What Every Expat in China Ministry Needs to Know…

Editorials

Changing China, Continuing Challenges

Editor's Note: This editorial originally appeared in "What Every Expat in China Ministry Needs to Know" (CS Quarterly, 2013 Summer).

Lead Article

Change, Stasis and Opportunity

Exploring Chinas Developmental Trajectory

The author asserts that while the pace of development in China has been frenetic and its economic growth historic, there have been few substantive changes in the nation. He then addresses current trends in China, reflects on what they mean for Chinese society and the Chinese church and looks at implications for ministry by expatriate Christians living there.

Supporting Article

Starter Questions to Develop Cultural Understanding and Build Relationships

In "China -- Here We Are", Andrea Klopper writes that "a good way to start building relationships is through asking questions." Here is a list of questions for getting to know people and understand their culture in greater depth.

Supporting Article

“House Church” and “Three-Self”

Cooperation Across the Christian Community

Protestantism in contemporary China is usually expressed using the opposing terms of "house church" and "Three-Self church," but McLeister believes this paradigm should not be accepted as a given. Rather, there is a wide range of congregation types in China which the author describes. He goes on to explain why boundaries between congregations may be blurred and gives examples of cooperative activities.

Supporting Article

China – Here We Are!

How can one prepare for service in China? The author provides practical insights with examples from her own experiences when she first lived in another culture. From exploring one's expectations to extending grace and embracing the challenge, Ms. Klopper offers valuable advice that can lessen the initial strain of cross-cultural living.

View From the Wall

Foreigners and Chinese Working Together

A Local Perspective

As a Chinese Christian, Jenny has worked alongside foreigners in Christian organizations for over a decade. She opens her heart and shares insights from a Chinese perspective to help new workers (and those already in China) avoid points of misunderstanding and friction as they serve with local brothers and sisters.

Book Reviews

Preparing for Chinese Culture

A Book Review

This practical exposition includes discussions regarding ways of thinking about culture, first encounters between Americans and Chinese as well as verbal and non-verbal communication. Four stages of awareness as one progresses through understanding culture are explored along with an explanation of the importance of context.

Resource Corner

A Beginner’s Bibliography

A starting point for those anticipating service in China, this bibliography includes helpful works on China's history, parenting overseas, language learning, Christianity and works about contemporary China.

Resource Corner

ZGBriefs

This weekly newsletter containing condensations of news items gathered from published sources is available via email and on the ZGBriefs page of the ChinaSource website. For daily updates follow ZG Briefs on Twitter @ZG_Briefs.