华文教会的现状与其作为中华文化载体的功能 ：以新加坡圣公会、卫理公会和长老会为例 = Analysis of current situation of Chinese churches and their social roles as Chinese cultural carrier : a study of Singapore Anglican, Methodist and Presbyterian Chinese churches

本文以圣公会圣安德烈座堂、救主堂、长老会武吉巴督恩泽堂、生命堂、卫理公会巴耶黎峇堂和天道堂，三大教派的六间教会为例，探讨新加坡华文教会的现状以及它们在中华语言文化的传承功能。通过对以上教会现状的分析，我们看到新加坡华文教会普遍上都有会众比例以中老年偏多的现象，也看到每间教会都有各自的文化和优势。各教会对于不同事工的重视以及对外界变化的回应和调整，都会形成教会不同的面貌。尽管教会一直面对各种挑战，但也始终坚持以中文进行崇拜和讲道。华文教会为自己冠上华文的文化标签，在日常崇拜和事工上都融入了中华文化。加上其宗教的特性，使其因此成为了新加坡中华语言文化传承的载体。或许华文教会的传承角色带有宣教目的，但其传承的功能却是不可否认的。This paper mainly discusses the current situation of the Chinese churches in Singapore , and their function as Chinese language and culture succession, with study of St. Andrew’s Cathedral, Church of Our Saviour, Bukit Batok Providence Presbyterian Church, Singapore Life Church, Paya Lebar Chinese Methodist Church and Hinghwa Methodist Church, with six churches out of the three denominations as examples. According to the analysis of the above churches, we have observed the issue of ageing congregation, and different churches have their own culture and ascendency. They think highly to different ministries and giving different responses to the change of external environment, lead to different aspects of Chinese churches nowadays. Despite of having challenges, they have never given up on using Chinese as the medium of worships and sermons. Chinese churches use Chinese language as their cultural label, assimilating Chinese culture into their services and ministries. With their special religion characteristic, Chinese churches have also become the carrier of Chinese culture in Singapore. There might be mission purposes for the Chinese churches to play as the culture succession role, but their function of succession is undeniable.Bachelor of Arts in Chines