Building Unity across generations in the Chinese Church (Pray & Listen)
*中文版在頁面底部（繁體）
Many Chinese immigrant churches in Canada struggle with generational tension. Parents and children share the same faith but often speak different “cultural languages.” If these challenges are to be addressed, the whole church—not just pastors or leaders—must be involved. Every believer, whether Chinese- or English-speaking, plays a role in healing these wounds together.
The Hope Behind the Struggle
We shouldn’t lose heart when conflicts arise between generations. Jesus has already begun His kingdom work, and though the church is not yet perfect, real change is possible. Christ is sanctifying His church, and even though transformation may come slowly, we can trust that His grace is at work. Reform in the Chinese church requires both realistic patience and hopeful faith—change takes time, but God is faithful.
Our ultimate hope isn’t in strategies or programs but in Christ’s return, when the church—Chinese and global—will be perfectly unified and holy. Until then, joy and endurance come from trusting that God is shaping His people through every cultural struggle.
1) Start With Prayer
Generational conflict is not only cultural—it’s spiritual. Pride, anger, and misunderstanding all point to a deeper need for repentance and faith. True healing begins on our knees.
Pray for the reformation, strength, and unity of the Chinese church.
Pray for forgiveness between the first and second generations—parents releasing control, and young people letting go of bitterness.
Pray for wisdom to navigate cultural, personal, and traditional challenges.
Pray for spiritual awareness to resist division, pride, and discouragement.
Pray for new leaders who combine biblical faith and cultural understanding.
Prayer must also move from private life into church life—into small groups, fellowships, staff meetings, and even board meetings. Too often, church meetings are filled with business items but not prayer. If we truly believe God is the one who transforms His church, we must show it by making prayer a priority.
2) Listen to Each Other’s Stories
Cultural understanding begins with listening. Many first-generation immigrants, even after decades in Canada, still think mainly in traditional ways. Meanwhile, many second-generation believers don’t truly understand Chinese culture or appreciate their parents’ journey. The solution? Listen to stories.
Encourage both generations to share and receive each other’s experiences:
Church members can attend seminars on multicultural ministry.
Sermons and small-group discussions can include topics of intergenerational unity.
Most importantly, create space for personal storytelling—at church lunches, in family gatherings, or special CM-EM dialogue nights.
When young believers ask older “uncles” and “aunties” about their immigrant stories, something powerful happens. Listening builds humility and respect. It helps the younger generation understand their roots and identity as Chinese-Canadians.
For the older generation, sharing openly—including weaknesses and failures—builds credibility. Younger believers value authenticity. When pastors and parents admit struggles such as depression, doubt, or past mistakes, they earn respect and create safety for real discipleship to happen.
Ultimately, listening and sharing are not just about culture—they’re about building trust. A healthy church learns to appreciate differences, value every story, and see God’s grace through each generation.
Moving Forward Together
Reviving the Chinese church in Canada begins not with programs but with people—humble, prayerful, teachable believers.
Pray deeply. Invite God to change hearts before changing structures.
Listen honestly. Let storytelling bridge the gap between generations.
Hope patiently. Remember that Christ is still building His church.
When both generations trust God’s timing and learn from one another, the church can become a living picture of grace—where unity celebrates diversity and every believer, young and old, finds their place in God’s family.
**This is an A.I. generated article whose content is based on excerpts from Pastor James’ paper on Learning the Culture of Our Family: Addressing Intergenerational Challenges in Chinese-Canadian Churches.
讓華人教會跨越代溝、重建合一 （從禱告和聆聽開始）
許多在加拿大的華人教會，都面臨著世代之間的張力。父母和孩子雖然信同一位主，但講的是兩種「文化語言」。要真正解決這些問題，整個教會都需要參與——不只是牧師或長執。每一位信徒，不論是講中文還是講英文的，都應該一同面對、一起醫治這些傷口。
盼望仍在衝突之中
當代際衝突出現時，我們不需要失望。耶穌已經開始了祂的國度工作，雖然教會還不完美，但改變是可能的。基督正在使祂的教會成聖，即使轉變的過程緩慢，我們仍可以相信祂的恩典正在運行。
華人教會的更新需要耐心的現實感，也需要盼望的信心——改變需要時間，但神是信實的。
我們最終的盼望，不在於方法或計畫，而是在於基督再來的那一天。到那時，不只是華人教會，全世界的教會都會完全合一、完全聖潔。直到那天，我們的喜樂和堅持都要來自這個信心——神正在藉著文化的磨合，塑造祂的子民。
1、從禱告開始
代際的衝突，不只是文化問題，更是屬靈的問題。驕傲、憤怒和誤解，其實都反映出我們更深層的屬靈需要。真正的醫治，必須從跪下開始。
為華人教會的更新、力量與合一禱告。
為彼此的饒恕禱告——父母學會放手，年輕人放下苦毒。
為智慧禱告，能面對文化、個人與傳統的挑戰。
為屬靈警醒禱告，抵擋驕傲、分裂與冷漠的試探。
為新的僕人與領袖禱告，他們能兼具信仰根基與文化敏銳度。
禱告不只是個人的事，更要進入教會的生命裡——小組、團契、執事會、甚至長執會。太多會議滿是事務討論，卻缺少禱告。如果我們真相信只有神能改變教會，就要用行動證明——讓禱告成為優先。
2、 學習聆聽彼此的故事
理解文化，從「聆聽」開始。很多第一代移民，即使在加拿大住了二十多年，仍然用傳統的方式思考；而第二代在西方長大，卻常常不了解中國文化，也不太懂得欣賞父母那一代的經歷。那怎麼辦？從聽故事開始。
讓不同世代彼此分享、彼此學習：
鼓勵教會成員參加有關多元文化或代際溝通的講座。
在講道、小組或團契中，談論「世代合一」這個主題。
最重要的是，創造「說故事」的空間——教會午餐時、家庭聚會時、或特別安排的中英堂交流時間。
當年輕一代主動去問長輩：「阿叔、阿姨，您當年怎麼移民過來的？」這不只是禮貌，而是一種尊重。聽故事會讓年輕人更謙卑、更能理解自己的根源，也更認識自己作為「中華裔加拿大人」的身份。
對長輩來說，願意真誠地分享——包括失敗與軟弱——反而能贏得年輕人的敬重。年輕一代很看重「真實」。當牧者或家長願意承認掙扎（例如憂鬱症、疑惑、錯誤），反而讓教會更健康，因為這打破了假面的完美主義，建立了真誠的門徒關係。
最終，「說與聽」不只是文化交流，而是信任的橋樑。健康的教會會學習欣賞差異、珍惜每個故事，看見神的恩典如何跨越世代地運行。
一起往前走
要讓加拿大的華人教會真正被更新，不是靠更多活動，而是靠更多的人心被神改變。
深深禱告。 讓神先改變我們的心，再改變教會的結構。
真誠傾聽。 用故事拉近彼此距離，化解誤會。
耐心盼望。 記得基督仍然在建造祂的教會。
當兩代人都願意信任神的時間，並彼此學習，教會就會成為恩典的見證——在這裡，合一不是抹去差異，而是在差異中一起榮耀神。