What do Asian North American (ANA) preachers have to bring to the table? What does ANA preaching look like? What does ANA preaching sound like? In Finding Our Voice, Matthew D. Kim and Daniel L. Wong share their powerful vision for ANA preaching.
This book focuses on the subject of English-speaking, second- and multi-generational, US- and Canadian-born Asian North Americans. In just less than 200 pages, Kim (a second-generation, American-born Korean in Chicago) and Wong (a third-generation Chinese in San Francisco) make known the need for ANA voices.
There are five major conversation points presented in this book: (1) The ANA experience, (2) ANA hermeneutics, (3) ANA theologies, (4) ANA preaching today, and (5) the future of ANA preaching.
The ANA Experience
While the primary audience for this book are ANA preachers, it will benefit non-ANA preachers who preach or guest-preach in ANA congregational contexts, as well as those interested in multi-cultural ministry. It will help first-generation Asian immigrant pastors kick-start the conversation about preaching across generations, and it can also be used in the context of a classroom as well as a practical resource for ANA ministry.
Those of us who are currently living out the ANA experience will find familiarity in the first chapter. But what this chapter does is establish a Biblical basis for a Christian identity that does not eliminate an ethnic identity. Rather, God uses our background and experiences to help us find our identity in Christ. Parental expectations, church identity exploration, and experiences of mistaken identity are examined. Great ground is covered to lay the framework for seeing and understanding the ANA context.
Are Contextual Theologies Heretical Theologies?
Kim argues that we really do need an ANA hermeneutic. Many preachers are incorrectly trained in seeing Scripture through a Western lens only. Instead, ANA preachers should and can hold to their own culturally nuanced approaches to Scripture interpretation and application while still upholding a high view of Scripture. This part of sermon preparation remains important, and faithful interpretation can still be racially aware and ethnically sensitive. After unpacking different Western and Eastern hermeneutical approaches, Kim explains ANA contextualization and skillfully walks us through his steps of interpretation using Luke 14:25-27 as an example.
Next, Kim takes us deeper in examining ANA theologies by dividing them into four themes: (1) a theology of identity and the image of God, (2) a theology of marginalization, (3) a quadrilateral theology, and (4) a theology of incarnational duality. An integrated and intentional theology is championed to present the ANA as a complete person.
The “Flavor” of ANA Preaching
Describing the “flavor” of ANA preaching today is a crucial component of this book, and Wong begins Chapter 3 by sharing lessons learned during his journey as an ANA preacher. He speaks on the importance of exegeting the text, the preacher, and the congregation in ANA contexts. Specific characteristics of ANA preaching are covered, including (1) contextual, (2) incarnational, (3) intercultural, (4), Holy-Spirit led, (5) transformational, (6) narratival, and (7) collaborative. Themes and topics prevalent in ANA preaching are the relationship between law and grace, leadership, familial relationships, culture and identity, esteem, and social justice.
Interestingly, Wong takes the time to point out the connection between preaching and worship. He mentions that preaching is typically done in the context of a church service, and he would like to see more music and lyrics from an ANA perspective. Prayers, images, and testimonies may also reflect an ANA context. He invites us to see how we can better serve our congregations.
Two Personal Challenges
I am challenged in two ways after reading this book. First, I am challenged to examine my own personal, cultural, and spiritual history. How have my experiences made me who I am today? I want to look closer at how my background and upbringing control my thoughts, influence my preferences, and impact my actions. This will help me better grasp my ANA identity and see how it colors my interpretation of the Bible.
Second, I am challenged to listen to more ANA preachers, and explore more of my own preaching voice. I desire to present ANA topics and themes such as guilt and shame, reconciliation and healing. I hope this helps better communicate and connect God’s word to our hearts. If people were to ask what my sermons taste like, I want others to say that they have a distinct ANA flavor.
A Hopeful Future
The book concludes with a hopeful future for ANA preaching. A distinct palette of illustrations, application, and delivery are emphasized. There is also room to further develop multi-cultural practices as well as building racial and ethnic bridges.
I believe this book is a landmark work that will contribute much good to the work of the Gospel. It is required reading for anyone ministering in ANA contexts, and a fantastic tool for those seeking to be aware and informed of the ANA population.
Kim and Wong call us to celebrate our ANA-ness. I am left with a certain pride for my past. I feel encouraged and excited for the future. And I am drawn closer to an amazing and awesome Christ — the Bread of Life — who calls, compels, and commands all nations to worship him.