successful keys to a second generation asian-american church pastor raymond y. chang, m.div., th.m.,...

Successful Keys to a Successful Keys to a Second Generation Second Generation

Asian-American ChurchAsian-American Church

Pastor Raymond Y. Chang, M.Div., Th.M., D.Min

Immigrant JourneyImmigrant Journey Born 1966 (Seoul, Korea)Born 1966 (Seoul, Korea)

Came to the US in 1973Came to the US in 1973

Parents: Orchestra Conductor/PharmacistParents: Orchestra Conductor/Pharmacist

Attended Presbyterian Church in Southern CaliforniaAttended Presbyterian Church in Southern California

Lessons Learn:Lessons Learn:Culture Tied to the FaithCulture Tied to the FaithLanguage More Important than GospelLanguage More Important than GospelChurch Became the Focus of our CultureChurch Became the Focus of our CultureConflict in Church was NormConflict in Church was NormDevotion tied to Sacrifice, Hard Work and PrayerDevotion tied to Sacrifice, Hard Work and Prayer

Ministry HistoryMinistry HistoryRay Chang (Ray Chang (Biola University, Talbot Seminary, Dallas Biola University, Talbot Seminary, Dallas

Theological Seminary, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School)Theological Seminary, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School)

Korean First Presbyterian Church of Orange Korean First Presbyterian Church of Orange County, Junior-Senior High Pastor(1988-1990)County, Junior-Senior High Pastor(1988-1990)

Korean Central Presbyterian Church, EM Korean Central Presbyterian Church, EM Pastor (1993-1996)Pastor (1993-1996)

Ambassador Bible Church, Church PlanterAmbassador Bible Church, Church Planter(1996- 2000)(1996- 2000)

First Evangelical Free Church of Fullerton, First Evangelical Free Church of Fullerton, Pastor of Outreach (2000-2003)Pastor of Outreach (2000-2003)

Ambassador Church, Church Planter (2003-Ambassador Church, Church Planter (2003-2008) 2008)

Biblical FoundationBiblical Foundation Acts 6:1-7Acts 6:1-7

Cultural Conflict (Hebraic & Hellenistic Jews)Cultural Conflict (Hebraic & Hellenistic Jews) How To Deal with Second Generation Conflict:How To Deal with Second Generation Conflict:

Refocus: The priority is the Gospel not CultureRefocus: The priority is the Gospel not Culture Re-invest: Invest in the Second Generation their Re-invest: Invest in the Second Generation their

OwnOwn Result: The Word of God spreadResult: The Word of God spread

1 Corinthians 9:19-231 Corinthians 9:19-23 The point of “contextualization” is to win others The point of “contextualization” is to win others

to the Gospel according to the culture of the ones to the Gospel according to the culture of the ones we are evangelizing.we are evangelizing.

History of History of ImmigrationImmigration

Asian AmericansAsian Americans

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

Two Major WavesFirst Wave: Late 1800 - 1900: Hawaii Sugar Canes

Second Wave: (Tsunami) 1965 Hart-Cellar ActProfessional Visa Allocation ProgramPeak: 1981-1990 (Over 330,000)Decline: 1991-2000 est. 170,000 (Half)

Asians in AmericansAsians in Americans• 35,000 immigrants annually35,000 immigrants annually

• 1.5 million Koreans in US (est.)1.5 million Koreans in US (est.)

Between 1990-1996, Between 1990-1996, a wave of 600,000 a wave of 600,000 Asians immigrated Asians immigrated to California.to California.

StatisticsMajority 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%)

StatisticsMajor 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

Korean Americans Denominations

First Generation First Generation ChurchChurch

1.1. Restores StatusRestores Status

2.2. Social Networks (Hurl & Kim Social Networks (Hurl & Kim 1990)1990)

3.3. Reinforces Cultural Activities Reinforces Cultural Activities (Chuseok)(Chuseok)

4.4. Education for the YouthEducation for the Youth

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.

““Silent Exodus”Silent Exodus”

Silent ExodusSilent Exodus

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

QuoteQuote

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

22ndnd Korean Americans Korean Americans

• Growing number of 2nd generationGrowing number of 2nd generation– English speaking, assimilatedEnglish speaking, assimilated– 30-40% of KA are considered 230-40% of KA are considered 2ndnd Generation Generation– 70-90% 70-90% unchurchedunchurched

• How do we minister to them?

Issues & ChallengesIssues & Challenges

• Generational ConflictGenerational Conflict

• Linguistic IndependenceLinguistic Independence

• Cultural ConfusionCultural Confusion– Korean and AmericanKorean and American

• Clash of Worship StyleClash of Worship Style– Traditional and ContemporaryTraditional and Contemporary

Eastern MethodEastern Method

• Traditional Korean churchTraditional Korean church– Teach them Korean so they can stay in churchTeach them Korean so they can stay in church– must learn Korean to be fully Koreanmust learn Korean to be fully Korean– Korean language and culture paramountKorean language and culture paramount– result: a cultural center, silent exodusresult: a cultural center, silent exodus

QuoteQuote““The Korean church I attended as a child was The Korean church I attended as a child was

uncomfortable for kids, with no English uncomfortable for kids, with no English sermon or children’s program. Church was sermon or children’s program. Church was more for my parents. There wasn’t a lot for more for my parents. There wasn’t a lot for us in terms of learning about the Bible and us in terms of learning about the Bible and Christianity.” Christianity.” John Lee (34 yrs old, Venice, CA), quoted in John Lee (34 yrs old, Venice, CA), quoted in Silent ExodusSilent Exodus

Multiple ModelsMultiple Models

• Apartment (Department)Apartment (Department)

• Duplex (English Ministry) Duplex (English Ministry)

• Townhouse (Church within a Church)Townhouse (Church within a Church)

• Single Family (Church Plant, independent, or Single Family (Church Plant, independent, or multiethnic)multiethnic)

ApartmentImmigrant 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.

