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Dim Sum and Faith: How Our Stories Form Our Souls
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.
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.
- GenresChristian Non Fiction
208 pages, Paperback
Published August 12, 2025
14 people are currently reading
1662 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
July 29, 2025
Dim Sum and Faith is an excellent book for slow reading with a journal and some time for prayerful reflection over the questions at the end of each chapter. It also would be great to discuss with a group of trusted friends with whom you can be really honest as you explore whatever the Spirit wants to say to you through your reflection. It’s a beautiful book for internal growth, slowing down, and listening to God and where he wants to show you some parts of your story and bring healing.
I enjoyed the entire book, but Part 3 (Awakening) and Part 4 (Remaking) were my favorites. They had an extra clarity for me personally in some areas that I needed to think about. I will definitely be reading this again.
I read an advance review copy provided by NetGalley; all opinions in this review are my own.
I enjoyed the entire book, but Part 3 (Awakening) and Part 4 (Remaking) were my favorites. They had an extra clarity for me personally in some areas that I needed to think about. I will definitely be reading this again.
I read an advance review copy provided by NetGalley; all opinions in this review are my own.
May 30, 2025
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 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.
Review link: https://christianshelves.blogspot.com...
Many thanks to Intervarsity Press and NetGalley for providing a complimentary copy of this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
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 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.
Review link: https://christianshelves.blogspot.com...
Many thanks to Intervarsity Press and NetGalley for providing a complimentary copy of this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
August 18, 2025
Gifted with words, especially the language of the heart, the author invites the reader to share a dim sum meal at her welcoming, culture-crossing table. As she beautifully and authentically shares her personal soul-forming stories, she gently invites her readers to explore their own. She models how to listen for desires of belonging and how to lean into the reality of brokenness, with her thought-provoking questions. This book encourages both personal reflection and community engagement for those who seek to grow in their walks with Jesus. Highly recommend.
October 3, 2025
This book is all about how your story and experiences shape you and your faith. Jenn approaches the subject with such gentle invitations. This book is particularly helpful for those who are have grown up living between two cultures and didn’t always feel like they belong.
May 15, 2025
Book Review: Dim Sum and Faith: How Our Stories Form Our Souls by Jenn Suen Chen
Jenn Suen Chen’s Dim Sum and Faith is a heartwarming and thought-provoking exploration of how personal stories shape our spiritual lives. Chen, drawing from her own experiences and cultural heritage, masterfully weaves together narratives, reflections, and theological insights to create a work that is both deeply personal and universally relatable. The book invites readers to share in a metaphorical meal, much like gathering around a dim sum table, where diverse stories and perspectives come together to nourish the soul.
Premise & Themes
The book delves into the idea that our stories—whether they be of struggle, joy, or everyday moments—are integral to forming our faith. Chen argues that these narratives, much like the varied dishes served at a dim sum meal, are diverse and rich, offering a multifaceted view of the human experience. By examining her own life and the lives of others through the lens of faith, Chen explores themes of identity, community, and the search for meaning.
Strengths & Highlights
-Personal and Relatable Narrative: Chen’s writing is warm, engaging, and deeply personal, making the book feel like a conversation with a trusted friend.
-Cultural Richness: The incorporation of cultural elements, particularly the tradition of dim sum, adds a unique and enriching layer to the narrative.
-Theological Insights: Chen offers thoughtful reflections on faith that are accessible to a broad audience, regardless of their theological background.
-Inspires Reflection: The book encourages readers to reflect on their own stories and how these shape their understanding of themselves and their faith.
Areas for Improvement
Some readers might find that certain sections feel a bit too focused on the author’s personal experiences, potentially limiting the relatability for those with vastly different backgrounds. Additionally, while the theological discussions are generally clear, a few passages may benefit from further elaboration for readers unfamiliar with certain Christian concepts.
Score Breakdown (Out of5)
-Engagement: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5) – The writing is engaging and feels like a personal conversation.
-Cultural Relevance: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5) – The use of dim sum as a metaphor is innovative and enriching.
-Theological Depth: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5) – Offers thoughtful insights into faith and spirituality.
-Relatability: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5) – While personal, the themes are broadly relatable.
-Inspirational Value: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5) – Inspires readers to reflect on their own stories and faith journeys.
Overall: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5) – A beautifully written book that offers a heartfelt invitation to explore the intersection of stories and faith.
Perfect For:
-Readers interested in memoirs or narrative theology.
-Those looking for a book that blends personal narrative with spiritual reflection.
-Anyone seeking inspiration for their own faith journey.
Acknowledgments:
Thank you to NetGalley and Jenn Suen Chen for providing an advance review copy of Dim Sum and Faith: How Our Stories Form Our Souls in exchange for an honest review.
