Motive for Ministry, Bonhoffer and Implcation for Chinese

There are several views that are widely held in the Sydney Evangelical Circles (and a few other places) about the motives for ministry:

* Servanthood
* Entrusted with the gospel

How do these views interact with the (mainland) Chinese views?

there are classics that are widely available in China - including the works of Bonhoffer. (It's a bargain! Cost of discipleship is sold at about $60 AUD (in aus), and less than 20 RMB in China.)
It has been available for a while. ( how i deduced that: the publisher is Chinese, the cover is very plain, and the cost is very low)

It makes me think: why is this work so popular, and what are the implications for ministry? (both the Chinese view of Ministry, and how we minister to Chinese?)

If you read books like Back to Jerusalem, I have no doubt that you'll be inspired by the miracles, dedication, sacrifice and passion of the Chinese.

Some random thoughts i have as a result of these observations:

1) To what extent is the passion of ministry derived from

a) Cultural norms and values (e.g. collectivism, high power distance) - you can see that china ranks very high in the world in the above attributes:

http://www.clearlycultural.com/geert-hofstede-cultural-dimensions/power-distance-index/
http://www.clearlycultural.com/geert-hofstede-cultural-dimensions/individualism/

b) Political /historical factors (e.g. a call for sacrifice for the country is countered by a sacrifice for the gospel)?

2) How much do books form Bonhoffer and the like inform/echo/reflect their theology of ministry?

given the cultural factors mentioned above, one can see why sacrifice (whether from Bonhoffer's writings, or Jesus example of suffering) is a great source of motivating for ppl

3) What can we learn from the (older) Chinese Christians in this area?

We can learn from their understanding of servanthood and discipleship. They are willing to give up all for Christ. We are very unwilling to do that by comparison. THey really do know what it means ot tkae up the cross, and suffer for the gospel, and see the Lordship and example of suffering of Christ very importantly.

4) What area(s) of theology is difficient in the Chinese Christians' understanding of suffering?

From my (limited) understanding, the teaching of eschatology, or indeed, anything about the future (The end Times, Heaven and Hell, BT/Revelation) is limited. This will be a problem for the later generation that are move inidivudalistic/spoilt

5) How does this create a cultural clash for ministry to younger Chinese?

From all the above factors combined, this will be a challenge. In some countries persecution is still a factor, so people ar sharpened in their faith.

In australia, i think we need to be motivated both by the carrot and stick

stick : Lordship of Christ, suffering example
carrot: the Glory of God, the saving power of the gospel both for us and the hearers.