Metaphorical Images of Lay Leaders An Ethnographic–Theological Study of the Lay Leadership in a Chinese Mandarin Church in Hong Kong

Abstract

This thesis explores the lived theology of leadership within a Mandarin-speaking diaspora church in Hong Kong, primarily composed of mainland Chinese immigrants. Focusing on two generations of lay elders, the research employs ethnographic methods within a practical theological framework to examine how lived experience, scriptural engagement, and the social context shape their perceptions of church and leadership.

The study reveals distinct metaphorical images—such as "Home" and "Soldiers of Christ"—that inform each generation's understanding. The thesis emphasizes the theological significance of these metaphorical images, showing how they derive from biblical faith and inform ecclesial practices. The first generation, influenced by North American Chinese churches, views the church as "Home," emphasizing stability and belonging. Their "Soldiers of Christ" leadership ideal reflects discipline, a mainland China-focused evangelistic mission, and subtle paternalism within a formally collective structure. The second generation, navigating leadership transition and a changing social landscape, envisions a more dynamic, locally engaged church. They challenge the inherited "Soldier" model, preferring a collaborative, vulnerable "sheep leading sheep" approach. These generational continuities and divergences are paradoxically grounded in their shared "Biblical faith," functioning as both authority symbol and theological image source, creating a dynamic interplay between scriptural interpretation and lived experience. Interdisciplinary analysis, engaging Confucian explorations of belonging and reciprocity, organizational leadership theories, and missiological reflections on military metaphors, reveals the complex interplay between lived experience and existing ecclesiological and leadership constructs.

Integrating Dietrich Bonhoeffer's "Christ existing as community" from Sanctorum Communio, focusing on "collective person," "vicarious representation," and "objective spirit," the study connects these images with broader Christian tradition, offering a transformative framework for navigating shared leadership, generational transition, and social engagement. Utilizing a revised pastoral cycle methodology and focusing on metaphorical images, the study provides valuable tools for exploring lived faith, contributing to a deeper understanding of lived theology and lay leadership within Chinese diaspora churches. It offers insights for theological reflection, intergenerational dialogue, and transformative practice.