Successful Keys to a Second Generation AsianAmerican Church

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Successful Keys to a Second Generation
Asian-American Church
Pastor Raymond Y. Chang, M.Div., Th.M., D.Min
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Immigrant Journey

• Born 1966 (Seoul, Korea)
• Came to the US in 1973
• Parents Orchestra Conductor/Pharmacist
• Attended Presbyterian Church in Southern
  California
• Lessons Learn
• Culture Tied to the Faith
• Language More Important than Gospel
• Church Became the Focus of our Culture
• Conflict in Church was Norm
• Devotion tied to Sacrifice, Hard Work and Prayer

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Ministry History

• Ray Chang (Biola University, Talbot Seminary,
  Dallas Theological Seminary, Trinity Evangelical
  Divinity School)
• Korean First Presbyterian Church of Orange
  County, Junior-Senior High Pastor(1988-1990)
• Korean Central Presbyterian Church, EM Pastor
  (1993-1996)
• Ambassador Bible Church, Church Planter(1996-
  2000)
• First Evangelical Free Church of Fullerton,
  Pastor of Outreach (2000-2003)
• Ambassador Church, Church Planter (2003-2008)

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Biblical Foundation

• Acts 61-7
• Cultural Conflict (Hebraic Hellenistic Jews)
• How To Deal with Second Generation Conflict
• Refocus The priority is the Gospel not Culture
• Re-invest Invest in the Second Generation their
  Own
• Result The Word of God spread
• 1 Corinthians 919-23
• The point of contextualization is to win others
  to the Gospel according to the culture of the
  ones we are evangelizing.

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History of Immigration
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Asian Americans

• People of Asian ancestry are the
  fastest-growing and most diverse group in the
  United States. Nearly 40 of the nation's 10
  million Asian Americans live in California, where
  they make up 12 of the population. Immigration
  accounted for more than half of their population
  growth in the 1990s. -- L.A. Times, July 1998

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Two Major Waves

• First Wave Late 1800 - 1900 Hawaii Sugar Canes
• Second Wave (Tsunami) 1965 Hart-Cellar Act
• Professional Visa Allocation Program
• Peak 1981-1990 (Over 330,000)
• Decline 1991-2000 est. 170,000 (Half)

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Asians in Americans

• 35,000 immigrants annually
• 1.5 million Koreans in US (est.)
• Between 1990-1996, a wave of 600,000 Asians
  immigrated to California.

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Statistics

• Majority of KA are Foreign Born (65)
• 2/3 of KA are Citizens
• 32 (California) 11 (New York)
• Mostly from Seoul, High Education
• 45 (College Educated), 14.7 (Post-Grad) versus
  Native White (29.5 and 10.3)

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Statistics

• Major Problem Language
• Not Professionals but Entrepreneurs (National
  Rate 8-9 versus 25 of KA)
• Most Entrepreneurs Dry Cleaning, Grocers, Nail
  Salons, Liquor, Restaurants)\
• 75 of Immigrant consider themselves Christians
  - go to church
• Majority of KA are Presbyterians

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Korean Americans Denominations
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First Generation Church

• Restores Status
• Social Networks (Hurl Kim 1990)
• Reinforces Cultural Activities (Chuseok)
• Education for the Youth

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Advantages of an Asian Immigrant Church

• Learn spiritual lessons- i.e. prayer, sacrifice,
  giving, etc.
• Greater financial commitment resources
• Provision of facilities
• All members of the family together at the
  church.
• Learn how to submit and be humble.

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Silent Exodus
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Silent Exodus

• The silent departure of children of Korean
  immigrants from the faith of their parents and
  established Korean American churches.

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Quote

• Parents assumed that if you just sent the kids
  to church through high school, theyd come out
  being good Christians. We all thought our kids
  would go to church in college. That was a very
  naïve thought. Rev. Daniel Lee (1st gen, Global
  Mission Church, MD), quoted in Silent Exodus

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2nd Korean Americans

• Growing number of 2nd generation
• English speaking, assimilated
• 30-40 of KA are considered 2nd Generation
• 70-90 unchurched
• How do we minister to them?

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Issues Challenges

• Generational Conflict
• Linguistic Independence
• Cultural Confusion
• Korean and American
• Clash of Worship Style
• Traditional and Contemporary

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Eastern Method

• Traditional Korean church
• Teach them Korean so they can stay in church
• must learn Korean to be fully Korean
• Korean language and culture paramount
• result a cultural center, silent exodus

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Quote

• The Korean church I attended as a child was
  uncomfortable for kids, with no English sermon or
  childrens program. Church was more for my
  parents. There wasnt a lot for us in terms of
  learning about the Bible and Christianity. John
  Lee (34 yrs old, Venice, CA), quoted in Silent
  Exodus

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Multiple Models

• Apartment (Department)
• Duplex (English Ministry)
• Townhouse (Church within a Church)
• Single Family (Church Plant, independent, or
  multiethnic)

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Apartment

• Immigrant church that has a small segment of the
  church dedicated towards English-speaking
  members- e.g. a youth group or a group for those
  speaking English.

