| Iranians may well be the largest ethnic group coming out of an Islamic background that has responded to the Gospel of Jesus Christ since the Javanese Indonesians in the 1960-1970s. This research project has initially investigated, described, and explored the nature of conflicts and examined the factors that lead to tensions within the nascent Iranian Christian church in Canada, England, and the United States. The research question was: What are some of the factors associated with disharmony in Iranian churches or fellowships in the Diaspora? Cultural characteristics and values found in Iran and Islamic societies compose part of the context into which the new faith is birthed. Power structures, interpersonal communication, trust, and conflict resolution were areas of cultural context that was examined.;The fifty in-depth interviews provide the material for the analysis and recommendations in this field research. Recommendations were made to help guide and lead the nascent church from birth towards maturity. The Farsi-speaking church plays an important role for the first generation with limited English language skills and those wanting to reconnect with their culture and heritage. However, the emerging fellowships and churches struggle in a variety of areas: new Persian Christians struggle most with interpersonal relationships; pastors are not properly trained and do not have the wisdom and experience necessary to shepherd the church; and there is an inability to move to conflict resolution. The end result has been that disgruntled members leave for another Persian church or an English-speaking church, start their own Persian church, or just leave the church entirely. This study includes the stories of Iranian Christians and the analysis of these stories. The Iranian church is creating its own history in the midst of a radical paradigm shift and will continue to occupy a strategic role for Iranians as long as there continues to be an exodus of Iranians escaping the repressive Islamic regime of Iran. |
