Chinese American church

The term Chinese American church refers to Christian churches that have congregations in the United States made up of predominantly ethnic Chinese congregations.

Cultural assimilation

Many Chinese churches originate with the purpose to serve Chinese immigrants who recently arrived from China. The services are usually done in the Mandarin Chinese or other dialects of the Chinese language with the purpose of spreading the gospel to those who cannot understand the English language. Further purposes of Chinese churches are also to support missionaries to China by helping them with the Mandarin Chinese language and Chinese cultural challenges that he or she may face.

Such churches raise the debate over "assimilation" versus "identity" in a similar fashion with other ethnic churches. The debate mostly revolves around the preservation of the Chinese culture while keeping the religious purpose of worship.[1] Most ministries have the purpose of worshipping in the Chinese language.

However, while the older generations tend to be non-English speakers, many churches find themselves being "multi-congregational" by the fact that an English-speaking younger generation is typically served under the same roof. The problem occurs when the Chinese speaking congregation shrinks and leaves behind the larger non-Chinese speaking members. Failure to attract new members usually means the end of the church as churches function as businesses. The original purpose of worship is lost.[2]

Notable churches

References

  1. ↑ Fenggang Yang (2010). Chinese Christians in America: Conversion, Assimilation, and Adhesive Identities. Penn State Press. p. 139. ISBN 0-271-04252-4.
  2. ↑ Tow, Fee Kee (2008). Training American-born Chinese pastors to minister in a predominantly Chinese bicultural church (PhD Dissertation). Asbury Theological Seminary.
  3. ↑ "PCC - Timeline: Oldest Asian Church". www.pccsf.org. Retrieved 2017-11-18.
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