Archive
List of postings: Dec ’12 to Feb ’13
Not many posts this quarter – but that’s because I’ve been busy on some exciting things that we hope, God-willing, will make a difference in the long run to Bible teaching among Chinese Christians!
One of the things I’ve grown more and more conscious of, however, is the need for true conversion among Chinese Christians. There is something wrong if all you find are churchgoers who do Christian-y things on the surface, while the inner affections of their heart, their values, their worldview, their desires – these all remain essentially unchanged. One post this quarter touched on this (21 Feb), and I hope it will be a challenge to us all in our ministries…
December 2012
31 Sydney Chinese church movements – 2012
February 2013
21 Confucianism – and the interconnectedness of culture
28 List of postings: Dec ’12 to Feb ’13
List of postings: Sept ’12 to Nov ’12
Here is an index of this quarter’s postings (September ’12 to November ’12). Clicking on the titles will take you to that post.
The 2011 ABS census data was released a few months ago to great excitement by people like me. This quarter featured some reflections on the census data relating to Chinese ministry in Australia. They go a little beyond the basic demographic data to tease out future implications for schools ministry (14 and 15 Nov), university ministry (16 Nov) and church ministries (19 Nov) among other things.
This quarter also featured a post on how to get beyond the basic, predictable conversations that we often find at church (21 Nov). That one is highly recommended for sharing with your ministry teams and Bible study groups!
If you follow me on Twitter you’ll also know that there were a number of other posts at a new collaborative blog specifically on understanding and ministering to people from Mainland China (here). Keep an eye on it!
September 2012
07 Hong Kong National Education – get ready for a new wave of migration
November 2012
13 Age profile of Chinese born in China, Hong Kong and Australia (2011)
14 Younger ABCs – will they stay or will they go?
15 The future generation of ABCs – and schools ministry
16 How many Mainland Chinese uni students stay on?
19 Mandarin now overtakes Cantonese in Australia (2011)
21 Six ways to get beyond basic conversations at church
30 List of postings: Sept ’12 to Nov ’12
List of postings: June ’12 to Aug ’12
Here is an index of this quarter’s postings (June ’12 to August ’12). Clicking on the titles will take you to that post.
I’ve been doing a lot of thinking about how hermeneutics is done in Chinese churches for another project. There’s a lot of observations that we can make about that in the future – but one post this quarter lays out some of the background that will lead to how the Bible is handled today in Chinese churches (July 17). Many thanks to Daniel, a fellow PhD candidate for his insights!
This quarter also featured a series of posts on providence (August 10, 25 and 30). This is a doctrine that doesn’t get a lot of attention – but over the years I’ve become more and more convinced that there is a lot of sloppy thinking about providence, particularly in Chinese churches. There is more that needs to be said about providence – so stay tuned in coming weeks!
June 2012
02 Confucianism – similarities to Christianity
July 2012
17 Confucianism – and the interpretation of Chinese poetry
August 2012
10 Providence – the gospel of providence
25 Providence – assurance and expectation
30 Providence – what is the ‘good’ that God is working towards?
31 List of postings: June ’12 to Aug ’12
List of postings: Mar ’12 to May ’12
Here is an index of this quarter’s postings (March ’12 to May ’12). Clicking on the titles will take you to that post.
Quite a busy quarter for me in terms of ministry – so not too many posts I’m afraid. But still some significant ones how the Confucian concept of the Mandate of heaven impacts how leadership is exercised in Chinese contexts.
And a more general one on how thankfulness can actually end up dishonouring God (17 May) – however even this one is quite significant for Chinese church ministry. One can easily see how what at first might seem to be God-glorifying gratitude (for marks, jobs, health) may actually reveal the true idols of our hearts.
It’s also been a joy to be in contact with quite a few readers over the past quarter – thanks for your encouragement! There is now a What people say page with quotes from people in Chinese church ministry about andrewhong.net.
March 2012
21 Confucianism – and the mandate of heaven (part 1)
April 2012
04 Confucianism – and the mandate of heaven (part 2)
May 2012
17 When thankfulness dishonours God
31 List of postings: Mar ’12 to May ’12
List of postings: Dec ’11 to Feb ’12
Here is an index of this quarter’s postings (December ’11 to February ’12). Clicking on the titles will take you to that post.
Very significant in this quarter is The five point manifesto (10 Feb). Many leaders of first generation ministries think they are doing a great job of helping second generation ministries – but this is not necessarily the case!
Culture blindness on the part of first generation leaders often leads to the concerns of second generation leaders being unintentionally minimised, and ministry undermined.
This important post describes what second generation ministries really want from those who lead first generation ministries!
December 2011
31 Sydney Chinese church movements – 2011
January 2012
February 2012
03 When hatred of sin dishonours God
10 The five point manifesto
29 List of postings: Dec ’11 to Feb ’12
List of postings: Sept ’11 to Nov ’11
Here is an index of this quarter’s postings (September ’11 to November ’11). Clicking on the titles will take you to that post.
And yes, not many posts this quarter, with some pretty big things to sort out at church. However there is a post based on some things about the attitude of the Confucian gentleman towards money that I noticed on my most recent read through the Analects - something for both pastors and church leaders to consider.
