[kwikemartownr]

I'm Korean (ahn young my fellow Koreans ). I go to a pretty conservative and very traditional congregation, so playing contemporary stuff is very weird for them. So what I do is mix up the old hymns into a new contemporary style while toning down the new contemporary style. The adults have seem to like it, so all's well here on this Western (or is it Eastern?) front.

Hopefully, I can get this contemporary style of music out to both the adults and youth. But that's just one of my many goals in Christ.

Peace Bw/u,
steve

[SolidSilver777]

im in an Korean praise band but we sing in english....

[kwikemartownr]

Me too ... not that I sing well ...

In fact, it's better off if I didn't sing. I attract too many female mooses.

Peace Bw/u,
steve

[Revolution]

I had an interesting experience last night. At my friend's place, we hosted a bunch of our students for dinner. The music being played was all Christian, of the Hillsongs type - just your regular worship stuff really. Then she put on some Jars of Clay (not exactly the most contemporary style band, but cool nonetheless) and everyone was like "this is Christian? But it doesn't suck!" (paraphrase translation).

It seems like the Japanese youth have yet to discover that "Christian" "cool" "good" and "music" can exist in the same sentence.

So here's an idea - try to share your Christian music with your non-Christian friends more. You don't have to say "This is Christian music" - just say - "this is cool - and the message is cool too." Then if they ask about the message, you have a way to tell them more...

[kwikemartownr]

That is totally AWESOME to hear CCM music being played and then breaking down some stereotypes of what "Christian" music is labeled as.

Kudos on a great reach out musically!

Peace Bw/u,
steve

[alfee]

Praise and Worship in my church is moving to a new phase. I believe that the way we worship does not really matter, but its the heart that God seeks after.

The expression or worship in my church is very much contemporary and I love it! Not everybody would like our style, but I guess thats just normal. We sing alot of Passion and Worshiptogether music, a little more lively but our focus is always brought to God, not the worship team. God has blessed our church with talented musicians and I really apprieciate all of them.

To read more on whats going on in Malaysia, particularly in my area of Selangor, visit www.revivalgeneration.org

[Revolution]

Originally posted by alfee

To read more on whats going on in Malaysia, particularly in my area of Selangor, visit www.revivalgeneration.org

Interesting... I looked at the "about us" section and was interested - what exactly is your strategy for achieving this?

You should start a new topic on this one I think!! (Just a suggestion from your friendly forum moderator)

[Kijanu]

Hey everyone, I am a Japanese guy living in the breadbasket of America... lol To be more specific, Minnesota. I know there isn't much Christian music in Japan, but that is easily explained if you know how Japanese people think. To them religion is beginning to become something that doesn't matter. Even though many elderly people are deeply rooted in Buddism, the younger generation is slowly becoming sucked into a "no-religion" life... It is sad to see how they are blind to the truth that could save them eternally. An example of how little effect Christianity has had on the Japanese culture, there is a new popular group called the "Gospellers". Alas, they are not singers of the gospel, but only singers of that style. Using the style of many part harmonies of an accapella choir, they are winning over many fans. To them, "Gospel music" is only a style of music as "Jazz" and "Blues" is to us. But it is also a good thing that the young Japanese generation has no religion. Christianity can be easily instituted without having to contend with a different religion that had been established earlier. But that's only what I think. Saying things like that are easy, but actually doing them is the difficult part.

I'm not the best translator or Japanese composer, but I'll try to help any way I can!

Peace and Love ~ Kijanu <))><

[1twelve2]

That's really good to hear! I grew up in a Korean church, but left that church, in order to find my youth group that has become like a family to me! My former youth group has a praise team, but the youth group from what I remember, wasn't too excited about praising the Lord. ::sigh:: My current youth group (my "2nd family"-not Korean), doesn't have a praise team, but we went to Audio A. and Jars of Clay concerts and stuff, which was cool--that's how I got to know them!

Well I hope and pray that CHRISTian music will continue to minister and be a blessing to many! And also, that it will continue to grow in Korean culture!

Peace and Love~

Originally posted by TheTaylor310
Hello!

I'm a Korean and there does exist a pretty strong CCM music scene in Korea. Up to like a few years ago, it was (in my opinion) dominated by Vineyard-like praise teams (like All Nations Music), but the younger Koreans are getting into the American-style CCM. Younger praise teams are more innovative than their predecessors and it reflects on the songs itself.

Although the CCM culture is not as youth-oriented like here in the US, i think it has the ability to appeal. I was startled and amazed that Korean CCM has come this far. I believe wants to reach the Korean youth... since they are so deeply entrenched in the Korean secular stuff.

Oh well... hehe...

[phoenixcager]

I just attended a Streams of Praise worship concert, and it was pretty good. First time I've heard Chinese-language worship done in a really contemporary way. Very anointed worship too!

[InSonlight]

I'm Korean...and there's a ton of Korean churches in my area....and almost all of them play contemporary worship songs...and many of the bigger churches have some AWESOME worship teams. Seriously...I don't see much of a difference in our worship or worship style or musicianship just cuz we're Asian or anything. I actually know a local Asian worship team called "losing daylight" and they are an awesome band w/ a CD out and stuff like that... and there's plenty more in my area. ( i live in SoCal..where there are many, many Asians...)

[OldStratGuy]

InSonlight: I heard a sample off their Web site; pretty good stuff. (Sorry, folks, I don't have the link readily available to post; it's buried somewhere in an e-mail from their site). Anyway, has anyone heard them live? They played at some place on Melrose in LA in June, but I missed it.
BTW, I'm Filipino, attending a REALLY small church in Corona of mostly Filipinos (I think only three of us, including the pastor, are American-born, and the rest are originally from the mother islands). The church's praise band is mostly Asian (er, Filipino), too, and there isn't much of a difference between what we play and what other contemporary praise bands play. (OK, maybe a couple words sung you can detect a slight accent ... )

[kwikemartownr]

You're Filipino OldStratGuy?

Man, this board is just FILLED with more things that I origionally thought? That's cool though ...

SOF:
steve

[OldStratGuy]

Originally posted by kwikemartownr
You're Filipino OldStratGuy?

Man, this board is just FILLED with more things that I origionally thought? That's cool though ...

SOF:
steve

Pretty cool, huh? I checked out your thread on "what ethnicit?" and posted there ...

As a former "diversity trainer" at one of my previous newspapers, it's really cool that on the 'net, people meet each other as people first; the rest of the stuff (ethnicity, age, type of guitar played, hair style, etc...) just works to fill in the shades of color in everyone's personality.

[Revolution]

Originally posted by OldStratGuy
InSonlight: I heard a sample off their Web site; pretty good stuff. (Sorry, folks, I don't have the link readily available to post; it's buried somewhere in an e-mail from their site). Anyway, has anyone heard them live? They played at some place on Melrose in LA in June, but I missed it.

I'm begging you -- please find it and pass it on!!