Silent Exodus of Second Generation from Chinese Churches - article

 Dr. Matthew Todd, MTS, MA, DTL

 Matthew Todd, "Why is there a Silent Exodus of English Speaking Adults from Western Canadian Chinese Churches?" The Great Commission Research Journal (summer 2014), 36-56.

The intention of this article is to report on my study that identified key factors why English speaking adults exit from Western Canadian Chinese bicultural/tricultural churches - a problem that Helen Lee termed a 'silent exodus.'  Transformational leaders can develop healthier congregations that maximize missional capacity.  The model and structure for English ministries is an area of concern.  Almost all Canadian Chinese churches operate their English language congregations as an associated dependent parallel congregation.  However as the English congregation matures into adulthood and becomes intergenerational, enforcing a systemic dependence on the Chinese-speaking congregation is a significant factor in the silent exodus phenomenon. The research points the way forward by advocating for empowerment and a alternative structural model.

Dr. Matthew Todd's article can be found at this website
http://journals.biola.edu/gcr

Chinese Canadian Diaspora churches - helping the next gen academic article

 Here is a helpful article that helps promote the growth of the English language congregation in a Chinese Canadian church and aids in doing Mission

Matthew Todd, "A biblical and theological approach to retaining the next generation in Chinese Canadian Diaspora churches and doing Mission," Serving God's Community, Susan s. Phillips & Soo-Inn Tan editors (Published by Graceworks & Regent College Publishing: Vancouver BC), 2014, 301-317.

Matthew Todd - Academic articles / Chinese Churches

Matthew R. S. Todd

ACADEMIC PUBLICATIONS

Matthew RS Todd.    Hope Alive: Going and Growing through Pain (Mill Lake Publishers, B.C.: 2016). 

______________.    Development of Transformational English Ministries in Chinese Churches (Friesen Press, B.C.: 2016).

 Matthew RS Todd, Crisis of English Ministries in Chinese Canadian Churches, WIPF and STOCK publishers, 2015.

______ .  Historical Attitudes that Have Shaped the Church’s Use of the Arts. Winnipeg, MB: Word Alive Press, 2010.

______.The Interface of Percussive Arts, Religious Experience and Sacred Association. Winnipeg, MB: Word Alive Press, 2008.

______.“The Implications of Biblical Texts Support Rhythmic Worship Practices.” Crux, 45, 1, Spring 2009, 23-25.

______. “The Challenge of Jesus’ Great Commission to Ethnic Churches.” Directions, 37, no. 2, Fall 2008, 238-242.

SELECTED ARTICLES IN POPULAR JOURNALS 

Matthew RS Todd. "Theology and Doing Mission (A Canadian Example), Journal of Practical Theology (Spring 2016).

Matthew RS Todd.  “A Biblical and Theological Approach to Retaining the Next Generation in Chinese Canadian Diaspora Churches and Doing Mission.” Asian Journal of Pentecostal Studies, vol. 18, No.1 (February, 2015):107-124.

________.  “Why is there a Silent Exodus of English-Speaking Adults from Western Canadian Churches?" The Great Commission Research Journal, issue 1 (Summer 2014), 36-56.

_______.“English Ministries Looking Back and Looking Forward,” Grace Message, 35 (April 2011), 12-15.

_______. “The Development and Transition of English Ministry,” MB Chinese Herald, 72, October 2009, 16-18.

_______.“Scripture that Guides a Bi-cultural Church,” MB Chinese Herald, 70, June 2009, 21-23.

_______.“Why is God Good to All Peoples, Even Unbelievers?” Grace Message, May 2009, 4-8.

 ______.“Orchestra: An Inclusive Ministry,” Grace Message, May 2009, 27-29.

 ______.“Kingdomizing or Colonizing?” MB Chinese Herald, 68, January 2009, 13-15.

_______.“The Implications of Biblical Texts Support Rhythmic Worship Practices” MB Chinese Herald, 65, 2008.

 ______.“Destiny Vision for English Ministries,” MB Chinese Herald, 67, December 2008, 17-18.

“A Random Act of Violence at the Bus Stop,” Sword and Trumpet, November 2008, 36-37.

 “Embracing An Advisory Role,” MB Chinese Herald, 66, October, 2008, 12-13.

“A Theology that Addresses Cultural Adjustments in Bicultural/Bilingual Churches: Navigating Identity and Selective Assimilation,” Grace Literature Journal, Winter 2008.

“Cultural Adjustment in Church,” Grace Message, March 2008, 4-5.

“How Can Pastors Be Better Prepared to Serve in the Chinese MB English Ministry Congregations?” MB Chinese Herald, 62, January 2008, 8.

“The High Value of Discipleship for Our English CBC Young Adults,” MB Chinese Herald, 48, August 2005, 9.

“Forty-nine Years of Grace in the Chinese MB Churches,” MB Chinese Herald, 47, June 2005, 14.

“For Such a Time as This: The Tremendous Potential of the Emerging Generation in our Chinese MB Churches” MB Herald, February 2005, 11-12.

“Bridging the Worship Gap in Multi-Cultural Churches,” Christian Sound and Song, 21, 2004.

 “English Ministries—The Other Half of the Story,” MB Chinese Herald, 40, April 2004, 4-5.

“Miracle on the Fifth Floor,” Advance (January/February 1996), 8-9.

OTHER SERVICE

• Community ESL program developer, director, and teacher

• Outreach director of seasonal community outreach programs

• Director of Alpha program

• Musician and volunteer leader with the Dr. David Lam Orchestral Society (2001-2007).

• English/Chinese Leadership Liaison Executive Committee Member for Mennonite Brethren Chinese Churches Association, citywide ministerial

• Board Member, Canadian Mennonite Brethren Conference Board of Education and Discipleship (2001-2005)

• Planning and Organizing Committee Leader and Chair, Lower Mainland Vancouver Chinese English Ministries Fellowship (2001-2003).

TRAVEL / EXPOSURE TO CULTURAL EXPERIENCES

Britain, France, Belgium, Mexico (Quintana Roo, Yucatan), Middle East (Israel, Jordan, southern Lebanon, northern Egypt), western Caribbean (Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands, Bahamas), nineteen American States, Italy, Switzerland, China (Hong Kong, Shanghai, Beijing). Spain, Greece, Turkey, Germany, Holland.  Served in Chinese (Cantonese, Taiwanese, Haaka) and Italian cross-cultural parish contexts in eastern and western Canada.