Apartment Apartment (Department)(Department)

AdvantagesAdvantages

Financial supportFinancial support

Keeps family Keeps family togethertogether

StabilityStability

Keeps the Mother Keeps the Mother CultureCulture

DisadvantagesDisadvantages

• Larger ResourceLarger Resource

• Hinders Hinders assimilationassimilation

• Long-Term Future Long-Term Future in Doubtin Doubt

• Dependent Dependent MentalityMentality

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

Duplex

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

Duplex (English Duplex (English Ministry)Ministry)


• FlexibilityFlexibility

• Keeps Family Keeps Family TogetherTogether

• Accountability & Accountability & CooperationCooperation

• Shared leadershipShared leadership


• Difficult to staffDifficult to staff

• MisunderstandingsMisunderstandings

• High TurnoverHigh Turnover

• Hinder Evangelism of Hinder Evangelism of Non-KoreansNon-Koreans

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

Townhome

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

Townhouse Townhouse (Church within a (Church within a Church)Church)


• StabilityStability

• Flexibility of Flexibility of Vision/ValuesVision/Values

• Accountability & Accountability & CooperationCooperation

• Leadership Leadership DevelopmentDevelopment


• Difficult to staffDifficult to staff

• Coordination with Coordination with Mother ChurchMother Church

• Financial StabilityFinancial Stability

• Takes timeTakes time

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

Single Family

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

Single Family Single Family (Independent)(Independent)


• Creative, innovativeCreative, innovative

• EfficiencyEfficiency

• OwnershipOwnership

• Broader EvangelismBroader Evangelism


• FinancesFinances

• Lack of TrainingLack of Training

• No role modelsNo role models

• Lack of Lack of AccountabilityAccountability

People: For those who are independent-minded, or disillusioned with People: For those who are independent-minded, or disillusioned with traditional model, dissatisfied with status quotraditional model, dissatisfied with status quo

Church within a ChurchChurch within a Church

1.1. Find a sympathetic church and Korean Find a sympathetic church and Korean pastor willing to reach 2nd generationpastor willing to reach 2nd generation

Korean AmericansKorean Americans ““The relationship between the first- and second-The relationship between the first- and second-

generation pastors has to be stronger. If there are generation pastors has to be stronger. If there are two pastors who are willing to compromise and put two pastors who are willing to compromise and put aside cultural differences, there’s hope.” aside cultural differences, there’s hope.” Grace Shim, quoted in Silent ExodusGrace Shim, quoted in Silent Exodus


1.1. Find a sympathetic church and Korean pastor Find a sympathetic church and Korean pastor willing to reach 2nd generationwilling to reach 2nd generation

a)a) Vision to reach both 1st and 2nd generationsVision to reach both 1st and 2nd generations

b)b) Acceptance of diversity between generationsAcceptance of diversity between generations

c)c) Gospel more important than cultural heritageGospel more important than cultural heritage

d)d) Committed to teamworkCommitted to teamwork



2.2. Develop vision, philosophy, core valuesDevelop vision, philosophy, core values



2.2. Develop vision, philosophy, core valuesDevelop vision, philosophy, core valuesa)a) Define vision for 2nd generationDefine vision for 2nd generation

• target grouptarget group• geographic areageographic area

b)b) Define philosophy of ministry (methods)Define philosophy of ministry (methods)

c)c) Define core values (framework, priorities)Define core values (framework, priorities)


1.1. Find a sympathetic church and Korean Find a sympathetic church and Korean pastor willing to reach 2nd generationpastor willing to reach 2nd generation


3.3. Be dependent and independent at the Be dependent and independent at the same timesame time




3.3. Be dependent and independent at the same Be dependent and independent at the same timetime

• Accountability to 1st generationAccountability to 1st generation• Separate incorporationSeparate incorporation• Separate budgetSeparate budget





4.4. Take things slowlyTake things slowly





4.4. Take things slowlyTake things slowly• Growth time of 5 to 10 yearsGrowth time of 5 to 10 years• Learning from 1st generationLearning from 1st generation






5.5. Have a separate worship serviceHave a separate worship service• Small groupsSmall groups• Specific outreach ministriesSpecific outreach ministries






5.5. Have a separate worship serviceHave a separate worship service

6.6. Train next generation to take leadershipTrain next generation to take leadership

Church within a ChurchChurch within a Church1.1. Find a sympathetic church and Korean pastor Find a sympathetic church and Korean pastor

willing to reach 2nd generationwilling to reach 2nd generation




5.5. Have a separate worship serviceHave a separate worship service

6.6. Train next generation to take leadershipTrain next generation to take leadership

7.7. Begin planning for leaving the nestBegin planning for leaving the nest

Planting a Second Generation Planting a Second Generation Asian American ChurchAsian American Church

1.1. Find a Gifted Second Generation Pastor Find a Gifted Second Generation Pastor (Assessment – Church Planting/Leadership (Assessment – Church Planting/Leadership Gifts)Gifts)

2.2. Provide Financial Support for Three YearsProvide Financial Support for Three Years

3.3. Build a Team Around the PastorBuild a Team Around the Pastor

4.4. Provide Support (Facility Usage, Office, etc.)Provide Support (Facility Usage, Office, etc.)

5.5. Prayer and EncouragementPrayer and Encouragement

Question & AnswersQuestion & Answers

The EndThe End

successful keys to a second generation asian-american church pastor raymond y. chang, m.div., th.m.,...

Documents

generation church

church planter

ambassador church

ambassador bible church

generation conflict

korean immigrants

korean american churches

churchmajority of ka