Ministry to the Asian American Community

Pastor’s Post #23: “MINISTRY TO THE ASIAN AMERICAN COMMUNITY” (07/15/’17)

On a recent trip to Southern California I was struck by the number of Asian-Americans and Asian- American communities that I saw while driving and walking from place to place. In some areas, I could drive for blocks and see only in Chinese, Korean or Vietnamese signs. Even as metropolitan New York has its “Little Seoul” in the densely populated Korean area of Queens known as Flushing, so greater Los Angeles has its “Little Saigon” in the Westminster area. In fact, the church in which I preached in Westminster, California housed both an English speaking and a Vietnamese speaking congregation. I was impressed that Presbyterian and Reformed churches – and others – should become more aware of the Asian-American community, and how to minister to our Asian-American friends and brothers and sisters.

Now we need to define what we mean by “Asian-American”.   That vast category of people includes Chinese, Filipinos, Indian, Vietnamese, Koreans, and Japanese.

And this group of people is the fastest growing of the three major ethnic and minority populations in the United States. Between the years 2000 and 2013 the population of native and foreign born Asian residents in the United States grew by 56%. In comparison, during the same time period the number of Hispanic- Americans grew by 53%, and the number of African-Americans grew by 15%. And all predictions are that these growth trends will continue. By the year 2050 it’s estimated that there will be over 34 million people of Asian background or national birth residing in the United States.

Currently California is home to about 1/3 of all Asian-Americans – 5.2 million. New York is second with about 1.6 million Asian-Americans in its borders. Texas is third, with about 1.1 million Asian-Americans. Other states in which the Asian-American population is growing (and that population tends to be concentrated in a few states) are New Jersey, Illinois, Washington, Hawaii, and Florida.

By median household income, Asian-Americans are far and away the most affluent of all the major ethnic groups in the United States. They are also the most highly educated, the most tech-savvy, and the most driven of the major ethnic groups in the United States. Those of you who know Asian-Americans know exactly what I’m talking about.

Culturally, Asian-Americans have more of a group orientation than native born Americans. They put a big emphasis on the family – and not just father, mother and children. Asian-Americans think very much in terms of the extended family: Grandparents, aunts and uncles, and cousins. Loyalty to the family is expected; and independent behavior that disrupts the family in any way is frowned upon. Honor is crucial, especially in not bringing any disgrace to the family. For many reasons (not least because of the political turmoil that has marked their various nations over the years), Asian-Americans possess an inner stamina and strength in facing life’s challenges. And preserving harmony in social relations is prized – sometimes over truth. Whereas native born Americans tend to be more direct in communication, Asian-Americans may be less direct – often communicating more by body language than by exact words.

In all of this – as with all “people groups” – you can see the cultural expressions of both people made in the image of God – a God who does not exist alone but in community as the Triune God, and also the fall of humankind – humankind of all nations, tribes, and languages. God ordained the family; but the family is not ultimate. God is. Harmony should be preserved; but not at the expense of truth. The group is important; but so is the individual. All cultures model the good and bad. Sin warps things. But the things in themselves are good.

Today on A Visit to the Pastor’s Study we want to consider Ministry to the Asian-American Community. And we need to do this being deeply aware that – again, for various reasons – native Americans have tended to racially stereotype Asians, and have all too often been culturally insensitive or even offensive. We’ll explore that a bit as today’s program develops. But we’ll also explore ways that the American church – particularly Presbyterian and Reformed churches – can learn from our Asian brothers and sisters who are now our neighbors in the wonderful ethnic and cultural “salad bowl” called the United State of America.

My guest today in Pastor Sam Chung – and ordained Orthodox Presbyterian minister who currently labors in a Korean-American congregation in Queens. He’ll be our window on Ministry to the Asian American Community.