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Apartment (Department)

• Advantages
• Financial support
• Keeps family together
• Stability
• Keeps the Mother Culture

• Disadvantages
• Larger Resource
• Hinders assimilation
• Long-Term Future in Doubt
• Dependent Mentality

People For those already in large church, and
importance placed on tradition, stability, and
order
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Duplex

• Immigrant church that has a dedicated ministry
  focus on English Speaking Adults and Youth with
  Co-Sharing of Resources

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Duplex (English Ministry)

• Advantages
• Flexibility
• Keeps Family Together
• Accountability Cooperation
• Shared leadership

• Disadvantages
• Difficult to staff
• Misunderstandings
• High Turnover
• Hinder Evangelism of Non-Koreans

People For those desiring strong affinity to
Korean culture, and willing to commit to teamwork
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Townhome

• Immigrant church that has a interdependent
  ministry focus on English Speaking Adults with
  some sharing of resources but independent budget
  and leadership

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Townhouse (Church within a Church)

• Disadvantages
• Difficult to staff
• Coordination with Mother Church
• Financial Stability
• Takes time

• Advantages
• Stability
• Flexibility of Vision/Values
• Accountability Cooperation
• Leadership Development

People For those already part of or grew up in
Korean church focused on stability, tradition,
culture
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Single Family

• Independent church that has a ministry focus on
  English Speaking Adults (Koreans and/or Other
  Non-Koreans) with independent budget and
  leadership

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Single Family (Independent)

• Advantages
• Creative, innovative
• Efficiency
• Ownership
• Broader Evangelism

• Disadvantages
• Finances
• Lack of Training
• No role models
• Lack of Accountability

People For those who are independent-minded, or
disillusioned with traditional model,
dissatisfied with status quo
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Church within a Church

• 1. Find a sympathetic church and Korean pastor
  willing to reach 2nd generation

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Korean Americans

• The relationship between the first- and
  second-generation pastors has to be stronger. If
  there are two pastors who are willing to
  compromise and put aside cultural differences,
  theres hope. Grace Shim, quoted in Silent
  Exodus

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Church within a Church

• Find a sympathetic church and Korean pastor
  willing to reach 2nd generation
• Vision to reach both 1st and 2nd generations
• Acceptance of diversity between generations
• Gospel more important than cultural heritage
• Committed to teamwork

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Church within a Church

• Find a sympathetic church and Korean pastor
  willing to reach 2nd generation
• Develop vision, philosophy, core values

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Church within a Church

• Find a sympathetic church and Korean pastor
  willing to reach 2nd generation
• Develop vision, philosophy, core values
• Define vision for 2nd generation
• target group
• geographic area
• Define philosophy of ministry (methods)
• Define core values (framework, priorities)

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Church within a Church

• 1. Find a sympathetic church and Korean pastor
  willing to reach 2nd generation
• 2. Develop vision, philosophy, core values
• 3. Be dependent and independent at the same time

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Church within a Church

• Find a sympathetic church and Korean pastor
  willing to reach 2nd generation
• Develop vision, philosophy, core values
• Be dependent and independent at the same time
• Accountability to 1st generation
• Separate incorporation
• Separate budget

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Church within a Church

• Find a sympathetic church and Korean pastor
  willing to reach 2nd generation
• Develop vision, philosophy, core values
• Be dependent and independent at the same time
• Take things slowly

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Church within a Church

• Find a sympathetic church and Korean pastor
  willing to reach 2nd generation
• Develop vision, philosophy, core values
• Be dependent and independent at the same time
• Take things slowly
• Growth time of 5 to 10 years
• Learning from 1st generation

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Church within a Church

• Find a sympathetic church and Korean pastor
  willing to reach 2nd generation
• Develop vision, philosophy, core values
• Be dependent and independent at the same time
• Take things slowly
• Have a separate worship service
• Small groups
• Specific outreach ministries

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Church within a Church

• Find a sympathetic church and Korean pastor
  willing to reach 2nd generation
• Develop vision, philosophy, core values
• Be dependent and independent at the same time
• Take things slowly
• Have a separate worship service
• Train next generation to take leadership

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Church within a Church

• Find a sympathetic church and Korean pastor
  willing to reach 2nd generation
• Develop vision, philosophy, core values
• Be dependent and independent at the same time
• Take things slowly
• Have a separate worship service
• Train next generation to take leadership
• Begin planning for leaving the nest

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Planting a Second Generation Asian American Church

• Find a Gifted Second Generation Pastor
  (Assessment Church Planting/Leadership Gifts)
• Provide Financial Support for Three Years
• Build a Team Around the Pastor
• Provide Support (Facility Usage, Office, etc.)
• Prayer and Encouragement

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Question Answers
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The End