Church on fire: A qualitative study of the growth of the Chinese church among mainland Chinese immigrants to the United States

详细信息   

• 作者：Vavrosky ; Douglas Ray
• 学历：Doctor
• 年：2014
• 关键词：Philosophy ; religion and theology ; Social sciences ; C
• 导师：Hayward,Douglas J.
• 毕业院校：Biola University
• Department：Cook School of Intercultural Studies
• 专业：Religion;Cultural anthropology;Asian Studies;Asian American Studies
• ISBN：9781321381351
• CBH：3665540
• Country：USA
• 语种：English
• FileSize：1158372
• Pages：298

文摘

The purpose of this study was to understand and describe the nature of the remarkable growth of the evangelical church in the mainland Chinese diaspora in America,to facilitate a greater awareness and more focused ability by the diaspora Chinese Christians to build up this work of the Spirit of God in their midst. Utilizing qualitative research methods,30 mainland Chinese Christians were interviewed,asking open-ended questions. Participants were of both genders,all over 21,all full-time church leaders and active lay leaders in their prospective churches,and now living in 5 large American metropolitan areas. This study identifies some of the characteristics,contributing factors,outcomes,and evidences of the spiritual movement occurring among the mainland Chinese diaspora in the United States as being a phenomenal church growth movement of God. It further explored the role of the miraculous in church growth,a new concept of sin,a growing sense of hunger for God,the changed life of the mainland Chinese,what evangelism and outreach ministries mainland Chinese are involved in,how they are empowered to serve,social uplift,and outreach which resulted because of the movement and how the mainland Chinese have increased in love for God and people. This study discovered 5 challenges and opportunities,which included the challenge of class struggle,the challenge of destructive zealousness,the challenge of cultural differences,the challenge of meeting the needs of the next generation,and the challenge of religious pluralism. This study helps fill the lack in literature pertaining to research in this area. The principles learned by establishing the characteristics of the church growth occurring among the mainland Chinese diaspora community in the United States will enable the church to establish a model from which other spiritual movements will be able to pattern themselves. New understanding in this area will also help mission organizations and church leaders improve their effectiveness of work among the mainland Chinese diaspora community in the United States and indeed in Chinese communities globally.