{"product_id":"ethnic-church-meets-megachurch-indian-american-christianity-in","title":"Ethnic Church Meets Megachurch - Indian American Christianity in","description":"\u003cp\u003eIn this review of Ethnic Church Meets Megachurch, the reader gets a focused account of how Indian American Christianity adapts within larger US religious landscapes; the book is aimed at scholars, students, clergy, and engaged readers interested in immigration, religion, and ethnicity, and its single biggest reason to read is the careful, research-driven connection it makes between the Mar Thoma denomination and the broader megachurch phenomenon. Prema A. Kurien presents a balanced, transnational perspective that explains how immigrant congregations reshape identity and community in both origin and destination contexts.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eKey Features\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAcademic award recognition:\u003c\/strong\u003e Winner of the 2018 Section on Asia and Asian America Book Award, which signals rigorous scholarship and peer recognition.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eEthnographic depth:\u003c\/strong\u003e Based on multi-site research in the US and India, the book gives concrete, comparative examples of congregational life and transnational ties.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThematic focus:\u003c\/strong\u003e Shows how the megachurch paradigm and ethnicity interact to shape institutional change among Indian American Christians.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTransnational lens:\u003c\/strong\u003e Demonstrates how processes in the place of destination and place of origin mutually influence religious organizations and members.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCase study clarity:\u003c\/strong\u003e Uses the Mar Thoma denomination as a clear, consistent case to trace broader patterns applicable to other immigrant faith communities.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWho It's For\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis book is best for graduate students, sociologists of religion, clergy, and community leaders who want a scholarly yet readable account of how Indian American congregations negotiate identity and institutional change. It is also useful for courses on immigration, Asian American studies, and religious studies where a transnational case study is needed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eReaders seeking a how-to guide for running a megachurch or a devotional text should look elsewhere, as the focus is analytical rather than prescriptive, and the value lies in interpretation and comparative insight rather than operational church management tips.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePros \u0026amp; Cons\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePros\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWell-documented research provides a reliable foundation for claims about transnational religious adaptation.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eClear use of the Mar Thoma denomination as a case offers concrete, transferable insights into immigrant church dynamics.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe award recognition highlights the book's contribution to Asian and Asian American scholarship.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCons\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe academic tone and focus may feel dense for casual readers without background in social science methods.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTitle\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eEthnic Church Meets Megachurch: Indian American Christianity in Motion\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAuthor\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePrema A. Kurien\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAward\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e2018 Section on Asia and Asian America Book Award\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePrimary focus\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMar Thoma denomination and Indian American Christianity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eResearch approach\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMulti-site research in the United States and India\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSubject areas\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReligion, ethnicity, transnationalism, immigrant institutions\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eOur Verdict\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEthnic Church Meets Megachurch is a thoughtful, well-researched volume that scholars and advanced students will value for its transnational perspective and specific case study of the Mar Thoma church. It offers good value to anyone seeking to understand how the megachurch model and ethnic identity interact in immigrant religious life, though casual readers looking for a lighter narrative may find the academic approach demanding.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes this book include original field research?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes, the author draws on multi-site research conducted in both the United States and India to support the analysis.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs the book suitable for a general audience?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIt is most appropriate for readers with interest in social sciences or religious studies; casual readers may find the academic tone dense.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat religious community is the primary case study?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe Mar Thoma denomination is used as the central case to explore broader trends in Indian American Christianity.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Prema A. 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