Bridging Barriers Understanding cultural barriers around our discernment and formation process for candidates of South and East Asian heritage

Good practice for vocations teams, DDOs, BAP advisers and theological educators Contents

Exploring a sense of calling Page 4

Advice for DDOs and BAP Advisers Page 5

Advice for TEIs about training Page 6

Contacts Page 7

What do we mean by South and East Asia? South Asia, East Asia, and South East Lanka, Bhutan and the Maldives, and At Pentecost the disciples were able Some of what is here is already part of Asia are among the most populous East Asia, defined as China, Japan, to be understood be everyone in their DDO/AV training. The hope is that this and diverse areas on the planet, with Korea, Taiwan, Mongolia and parts of far native language through the power toolkit reinforces that learning. hundreds of different languages spoken. eastern Russia. of the Holy Spirit. Notice how it was The region includes six of the top ten the disciples who were gifted with We hope the personal reflections in this most populated countries (China, India, For such a diverse area it is very the ability to speak the languages of toolkit will help equip you to do this, Indonesia, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and important we avoid generalising or the crowd, not vice versa. There is a as we work together to foster a culture Japan). It includes the most densely stereotyping. As with anywhere, there is message here about the importance of of vocation that is welcoming and populated country (Bangladesh, not no guide we could offer that would tell speaking to people where they are, and inclusive to all who desire to serve Jesus including city states), and also the most you exactly how someone from this part not expecting others to conform with Christ. sparsely populated country (Mongolia). of the world will approach the question our way of doing things first. of vocation. As Christians, our identity There are an estimated 300 million is in Christ, but our behaviour will Christians in Asia as a whole, nonetheless be shaped by our various Acts 2:1 comparable to the entire population of cultures. What follows is a collation of “When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all the USA, and this number is rising every advice from and ordinands from together in one place. And suddenly from heaven there day. Christians are a minority in Asia, these regions, reflecting on how they came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the but a substantial one. have experienced our discernment entire house where they were sitting. Divided tongues, as of process, where cultural assumptions For the purpose of this toolkit, we are can lead to misunderstandings, and fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of focusing on South Asia, defined as where gifts can go unnoticed or callings them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri unseen. to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability.”

2 3 Talking points I am here to listen to and understand Doing this first makes it easier to talk what you would like to share with me. about understanding of vocation. Purposefully stating this indicates that Having built a friendship, it is good to what will be shared is done so in a ask how the person feels faith has made safe space, and demonstrates that you a difference in their lives. Bearing in respect them as an equal member of the mind, ‘relationship’ is vital. Christian family. For many East Asians, ‘Guanxi’ is When did you first go to Church? How important. Guanxi refers to the system did you become a Christian? What do of social networks and influential you most enjoy about your Christian relationships, especially in China, life? which facilitate business and other These questions are about establishing interactions. The way information trust and developing a relationship, is given and how much can depend then drawing out aspects of their story. heavily on the Guanxi network and relationship.

Explore a sense of calling Contributor Biography Ministers and vocations teams should Some Asian candidates, because of keep in mind how they are viewed as cultural expectations around humility, Aggy Palairet people of authority. respect for those in authority, and reticence in “selling oneself”, might feel Aggy was born in Hong Kong and raised in England, Hierarchy, and knowing one’s place less comfortable coming forward for before studying neuroscience and nutrition in Scotland. within the hierarchy, is vitally important vocations initiatives. A more focused Aggy felt called to ordained ministry after participating in some Asian cultures. one-to-one approach may be necessary, in local mission. She studied at Trinity College and was and over a longer period of time. ordained in 2021. Aggy is currently a at St Mary You may find more deference and Redcliffe in the Diocese of Bristol. less openness to engage during initial You should be prepared to spend hours meetings than you are used to. Be and to use a full range of questions mindful that this does not mean that a to help candidates speak confidently “I love watching God at work, seeing lives transformed, joining in his candidate is unsuitable or disinterested. about their personal faith journey. mission and sharing the love of Christ.”

