Description
Read the Foreword by Ken Uyeda Fong
Read the Preface
Read the Introduction
In this intentionally grounded and richly theological volume, the editors bring together ethnically and generationally diverse leaders from pulpit and academy alike to explore the opportunities for ministry in the Asian North American Christian community. Each acknowledges that this community is increasingly challenged by a generation gap, not so much between age groups but between first-generation immigrants and the second- and third-generations.
Ministry issues addressed include:
• Pastoral formation
• Women in ministry
• Lay leadership
• Public life
• Global mission
Each chapter of Honoring the Generations provides both theological and practical resources for those "in the trenches" of cross-cultural and cross-generational church ministry, regardless of ethnicity
Reviews
"With a scarcity of such resources available, Honoring the Generations is a long awaited and welcome book. Connecting the significant biblical and Asian North American cultural themes such as honor and household, the authors integrate both ANA contexts and biblical principles to foster a thriving ANA ministry. Since the book comes out of a consultation of ANA leaders, the methodology of the book is itself communal." —Rev. Young Lee Hertig, PhD, Executive Director, Institute for the Study of Asian American Christianity (ISAAC)
"This collection by Asian North American theologians and congregational leaders presents the most heartening reflections on the daily struggles and triumphs of Asian North Americans in living out their Christian faith. The challenges and conflicts surrounding the issues of generation, gender, leadership, evangelism, and social engagement are not unique to them, but common themes for all evangelicals in the contemporary social and cultural contexts. It is valuable reading for all those who are struggling about these issues, especially those who are engaged in ministries among Asian North Americans." —Fenggang Yang, University Faculty Scholar, Professor of Sociology and Director, Center on Religion and Chinese Society, Purdue University
"Rich in Scripture, overflowing with grace, easy to understand, respectful of complex variables, and humble about methods, this is a book for our time." —Miriam Adeney, PhD, Associate Professor of Global and Urban Ministry, Seattle Pacific University, and author, Kingdom without Borders: The Untold Story of Global Christianity
"Here in these pages are fresh lessons from Scripture, inspiring ministry stories, and an array of leadership insights to help the Asian North American church take needed next steps toward a better future." —Russell Yee, ThM, PhD, Adjunct Professor, Fuller Theological Seminary, and author, Worship on the Way: Exploring Asian North American Christian Experience
"In an increasingly diverse nation, the biblical, theological, and practical insights and lessons in this must-read book will go a long way in helping congregational leaders confront the cross-cultural and cross-generational challenges of their ministry. This book reflects a unique collaborative effort of scholars and practitioners responding to what I believe is the most critical issue at the dawn of the twenty-first century—ecclesiology.
Here you have a relevant and robust practical ecclesiology by a variety of voices that will prove to be a gift to the Christian church at large and not just to Asian North American congregations." —Rev. Eldin Villafane, PhD, Professor of Christian Social Ethics and Founding Director of the Center for Urban Ministerial Education (CUME), Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary
"The 'next evangelicalism' of which coeditor Rah has written to high acclaim is here unveiled as that which includes the contributions of both the elders and the younger generation. The Asian North American voices in this volume have much to teach evangelicals across the spectrum who are ready to escape the western cultural captivity of the church." —Amos Yong, J. Rodman Williams Professor of Theology, Regent University School of Divinity
"In Honoring the Generations, noted Asian North American theologians and pastors from varying theological traditions and cultural backgrounds honor and draw strength from disparate church experiences. The writers share the fruit of a long and sometimes arduous dialogue in hopes of inspiring a Kingdom revolution in the church that is both generative and generous for first-, second-, and third-generation ANA Christians alike. In the process, this book invites readers to envision together the nature and practice of the church as God's household, with the capacity to forge the future of the ANA church."—S. Steve Kang, Professor of Educational Ministries & Interdisciplinary Studies, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, and coauthor of Teaching the Faith, Forming the Faithful, and A Many-Colored Kingdom
"This engaging conversation among Asian North American (ANA) ministers and professors names numerous challenges—including generational differences, cultural diversity, public engagement, assimilation, and gender inequality. The writers put their on-the-ground experiences on the table, reflect on historical elements, cultural influences, and biblical passages, and clarify what is important for ANA churches. Don't expect answers, but do expect diverse voices, stories that narrate various experiments, and a call for deeper engagement across differences. This is a crucial conversation among ANA leaders." —Mark Lau Branson, EdD, Homer Goddard Associate Professor of Ministry of the Laity, Fuller Theological Seminary, and coauthor of Churches, Cultures & Leadership: A Practical Theology of Congregations & Ethnicities
"Honoring the Generations challenges its readers to deal with the complexities of calling people to faith and developing churches in the midst of generational change, cultural adaptation, and the struggles of minority identity development. The contributors write from their experiences within their various Asian North American communities, drawing out specific insights for ministering within ANA circles, but also addressing issues that cross ethnic and cultural lines. The book is an indispensable contribution to Asian American ministry and to the growing literature on ministry in the intercultural reality of North America today." —Juan Francisco Martínez, Associate Provost for Diversity and International Programs, Fuller Theological Seminary
Author Bio
Al Tizon, PhD, is executive minister of Serve Globally Evangelical Covenant Church. He is also associate professor in the Practice of Missional and Global Leadership at North Park Theological Seminary. Dr. Tizon is an ordained minister of the Evangelical Covenant Church.
Soong-Chan Rah, MDiv, ThM, DMin, an urban ministry scholar and associate professor of evangelism and church growth at North Park Theological Seminary in Chicago, served for ten years as founding lead pastor of Cambridge Community Fellowship, an urban, multi-ethnic church in Boston. He has also pastored Korean immigrant churches. Soong-Chan is the author of The Next Evangelicalism: Freeing the Church from Western Cultural Captivity (IVP Books, 2009).
M. Sydney Park, MDiv, ThM, PhD, is a Bible scholar and Assistant Professor of Divinity at Besson Divinity School in Birmingham, AL. She also ministered in Korean-American churches for eleven years. Dr. Park is the author of The Concept of Submission within the Godhead and the Church in Philippians (T & T Clark, 2007) and co-author of The Post Racial Church: A Biblical Framework for Multiethnic Reconciliation (Kregel, 2011).