RT Article
T1 Inside and out: Knowing Chinese and US models of ministry
JF Missiology
VO 49
IS 2
SP 207
OP 221
A1 Rupp, Daniel
LA English
PB Sage
YR 2021
UL https://www.ixtheo.de/Record/1757607528
AB Increasing numbers of US millennial missionaries are working alongside Chinese house church pastors in China, and conflicts between the two groups have been noted. To date, a majority of scholarly works have explored each of these group’s more surface-level needs, values, and preferences. This basic qualitative study seeks to describe differences in their tacitly held working models of ministry. Working models of ministry have been defined as taken-for-granted assumptions about what it means to be a minister. Analysis of qualitative data yielded from 16 semi-structured interviews resulted in a description of how each of these two groups have conceptualized ministry. In responding to different social contexts, each model has had a different structure, mechanism, and movement. Metaphorically, Chinese participants have been ministering as shepherds by establishing in-group boundaries, embodying clear direction, and taking responsibility for their flock’s growth. In contrast, millennial participants have been ministering as Sherpas by coming alongside those whom they are discipling, walking with them, and sharing burdens during the journey. This study recommends Chinese house church pastors adopt certain aspects of the US model as they lead millennial missionaries. This study also recommends millennial missionaries adopt certain aspects of the Chinese model as they disciple Chinese Christians.
K1 models of ministry
K1 cultural models
K1 working models
K1 US millennials
K1 Chinese Christianity
DO 10.1177/0091829620937377