Final Thought: Dim Sum and Faith is a nourishing read, much like the dim sum it celebrates. Chen’s work is a testament to the power of storytelling in shaping our understanding of ourselves and our faith, and it will resonate with readers looking for a meaningful and heartfelt exploration of spirituality.
Jenn Suen Chen’s Dim Sum and Faith is a heartwarming and thought-provoking exploration of how personal stories shape our spiritual lives. Chen, drawing from her own experiences and cultural heritage, masterfully weaves together narratives, reflections, and theological insights to create a work that is both deeply personal and universally relatable. The book invites readers to share in a metaphorical meal, much like gathering around a dim sum table, where diverse stories and perspectives come together to nourish the soul.
Premise & Themes
The book delves into the idea that our stories—whether they be of struggle, joy, or everyday moments—are integral to forming our faith. Chen argues that these narratives, much like the varied dishes served at a dim sum meal, are diverse and rich, offering a multifaceted view of the human experience. By examining her own life and the lives of others through the lens of faith, Chen explores themes of identity, community, and the search for meaning.
Strengths & Highlights
-Personal and Relatable Narrative: Chen’s writing is warm, engaging, and deeply personal, making the book feel like a conversation with a trusted friend.
-Cultural Richness: The incorporation of cultural elements, particularly the tradition of dim sum, adds a unique and enriching layer to the narrative.
-Theological Insights: Chen offers thoughtful reflections on faith that are accessible to a broad audience, regardless of their theological background.
-Inspires Reflection: The book encourages readers to reflect on their own stories and how these shape their understanding of themselves and their faith.
Areas for Improvement
Some readers might find that certain sections feel a bit too focused on the author’s personal experiences, potentially limiting the relatability for those with vastly different backgrounds. Additionally, while the theological discussions are generally clear, a few passages may benefit from further elaboration for readers unfamiliar with certain Christian concepts.
Score Breakdown (Out of5)
-Engagement: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5) – The writing is engaging and feels like a personal conversation.
-Cultural Relevance: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5) – The use of dim sum as a metaphor is innovative and enriching.
-Theological Depth: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5) – Offers thoughtful insights into faith and spirituality.
-Relatability: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5) – While personal, the themes are broadly relatable.
-Inspirational Value: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5) – Inspires readers to reflect on their own stories and faith journeys.
Overall: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5) – A beautifully written book that offers a heartfelt invitation to explore the intersection of stories and faith.
Perfect For:
-Readers interested in memoirs or narrative theology.
-Those looking for a book that blends personal narrative with spiritual reflection.
-Anyone seeking inspiration for their own faith journey.
Acknowledgments:
Thank you to NetGalley and Jenn Suen Chen for providing an advance review copy of Dim Sum and Faith: How Our Stories Form Our Souls in exchange for an honest review.
Final Thought: Dim Sum and Faith is a nourishing read, much like the dim sum it celebrates. Chen’s work is a testament to the power of storytelling in shaping our understanding of ourselves and our faith, and it will resonate with readers looking for a meaningful and heartfelt exploration of spirituality.
July 22, 2025
In Dim Sum and Faith, Jenn Suen Chen shares how our stories form our souls. Chen describes her book in a variety of ways. She says it’s a book about showing up honestly in our stories, an invitation to join her in telling our stories of God, and a book about spiritual formation. I found it to be a thought-provoking read that felt like having a counselor and friend by your side to help you learn about your life and faith.
Distinctly Asian American Stories
Throughout the book, Chen shares her own experiences of feeling like an outsider, living in between cultures, facing legalism at church, and being an Asian American woman. The book is distinctly Asian American — it is filled with cultural food analogies, Chinese terminology, and quotes from Asian American leaders.
In part one of the book, Chen shares how our stories specifically shape our identities. She encourages us to be honest with God, including feelings of shame and unhealthy self-reliance.
In part two, she tackles the difficult subjects that undo us, such as the need to hold it all together and insecurities. I was most interested to learn that each crisis, no matter how big or small, contains an invitation from God. It’s an invitation to trust Him, and also an invitation to examine our hearts. She calls this having a “compassionate curiosity,” and I found this to be a helpful way to consider how God and Scripture examines and searches our hearts. This is how God walks with us in grief and how he is a companion when we carry pain and sorrow.
Taste and See that the Lord is Good
I was most convicted reading part three,how the practice of slowing down can awaken us in our lives. Chen emphasizes the word practice because that’s what is required. By purposely slowing down and taking intentional rests, we can fight the idols of busyness and self-importance. We are also able to cultivate a posture of listening to God and others.
Chen closes the book in part four with a call to be remade — inviting us to be known and loved by God. This comes from bringing your full self, including your cultural background and family upbringing, to a Heavenly Father who draws near to his children. As the church, and as brothers and sisters in Christ — we are called to do this in community. Creating space, showing empathy, choosing compassion, being patient, and expressing gratitude are ways we can show up with one another.