A relationship may need to be Remember, don’t make assumptions Aggy has represented South Bristol at deanery synod and on a Bristol- established before a candidate is more about a candidate’s theological views Uganda Link trip. In her previous church, Aggy coordinated Sunday school, forthcoming on deeper questions to do simply on the basis of heritage. As with was part of the worship team, and was a member of the PCC. In her spare with vocation and discipleship. People anyone else, it is important to explore a time, she loves playing music with others in an orchestra. will often wait for permission to speak candidate’s understanding of different openly about these things. church traditions other than their own.

4 5 encouragement in speaking up, and patronising or hurtful, even though a Advice for DDOs and BAP Advisors reticence should not necessarily be held candidate might not express this for The point about hierarchy and but appropriate placements and against them, as they may simply feel reasons of respect and courtesy. deference is even more important here. encouragement should help with this. uncomfortable about making points in Reticence or a seeming unwillingness contradiction to other members of the Building confidence and helping a to speak about gifts and achievements Assistance and support may be needed group. In Western culture, challenging candidate to share with the DDO and is not necessarily a sign of unsuitability. to give candidates confidence and appropriately is strongly encouraged, BAP advisers without being afraid or It may need time to build a trusting experience in activities such as the BAP but it can be very much the opposite nervous about their different cultural relationship to draw out these things. Group Exercise. In some Asian cultures, in some Asian cultures. Sensitivity is etiquettes or linguistic challenges is all The more ‘extrovert’ elements of the this exercise could feel very alien, as needed in assessing a candidate’s skills part of strengthening and encouraging selection criteria may not be obviously they may not be used to ‘talking shops’. for leadership and collaboration. them to discover their vocation. BAP identifiable for some Asian candidates, Some Asian candidates may need more advisers need to remember that they It is very unhelpful to assume that a are engaging cross-culturally. Give time person who speaks with a strong accent for questions to be answered and be needs to improve their language skills: very patient when misunderstandings this is often not the case. Suggesting arise. Contributor Biography it as an area of development can feel Sarah Siddique Gill

Sarah was born and brought up by a I had successfully completed post-graduate studies but Christian family in a predominantly needed help with public speaking. My diocese recognised Muslim village in Pakistan. She taught this and provided voice coaching. It was transformative” the Bible for seven years at the United Bible Training Centre in Gujranwala, where she enjoyed working with Yunghee Koh Christian girls and women, aged 14 to 60. Alongside, she completed her Talking points Masters degree in Islamic Studies from the University of Panjab. How does faith affect your family? afterwards, can be reassuring for Family is often considered by many family members, particularly if the In 2002, Sarah was invited by the Church Mission Society to work in South as more important than individuals. family places high value on academic Africa encouraging South to South sharing of resources for ministry and Personal faith and vocation only makes achievement. mission. She was then invited to Bradford in 2005 to work with Anglican, sense when family and community are Methodist and Baptist Churches in the predominantly Muslim surroundings involved, so talk openly about how What made you follow Jesus Christ? of Manningham. being a priest is perceived within the As is a minority religion family. in Asia, the candidate may have left a well established sociocultural network It was here Sarah felt called to ordination. She trained at Queen’s, Emphasising the academic in becoming a Christian. Remember Birmingham, and is now Priest-in-Charge of Woodhouse Close Church and qualifications to be gained through though that no candidate’s faith journey Associate Minister in the Parish of St. Andrew with St Anne, Bishop Auckland ordination training, and the can ever be assumed. where she is delighted to work both with Church and the local community. opportunities for doctoral research 6 7 Advice for TEIs about Training Contributor Biography

