中国的庞大数据
篇者的话: 这篇文章的原文刊载于华源协作中文版秋号2013
篇者的话: 这篇文章的原文刊载于华源协作中文版秋号2013
当教会只关注成人事工,中国儿童及青少年群体的门徒培训就备受忽视。作者除指出教会所面对的挑战及不回应挑战的后果,更提出实际可行的对策。
Last weekend I had the privilege of attending the 25th National Catholic China Conference at Loyola University in Chicago. The United States Catholic China Conference sponsored the conference and the theme was "The American Catholic Church and China in an Era of Globalization."
A Chinese Christian highlights the the popularity of Confucianism as a warning against the 'popularization' of the gospel.
Last week I had the privilege of attending a consultation on education in China, co-hosted by ChinaSource. Below are some random gleanings from a day of note-taking:
When shopping in street markets in Asia, I'd often hear the reply, "Same same, but different." The one item was the same as the other but somehow different. Maybe they didn't have the one I wanted but this other item would be just as good. Same thing but different.
The autumn issue of the ChinaSource Quarterly (due out next week) deals with the effects of postmodernism on China and the church.
A Heart for Freedom by Chai Ling. Tyndale Momentum; 1st edition, 2011, 370 pp, ISBN-10:1414362463, ISBN-13: 978-1414362465; $19.04 at amazon.com.
Chai Ling gives an eye-witness account of the 1989 student movement and massacre in Tiananmen Square in Beijing. She speaks of her early life, her involvement in the student movement and its influences upon her as well as her coming to faith in Christ. She continues to honestly address the questions she puts to God and her relationship with him.
From the editor's point of view...
Having worked with Chinese students from overseas who are studying in North America, the author poses the question of how North American Chinese churches should modify their strategies in order to reach these students. After detailing some of the characteristics of postmodern students, he draws from his experience to explain and give examples of strategies he has found useful.
The author looks at the postmodern shift in China as he has observed it and from a very practical point of view. He goes on to give examples of how this shift affects education, employment and daily living within the nation.
How can pastors and church leaders minister to the younger generation at this opportune time? The author discusses five principles that include incarnational love, a compassionate attitude, helping the younger generation grow in godliness, perseverance and depth of character, enabling them to live out the gospel in a practical manner and leading them towards a God-sized vision.
Historical events following Mao's death left an ideological vacuum in China. This has created a strong need for faith, even an urge, so as to avoid the risk of further social disruption and political instability. While postmodernism, with its relativity and lack of absolutes, is trying to fill this void, it also leaves people questioning and open to exploring faith.