Chinese Immigrants and Church Conflicts
*中文版在頁面底部（繁體）
When Chinese families immigrate to Canada, cultural clashes don’t stop at home—they continue in the church. The first generation (CM/Chinese-speaking) often prioritizes duty, tradition, and harmony, while the second generation (EM/English-speaking) values freedom, expression, and independence. This difference, though rooted in love, often creates tension in how church life is lived out.
Duty vs. Self-Expression: Why Generations Clash
As Greg Jao explains, in Asian culture doing something because it is expected shows maturity, while in Western culture, maturity means being “true to yourself.” This explains why conflicts in Chinese churches often flare up over issues like:
Should the word “Chinese” stay in the church name?
Is it okay to use drums in worship?
Can young people wear casual clothes to church?
What language should joint services be in?
For many first-generation leaders, unity means uniformity. Joint services, for example, are often conducted mainly in Chinese with English as translation. But Scripture teaches that true unity is found in Christ: “unity which preserves diversity, and diversity which strives after unity.” When Christ is central, both Chinese and English can have a place, whether in songs, prayers, or even alternating sermons.
Why Parents Hold On: Love, Not Just Control
One first-generation believer explained that older Chinese leaders run the church like they run their families. To the second generation, restrictions may feel like control. But to the parents, involvement means love. In Chinese culture, not stepping in would mean they don’t care.
At the same time, the second generation has valuable perspectives. Younger believers often see the needs of youth, children, and outreach opportunities that older leaders might miss. The key is respect both ways:
English Ministry (EM): Present new ministry ideas with maturity, concrete plans, and respect for traditions.
Chinese Ministry (CM): Listen with openness, allow younger leaders to try new things, and guide without smothering.
As one older church leader noted: if the younger generation proves they have a solid plan, most first-generation leaders are willing to give them space.
Making Faith Their Own
Patrick Fung of OMF reminds us: spirituality cannot be borrowed from one generation to another. One reason for the Silent Exodus—young people leaving the Chinese church and sometimes the faith—is because they never made their parents’ faith truly their own.
Ironically, the more first-generation leaders try to “protect” the younger generation by limiting their ministry expressions, the harder it is for them to grow into personal faith. Freedom, even with mistakes, is necessary for growth. Granting responsibility and exposure trains younger leaders to become the future of the Chinese church.
Moving Forward Together
So how can Chinese churches grow stronger?
Trust Christ, not control. Parents and leaders must release the younger generation to make faith their own.
Respect each other. Younger leaders should honor older traditions, while older leaders should guide without stifling.
Keep Christ central. The only true “glue” for church unity is Jesus Himself, not uniformity of culture or preference.
When both generations release control and learn to respect, the church can move from tension to testimony. Instead of losing young people, the Chinese church in Canada can raise up new leaders who love Jesus, love the church, and carry the mission forward.
**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.
海外華人教會兩代的衝突與糾紛
很多華人家庭移民到加拿大後，文化衝突不僅發生在家裡，也發生在教會。第一代（講中文的父母一輩）通常強調責任、傳統和和諧；第二代（在西方長大的孩子一輩）則更看重自由、表達和獨立。兩種價值觀雖然都出於愛，但往往在教會生活裡產生緊張。
責任 vs. 自我表達：為什麼會衝突
正如焦若望（Greg Jao）所說，在亞洲文化裡，「因為應該做」代表成熟，但在西方文化裡，成熟是「做真實的自己」。這就解釋了為什麼華人教會常常因為一些表面問題起衝突，比如：
教會名字裡要不要保留「華人」二字？
敬拜時能不能用鼓？
年輕人能不能穿休閒服來教會？
聯合崇拜應該用哪種語言？
對很多第一代領袖來說，所謂的「合一」其實就是「統一」。比如聯合崇拜時，大部分流程都是中文，英文只是翻譯。但聖經提醒我們，真正的合一在於基督：「合一中有多樣，多樣中追求合一。」如果以基督為中心，中英文都可以有空間——無論是在禱告、讀經，還是在講道上輪流使用。
父母堅持的背後：不僅是控制，更是愛
有一位第一代信徒說，年長的華人領袖管理教會的方式，就像管理自己的家。在第二代看來，這種做法可能像是「控制」；但在父母眼裡，參與和干預正是「關心」。在中國文化裡，如果父母不管，反而代表不在乎。
不過，第二代也有寶貴的視角。年輕信徒往往更了解青少年、孩子的需要，以及教會外的機會。關鍵是彼此尊重：
第二代（English Ministry）： 提出新事工時，要有成熟的計畫，表達時尊重傳統。
第一代（Chinese Ministry）： 保持開放，允許年輕人嘗試，用引導代替壓制。
一位年長的教會長輩就說過：如果年輕人能拿出完整計畫，大多數第一代其實願意放手。
信仰必須成為「自己的」
海外基督使團（OMF）的馮浩輝（Patrick Fung）提醒我們：屬靈生命不能代代相傳，必須個人親自建立。華人教會裡所謂的「無聲出走」，部分原因就是很多年輕人從來沒有把父母的信仰變成「自己的信仰」。
諷刺的是，第一代越是想「保護」第二代，限制他們在敬拜、門訓和外展上的表達，年輕人就越難建立真正的信仰。成長需要自由，即使會犯錯。給予責任和機會，才是培養未來教會領袖的方式。
一起往前走
那華人教會該怎麼走呢？
信靠基督，而不是控制。 父母和領袖要學會放手，讓年輕人自己去經歷信仰。
彼此尊重。 年輕人要尊重傳統，長輩也要學習引導而不是限制。
以基督為中心。 真正讓教會合一的，不是文化或習慣，而是耶穌基督自己。
當兩代人都願意放手、學會尊重，教會就能從緊張走向見證。不再是年輕人離開，而是培養出愛耶穌、愛教會、繼續承擔使命的新一代領袖。