And another post that might ruffle a few feathers – but which will hopefully reshape how we disciple high schoolers.
Together with others, I have also been working on another exciting blog, which we hope to announce soon. While a lot of my posts have to do with diaspora Chinese that are influenced by Confucianism, there is also a large section of Chinese migrants who are not – particularly those who have migrated from mainland China in the last ten years.
And so a group of us are working on a new blog that will bring together those working in Mandarin migrant ministry. It will be about exploring the worldview of the mainland Chinese, thinking through different approaches for outreach we have tried, and resources we have found helpful.
This promises to be an awesome, strategic resource for those wrestling with such a ministry – so stay tuned for more information about it!
November 2011
25 Confucianism – and the pastors’ stipend
29 What uni do you go to?
30 List of postings: Sept ’11 to Nov ’11
List of postings: June ’11 to Aug ’11
Here is an index of this quarter’s postings (June ’11 to August ’11). Clicking on the titles will take you to that post.
WordPress stats show that the blog is regularly something like 100-300 hits a day – thanks everyone for reading! If you are on Twitter, you can follow me (@hongus) to get notified when I post an article.
This quarter featured a series of updated stats in June-July on Chinese immigration, powered from an online tool from the Department of Immigration (1 June, 5 and 6 July).
In August, there were a series of reflections on leadership in Confucian culture influenced churches, particularly regarding the Rectification of Names and the Doctrine of the Mean (3, 11 and 30 August).
A common pastoral issue I have come across in many churches are Christians who have been in churches for quite a few years, who are now finding themselves becoming spiritually dry. And on 19 August I suggest one possible cause of that. This one is worth sharing with your ministry team!
June 2011
01 Uni students from China (2002-2011)
July 2011
05 Age profile of settlers from China in 2010
06 The number of settlers from China – 1991-2010
19 The appearance of growth
August 2011
03 Confucianism – and what leaders are meant to do
11 Confucianism – and the rectification of names
30 Confucianism – and the rectification of names (part 2)
31 List of postings: June ’11 to Aug ’11
List of postings: March ’11 to May ’11
Here is an index of this quarter’s postings (March ’11 to May ’11). Clicking on the titles will take you to that post.
WordPress stats show that the blog is regularly something like 100-200 hits a day – thanks everyone for reading! If you are on Twitter, you can follow me (@hongus) to get notified when I post an article.
This quarter featured a series of posts on how God is glorified in one’s work/vocation (12, 13 and 17 May). As I’ve talked to people, I’ve found that this has been an area where people are really searching for answers, and have not been satisfied with the common answers. Well, I had the chance to do some talks for a camp where I had to work hard on this area – and hopefully these three posts are an encouragement for you!
In addition, this quarter featured an important post on the dynamics of majority culture and minority culture (29 March), which I think sheds a lot of light on the tensions and frustrations and disappointments felt by people in second-generation ministry. This one is definitely worth talking through with your ministry team!
March 2011
16 Trust – and how to rebuild it when it’s gone
28 Trust – and when to leave a church
29 The dynamics of majority culture and minority culture
May 2011
12 Glorifying God in your vocation – wrong ways of doing it
13 Glorifying God in your vocation – everyone magnifies something
17 Glorifying God in your vocation – observations
25 Pre-millenialism in the Chinese church
31 List of postings: March ’11 to May ’11
List of postings: December ’10 to February ’11
Here is an index of this quarter’s postings (December ’10 to February ’11). Clicking on the titles will take you to that post.
WordPress stats show that the blog is regularly something like 100-200 hits a day – thanks everyone for reading! If you are on Twitter, you can follow me (@hongus) to get notified when I post an article.
During this quarter there are some updated stats on immigration (21 and 23 Feb) which shows the onward rise of both migration from China, and temporary students from China.
Very popular as well was a post on the phenomenon of domineering women and weak men in Chinese households (18 Feb). An area of discipleship to which the Bible speaks clearly – yet in which our ministries tend to be either blind, or culpably silent!
December 2010
24 Second generation strategies that don’t work
31 Sydney Chinese church movements – 2010
January 2011
19 Conflicts are not distractions!
February 2011
18 Domineering women (and weak men) in Chinese homes
21 Immigration from Asian countries 2009-10
23 Student visa holders from Asian countries
28 List of postings: December ’10 to February ’11
List of postings: September ’10 to November ’10
Here is an index of this quarter’s postings (September ’10 to November ’10). Clicking on the titles will take you to that post.
During this quarter the blog shifted to its new home at WordPress! Please make sure you update your links to this blog.
This quarter featured only a few posts, but some flowing from my reading for the PhD. In particular a few on how the law is applied (26 Oct) and also how Chinese people approach conflict (29 Nov).
If you have a ministry team, you will find it useful to review a post on making use of your ministry budget (28 Oct).
And I am currently with a team doing leadership training in Africa…
September 2010
October 2010
18 Should we always “do our best”?
26 Confucianism and the application of the law
28 Using ministry money aggressively
29 How Chinese engage in conflict
30 List of postings: September ’10 to November ’10
