar, the first of its kind organized by the government, which encouraged some house church leaders. But shortly afterwards, a new crackdown on house churches began. Raids have continued to occur over the past month. On June 24, police detained house church leaders in Shaanxi province for 10 days for engaging in “illegal religious activities.” Earlier, on June 5, authorities had declared the church closed after Christians advocated for justice on behalf of peasants in the village.  
On June 14, officials forcibly interrupted services of the Rock house church. Officials occupied all the rooms and took video footage and photos of those present, before detaining six Christians, including pastor Dou Shaowen and his wife. Church members insisted on finishing their worship service even after officials cut off the electricity supply. Officials then sealed off the building and declared the Rock church abolished.  

On June 21, as church members gathered for a conference in a nearby hotel, police officers entered the building and called the meeting to a halt. They then read out a statement declaring Autumn Rain Church to be an “unregistered social organization.” Autumn Rain church has decided to continue holding services, appeal the imposed penalties and publicly apply to register the church in the hope that this may resolve ongoing difficulties with local authorities.
Source: Intercessors Network