Sunburnt Country, Sweeping Pains: The Experiences of Asian Australian Women in Ministry and Mission is exactly what the new book’s title says. These Asian Australian Protestant women are much more involved in Bible study, prayer and fellowship groups, and outreach activities than the rest of the Australian Christian population, according to NCLS data. This book gives you the opportunity to find out more about this growing group. The message of the book is that while Asian women ministers want to serve the church, they see themselves pushed to the margins, feared as temptresses by some. and their ability to cross cultural boundaries with the gospel is not fully appreciated.
In this extract. editor-in-chief Graham Hill and his editorial board suggest how to give Asian women a greater place in church and mission societies.
It is part of a series The Other Cheek in offering of “tasters” of books you might like to read these holidays,
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The women told us that there are numerous ways in which the participation and leadership of Asian Australian women en- hance the church’s ministry and local and overseas missions. These women have hybrid identities and sensibilities. Being part of a collectivist and an individualist culture helps them to see many cultures at work. They can be flexible to work and serve in various structures and systems. They adapt as needed. This courage helps these women adapt to new cultures and expectations. They can ad- just to new ways of thinking and doing things. They can understand individualistic and collectivistic cultures.
Asian Australian women are great facilitators, peacemakers, ambassadors, and women who understand different cultural val- ues and contexts. First-generation women know the experience of learning a language, being marginalized, and being an immigrant, and these understandings help them connect with those in a similar situation. Increased diversity opens the door for other minorities. Equality and diversity show Christian leadership’s willingness to value the voices of those who are on the margins and reach out and embrace those of different and varied cultures.
These women are gifted and called by God to serve in mis- sion and ministry. The church should be the kingdom of God made visible. If it consists only of white people or only men, how can the gospel be good news for the whole world? In Genesis, God called humans to multiply and fill the earth. We understand that this mission required both the man and the woman. Jesus called us to fill the earth and multiply disciples. That requires both men and women. Releasing more women and, in the case of this study, more Asian Australian women, enables the church to reach more people with the love and gospel of Jesus Christ.
The inclusion and amplification of the gifts and leadership abilities of these Asian Australian women requires the church to change. One cultural, linguistic, and gender group’s dominance is not healthy for the church or its mission and ministry. These women bring variety and diverse perspectives so that those of one cultural background are not the only ones to lead the church. Churches need to change to reflect the kingdom of God. This change includes releasing Asian women and showing a willingness to include other cultures. This inclusion is an example of how Christians should treat others of different backgrounds.
One woman put it powerfully. “If humans are the image of God and if the church is God’s kingdom made visible, then every person ought to be represented. By releasing Asian women to church min- istry, we demonstrate that we believe what Paul wrote in Galatians 3:28. We’re also demonstrating that we trust the Holy Spirit to pour out gifts as he sees fit, regardless of our preconceived notions and prejudices.”17 Over half the global church are women. How can we not fully empower and release more than half the church to the calling of God on their lives to serve and witness to Christ?
Following those comments Sunburnt Country, Sweeping Pains includes some specific suggestions from the women surveyed. Here is a selection.
• Churches and mission agencies need to develop equality and diversity policies and abide by them. Leaders should ensure that members are well informed about these policies and mat- ters. There should be reporting systems in place in case rac- ism, discrimination, or sexism arise. We need accountability, discipline, and culture shift.
•. Pastors and mission leaders need to encourage equality and diversity in every possible way. If our boards and leadership teams aren’t diverse, how can we say we are committed to hospitality, welcome, and diversity?
• Organizations should pay women equally and appropriately. Women are paid poorly and inappropriately in too many Christian organizations. Women get relegated to part-time or low-paying positions and overlooked for promotions. This must change.
• Treat women with equal respect and dignity afforded to their husbands. Asian Australian women recounted painful experiences of being silenced, overlooked, or ignored, even when they had more expertise and experience than their spouses.
•We need cultural intelligence training for churches and all leadership levels. The church and its leaders need more cultural competency (and to live out this value, rather than just talking about it). There seems more talk about cultural competency in Christian circles than the practice of it. The challenge is that when people of minority ethnic backgrounds come to Chris- tian leaders for help, these leaders do not understand these people’s cultural and relational experiences. The real challenge is loving and serving minority groups and showing cultural competence, sensitivity, and respect. Christian organizations and churches must feature cultural awareness in every way. Feature it in preaching, teaching, and leadership selection. Al- low space during worship services to feature stories of people from diverse and minority cultural and ethnic backgrounds.
• Acknowledging First Peoples and the pain of colonization. All churches need to work toward justice and reconciliation. This work is essential not just for white churches and Christians but for our Asian churches too. We all need to stand in solidarity with those who are marginalized.
• Promote Asian women into theological education positions. It is almost impossible for Asian Australian women to get lecturing roles in theological institutions. Many Asian women do advanced theological and research degrees but can’t find teaching roles and give up. Given the history of employing mainly white men, our theological seminaries and colleges need to prioritize hiring these Asian women.
•.Create networks for Asian women in mission and ministry. These networks help them find role models, mentors, build platforms, and support each other. Networks also amplify their voices and encourage younger emerging Asian women leaders in the future.
•Keep telling stories about Asian Australian women who have gone into local ministry and overseas missions. The stories of others inspire us. Talking about the experiences of these women also fosters greater understanding and acceptance.
Sunburnt Country, Sweeping Pains: The Experiences of Asian Australian Women in Ministry and Mission is available at Booktopia in paperback $50.95 and ebook 25.99