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Advice for Chinese Returning to China

Advice for Chinese Returning to China

Last updated on: January 18, 2017 at 9:20 am by Brad Vaughn

Advice for Chinese Returning to China 2017-01-18T09:07:41-07:00 Brad Vaughn

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A Chinese student in the States emailed me recently with a question that I know others have as well.

How should I equip myself in America now to be better prepared to be a faithful servant for Christ when I go back to China in 3-5 years?

I’ve pasted my response below.

Credit: wikipedia

You ask a good question but one is pretty big as well.

I can really only give broad lines of thought since there may be ideas that are particularly relevant to you. Here are a few thoughts.

1. Theological Training

Equip yourself with theological training, whether formally or informally. I don’t imply that you must go to seminary. Rather, you have a wide range of people and resources available to you in the States that you won’t have in China.

Don’t merely think about memorizing or regurgitating information from a theology teacher or book. Reflect very purposefully about how you might contextualize biblical truth for a Chinese context. If you have read much of my blog, you have seen some of my perspective on the topic and related books, articles, etc.

2. Cultural Understanding

Take the opportunity to learn more about your home culture and issues related to the Chinese context (honor-shame, implications of the one-child policy, political tensions, etc.). I know you might think this is unnecessary because you are Chinese.

Nevertheless, there are two things to think about here.

Credit: commons.wikimedia.org

First, we are all more ignorant of our own culture and worldview that we think. It’s like a fish in water. A fish doesn’t even know he is in water. It is simply his natural environment.

To use another analogy, even young children understand the basics of grammar (within their mother language). After all, they can communicate sufficiently. However, they don’t realize they know it. Once they intentionally and explicitly study grammar, they are equipped to use and interpret language far better. By explicitly studying various aspects of your own culture, you can gain a mental framework or lists to be more aware of what’s going on around you and within you.

Second, you will have limited access to certain information and resources once you arrive back in China. This is due to things like internet censorship, limited number of relevant publications, and the lack of familiarity people around you have on certain issues (because they too live in a government censured world).

3. Network

While in the States, consider how you might mobilize a network of Chinese friends and partners in the US to assist the ministry going on in China. For example, they might be able to help in networking, translating, finding Chinese speaking volunteers who might be able to provide strategic assistance in China (e.g. theological training), etc.

There is only so much that you or any other single person can do. So, if you find people in the States who can assist, then that is great. That networking is easier to do while you are still in America.

Also, it’s often easier to find people in America who are believers and have certain need skills. In China, you might find believer or people with a skill but not necessarily both.

4. Brainstorm

Because of your background, I assume you will be working within an academic or corporate environment. Brainstorm with people about what your ministry would like when you get here. You know the types of ethical and relational challenges you will face. Of course, there are limits to what you can imagine. However, simply by processing your ideas and thinking ahead will prepare you to response better when you face the real life circumstances in China.

5. Prayerful Contribution

Prayerfully consider how you particularly want to contribute to the work being done in China. You can’t do everything. You have certain gifts and desires. That insight may spur ideas in your mind about other ways that you need further equipping.

As this was an email exchange, my response is limited. So, I would love for you to add your own advice. What do you think? What would you add?

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