Do Chinese Worship Songs Sound Too Much Like Pop Hits?

Five praise music songwriters on how they handle criticism, work together, and seek to reach Gen Z through their work.

When Chinese Christians around the world worship God through music, chances are they’re singing a translated Western hymn or a hit by established worship music creators Stream of Praise (赞美之泉), Heavenly Melody (天韵合唱团), or Clay Music (泥土音乐). One group of collaborators is interested in adding something that better reflects the tastes of young people.

Jiang Shaolong, Cui Yu, Jane Hao, Chen Ming, and Luan Xin all grew up in China before moving to the United States for college or graduate work and share a passion for Chinese worship songwriting and ministering to the next generation. They are enthusiastic about using their songwriting talents to help deepen the faith of the Chinese students and young professionals they pastor or mentor. With the exception of Chen, who studied music at a conservatory, all of them are self-taught musicians.

Jiang pastors the Chinese-speaking congregation of New Life Community Church Bridgeport, in Chicago, and is head of the band Jing Ji Huo (The Burning Bush), which also includes members Yu and Hao. Chen Ming and Luan Xin are both campus ministers. (Ming works with the diaspora Chinese ministry Ambassadors for Christ.)

These young Chinese praise songwriters—all of whom are in their 30s and 40s, years below the average Chinese church leader—recently spoke with CT about why they felt compelled to write new Chinese worship songs and how they handle commentary that their music is too inspired by pop.

Why did you want to create new Chinese praise songs?

Jiang: I was called by God to serve a Chinese church made up mostly of young Chinese students and young professionals. We worship with songs translated from English as well as songs written by other Chinese songwriting teams, and we’re ...

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from Christianity Today Magazine
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