Thoughts on Cambodia church

Someone sent me a series of questions about Cambodian church for his graduate study. Big questions. Here are my brief answers and I thought it's worth sharing with whoever maybe interested.

1. How has the church grown and changed since the most oppressive days of the Khmer Rouge?
In 1979 when the Khmer Rough regime was toppled, only handful Christians survived in country. Some had escaped to other countries through refugee camps. Some returned and established churches and ministries. The church growth has been rapid. Especially during 1990s, an influx of missionaries and Christian NGOs contributed to such a rapid growth. Last several years, the church growth has been slow down (some worry it's plateaued). Incidentally many of those who were initially attracted to church/Christians for physical needs gradually dropped out. Lack of discipleship and leadership contributes to that.

2. What does the church (domestic church and international church body) do to address the poverty that exists within the country?
In Cambodia, there are many Christian NGOs (Non Government Organizations) tackling the poverty issues, primarily through community development, job training, and some advocacy. Some of the NGOs are church related. Some denominations established their own agencies for relief and development. Used to be a lot of hand-out types of ministries to the poor, creating dependency and false expectation issues, but nowadays most agencies focus on education/training for self-supporting/sustainable development. For they recognize the value and importance of developing capacity and ownership of people in the community for their own poverty eradication. Local churches, mostly small rural house churches, are seen as strategic partners who have direct access and impact on communities. So much efforts are being put (by NGOs and denominational agencies) to train and empower church leaders and members to become almost like community organizers who will facilitate village meetings and discussions how to improve their lives.

3. What are some of the biggest strengths that the church currently has?
Cambodian church is still young and small with huge potential for growth and greater impact on society. Many local churches are house churches led by farming lay pastors and leaders. So they are closely connected to surrounding communities. They are dynamically organized and not institutionalized. Can grow and reach out easily without bureaucratic structure.
Church is attracting young population (over 50% of Cambodians is under 20) by providing educational/vocational opportunities.

4. What are some of the biggest challenges that the church currently faces?
Lack of qualified leaders to lead young generation. Older generation of leaders is gradually fasing out. Transition is not smooth.
Church leaders are poorly equipped to lead churches move forward. Not enough access to resources for discipleship and personal growth. Some cases of persecutions in largely animistic Buddhist communities and growing suspicion and hostility toward Christians by nationalistic Buddhist leaders. Also growing forces of modernization, materialism and secularism choking the dynamic spirit of the church members

5. What do you see as the future of the church within Cambodia?
Like most other developing countries, urbanization is rapidly changing the landscape of Cambodia society and the church. Young people move to cities for education and jobs and many stay on. The churches targeting this population and provide relevant ministries are growing. I see this trend will continue. In rural areas, the church will continue remain small and poor, since most members are poor farmers whose worldviews and lifestyles will likely unchanged. However, through its fluid and contextualized structure, the gospel can spread like wild fire by the prompting work of the Spirit throughout Cambodia. It's homogenious society with one language, culture and vocation (rice farming). It's a small and flat country with decent roads that can reach everywhere within a day. There is a movement among some Cambodian Christian leaders to network and promote the gospel movement to every village by year 2021, called Mission Kampuchea 2021. Who knows? This can spark the fire of the Spirit.