By Don Ng
Three Major Themes
Three themes of continuing importance to Asian American Christians and, thus, preaching
in predominately Asian American contexts are: (1) Sojourner Experience, (2) Family and
Forgiveness, and (3) God’s Purpose in the World.
1. Sojourner Experience
Many Asian Americans share the historical experience of immigration and refugee resettlement. Asians who came to the United States by necessity or free choice viewed their new country as a “promised land.” In fact, the Chinese word for California is “Gold Mountain.” The sense of being a sojourner in a foreign land is still very prevalent among many Asian Americans. Consequentially, texts that address this reality prove meaningful and helpful. For example, Genesis 12:10, regarding the sojourn of Abram and Sarai, is always a ripe preaching text. Similarly, the story of Moses and his exodus from Egypt prior to his returning and being used by God to set the captives free is prime preaching territory.
The preacher needs to remember that because of cultural bias, the perception of Asian Americans as foreigners persists, in spite of the increasing number of generations of Asian Americans born in this country. “Where are you from originally?” is still a question asked of most Asian Americans. 1Peter 2:9 offers compelling biblical grounds for being “a chosen people” in spite of cultural suspicion and rejection.
2. Family and Forgiveness
Korean, Japanese, and Chinese traditions are all historically rooted in Confucian values. These values place a high premium on family honor and respect. There is a sense of divinely authorized, uncontested familial order in life. Preachers are wise to preach about family themes often, and approach them with an understanding of predominate Confucian understandings in mind. For example, because birth order is esteemed in Confucian teaching, stories such as Jacob and Esau in Genesis 25 are very relevant in Asian American settings. And, since Confucian values assigning high status to birth order matter greatly, it is expected that the preacher not gloss over the obvious and despicable theft of a birth right.
The “Prodigal Son” narrative in Luke 15 is another text in which awareness of the priority placed on family birth order should inform the preacher’s exegetical/sermonic approach. Because of the tremendous honor given to the first-born in Asian American cultural understanding, the wise preacher does not easily dismiss the sentiments of the older brother in the text as selfish and sinful. His feelings must be validated as well. Otherwise, the preacher’s message risks congregational invalidation, as many hearers in the sanctuary will identify more readily with the older son and the gracious father than with the redeemed, but still disrespectful younger brother.
The theme of forgiveness is vital in relation to family because family pressure to succeed often creates terrible developmental pressures for Asian American young people. Thus, themes of grace and forgiveness are more than ideas, but behavioral gifts that help family members to aspire and achieve from a place of acceptance and affirmation. It is important for the preacher to maintain a healthy balance between the noble pursuit of excellence and the needful acceptance of difference, and to understand that difference does not mean deficient. For example, when preaching the Mary and Martha narrative in the New Testament where Martha is working and Mary is sitting, the preacher in the Asian American context is wise not to laud the behavior of the latter over the former. The Asian American value of industry must be honored alongside the spiritual calling of rest.
3. God’s Purpose in the World
Many Asian Americans hold fast to a yin and yang understanding of life: the belief that everything has its place and time. To be sure, this understanding has a biblical parallel in Ecclesiastes 3, where we are told, “there is a season for everything.” Yet, a more comprehensive biblical perspective is inclusive of something more; God’s purpose manifesting itself amid the yin and yang, and seasons of life. Emphasizing God’s purpose in the world promotes a linear worldview. We are not just going around in circles but rather, life is heading somewhere. As Christians, we believe that “someday” there will be the full manifestation of God’s Kingdom. Such a belief fosters hope and determination in challenging, and all too often, oppressive circumstances.
Growing Edges
Here are 6 recommendations for effective preaching in Asian American and Multi-cultural contexts:
1. Identify varying preaching-style expectations within your congregation. Persons vary in sermonic preferences. For example, some prefer a more expository style; others love narrative preaching. As much as you can, become a practitioner of as many styles as possible.
2. Identify the dominant cultural factor. You are never going to speak to everyone sensitively in the group. If you don’t identify the dominant group, you will jeopardize your ability to speak to the majority of hearers in your congregation.
3. Identify your own dominant cultural perspective for the dual purpose of self-awareness and public honesty.
4. Believe that God has created each person in God’s own image. All life experiences are genuine and valuable. Such a perspective creates heartfelt compassion, the unsung enhancer of all effective communication.
5. Believe that each one of us is still a work-in-progress. It is safe to assume that we can acculturate where we are in order to feel at home for the time being. Thus, we should feel free to share with and from the cultures of others. We do not have to feel we have to remain locked-up in our own unique cultural traditions.
6. Preach from Peace and Wholeness. While we are all aliens, we can still be settled where we are and become contributing and responsible people in our respective communities. Though we all are sojourners in one way or another, in Christ we are all, potentially “Peaceful Sojourners,” at home already in the Fellowship, and in the Spirit.