Chinese Values vs. Western values
*中文版在頁面底部（繁體）
When Chinese families immigrate to Canada, culture shock doesn’t just happen at work or in school — it shows up at home and in the church. Cultural values shape how we see authority, relationships, conflict, and even how we raise our children. Understanding these differences is key to avoiding unnecessary conflict and growing stronger together.
Hofstede’s Cultural Dimensions: Why It Matters for Immigrants
Dutch researcher Geert Hofstede studied cultures worldwide and identified six categories of difference. Two of the most relevant for Chinese immigrants in Canada are:
Power Distance (how people view authority and hierarchy)
Individualism vs. Collectivism (whether we think more as “I” or “we”)
These differences are not moral issues in themselves, but if we don’t understand them, they can create frustration and misunderstanding in both families and churches.
Respecting Authority: The “Power Distance” Gap
In Chinese culture, respect for hierarchy is strong — parents over children, elders over youth, leaders over members. This can preserve order, but it sometimes leads to unhealthy control, where younger people feel they cannot question or speak up.
By contrast, Western culture leans toward equality. Canadians often expect leaders to listen and share power. Too much of this can also become extreme, leading to rejection of all authority.
✝️The Bible’s Balance: Leaders are called to serve with humility and love (like Jesus washing His disciples’ feet). Children are commanded to honor parents, but parents must not provoke their children. Authority is about role and function, not about value or status.
For immigrant families, this means:
Parents can listen to their children without “losing face.”
Children can respect parents without feeling silenced.
Churches should model servant leadership while still valuing order and respect.
The “I” vs. “We” Difference: Individualism and Collectivism
Canada ranks high in individualism and indulgence. People value freedom, personal choice, and direct communication. For example, in a Canadian press conference, it’s normal for a reporter to ask blunt, even critical, questions to a government official.
Hong Kong (and Chinese culture generally) is more collectivist. Group harmony, indirect communication, and respect for authority are highly valued. This explains why Chinese churches often move slowly in making changes — leadership prefers stability and avoiding open conflict.
✝️ The Bible’s Balance:
Every individual is precious because they are made in God’s image.
But God also saves a people — the church is a body, a household, a family.
Radical individualism (selfishness) ignores the command to love our neighbor.
Blind collectivism (groupthink) can ignore the needs of the one who is hurting.
For immigrant families and churches, this means:
Parents and leaders (Chinese Ministry/1st generation): Don’t fear letting younger voices influence decisions. Listening is not rebellion; it builds trust.
Children and younger believers (English Ministry/2nd generation): Speak respectfully and patiently. Value the group, not just your own needs.
Moving Forward: Culture Through a Biblical Lens
Cultural differences don’t have to divide us. They can actually enrich our families and churches if we let Scripture be our anchor. As theologian Samuel Ling reminds us, problems come when we confuse the absolute gospel with relative culture.
Use the best of Chinese culture: respect, family loyalty, community care.
Use the best of Western culture: honesty, freedom of expression, equality.
Let God’s Word filter both, so that Christ—not culture—is at the center.
When we do this, our homes and churches can become places of healing, where East meets West under the lordship of Jesus Christ.
**This is an A.I. generated articled whose content is based on excerpts from Pastor James’ paper on Learning the Culture of Our Family: Addressing Intergenerational Challenges in Chinese-Canadian Churches.
中西文化比較
很多華人家庭移民到加拿大後，發現文化衝突不只出現在學校或工作場所，也出現在家裡，甚至在教會裡。文化價值觀會影響我們怎麼看待權威、關係、衝突，以及如何教育孩子。理解這些差異，能幫助我們避免不必要的矛盾，也能讓家庭和教會更健康。
霍夫斯泰德文化維度：為什麼移民要了解
荷蘭學者霍夫斯泰德（Geert Hofstede）研究了全球文化差異，提出了六個維度。其中對華人移民最關鍵的有兩個：
權力距離（人們怎麼看待權威和上下級關係）
個人主義 vs. 集體主義（是更強調「我」還是「我們」）
這些差異本身沒有對錯，但如果彼此不了解，很容易在家庭和教會裡帶來摩擦。
尊重權威：中西文化的「權力距離」差異
在中國文化裡，對長輩和領導的尊重非常重要——父母管孩子，年長的管年輕的，領導管屬下。這能保持秩序，但有時候也變成壓制，讓年輕人覺得不能講話。
相反，在加拿大更強調平等，大家期待領導要多聽意見、分享權力。但如果走極端，就會導致完全否定權威。
✝️ 聖經的平衡點： 領導要謙卑、充滿愛心，像耶穌一樣服事別人。孩子要孝敬父母，但父母也不要惹孩子生氣。權威是職分上的不同，而不是價值上的高低。
對移民家庭的提醒是：
父母可以聽孩子意見，不代表「丟面子」。
孩子尊重父母，不等於失去表達的機會。
教會要學習僕人式領導，同時保持秩序和尊重。
「我」還是「我們」：個人主義與集體主義
加拿大的 個人主義 和 縱容度 都比較高。人們重視自由、個人選擇，也習慣直接表達意見。比如，加拿大記者在發佈會上直接質問官員，是很正常的。
而中國文化更強調集體和諧。很多決定都要考慮大局，盡量避免正面衝突。這也是為什麼一些傳統華人教會改動很慢，因為領導層多是第一代移民，他們看重穩定。
✝️ 聖經的平衡點：
每一個人都寶貴，因為都是照著上帝形象造的。
但上帝拯救的不只是個人，而是一個群體——教會是一個身體、一個家。
過度個人主義（自私）違背了「愛鄰舍」的命令。
盲目集體主義（群體盲從）也可能忽視個體的需要。
對移民家庭和教會的提醒是：
第一代父母或教會領導（Chinese Ministry）： 不要害怕聽年輕人的聲音，這不是叛逆，而是建立信任。
第二代孩子或年輕信徒（English Ministry）： 要有耐心、有禮貌地表達，不要只顧自己，也要顧全大局。
向前走：讓聖經成為文化的準繩
文化差異不一定要分裂我們。只要以聖經為根基，反而能成為家庭和教會的財富。正如神學家凌以撒提醒的：問題常出在我們把絕對的福音和相對的文化混為一談。
中國文化的優點：尊重、重視家庭、看重群體。
西方文化的優點：誠實、表達自由、平等觀念。
聖經能過濾兩者，把基督放在中心。
這樣，我們的家庭和教會就能成為醫治之地，在基督裡讓東西方文化都得到更新。