Be aware that the education system Don’t assume that quietness is a sign of Andrew Zihni in England may be different to what a lack of social integration or linguistic people are used to. This could range skills. Andrew Zihni was born and grew up in Hong from relatively minor things like Kong to Greek and Chinese/Thai parents. In how references/footnotes should be Social life and social gatherings, formatted, to much more major aspects especially around alcohol, can be childhood he much enjoyed travelling around like the expectations of seminar/tutorial uncomfortable if not part of one’s China, Thailand, and Singapore, which played debates. upbringing. It can take time to choose an integral role in his cultural and personal what is appropriate in such social formation. Developing confidence within a more gatherings without alienating oneself ‘extrovert’ Western culture is key from others. Having moved to Britain in the late 1980s to within training. This includes building attend boarding school in Kent, he subsequently studied at Eton and Oxford confidence to lead, to speak publicly, There may also be cultural norms before being ordained in 2002. and to participate in the sorts of groups around accommodation which should and committees common within the be respected. Andrew served his curacy in a former mining town in the Diocese of Church. A diverse teaching staff is an advantage, Sheffield, then ministered for eight years at St George’s Chapel, Windsor These skills are not necessarily lacking, so consider inviting guest lecturers from Castle, as Minor and School , which combined formal it is rather that ‘permission’ needs to be across the Anglican Communion to add teaching and pastoral responsibilities at St George’s School with organizing assured for some Asian candidates that to the breadth of teaching ordinands the daily services and state occasions at St George’s Chapel. they may engage in this way. receive. Consider also where you advertise when filling vacancies. Andrew was previously Assistant Director of Vocations in the Diocese of Southwark and is now Canon of Southwark . Talking points “What does Jesus look like?” On the other hand though, candidates Much of the imagery of Jesus in western from these regions are less likely to see art is white. Studying Black and Asian decline as inevitable and bring much From Pakistani female perspective, I found difficult to live Christian theologies can be a major needed hope and expectation that the learning experience and a challenge to call to be in ... mixed accommodation. I made a request to [be moved how all of us visualise our faith. a growing to] the accommodation with females only. My request church is was honoured. I felt at ease, secure and confident. My Church history and growth real and mannerism of approaching alter for communion with head Outside of the West, Christianity achievable. cover and without shoes also attracted leaders/students is growing, and in many places Consider exponentially so. how this attention. Takes extra time to understanding [cultural] perspective contexts. It can be discouraging having to adapt can be shared Sarah Siddique Gill to a context of historic decline and the with other challenges this brings. ordinands.

8 9 Summary 1. Don’t equate reticence with lack of ability

2. Consider hierarchy perceptions

3. Wider family expectations Contributor Biography matter Taemin Oh 4. Consider the social implications of one’s faith Taemin is a vicar at the journey parish of St. George’s 5. Reflect on how Jesus is Enfield, London, and has been since 1st depicted globally in art September 2014. He trained residentially at 6. Don’t make assumptions on Contributor Biography St. Stephen’s House, tradition Yunghee Koh Oxford, and served his curacy in Colchester. 7. Be aware of social norms, Taemin is interested especially around alcohol and Yunghee was born in Jeju in South Korea. She came to the UK with her in sacramental life accommodation husband, Taeseok in 1995. She raised a family of two daughters, worked as and devotions, Church a Marketing Negotiator and Accounts Clerk, and gained an MA in Children’s growth and mission, 8. Ensure a cross-cultural Literature at Roehampton University. and encouraging diversity of teaching staff Yunghee became a Lay Minister in vocations to ordained 2012 at St James’s Church, New ministry. 9. Consider how lived Malden. She read for a degree experience of church growth in Christian Ministry at Durham He is also a Commissary can be shared University and joined St Mary’s to the of Church Wimbledon in 2016. Korea, Vocation Adviser 10. Remember that we are all and of BAME individuals, made in the Yunghee was deaconed in 2017 and Affairs in the Edmonton image of God. We all bring a ordained into the priesthood in 2018. Area. special uniqueness that God In December 2018, she assumed wants us to use. responsibility for St. John the Baptist Church, Wimbledon. 10 11 Contacts

To learn more about cross-cultural understanding in discernment and formation you can contact the ministers who contributed to this toolkit using the contact details below:

Andrew Zihni [email protected]

Aggy Palairet [email protected]

Sarah Gill [email protected]

Yunghee Koh [email protected]

Taemin Oh [email protected]

You can also get in touch with our Minority Ethnic Vocations Adviser, Rosemarie Davidson-Gotobed at [email protected].

Rosemarie is leading on the creation of a mentor directory to help foster a culture of inclusion in the vocational discernment process.

Find out more at churchofengland.org/mentoring.

Another great organisation to connect with is AMEN - the Anglican Minority Ethnic Network. AMEN promote the presence and participation of Anglicans of minority ethnic heritage in all structures of the Church in the service of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Their website is www.amenanglican.org.

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