THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SECOND GENERATION LEADERS' SENSE OF VALUATION BY FIRST GENERATION LEADERS AND THEIR RETENTION IN THE VIETNAMESE CHURCH IN AMERICA

'The challenge of retaining the second generation in immigrant churches to America has persisted for more than two hundred years. Dr. Nhiem Tran's study makes a very important contribution to the literature on this topic and provides very practical insights from his data and his personal ministry on how Vietnamese church leaders may reverse the exodus of the second generation and integrate these gifted men and women into the ministry of the church.  Dr. Sherwood Lingenfelter, PhD, Senior Professor and Provost Emeritus, Fuller Theological Seminary 'Nhiem Tran's research accurately identifies ministry challenges in the Vietnamese church community that tend to be common in many immigrant communities. Specifically, emphasis is given to generational struggles and misunderstandings that often alienate younger potential ministry leaders. This resource provides helpful recommendations to address these ministry issues both in their resolution and prevention.' Dr. Dennis H. Dirks, Ph.D. Professor Emeritus | Former Dean, Talbot School of Theology, Former Dean of Academic Administration, Biola University. 'Nhiem Tran has blessed the church with a thoughtful analysis of the significant dynamics that impact leadership development for the next generation in the American Vietnamese church. Tran boldly identifies points of tension between the generations, and shows the secular origin of many leadership values adopted by first generation leaders. This work gives the church a clear path forward for dialogue. Ultimately, the inter-generational tensions and dynamics identified in this book have application in other immigrant churches. I commend his work for its importance.' Dr. Michael D. Noel, D.Min., Superintendent, South Atlantic District of the Christian and Missionary Alliance. Your analysis of the cultural influences on structures in the church in Vietnam was very insightful and provides a strong matrix through which to observe the Vietnamese church in the United States. Your analysis applies in many respects to immigrant communities from Africa and to a lesser extent Latin America. I hope that your book will gain a broad readership among immigrant churches and district in The Christian and Missionary Alliance-and beyond. Rev. James A. Bollback, Assistant to the Superintendent, South Atlantic District of Christian and Missionary Alliance. NHIEM THAI TRAN (Doctor of the Church - D.Min. at ATS), is a leading pastor of Vietnamese Evangelical Church of North Carolina in Raleigh, NC. He is a member of District Executive Committee (DEXCOM) under the South Atlantic District of The C&MA and he is also a visiting professor at West African Theological Training Center in Monrovia, at Emmaus Biblical Seminary in Haiti, and at Vietnamese Bible Institute in Vietnam.