An exploratory study of Chinese migrant churches in Germany with a focus on their multidimensional functional purpose

Abstract

This paper seeks to provide a holistic overview of the current situation of the Chinese diaspora and the Chinese migrant church in the network of the Forum for Mission among Chinese in Germany with a focus on their multidimensional functional purpose. It is shown that the migrant churches in their special German context do not just function as genuine religious centers, but also as socio-cultural islands and psycho-emotional safe havens. Paradoxically, however, the socio-cultural shelter ends up as an ethnically isolated enclave. In view of their future viability, in the opinion of the authors, a new profile and theological self-understanding, characterized by transcultural openness, could be of essential importance. The enormous intercultural potential of the ethnic groups within the migrant churches can be used to extend the logic of crossing borders and acceptance in love and reconciliation in the light of the Christian faith into the encounter with the native society and churches. In the end, for the fruitful intercultural potential to be realized, a dynamic multi-way interaction between these actors, with mutual willingness to learn from each other, is desirable.