Chinese churches - are they impediments to integration?

[carrottyjuice]

Just converted to Christianity and got baptised in April this year after being encouraged to go to my friend's church in January, having been through some difficult times. My friend was Chinese Malaysian and went to the local Chinese church in the city I used to live in.

I started going to a new church recently as I had just moved. Not much choice in the move as we were on benefits after DH was laid off and this was the best offer that came along so we moved for that. An elderly woman in the new church saw I was new and spoke to me. She was friendly and also asked me which church I went to before this. I said to her I went to the Chinese church in the previous city. She then replied that "back in her hometown of X (a Scottish city), the Chinese church merged with an English church. Now that's integration."

I never really thought about this in that way before but that got me thinking. Just want to know if some of you think things like Chinese churches in England an impediment to integration? From what I can see, the church serves an important purpose for ethnic Chinese newcomers (I.e. Uni students) as well as the elderly Chinese immigrant community who cannot speak English very well but obviously know enough to be able to run businesses in UK, as most of them are or were in the catering industry. Their kids were all schooled and raised in UK, went to Uni, now working as professionals like doctors, engineers, etc. who view themselves as British, speak like locals and have British friends, etc. In fact some of their kids have chosen to join other non-Chinese churches for various reasons. I can see the purpose for these churches to exist but in a way, I can see some people may think people can't "integrate" if they tend to mix with their own. That Chinese church runs 3 services each Sunday - Mandarin speaking, Cantonese speaking, and English speaking. Probably 300 odd attendees each Sunday and they are really devoted to their faith.

I know Christianity is big on missionary work and Chinese churches are everywhere in Eastern Asia. Chinese churches are vital to spreading the faith in Chinese-speaking areas. Just saddens me a bit to hear what the lady said to me. I don't really know why. I'm also a relatively new Christian so I'm sure there is something to be learnt here although I don't know what that is for now.

Also I have to admit the concept of integration is quite fuzzy to me. I am not white and grew up in a southeast Asian Commonwealth country. I speak and write in English ?to a decent enough standard for University here?, and I do drink on occasion, am pro-choice ?which is something many Christians don't agree with, I know? and against forced marriages, and wear Western styled clothes. I have some English friends. Does that mean I'm"integrated"? I don't consider myself British even though I have a British passport.

[livelablove]

I do think people from abroad should try to integrate into the community to some extent. If not it does create ghettos where there can be racial tension. But at the same time people want to hold on to their heritage and culture and language. If someone likes a Chinese church that is great, but they might try to get involved in some other areas of British community like at work or school or a hobby. Also the Chinese church itself should have links with the British community and other churches. For example inviting other churches to worship together.

[barrackobana]

My very good friend is Chinese and attends a Chinese church in London, she is very well integrated. However the church I suppose gives Chinese people support that would otherwise be lacking in other English churches.

[carrottyjuice]

The Chinese church I used to go to had links with the surrounding churches and christian organisations. Guest speakers are often invited to the Sunday service to speak so instead of having a service, we'd have a talk from a non-Chinese church person instead - often they are English ex-pastors now doing missionary work or the like. This is the during the English service by the way. I have never attended the Mandarin and Cantonese services held at the church because English is the language I understand.

The demographic of the church, unlike many other churches, is pretty young and dynamic. They don't sing old fashioned hymns usually. Sometimes they do, but most of the time they prefer to sing Hillsong songs with a live band. All of the young people in the church are well integrated British Chinese people, either still in school or Uni, or working in professional jobs locally and nationally. They speak English with the perfect local accent and often attend national Christian events with other non-Chinese Christians like he NEC. There are non-Chinese members as well, but of course outnumbered by the Chinese demographic. Some white English people, some of them married to Chinese spouses, have been attending the church for years. There are also a few ethnically Indian and African people in the church. It's a very open and accepting church, very friendly, and all races welcome.

When people think of Chinese church and they've never been to one, they might think it is for people who want to segregate themselves away from the English, but really I would encourage people to visit a large Chinese church near them to experience it for themselves. It really isn't what people assume it to be, just because the name is "Chinese Church". The church serves an important social and cultural function for the elderly Chinese and the newcomers to this country (I.e. East Asian Uni students).