Worship on the Way: Exploring Asian North American Christian Experience

In spite of these potential difficulties, some wonderful Asian hymns that are quite accessible to Western congregations can enhance our understanding of sung prayer. Although compromises always take place when music is borrowed from its original culture and incorporated into a new context, we can gain insight into the aesthetic sensibilities of many Asians and, in doing so, enhance our ability to pray for the world.

I have found that congregations are more open to attempting music that is far from their cultural experience when they think of it as sharing sung prayers with Christians from around the world, and, in doing so, learning to pray in new ways. While many Asian church musicians are highly influenced by Western harmonies and hymn styles, especially gospel songs, a growing body of literature draws more deeply from the roots of Asian musical soil.

It is impossible to summarize the complexity of the diverse musical styles of Asia in this short space. But I would like to offer some recommendations that might enable worship leaders to help their congregations pray for the world through Asian song and with some understanding of Asian aesthetic sensibility. My comments will focus on suggestions that are most appropriate for traditional music found in northeastern Asia China, Japan, Taiwan, and Korea and some parts of the Indian subcontinent Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, Pakistan, and India.

WORSHIP ON THE WAY Paperback Book Russell Yee - RUSSELL YEE : Judson Press

To date, most of the Asian music that appears in hymnals published in the United States comes from northeastern Asia. As an introductory guide, I offer the following four general guidelines:. Let us look briefly at a few examples that illustrate these points to some degree. In this case the pentatonic five-tone gapped scale melody has been harmonized by the composer himself. Note the use of open fifths in the bass part and a simple counterpoint, especially on the second score. This accompaniment is suitable for the organ and might be enhanced by use of reed stops.

I have found this hymn to be one of the best poetic exegeses of John It is perfect for occasions such as World Communion Sunday. This melody is supported by simple half-note progressions with occasional restrained counterpoint. Perhaps the best place to find music in the style suggested by the guidelines above is in the hymns of I-to Loh.

WORSHIP ON THE WAY

The added drum part is reminiscent of the tabla, a pair of drums played with the fingers and palms found in India. Note the polyphonic character of the accompaniment. By all means, avoid the temptation to add organ or piano to monophonic material and then harmonize the melodies in a Western manner. When encountering Asian hymns that appear with Western harmonizations in some hymnals, try singing them unaccompanied or in a monophonic manner melody only.

• As Far as You Know.
• Bekenntnisse einer Ex (German Edition);
• Das Abenteuer der Inspiration: Porträts deutscher Dichter von Lessing bis Dürrenmatt (German Edition).

Even these simple steps may seem somewhat daunting and risky at first. However, Asian hymns may be a vehicle for experiencing the timeless God of mystery and awe. Ken Kong is playing a pivotal role in bringing together Southeast Asian ministry leaders from around the nation. His leadership in creating community and synergy among these many leaders will undoubtedly enhance their collective ministry effectiveness in reaching Southeast Asians for Jesus Christ in the years to come.

All of us who have stood on the shoulders of those who have gone before us now need to extend our shoulders for the next generation of faithful, visionary leaders to stand upon. East Asian American leaders have been doing this for each other for several generations. We now have the privilege to do so for our sisters and brothers who are emerging as leaders in the Southeast Asian community.

Ken Kong is one of those leaders. He did an excellent job leading the first Southeast Asian Leadership Conference. I commend his ministry to you. Ken Kong was the prime mover behind the historic, first-ever Southeast Asian Leadership Conference in , and then follow-up Conferences every two years since then. Preview — Worship on the Way by Russell Yee. Worship on the Way: Is there such a thing as Asian North American Christian worship?

How can Asian North Americans interpret their Christian faith through the lens of their cultural identity? What aspects of Asian culture may illuminate and enrich Christian worship? Pastor and author Russell Yee set out to answer these questions, and ended up writing a book that invites readers to create thei Is there such a thing as Asian North American Christian worship?

AATF (vol. 5 no. 2), ISSN 2374-8133

Pastor and author Russell Yee set out to answer these questions, and ended up writing a book that invites readers to create their own uniquely contextualized worship experiences. Features sample resources and templates for creating your own prayers, litanies, poems, and spoken word pieces!

Paperback , pages. To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up.

News and views from New College Library, Edinburgh

To ask other readers questions about Worship on the Way , please sign up. Lists with This Book. This book is not yet featured on Listopia.