As an Anglo-Aussie pastoring in a Chinese Church I am often asked what differences I notice compared to pastoring elsewhere. One of the key differences is how different cultures view the role of the pastor. How is he expected to lead? Andrew Hong outlines these differences and explains their background and origins.
Western Confucian
- Provides direction
- Generates change
- Movement
- Is active
- At the front
- Looks to the future
- Provides example
- Generates stability
- Calm
- Is passive
- At the centre
- Looks to the past
This doesn’t mean that Chinese Christians are confused about whether they should be following the teaching of Confucius. Rather that the hundreds of years of culture can be traced back to Confucian philosophy. Speaking out against Confucianism is probably not going to achieve anything as the people don’t view themselves as Confucian. They just think this is the natural way a leader should behave and this bias colours their reading of scripture (just as your bias colours yours!).
The challenge then for a pastor, or any leader serving in a cross cultural relationship, is to avoid the error of assuming that “my culture is biblical and yours isn’t so be more like me!” When you do that you exchange (or attempt to) one sinful culture for another.
That doesn’t mean you should be a chameleon and conform completely to the cultural ideal.
some pastors conform themselves to this role, because this is also their image of an ideal ruler. And so they look to maintain the harmony of their church community – never being extreme, but always being measured. Never at the edge, but always with the majority. Never generating conflict, always maintaining harmony - Andrew Hong
How then, should a leader approach this situation? Conform, confront or compromise? Or do you have an alternative suggestion?
