Twenty-five and Counting
Editor's Note: This editorial originally appeared in "Civil Rights Movement in China" (ChinaSource, 2005 Spring).
Ministry
Latest
Normalizing
One of the wonderful things about cross-cultural living is the nearly constant barrage of surprises. After living in a country for nearly ten years, it is easy to fool yourself into thinking that you have the place figured out, that you know what is up and what is down, what is in and what is out. Sometimes, you even seem to know what to expect and what not to expect. But when those thoughts creep in, beware something is likely to come out of left field and remind you that you are still pretty clueless about all the little things that go on in the society around you. The unexpected may throw you for a loop and make you frustrated, or even angry. However, more often than not, it can be a positive experience, something which opens a window allowing you to see that the society which you so poorly understand, and which you sometimes think barely functions, is, in fact rather "normal." Then, at least for a few minutes, you might have the feeling of being an insider instead of the outsider that you in reality always are.
Broaden Your Purposes!
Short-term China trips can have an impact beyond what is usually anticipated and often impact not only the Chinese but also the team members themselves and those who support and send them.
Avoiding Nightmares and Achieving Dreams through Partnership
Two principles for ensuring that the efforts made by overseas churches are effective and long lasting are explained with real examples of what can happen both when they are followed and when they aren't.
Keys to Effective Service in China
Four essentials for effective service in China.
Practical Advice for Chinese Relationships
Encountering the Chinese: A Guide for Americans by Hu Wenzhong and Cornelius L. Grove.
Reviewed by Sarah Doyle and G. Wright Doyle
Cross-Cultural Partnerships in China Ministries
The importance of due diligence in evaluating potential cross-cultural partners in China ministry.
The Power of Partnership in Christian Professional Service
Five essential ingredients for effective partnerships.
A Cord of Four Strands
The story of churches partnering together to serve cross-culturally in China.
The Formation of a New City-to-City Partnership
There is a growing trend for groups of churches in a city or region to partner together to develop a strategy for effective ministry. Recently a group of churches did just that and choose to focus their ministry efforts on one city in China. Here is an interview with a church leader who has been part of the process.
That They May Be One
The past decade has seen a significant shift among churches and organizations involved in China. Recognizing the enormity of the task and the need…
Effective China Service in the Era of WTO
The editor's perspective.