Reading this as an Asian American brought a sense of familiarity and camaraderie, but also challenged me to open more of myself to God and others. For those outside of Asian culture, it is an invitation to hear the life-shaping stories from a sister in Christ. Dim Sum and Faith invites you to tell your stories, share your soul, and taste and see that the Lord is good.
I received a media copy of Dim Sum and Faith and this is my honest review.
Distinctly Asian American Stories
Throughout the book, Chen shares her own experiences of feeling like an outsider, living in between cultures, facing legalism at church, and being an Asian American woman. The book is distinctly Asian American — it is filled with cultural food analogies, Chinese terminology, and quotes from Asian American leaders.
In part one of the book, Chen shares how our stories specifically shape our identities. She encourages us to be honest with God, including feelings of shame and unhealthy self-reliance.
In part two, she tackles the difficult subjects that undo us, such as the need to hold it all together and insecurities. I was most interested to learn that each crisis, no matter how big or small, contains an invitation from God. It’s an invitation to trust Him, and also an invitation to examine our hearts. She calls this having a “compassionate curiosity,” and I found this to be a helpful way to consider how God and Scripture examines and searches our hearts. This is how God walks with us in grief and how he is a companion when we carry pain and sorrow.
Taste and See that the Lord is Good
I was most convicted reading part three,how the practice of slowing down can awaken us in our lives. Chen emphasizes the word practice because that’s what is required. By purposely slowing down and taking intentional rests, we can fight the idols of busyness and self-importance. We are also able to cultivate a posture of listening to God and others.
Chen closes the book in part four with a call to be remade — inviting us to be known and loved by God. This comes from bringing your full self, including your cultural background and family upbringing, to a Heavenly Father who draws near to his children. As the church, and as brothers and sisters in Christ — we are called to do this in community. Creating space, showing empathy, choosing compassion, being patient, and expressing gratitude are ways we can show up with one another.
Reading this as an Asian American brought a sense of familiarity and camaraderie, but also challenged me to open more of myself to God and others. For those outside of Asian culture, it is an invitation to hear the life-shaping stories from a sister in Christ. Dim Sum and Faith invites you to tell your stories, share your soul, and taste and see that the Lord is good.
I received a media copy of Dim Sum and Faith and this is my honest review.
October 13, 2025
Dim Sum and Faith: How Our Stories Form Our Souls by Jenn Suen Chen is a masterful work of art, drawing out the heart with the truth and grace of Psalm 139. Having known this author personally from childhood, I loved reliving the moments the author vulnerably and delicately shares with the reader. She slowly peels back layers of her story and invites her readers to do the same. This journey is split into four stages: shaping, undoing, awakening, and remaking, each crucial in understanding and using our stories to God's glory.
Two personal outcomes came from contemplatively reading this book and praying for myself and others. The author used several different translations of Psalm 139, which helped me soak deeply in the Word of God and focus more on particular segments. As I followed the undoing and awakening process in chapters 5 through 12, I was better equipped to "create a table of connection" for other friends as they told their stories.
After flipping forward and backward, jumping from one deep and meaningful quote to another, I will leave you with one of my favorite quotes from this book: "The movement from death to life, darkness to light, is a beautiful mystery. The forming of our souls is a mysterious process. What takes place at the wall is a sacred mystery, and the journey of discomfort, healing, closeness to God, solitude, and reflection is different for each of us. True transformation is a spiritual experience that does not happen by our own doing. The Holy Spirit is the key to our soul transformation. We cannot hurry ourselves in this space, which is so contrary to our learned way of being."
Two personal outcomes came from contemplatively reading this book and praying for myself and others. The author used several different translations of Psalm 139, which helped me soak deeply in the Word of God and focus more on particular segments. As I followed the undoing and awakening process in chapters 5 through 12, I was better equipped to "create a table of connection" for other friends as they told their stories.
After flipping forward and backward, jumping from one deep and meaningful quote to another, I will leave you with one of my favorite quotes from this book: "The movement from death to life, darkness to light, is a beautiful mystery. The forming of our souls is a mysterious process. What takes place at the wall is a sacred mystery, and the journey of discomfort, healing, closeness to God, solitude, and reflection is different for each of us. True transformation is a spiritual experience that does not happen by our own doing. The Holy Spirit is the key to our soul transformation. We cannot hurry ourselves in this space, which is so contrary to our learned way of being."
September 3, 2025
Why do we do what we do? Especially when we’re stuck in a rut doing the same behaviors we don’t like but don’t know why? Why do we feel off or not like ourselves but can’t figure out how to fix it?
This book creates an invitation to discover the “why” behind our unwanted behaviors, off moods or lack of motivation, etc. By exposing the little boys and girls in us that were shaped by our upbringing and our coping mechanisms that once served us, but now chains us. How we can “name” them and discover how loved , known and seen in those places then and now. That we can let Love and Truth, in the person of Jesus define and heal us.
