In looking for a Christian non-fiction book for Asian Heritage Month this May, I'm grateful that I came across Dim Sum and Faith by Jenn Suen Chen. Not only did the title capture my attention as an Asian Christian, but it was great for me to try another spiritual formation book, which normally comprises a smaller part of my reading repertoire. This book ended up meeting both goals.
Many thanks to Intervarsity Press and NetGalley for providing a complimentary copy of this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
Content to be aware of: utilization of The Passion Translation, quotes from authors I don't read nor reference (Richard Rohr, etc.)
Book Synopsis
Discover the Sacred in Your Story
Imagine gathering around a dim sum table, a lively setting where stories are shared over flavorful bites and heartfelt moments. This is the inviting atmosphere Jenn Suen Chen recreates in Dim Sum and Faith. Drawing from her own rich tapestry of experiences Jenn helps readers to explore how our personal narratives shape our spiritual journeys.
Dim Sum and Faith invites you to examine the phases of your life―shaping, undoing, awakening, and reshaping. Through guided scripture reading and reflective prompts, each chapter becomes a steppingstone toward understanding the profound ways God’s presence is woven through every joy and trial in your story. This isn’t just about looking back; it’s about seeing how our stories are a part of God’s continuous formation in our lives.
Dim Sum and Faith is an invitation to pause, reflect, and rediscover the joy and peace that comes from knowing you are lovingly crafted by God.
Source: Amazon
Book Thoughts
Dim sum is a meal that typically celebrates fellowship with friends and family around the table. The image of food being served in round containers in different rounds is a fitting analogy for the storytelling circles that the author takes us through in Dim Sum and Faith. Part personal memoir, part invitation into spiritual practices, and part explanation of cultural realities, this book whet my appetite for wanting to gather with other Christians and to share in the experience of hearing their stories. What makes Jenn Suen Chen's book even more meaningful to me is the visibility that she offers to Asian Christian women who may not always get to have a voice at the table. Recounting her own stories from her missionary experiences and family history, these retellings of the intersection between faith and culture captivated me most as I read along. I appreciate the vulnerability that is gently offered while making space for readers to participate in the journey.
In being new to the work of a spiritual director, it was a different experience for me to engage with the storytelling and self-reflective aspects of the book; however, when I shifted my perspective to reading each chapter as conversations taking place over a number of dim sum meals, the concepts came more easily to me. This book seems to be written as a progressive series of meals shared together, which means not everything has to be digested at once. If you're looking for an Asian perspective on the importance of storytelling within the Christian faith, Dim Sum and Faith is a reminder that God uses all of our stories for His glory and that there is value, redemption, and purpose to the experiences of Asian Christians.
Book Summary
- Format of book: 📱
- Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Recommendation: 👍
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