ZGBriefs The Weeks Top Picks, July 24 Issue
Churches, migration, and anti-corruption campaigns are the topics of this week's Top Picks from the ZGBriefs Newsletter.
Articles
Latest
Keep Praying for MH
On July 17, a Malaysian Airlines flight travelling from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur was shot out of the skies over eastern Ukraine. 298 souls perished. In the days following, many Christians took to Weibo to express their condolences. We have translated a few of those posts below.
To Tattoo or Not to Tattoo?
"Where are their pastors?" my Chinese colleague asked incredulously as she counted the visible tattoos on the arms and legs of some of the newly arrived Christian English teachers. "How can their pastors allow them to have tattoos?"
Religion and Control in Chinese History
The rigid control structures comprising the "box" within which China's church currently operates are often assumed to be merely a function of China's Leninist political system. Were this system to be dismantled, one might argue, the "box" would come apart and China's Christians would enjoy genuine freedom of religion.
When Influence and Wariness Meet
A big part of observing China is trying to figure out what is really going on. For those following recent events regarding the church in China, this has been especially true.
A Book on Drums and Worship
As the church in China continues to grow and mature, one of the issues that is coming to the fore is that of music. Until recently, much of the music played and sung in Chinese churches has been on the traditional side translated western hymns or indigenous folk-style music (popular in rural churches). Only in the past few years have we seen the emergence of what might be described as Christian Contemporary Music, popular, as one might expect, among the younger generation, particularly in the cities.
Eastern Versus Western Learning Approaches
Cultural Foundations of Learning: East and West by Jin Li.
Reviewed by Lisa Nagle
There are deep cultural differences between Eastern and Western societies regarding learning and development. The notion of whether creativity is learned or not is just one of these. This book explores some of the differing approaches to learning found in these cultures and concludes with a look at them in the twenty-first century.
Partnering in Education
The guest editor's point of view
Studying in America
The author talks about his experiences as an international student from China who came to the U.S. to study in high school. He tells us of the challenges he faced and the sacrifices his parents made. He points out major differences between the two cultures and shares with us how the experience has changed him.
Ministering to Chinese International High Schoolers in the U.S.
When teens move to a new country, going from east to west and from the familiar to the unfamiliar, they face tremendous pressures in addition to the challenges of their young lives. Who will care for and guide them during the days of transition? Chen examines how schools, host parents, churches and Christian organizations can ease the pressures, make the transition easier and introduce them to the gospel.
China’s Christian Education Today
In today's China, Christian education is booming. This article looks at the emergence of this movement, the involvement of Christian churches, parents' perspective of it and their role in it. An overview of the current situation includes home schooling, legal aspects and the influence of a market economy upon it.
Caring for Chinese Teenagers in American High Schools
The high school principal of a Christian school, Kuder shares from her experience as an increasing number of international Chinese students attend the school. She candidly discusses preparations, support and changes the school implemented to establish a high rate of student retention.