BOUND BY DENOMINATIONAL TIES: DILEMMAS OF ASIAN MINISTRY IN THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH
Previous ethnographic studies have noted that Asian-American churches tend to be non-denominational or loosely linked to their denominations. Yet, the question why Asian American congregations lack denominational ties remains unanswered. This research attempts to address the question through the exp...
| Main Author: | |
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| Format: | Electronic Article |
| Language: | English |
| Check availability: | HBZ Gateway |
| Journals Online & Print: | Drawer...
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| Fernleihe: | Fernleihe für die Fachinformationsdienste |
| Published: |
Sage Publications
2009
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| In: |
Review of religious research
Year: 2009, Volume: 51, Issue: 2, Pages: 134-155 |
| Online Access: |
Volltext (lizenzpflichtig) |
| Summary: | Previous ethnographic studies have noted that Asian-American churches tend to be non-denominational or loosely linked to their denominations. Yet, the question why Asian American congregations lack denominational ties remains unanswered. This research attempts to address the question through the experience of Asian immigrants in the Episcopal Church. I collected data from (1) participant observation at the annual conference of the Asian American Ministry in the Episcopal Church (known as the Episcopal Asiamerica Ministry) in 2002, 2003 and 2004, (2) in-depth interviews with individuals active in Asian-American ministry at congregational, diocesan, and national levels, and (3) documents, news articles, and reports from church archives. I examine some of the dilemmas that clergy and lay leaders in Asian ministry face as they struggle to balance between the demands of the denominations and the needs of their constituencies. Moreover, the hierarchical structure of the denomination may delay the establishment of new immigrant congregations and impose restrictions on the selection of location and clergy. This adds various costs to the development of Asian ministry and diminishes benefits (such as a sense of belonging) that members of immigrant congregations receive. |
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| ISSN: | 2211-4866 |
| Contains: | Enthalten in: Review of religious research
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