original WORSHIP MUSIC from the Embera tribe [Panama]

It is a scary thing to feel out-of-control. It is a wonderful thing, however, if it is accompanied by a deep awareness that GOD is in control. That is exactly what I experienced during our songwriting workshop with the Embera people (Jan 2008). Traditionally, the Embera have written and sung songs primarily under the influence of alcohol. This has caused some Christians to avoid the music altogether, and has made it so that other Christians have had very little connection with the traditional music. As we prayed before the conference, the scripture on my heart was clear, "Do not be drunk with wine, but be filled with the Spirit. Speak to one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord..." [Eph 5:18-21] I shared this scripture with the group that was gathered, some from Piriati who had participated in the songwriting workshop we helped organize back in October (see previous post), others from Piriati with no prior experience, and still others from a village deep in the jungle not accessible to American missionaries. One of the Embera men prayed for the Holy Spirit to fill them, and allow them to write new songs to praise Acore (God). And off we went. We divided up into three groups, because there were three older people (who had significant knowledge of the traditional Embera music).

[have a listen to two of their original worship songs; written after a songwriting workshop taught by Jo-Ann Richards]

RECOMMENDED READING re: Culture

1. A Beginners Guide to Crossing Cultures, Patti Lane (InterVarsity, 2002)

2. Cross Cultural Conflict, Duane Elmer (InterVarsity, 1993)

3. Teaching Cross Culturally, Linginfelter/Linginfelter (Baker, 2003)

4. Break Down Walls:A Model for Reconciliation in an Age of Racial Strife, Raleigh Washington and Glen Kehrein (Moody, 1994)

5. Beyond Black and White, George A. Yancey (Baker, 1996)

6. Eternity in Their Hearts, Don Richardson (Regal, 1981)

* all these are personal recommendations of PROSKUNEO staff or board members *

RECOMMENDED READING re: Worship/Music and the Nations

1. Let the Nations Be Glad: The Supremacy of God in Missions, John Piper (Baker, 2003)

2. The Sound of The Harvest:Music's Mission in Church and Culture, J. Nathan Corbitt (Baker, 1998)

3. Unceasing Worship, Harold Best (InterVarsity, 2003)

* all these are personal recommendations of PROSKUNEO staff or board members *

RECOMMENDED READING re: Church and the Nations

1. One Body One Spirit, George Yancey (InterVarsity, 2003)

2. Ministering Cross Culturally: An Incarnational Model for Personal Relationships, Linginfelter/Mayers (Baker, 2003)

3. Multicultural Ministry: Finding Your Church's Unique Rhythm, David Anderson (Zondervan, 2004)

4. United by Faith; The Multiracial Congregation as an Answer to the Problem of Race, DeYoung, Emerson, Yancey, Kim (Oxford, 2003)

5. Reaching the World In Our Own Backyard, Rajendra K. Pillai. (Waterbrook, 2003)

* all these are personal recommendations of PROSKUNEO staff or board members *