海外华人教会两代的冲突与纠纷|海外華人教會兩代的衝突與糾紛|Chinese Immigrants and Church Conflicts
*中文版在页面底部 （简体）
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:
EM (younger generation): Present new ministry ideas with maturity, concrete plans, and respect for traditions.
CM (older generation): 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.
很多华人家庭移民到加拿大后，文化冲突不仅发生在家里，也发生在教会。第一代（讲中文的父母一辈）通常强调责任、传统和和谐；第二代（在西方长大的孩子一辈）则更看重自由、表达和独立。两种价值观虽然都出于爱，但往往在教会生活里产生紧张。
责任 vs. 自我表达：为什么会冲突
正如焦若望（Greg Jao）所说，在亚洲文化里，“因为应该做”代表成熟，但在西方文化里，成熟是“做真实的自己”。这就解释了为什么华人教会常常因为一些表面问题起冲突，比如：
教会名字里要不要保留“华人”二字？
敬拜时能不能用鼓？
年轻人能不能穿休闲服来教会？
联合崇拜应该用哪种语言？
对很多第一代领袖来说，所谓的“合一”其实就是“统一”。比如联合崇拜时，大部分流程都是中文，英文只是翻译。但圣经提醒我们，真正的合一在于基督：“合一中有多样，多样中追求合一。” 如果以基督为中心，中英文都可以有空间——无论是在祷告、读经，还是在讲道上轮流使用。
父母坚持的背后：不仅是控制，更是爱
有一位第一代信徒说，年长的华人领袖管理教会的方式，就像管理自己的家。在第二代看来，这种做法可能像是“控制”；但在父母眼里，参与和干预正是“关心”。在中国文化里，如果父母不管，反而代表不在乎。
不过，第二代也有宝贵的视角。年轻信徒往往更了解青少年、孩子的需要，以及教会外的机会。关键是彼此尊重：
第二代（EM）： 提出新事工时，要有成熟的计划，表达时尊重传统。
第一代（CM）： 保持开放，允许年轻人尝试，用引导代替压制。
一位年长的教会长辈就说过：如果年轻人能拿出完整计划，大多数第一代其实愿意放手。
信仰必须成为“自己的”
海外基督使团（OMF）的冯浩辉（Patrick Fung）提醒我们：属灵生命不能代代相传，必须个人亲自建立。华人教会里所谓的“无声出走”，部分原因就是很多年轻人从来没有把父母的信仰变成“自己的信仰”。
讽刺的是，第一代越是想“保护”第二代，限制他们在敬拜、门训和外展上的表达，年轻人就越难建立真正的信仰。成长需要自由，即使会犯错。给予责任和机会，才是培养未来教会领袖的方式。
一起往前走
那华人教会该怎么走呢？
信靠基督，而不是控制。 父母和领袖要学会放手，让年轻人自己去经历信仰。
彼此尊重。 年轻人要尊重传统，长辈也要学习引导而不是限制。
以基督为中心。 真正让教会合一的，不是文化或习惯，而是耶稣基督自己。
当两代人都愿意放手、学会尊重，教会就能从紧张走向见证。不再是年轻人离开，而是培养出爱耶稣、爱教会、继续承担使命的新一代领袖。