Growing Healthy Asian American Churches - Softcover

Peter Cha is associate professor of pastoral theology at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Deerfield, Illinois. He received his graduate training in theology from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School (M.Div. And Th.M.) and received his doctorate in religion in society and personality from Northwestern University. He previously served as a campus staff member with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, and as a youth pastor, church planter and senior pastor. His publications include chapters in Following Jesus without Dishonoring Your Parents (InterVarsity Press), articles in Korean Americans and Their Religions (Pennsylvania State University Press) in Telling the Truth: Evangelizing Postmoderns (Zondervan) and in This Side of Heaven: Race, Ethnicity and Christian Faith (Oxford University Press), as well as articles in several scholarly and denominational journals.

"This book is beneficial at the grassroots for those carrying out this ministry. Missiologically, it is of interest for those exploring how a cultural group ministers to its own and beyond." (Daniel L. Wong, Missiology 35, no. 1 (2007))

"This timely volume is a spiritually sensitive introduction to these rapidly growing churches. It features dynamic congregations on both coasts and a few places in between. Different chapters . . . take up many of the pressing issues that bear with special force on Asian Americans. . . . I was most struck by the collaborative nature of this book, . . . and also by the consistent reference to local congregations as 'households.' In these instances--and more--insight into the singular perils and potential of Asian American church life quickly became instructive Christian wisdom for believers of any ethnicity." (Mark Noll, Christianity Today, June 2006)

"Growing Healthy Asian American Churches is an outstanding work--a critically needed voice in the urban American mosaic. The authors have 'gifted' us with a text that provides insightful pastoral teachings and a prophetic challenge not only to the Asian American church but to the whole church of our Lord Jesus Christ. This solid, biblical, theological and ministerial book will contribute greatly to the life and mission of the Asian American church and thus play a significant role in the shalom of the city (Jer 29:7)." (Eldin Villafane, Ricardo Tanon Distinguished Professor of Hispanic Christianity, Ethics and Urban Ministry, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary)

"This book is truly prophetic for our times--a call for Asian American congregations to embody grace and truth in new ways, as Jesus did. It's essential reading for anyone wanting to learn how God is moving in the Asian American church or serving in this context." (Russell Jeung, assistant professor, Asian American Studies, San Francisco State University, and author of Faithful Generations: Race and New Asian American Churches,)

"One can only dream of being a part of a group like the Catalyst Leadership Forum! It was a dream come true to share fellowship and envision what Asian American churches could be with such a remarkable group. Their wisdom, their commitment to the church, their humility--and now to have it wrapped up in a single book--are a rare and precious gift. Like good Asian food, savor it!" (Paul Tokunaga, Asian American Ministry Coordinator, InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, and author of Invitation to Lead: Guidance for Emerging Asian American Leaders)

"This is the first comprehensive book about Asian American churches written by the leaders of those churches themselves. The essays in this volume are theologically sound and well informed, thoroughly based on the Scripture, and refreshingly honest. The writers tell the stories of their successes and mistakes and propose an insightful, well-thought-out and hopeful vision for the future Asian American churches." (Sang Hyun Lee, Kyung-Chik Han Professor of Systematic Theology and Director of the Program for Asian American Theology and Ministry, Princeton Theological Seminary)

"In a world in which many people are on the move around the world, the nature and ministry of immigrant churches are of critical importance. This important book examines the problems and potentials these churches have, and gives deep, biblically based recommendations for building healthy churches as households of worship, fellowship and mission. While the focus is on Asian American churches, this book is a must-read not only for all those working with other immigrant churches but also for North American churches and Christians who have much to learn from the vibrant life and outreach of these Asian American churches, and their response to modernity and globalization." (Paul Hiebert, Distinguished Professor of Mission and Anthropology, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, and author of Incarnational Ministry)

"Growing Healthy Asian American Churches is an eminently practical book, filled with stories, examples and many wise suggestions for life and ministry in local congregations. Having ministered among Asian Americans for many years, I know that the concerns addressed in these pages are very real and persistent in such contexts. But there is much here to encourage and challenge those serving churches across the broad spectrum of cultural settings." (Gary Parrett, Associate Professor of Educational Ministries & Worship, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, and coauthor of A Many Colored Kingdom)