While reading Jenn’s own journey of shaping, naming, undoing, awakening and remaking, she invites and guides you to go on the journey with her. I couldn’t resist the invitation as I have unwanted behaviors and negative beliefs about myself that I don’t know why I do or have them.
While reading I felt like I was spending time with a friend who loved, saw and knew me. Jenn’s vulnerability and putting language to the heart paves the way for you to do the same.
I discovered some wrong beliefs and coping mechanisms that started when I was little and where they came from that affected me today. I was able to start the reshaping journey by surrendering the wrong ways of coping and beliefs to what Love and Truth says about all of me.
This book unlocked my understanding and heart to face what I dont like about myself and my world, and to remake each place. If I can do this, anyone can, we just need a book/friend like Jenn to guide us through. 🥰
This book creates an invitation to discover the “why” behind our unwanted behaviors, off moods or lack of motivation, etc. By exposing the little boys and girls in us that were shaped by our upbringing and our coping mechanisms that once served us, but now chains us. How we can “name” them and discover how loved , known and seen in those places then and now. That we can let Love and Truth, in the person of Jesus define and heal us.
While reading Jenn’s own journey of shaping, naming, undoing, awakening and remaking, she invites and guides you to go on the journey with her. I couldn’t resist the invitation as I have unwanted behaviors and negative beliefs about myself that I don’t know why I do or have them.
While reading I felt like I was spending time with a friend who loved, saw and knew me. Jenn’s vulnerability and putting language to the heart paves the way for you to do the same.
I discovered some wrong beliefs and coping mechanisms that started when I was little and where they came from that affected me today. I was able to start the reshaping journey by surrendering the wrong ways of coping and beliefs to what Love and Truth says about all of me.
This book unlocked my understanding and heart to face what I dont like about myself and my world, and to remake each place. If I can do this, anyone can, we just need a book/friend like Jenn to guide us through. 🥰
August 20, 2025
“The more willing we are to engage in our story, the more we find that God will redeem and heal those parts of our lives that feel disconnected so we can live from a place of wholeness rather than brokenness.”
In Dim Sum and Faith, Jenn invites readers on a journey of discovery as we explore our personal stories and how these narratives have shaped our spiritual lives. Using Psalm 139 as a framework, Jenn combines scripture with personal stories, providing readers with a roadmap for tracing the threads of our stories back to their roots and doing so honestly with God.
As an empathetic guide, she gently leads us through the terrain of our experiences, helping us understand how our unique stories mold our identities. I particularly love the book's focus on community, where gatherings around the table become sacred spaces for sharing our journeys and listening to one another with empathy.
The reflection questions at the end of each chapter offer a beautiful opportunity to pause, reflect, and absorb the richness of the message.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley and Intervarsity Press. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
September 1, 2025
I just finished the audiobook version of Dim Sum and Faith. I didn't just "read/listen" to it, I devoured it. I appreciated that the author read the book herself, so that I could hear her "literal" voice as well as her literary voice together. I felt the care and concern through her reading as she willed the reader/listener to engage with their story, even as she shared her own.
Sometimes spiritual memoirs can feel self-indulgent or braggy, but this one did not. Jenn Suen Chen did an excellent job of sharing significant details of her life in a way that felt invitational rather than sensational. Her humility and honesty beckoned me to take another look at the details of my own story and trace the fingerprints of God.
Sometimes spiritual memoirs can feel self-indulgent or braggy, but this one did not. Jenn Suen Chen did an excellent job of sharing significant details of her life in a way that felt invitational rather than sensational. Her humility and honesty beckoned me to take another look at the details of my own story and trace the fingerprints of God.
July 12, 2025
In this gentle and articulate book, Jenn Suen Chen invites the reader to sit with her around the ‘dim sum’ table. We hear her very personal stories and join with Jenn on her life-long journey of spiritual formation. The book covers topics such as identity, rest, community and solitude, offering not only stories from Jenn’s life, but Biblical study and questions for individual or group reflection.
July 26, 2025
This book is a beautiful work of exhortation and healing. The author ploughs through her personal experience as an immigrant and minister to teach life-giving lessons on how to affirm your blessed identity in Christ through wholesome storytelling techniques and elements.
August 19, 2025
I genuinely cannot put this book down. Sharing beautiful and hard stories of an Asian American experience that brings joy and healing, walking you through the hard work to continually grow, I am so grateful for this book and what is to come.
August 29, 2025
Beautiful writing. She leads you on a journey where she shows, not just tells, you about how your story has formed you. It is an invitation to a being seen and known by a gentle, wise, intelligent older sister. We listened to it on audible and even my 9 year old kept asking to listen to more.
September 27, 2025
Beautiful memoir/devotional about embracing, learning from, and telling your story.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews