Cultural Challenges in Chinese Culture: A Malaysian Church Report

This report explores the cultural challenges faced by the Church's Evangelical Ministry in Malaysia due to the influence of Chinese culture. It examines the impact on Christian theology, religious practices, and human behavior. The report identifies challenges such as anti-religious prejudice, the shock of the modern environment, and the pursuit of materialism, and discusses their adverse effects on the Church's ministry. It also analyzes the changes in human behavior, opposition from Christians, and imbalanced social and cultural factors. Finally, the report proposes various methods to overcome these challenges, including organizing social and religious events, developing society's awareness, and teaching social norms to children. The report emphasizes the need to reduce the negative impact of Chinese culture on Malaysia's social and cultural beliefs to maintain Christianity in the modern era.

CULTURAL CHALLENGE IN
CHINESE CULTURE

TABLE OF CONTENTS
TITLE..............................................................................................................................................1
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
CHRISTIAN THEOLOGY AND RELIGIOUS STUDY...............................................................1
CULTURAL CHALLENGES IN CHINESE CULTURE..............................................................2
OCCURRED CHALLENGES IMPACT ON CHURCH'S EVANGELICAL MINISTRY...........4
METHODS TO OVERCOME CHALLENGES FOR MALAYSIA..............................................6
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................7
REFERENCE...................................................................................................................................9

TITLE
“Cultural Challenges in Chinese Culture to the Church's Evangelical Ministry and How
to Overcome them”: A case study on Malaysia.
INTRODUCTION
Environmental changes are occurredarises in a country due to influence of culture of
other nation's culture. From this, country faces challenge in maintaining balance within religion.
It obtains challenge for the country to maintain its on religion and balances. With this scenario,
This following report is prepared based on to comprehend understanding different varied
challenges occurred in arises in Chinese culture to church's Evangelical Ministry of Malaysia. In
this regardreport, religious focus is laid on religions aspects which can be identified affect the
which impact on a country's effectiveness. Including this, several methods has been assessed
with a motive to overcome these the challenges will be introduced for creating for maintaining
Christianity in Malaysia. Therefore, students are able to understand different cultural challenges
on within Malaysia through this report.
CHRISTIAN THEOLOGY AND RELIGIOUS STUDY
Christian theology refers as to study of Christianity and religious norms of its religion. It
includes several systems and ethics that a Christian should practise in his life and also determine
the behaviour of individual in within society. In this regard, discussion is done on psychology of
human behaviour, and methodology to people's living and getting adjusted according to new
interferences are described. However, religious tradition and present current situations are also
expressed in this theology which is related with to human behaviour and changes in them
according to occurred situations 1. Moreover, Ggospel rules and Christian's religious can be
understood in this way. Along with this, Christian theology also involves social sciences and
ethics that an individual should be considered. Apart from this, study of world religiousness and
its practices are expressed that impacts on human behaviour and his own belief of believing in
gGod. Besides this, it empowers Christian's attitude and perception for histowards religious and
better understanding with all rules and theirof gGospel 2. However, different values for people to
bow down their ancestress, doing job with responsibility and dedication are explained in
1 Cochrane, C.N., 2015. Christianity and classical culture. Ravenio Books.
2 Studebaker, S. and Beach, L., 2014. Friend or Foe? The Role of the Scholar in Emerging
Christianity. Theological Education. 67(2). pp.43-56.
1

Christian's religion. Thus, Christian theologies and religious study is related with Christianity as
well its ethics can be understood effectively.
CULTURAL CHALLENGES IN CHINESE CULTUREPARADIGM
Chinese culture is one of the oldest culture of the among the world's other countries and it
has its own rituals and traditions. for Christians There is large population that is guided by of
people as well its economic sector also having effective rules for social welfare and human
behaviour are presented. Now-a-days, several varied challenges occurred arises in its the culture
that impact affects the on a particular religion's beliefs of individual and hampers country's
effectiveness. HoweverFurther, Chinese culture impacts on affects Malaysian setting and its
Churches. This adversely makes an impact on the also repulse Malaysians people in order to
follow on its the rule strictly 3. Therefore, Christianity in people got affected is hampered due
with to the differences in cultures and systems. It affects as varies in understanding and beliefs
towards their religion and countries' cultural differences. It is also considered evident that there is
variation in the beliefs of on religion are different for Chinese and Malaysian due to which
therefore people's viewpoint of culture differs among themchanges regarding any culture.
Including thisAdditionally, migration of people from one country to another and along with
differences in beliefs, attitude, perception certainly affect Christianity in Malaysia. Along with
this, Chinese diaspora is only linked with Jews and their communities follow different beliefs
than Malaysians. However, different challenges occurred in Malaysia because of Chinese
cultural influence. These have been discussed underneath: can be understood as below:
 Anti-religious prejudice: Chinese people are mostly atheist who do not believe in
worship whereas and Christianity is just opposite to it too much as of Malaysian. In this
regard, they Chinese consider beliefs that any an individual can is able to face resolve any
issue with the hard work and dedication 4. Due to this perception.Therefore, they people
Chinese people do not follow any religion's rules and sometimes also goes against it. This
3 Crossley, J. and Harrison, J., 2015. Atheism, Christianity and the British press: Press
coverage of pope benedict XVI's 2010 state visit to the UK. Implicit Religion. 76(1).
pp.77-105.
4 Low, W.W., Abdul-Rahman, H. and Zakaria, N., 2015. The impact of organizational
culture on international bidding decisions: Malaysia context. International Journal of
Project Management. 7(4). pp.917-931.
2

It affects the social ando -cultural environmental factors of Malaysia negatively and
usually also emerges develops negativity in among Malaysians. However, this anti-
religious prejudice impact on country's culture and traditional rituals in negative manner
wrongly. Thus, this challenge is occurred on church's evangelical ministry that affect
human behaviour and belief on religion facts.
 Rival of Sinology and mistrust of anti-religious: It is very common in China as rivals
of Sinology that affect Christianity and changes the in mind set of country's people.
However, mistrust of anti-religiousness by Chinese occur leads to challenges for
Malaysia and its Churches. In addition to this, Chinese community do not celebrate
Christmas and events of Christians which is difficult to handle over as well maintaining
Christianity among people in China. HoweverContrary, it is found that beliefs and
behaviour of Malaysians can also be changed if they for make contacting contact with
Chinese. Therefore, the the challenge of rival of Sinology and anti-religiousness is often
termed as complex is difficult for cChurches ministry in Malaysia.
 Shock of modern environment: Entertainment culture such as internet, films etc spread
through media certainly effects impacts on the human behaviour and their psychologies.
It increases modernity and differences in lifestyles of people remains in opposition of
tradition and ritual environment 5. It affects environment of Christian culture
adverserlyadversely. Therefore, shocks of modern environment is created which is
against of Christianity in Malaysia.
 Liberal social morality: It is considered found that social morality in the country is quite
liberal that which can set free to an individual from following on the rules of Christianity.
In this way, social, religious and cultural environment of Malaysians get impacted
negatively 6. People think like that it is normal to not following disobey Christianity rules
and acting towards their mind setsagainst it. Therefore, liberal and social morality
5 Yung Chou, S., Han, B. and Zhang, X., 2014. Effect of guanxi on Chinese subordinates'
work behaviors: A conceptual framework. Asia-Pacific Journal of Business
Administration. 77(1). pp.18-35.
6 Qin, Q. and et.al., 2014. How and when the effect of ethical leadership occurs? A
multilevel analysis in the Chinese hospitality industry. International Journal of
Contemporary Hospitality Management. 78(6). pp.974-1001.
3

impacts on cChurch's eEvangelical mMinistry sSystems and norms as a challenge to
maintain Malaysians' belief on Christianity.
 Pursuit of belief and hampered by materialism: In the modern era, people only like
runs to go for wealth and focuses more on as well getting engaged with their material
life. This leads to opposite of It resulted to behaving against gGospel rule and as they
care only about their personal and daily routine. This certainly It reduces the interest of
an individual towards Christianity and its rules for religiousness. Hence, pursuit of belief
and hampered more of materialism affect an individual's behaviour and perception
ontowards Christianity 7.
Thus, above mentioned challenges are occurred to be faced for by cChurch's eEvangelical
mMinistry of Malaysia while spreading for emerging Christianity feelings in people. It
negatively affecteds human behaviour and belief and as well also influence of the Chinese
culture in the country. However, Christians' perception can be change as for occurrence of with
the liberality in social morality. Hence, it is required to prepare develop strategies for reducing
the negativity them and emerging while spreading Christianity in among people for their
religion.
OCCURRED CHALLENGES THAT IMPACTS ON CHURCH'S
EVANGELICAL MINISTRY
Chinese culture marks negative impacts on Malaysia and Christianity negatively which
that reduces the interest of Christians' interest towards their religion 8. However, occurred
following are the challenges that impact on cChurch's eEvangelical mMinistry and its
management can be understood as follows:
 Changes in human behaviour: Chinese' belief and social system are different from that
of Christians as they are who are atheists. However, their This behaviour can influence on
Christians towards against their religion and make them as to believe ing in hard work
and an individual's perception only rather than worshipping God and or following on
Christians' rules. They can even be influenced to Including this, they can also only focus
7 Shwalb, D.W. and et.al., 2013. Fathers in cultural context. Routledge.
8 O'brien, M.E., 2017. Spirituality in nursing. Jones & Bartlett Learning.
4

only on their daily routines and get engaged. Therefore, Chinese culture can impact on
Christianity and Cchurch's eEvangelical mMinistry in Malaysia adversely.
 Opposition of Christians: Due to impact of Chinese culture and changes in their
behaviour, Christians takes their social system and rituals traditions lightly. Even, they
also can also go against Christianity rules by as less believing in gGod and more in hard
work to achieve anything9 effective lifestyle. Therefore, it imposes challenge for
Malaysia and churches that affects Christianity adversely and same which is required
need to be improved 10.
 Lack in human values and beliefs: As following onDue to modern lifestyle , values and
beliefs on human behaviour and towards Christianity get hasreduced declined. This is the
scenery as people are more inclined It can be obtained that because of getting towards
engageding in considering daily routine and believing in that individual's power is more
as in comparison compared to social belief affects human behaviour. Thus, Cchurch
eEvangelical cCommittee faces issue impacts because of due to mentioned scenario and
also is unable to sustain occurrence this challenge and remains difficult to maintain trust
of among people towards Christianity (Benefiel, Fry and Geigle, 2014)11.
 Imbalanced social and cultural factors: Changes in human behaviour impact affects
the on social and cultural environmental factors. However, their lifestyles and social
norms of Chinese get change revolves around according to believing in hard work and
focusing on daily routine only. This It also impacts on affects the society and
communities' behaviour as well as other factors which create negative environment in
country and different factors negatively.
 Influence on other factors: There are certain Different other factors that get influenceds
on the cChurch eEvangelical mMinistry that affect and hampers human behaviour and
interest towards Christianity. In this regard, environment and ethical consideration as fear
9 Puchalski, C.M. and et.al., 2014. Spirituality and health: the development of a field. Academic Medicine. 67(1).
pp.10-16.
10 Puchalski, C.M. and et.al., 2014. Spirituality and health: the development of a field.
Academic Medicine. 67(1). pp.10-16.
11 Benefiel, M., Fry, L.W. and Geigle, D., 2014. Spirituality and religion in the workplace:
History, theory, and research. Psychology of Religion and Spirituality. 6(3). p.175.
5

of gGod emerged 12. Therefore, changes in belief and environment as well as working life
also impacted affected on theirthe Christianity. In addition to this, it is also considered
that society and community's belief on social systems get reduce because of focusing
more on an individual's lifestyle and daily scheduling only. Hence, other religion and
environmental factors affect cultural factor of Malaysia and its social as well cultural
system 13.
Chinese culture influenceinfluences on the environment of Malaysia as by decreasing ints
interest towards Christianity and social systems. Therefore, nation's effectiveness and challenges
is get affected in different ways towards in terms of ethics and belief of an individual. It is
considered as challenge for Malaysia to reduce the impact of Chinese on human behaviour and
their beliefs. However, maintaining following Christianity in modern era affects the Malaysian
culture adversely as individuals is focused on their daily routine only by giving less of
importance for worshipping.as well society's high consideration on individual's daily routine life
only impacts on Malaysia and its environment adversely 14. Thus, the impact of Chinese culture
impact upon in Malaysia need is required to be reduced that affect within the context of social
and cultural beliefs.
METHODS TO OVERCOME CHALLENGES FOR MALAYSIA
With the rise in Increasing in attraction towards modern life style, Chinese culture occur
developed as asa challenge for cChurches in Malaysia as it affects also impact on its social and
cultural system. It is essential to face overcome these challenges and overcoming resolve the
obtained issues as it arisess. For this purpose, different methods can be used for emergingto
develop people's interest towards Christianity and people's social belief 15. For example;
organising social events, developing society's awareness and teaching children to social norms to
12 Aldwin, C.M. and et.al., 2014. Differing pathways between religiousness, spirituality,
and health: A self-regulation perspective. Psychology of Religion and Spirituality. 8(1).
p.9.
13 Aldwin, C.M. and et.al., 2014. Differing pathways between religiousness, spirituality,
and health: A self-regulation perspective. Psychology of Religion and Spirituality. 8(1).
p.9.
14 Chinese culture impact on other country's culture. 2016. [online]. Available through:
<https://www.jbs.cam.ac.uk/fileadmin/user_upload/research/workingpapers/
wp0303.pdf>. [Accessed on 24th August 2017].
15 Cochrane, C.N., 2015. Christianity and classical culture. Ravenio Books.
6

children, plan for youth generation to emerge develop feelings towards Christianity. In brief, all
these essential tools can be used to sustain the challenges of Churchesunderstood as below:
 Organising social and religious events: It will be good for Malaysia to conduct social
and religious events to comprehend the for understanding its meaning of Christianity
culture and social values of Christianity. Including this, organising sessions for increasing
social awareness and through media for Christians aids in towards social norms are able
to enhancinge their religiousness and belief on power of gGod. Moreover, launching TV
serials and producing films related to Christian's religion will be effective for Malaysia as
it and its will aids in social and religion development 16. Thus, spirituality among people
can be emerged developed by through attending religious events at different point of
time.and maintaining Christians' belief.
 Educating children with Christianity: It is one of the essential method to spread
religiousness among children to educate them with Christianity. However, by including
religious scriptures and social values in their study materials as well prayer in the school
and college will help in are able to maintaining Christianity and people's belief in
Malaysia 17. Moreover, conducting project and organising additional activities at
academic level such as meditation and realising power of prayer would be able to support
in emerge sustaining belief and ethics. Hence, educating children at school and college
level and towards Christianity power is will be effective to overcome occurred the
challenge of Chinese culture's that affecting impact on human behaviour and environment
of Malaysia.
 Awareness of youth generation: For reducing interest of Malaysians' youth generation
towards influence of Chinese and their beliefs, it is essential to teaching them the manner
of emotional balance. Including this, emerging spirituality can be enhanced as well
believe in gGod and his power sustained. Moreover, taking strict steps for reducing
liberty on religious norms would be able will help in to maintaining Christianity and its
16 Low, W.W., Abdul-Rahman, H. and Zakaria, N., 2015. The impact of organizational
culture on international bidding decisions: Malaysia context. International Journal of
Project Management. 7(4). pp.917-931.
17 Yung Chou, S., Han, B. and Zhang, X., 2014. Effect of guanxi on Chinese subordinates'
work behaviors: A conceptual framework. Asia-Pacific Journal of Business
Administration. 77(1). pp.18-35.
7

beliefs. For example; encouraging them towards prayer power and Christianity through
valuing human behaviour can be able forsupport in maintaining youth generation and
proper maintenance18. Therefore, spreading awareness among youth generation's
awareness towards Christianity will be helpful for in maintaining it and remains effective
spirituality within the country.
Thus, cChurch eEvangelical mMinistry can followed on all above mentioned methods for
in order to spread Christianity and maintaining cultural values of Malaysia. However, negative
effect of Chinese culture uponinfluence on Malaysians can be reduced with the help of aforesaid
tools. as well interest towards Further, enhancing spirituality will increase affect country's
effectiveness and its social development 19. Including this, influencing teaching Christianity
among childrento children since their at learning stage in the school and college level time
would will be effective for Malaysia and its cChurches as it will aids in developing for social
welfare and maintaining cultural beliefs. It will also be useful fruitful for emerging sustaining
religiousness among people to create social and environmental culture of the country.
CONCLUSION
Through this report, it is concluded that maintaining Christianity in Malaysians is
essential in order to for maintaining country's cultural and social belief. In this regard However,
Chinese culture is affecting impact on Malaysia and its environment by hampering is presented
that affect human behaviour and their beliefs. However, c Challenges to be faced for cChurch
eEvangelical mMinistry of the nNation are described through this assignment which are required
to be controlled. In this regard, methods for reducing the challenges and emerging Christianity
feelings among all aged group people are understood. Overall, significance of Christians' belief
and cultural values are described for reducing impact of Chinese culture on Malaysia through
this report.
18 Siah, P.C. and et.al., 2015. Perception on Chinese values: A comparison of Chinese
secondary students studying at national secondary schools and Chinese independent
schools in Malaysia. The Social Science Journal. 67(1). pp.62-68.
19 Doka, K.J. and Morgan, J.D., 2016. Death and spirituality. Routledge.
8

REFERENCE
Books and Journal
Aldwin, C.M. and et.al., 2014. Differing pathways between religiousness, spirituality, and health:
A self-regulation perspective. Psychology of Religion and Spirituality. 8(1). pp.9.
Benefiel, M., Fry, L.W. and Geigle, D., 2014. Spirituality and religion in the workplace: History,
theory, and research. Psychology of Religion and Spirituality. 6(3). pp.175.
Cochrane, C.N., 2015. Christianity and classical culture. Ravenio Books.
Crossley, J. and Harrison, J., 2015. Atheism, Christianity and the British press: Press coverage of
pope benedict XVI's 2010 state visit to the UK. Implicit Religion. 76(1). pp.77-105.
Doka, K.J. and Morgan, J.D., 2016. Death and spirituality. Routledge.
Low, W.W., Abdul-Rahman, H. and Zakaria, N., 2015. The impact of organizational culture on
international bidding decisions: Malaysia context. International Journal of Project
Management. 7(4). pp.917-931.
O'brien, M.E., 2017. Spirituality in nursing. Jones & Bartlett Learning.
Puchalski, C.M. and et.al., 2014. Spirituality and health: the development of a field. Academic
Medicine. 67(1). pp.10-16.
Qin, Q. and et.al., 2014. How and when the effect of ethical leadership occurs? A multilevel
analysis in the Chinese hospitality industry. International Journal of Contemporary
Hospitality Management. 78(6). pp.974-1001.
Shwalb, D.W. and et.al., 2013. Fathers in cultural context. Routledge.
Siah, P.C. and et.al., 2015. Perception on Chinese values: A comparison of Chinese secondary
students studying at national secondary schools and Chinese independent schools in
Malaysia. The Social Science Journal. 67(1). pp.62-68.
Studebaker, S. and Beach, L., 2014. Friend or Foe? The Role of the Scholar in Emerging
Christianity. Theological Education. 67(2). pp.43-56.
Yung Chou, S., Han, B. and Zhang, X., 2014. Effect of guanxi on Chinese subordinates' work
behaviors: A conceptual framework. Asia-Pacific Journal of Business Administration.
77(1). pp.18-35.
Online
9

Chinese culture impact on other country's culture. 2016. [online]. Available through:
<https://www.jbs.cam.ac.uk/fileadmin/user_upload/research/workingpapers/
wp0303.pdf>. [Accessed on 24th August 2017].
10