A Biblical and Theological Approach to Retaining the Next Generation in Canadian-Chinese Diaspora Churches and Doing Mission

Abstract

"One of the critical issues facing Chinese diaspora churches in the Asia Pacific Region, specifically in Western Canada, is the ‘silent exodus’ of their next generation. In 2014, I had completed a six-year study with the primary intention to identify key factors as to why English-speaking Chinese adults exit (i.e., defect from, apostatize from, leave) Canadian-Chinese bicultural1 churches—a problem Helen Lee has termed a “silent exodus.”2 A secondary purpose of the study was to recommend some leadership strategies towards the longitudinal retention3 of these adults through English ministry congregations. I firmly believe that transformational leaders can develop healthier congregations that maximize missional capacity."