The Localization of christianity in Bangkok protestant churches : a study on christian music

Abstract

Despite prolonged and intensive Christian missionary efforts for the last 400 years, the religion lays claim to only about 2% of the population. One of the main reasons for the dismal failure is the foreignness of Christianity, where its Western forms -- hymns, buildings styles, pulpits and worship styles -- are all alien to Thai culture. However, with more Thai Christians starting local churches and taking over the leadership of the missionary-planted churches, as well as foreign missionaries becoming more aware of the cultural issues, attempts have been made at localizing Christianity in Thailand. Based on a questionnaire survey of 18 churches, participant-observation research at four selected churches, and in-depth interviews with church leaders, worship leaders, and songwriters, this thesis explores the range and extent of foreign influences on Christian music as well as the level of localization in the music used in Protestant churches in Bangkok. Research findings show that three-quarters of the songs sung during the Sunday worship service are translated, mainly from English. This suggests that Western influences remain prevalent in church culture, and have been noted in areas such as theology, musical instruments, and the definition of "good music". The author identifies four factors that affect localization of Christianity in Bangkok: the tension between tradition and modernity; the middle class, the emergence of Thai pop; and the concept of "Thainess". Hence, churches with a middle class congregation tend to try to portray a "modern" image by using music in the Western style, which could be either hymns or praise choruses. Conversely, churches which hearken back to "tradition" and want to show that it is possible to be both "Thai" and "Christian" are likely to use Thai cultural forms in the Sunday service. However, the use of Thai traditional tunes and instruments in church is not popular in Bangkok as it is likely to offend the urban sensibilities of the middle class, the main demographic of the city churches. Hence, the most suitable way to localize Christian music in Bangkok is perhaps, to borrow a phrase from one of the informants: Write Thai songs by Thai people with Thai experiences for Thai people -- but use the Western style of music.