White Pop, Shiny Armour and a Sling and Stone

Indigenous Expressions of Contemporary Congregational Song Exploring Christian-Māori Identity

Bibliographic Data

ID3349352
AuthorsSaid (0000-0001-7366-8923, Excelsia University College, corresponding author)
Year2021
Volume12
Issue2
Pages123
Publication date2021-02-16
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueReligions (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2077-1444 • E-ISSN: 2077-1444
PublisherMDPI AG (PUBLISHER • IT)
DOI10.3390/rel12020123
OpenAlexW3131464868
LanguageEN
References cited20

It has taken many years for different styles of music to be utilised within Pentecostal churches as acceptable forms of worship. These shifts in musical sensibilities, which draw upon elements of pop, rock and hip hop, have allowed for a contemporisation of music that functions as worship within these settings, and although still debated within and across some denominations, there is a growing acceptance amongst Western churches of these styles. Whilst these developments have taken place over the past few decades, there is an ongoing resistance by Pentecostal churches to embrace Indigenous musical expressions of worship, which are usually treated as token recognitions of minority groups, and at worst, demonised as irredeemable musical forms. This article draws upon interview data with Christian-Māori leaders from New Zealand and focus group participants of a diaspora Māori church in southwest Sydney, Australia, who considered their views as Christian musicians and ministers. These perspectives seek to challenge the relationship between Indigenous and non-Indigenous relations within a church setting and create a more inclusive philosophy and practice towards being 'one in Christ' with the role of music as worship acting as a case study throughout. It also considers how Indigenous forms of worship impact cultural identity, where Christian worship drawing upon Māori language and music forms has led to deeper connections to congregants' cultural backgrounds

Aesthetics · Art · Christian music · Indigenous · Musical · Sacred music · Social science · Sociology · Theology · Visual arts · Worship · Anthropological Studies and Insights · Climate Change, Adaptation, Migration · Gender Studies · Pentecostalism and Christianity Studies · Philosophy

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Open DOIOpen Access