What an Olympic Games they were.  As well as a medal haul for the UK unparalleled since the first World War (the Great Haul of China), they were an impressive spectacle: well organised, with a cast of thousands and stunning stadia.  (I won’t get started on the London Bus at the closing ceremony!)

However, there was the darker side, hinted at by the close control of proceedings.  In many ways, the sad replacement of the child singer of the opening ceremony by a more acceptably-photogenic little girl, was a symbol for the whole dilemma for China posed by the Games - how far could they open up to the world, showing how they really are, while still retaining tight, choreographed control?  A big worry before these games was human rights.  A joint statement from Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch and Reporters Without Borders about the games said this: “The development of the XIX Olympic Games in Beijing cannot hide the systematic violation of human rights practised by the government of China.”

Around the games, the Political and Legal Committee of the Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party launched a nationwide campaign to crack down on four groups considered to be “unstable social elements” by the Chinese authorities: house church leaders, petitioners, human rights defenders and political dissidents.

The situation of the Chinese church is complicated.  There is apparent freedom for churches which are prepared to register themselves.  However, they have to meet certain standards imposed by the Government: not to criticise the regime, to follow the line of Chinese communism and (for Roman Catholics) not to maintain relationships with the Vatican.

As a result, many churches choose not to register – to remain underground house churches.  Though exact figures are impossible, all indications are that these churches are growing very fast, and are therefore seen by the Chinese leadership as a threat to the stability of Chinese society (as if!), and so face severe restrictions.  For example, a Beijing house church leader, Cai Zhuohua, was released on September 2007 after a three-year imprisonment for distributing Bibles.  In his prison, Cai was forced to work for 10 to 12 hours a day and was denied access to a Bible.  The Beijing Municipal Public Security Bureau has issued a public notice warning landlords to restrain from renting houses for unregistered religious activities.  Readers of the recent Christian best-seller, ‘The Heavenly Man’, will recognise that this is not just true, but merely the tip of the iceberg of persecution.

China, and its churches, need our prayers.  This is a nation which is hugely significant for the world in every respect, and which is fertile ground for the spread of the gospel.  Let us pray that China begins to adopt greater human rights and free expression of ideas, and as it does so that the persecution of many of its churches will cease, and Christ be made freely known in that great land.

A website which maps global surnames has been launched to help people find the origins of their name and how far it may have spread.  The Public Profiler site plots eight million last names using data from electoral rolls and phone directories.  The site covers 300 million people in 26 countries, showing the origins of names and where families have moved to.  It’s a fascinating site, and if you want to have a look it’s here: www.publicprofiler.org/worldnames1 

Dunthorne isn’t the most usual surname – and it’s often misspelled – but I couldn’t resist having a look.  What I found was that it’s a very English name, and from East Anglia (which I knew).  It’s recorded now across the world, showing the influence of the old British Empire, but isn’t found in any great detail, apart from an odd concentration in Manitoba, Canada.  Clearly, some intrepid relatives from generations ago emigrated to Canada, and a new Dunthorne clan is emerging there across the Atlantic.

But then two further thoughts.

1.           Actually, as a Christian, I have a worldwide family that exceeds 1 Billion people – all those who love and follow the Lord Jesus Christ.  That’s the great thing about the worldwide church.  For all our differences, disagreements and divisions, theologically there is only the one Church, the Body of Christ, and I am a part of it.  What a great feeling.

2.           But, as more of a challenge, how many spiritual descendants will I leave behind?  I have four natural children, gradually making their own way across the country.  I’ve been a committed Christian for 27 years now.  I’ve been ordained for 17 years.  I’m not looking for any personal glory, and I certainly don’t want anyone to be a follower of mine!  (c.f. 1 Corinthians 1)  But the Apostle Paul knew that the churches that he founded and pastored were his offering to the Lord – the basis on which his ministry would be assessed.  How do I stack up on that basis?  Has my faith and my ministry made a real lasting difference in the lives of people where I have lived and worked?  I hope and believe so.  Ultimately that’s something I have to leave in the Lord’s hands – my call is simply to be faithful where I am.  But I so want the Lord to work through me – and to bring glory to his name.