Limit search to available items
Book Cover
E-book
Author Kurien, Prema A., 1963- author.

Title Ethnic church meets megachurch : Indian American Christianity in motion / Prema A. Kurien
Published New York : NYU Press, 2017

Copies

Description 1 online resource (xiv, 281 pages)
Contents Indian American Christianity in motion -- Syrian Christian encounters with colonial missionaries and Indian nationalism -- The role of the church in migration and settlement -- Coupling versus decoupling religion and ethnicity in the first and second generations -- Class, culture, and the performance of gendered Christianity -- Religion, social incorporation, and civic engagement among generations -- International migration and its impact on the Mar Thoma denomination -- Transnational processes, immigrant incorporation, and religious
Summary Winner, 2018 Section on Asia and Asian America Book Award presented by the American Sociological Association Traces the religious adaptation of members of an important Indian Christian church- the Mar Thoma denomination - as they make their way in the United States. This book exposes how a new paradigm of ethnicity and religion, and the megachurch phenomenon, is shaping contemporary immigrant religious institutions, specifically Indian American Christianity. Kurien draws on multi-site research in the US and India to provide a global perspective on religion by demonstrating the variety of ways that transnational processes affect religious organizations and the lives of members, both in the place of destination and of origin. The widespread prevalence of megachurches and the dominance of American evangelicalism created an environment in which the traditional practices of the ancient South Indian Mar Thoma denomination seemed alien to its American-born generation. Many of the young adults left to attend evangelical megachurches. Kurien examines the pressures church members face to incorporate contemporary American evangelical worship styles into their practice, including an emphasis on an individualistic faith, and praise and worship services, often at the expense of maintaining the ethnic character and support system of their religious community. Kurien's sophisticated analysis also demonstrates how the forces of globalization, from the period of colonialism to contemporary out-migration, have brought about tremendous changes among Christian communities in the Global South. Wide in scope, this book is a must read for an audience interested in the study of global religions and cultures. Winner, 2018 Section on Asia and Asian America Book Award presented by the American Sociological Association Traces the religious adaptation of members of an important Indian Christian church- the Mar Thoma denomination - as they make their way in the United States. This book exposes how a new paradigm of ethnicity and religion, and the megachurch phenomenon, is shaping contemporary immigrant religious institutions, specifically Indian American Christianity. Kurien draws on multi-site research in the US and India to provide a global perspective on religion by demonstrating the variety of ways that transnational processes affect religious organizations and the lives of members, both in the place of destination and of origin. The widespread prevalence of megachurches and the dominance of American evangelicalism created an environment in which the traditional practices of the ancient South Indian Mar Thoma denomination seemed alien to its American-born generation. Many of the young adults left to attend evangelical megachurches. Kurien examines the pressures church members face to incorporate contemporary American evangelical worship styles into their practice, including an emphasis on an individualistic faith, and praise and worship services, often at the expense of maintaining the ethnic character and support system of their religious community. Kurien's sophisticated analysis also demonstrates how the forces of globalization, from the period of colonialism to contemporary out-migration, have brought about tremendous changes among Christian communities in the Global South. Wide in scope, this book is a must read for an audience interested in the study of global religions and cultures
Bibliography Includes bibliographical references and index
Notes Print version record
Subject East Indian Americans -- Religion
Ethnicity -- Religious aspects -- Christianity.
Emigration and immigration -- Religious aspects -- Christianity.
Big churches -- United States
RELIGION -- Christianity -- History.
RELIGION / Christianity / General
Big churches
East Indian Americans -- Religion
Emigration and immigration -- Religious aspects -- Christianity
Ethnicity -- Religious aspects -- Christianity
Inder
Megakirche
Migration
Thomaschristen
United States
USA
Malayalis
Form Electronic book
ISBN 9781479845477
1479845477