African-American Gospel Worship Culture - Ministry Exchange (MX)

African-American Gospel Worship Culture

The gift of uninhibited, emotional celebration of Freedom in Christ

African slave trade roots – once in U.S they inserted Jesus into the center
of their African worldview to make a new religion.

“Eastern” worldview: regards the body and spirit as one, not separated
like “Western” thought. Therefore the experience of worship must be an
EMOTIONAL experience with the Holy Spirit and with truth.
“Eastern” worldview is focused on community and relationships, therefore
worship is both a vertical and horizontal experience.

Musical history:

. Music has always bonded the African-American people together. . The invisible church – spirituals delivered messages, communicated anger against being inferior. . Call and response – Thomas Dorsey sophisticated this form we now associate as Gospel. . Music through the ages communicated what was happening sociologically within the Black Community. . “Cosmic Blues” – the content of the songs always dealt with the real difficulties of life, but always stressed Hope in God. . New forms of music were all met with hostility and skepticism. Beginning with blues, then jazz, then urban R & B, rap.

Emphasized Characteristics of God & Important themes

Gospel Worship Culture	Caucasian Evangelical Worship
Culture
Referenced as King of Kings	Referenced as friend and father
Celebration of God’s power	Celebration of God’s goodness
God’s faithfulness over history	God’s love and grace
Promise of freedom for the	Creator of the natural world
oppressed	Our response to an attribute of
Promise of provision, abundant	God’s activity or character
blessing	Holy of Holies
God of Justice	The cross = God’s sacrificial love
The cross = ultimate	for us.
demonstration of Power over evil	Our response to the cross =
and death	forgiveness renews commitment to
Our response to the cross =	personal piety.
freedom from bondage of sin

Role of the Worship Leader & how the song is led

Gospel Worship Culture:	Caucasian Evangelical Worship
Confident Spiritual Leader of a	Culture:
communal experience	Teacher & Guide to the Throne Room
Directs the group to follow the	Teaches aspects of God’s character
way he/she feels the Holy Spirit	and how we should respond.
leading. This is saying to the	Speaks before songs starts and
enemy that they are unified	then doesn’t attract attention.
against him.	Gives permission for people to
”hipe person” creates energy and	respond individually, however they
models giving everything in	feel.
worship.	Models an authentic personal
Exhorts the congregation to do	worshipper
things together ex. Raise your	Sing and play an instrument at the
hands, get up on your feet!	same time (acoustic guitar or
Storyteller of their own testimony	keyboard)
of the song’s theme.	The song direction is often
Demonstrates their vocal ability	pre-set with the leader either
to give honor to God	speaking or singing the phrase
Exudes uninhibited confidence	they are to sing next.
because of how God has come	Most of the congregation knows how
through for them.	to sing the songs even without a
Determine the length and direction	leader present.
of the song and the transitions
between.
New songs can be “written” on the
spot coming out of a line from a
previous song.
Lead with eyes open, and
interacting with congregation
while singing.
Constantly singing or saying the
next line the congregation will
sing
Rarely sing and play an instrument
at the same time.

Distinctive Musical Characteristics

Gospel Worship Culture:	Caucasian Evangelical Worship
Culture:
Repetition is essential to “feel”	General order of the song and
the words of the song and make	number of repetitions is usually
them your own expression.	established beforehand.
Song is broken down into parts	Repetition is usually only 2-3
which are interchangeable and	times, and usually only the
moveable.	chorus, or the last line as a tag.
Songs always grow to a climax with
volume and musical complexity.	Instrumentalists don’t solo very
Energy is generated by raising the	often as to not attract attention
key.	from the task of worshipping.
Musical excellence is a HIGH value	Songs can end on a final chord and
and measured by the individual	silence in between is accepted as
skill of each player, the	normal.
complexity and layers of sound and	Silence is common in services. The
whether the band is “tight”.	range of volume is smaller than
Musical interludes at the end of	Gospel.
each song to “linger” with verbal	Songs can be interrupted with
exhortation or testimony spoken	scripture reading, drama,
over.	corporate prayers, announcements
The volume is usually loud, even	as they fit into the theme.
in slow songs.	Individuals can be doing their own
Congregation participates by	thing, responding however they
singing harmonies, adding rhythm	like but it is subdued.
by clapping or tambourines,	Values uniform participation
singing their own words, dancing	”singing with one voice” all the
and speaking back to the leader.	same words, notes and only
occasional pre-taught harmony.

Distinctive elements in the service:

Gospel Worship Culture:	Caucasian Evangelical Worship
Culture:
The service is described as	Most often described as “going to
”having church” an event, not a	church” and is usually strictly
place.	confined by an agreed upon time
Singing is usually done in a block	limit.
uninterrupted before the sermon.	Singing is considered one piece of
The service feels like an	content that is building the theme
interaction with a Holy “other”	of the service. Like building a
God.	cake, one layer is music, another
The expectation of the Holy Spirit	drama, another scripture reading,
is that she will direct the	another corporate prayer.
singing and it will go as long as	The expectation of the Holy
she needs to do her work. This is	Spirit’s work is that she will
defined in an emotional way.	convict and inspire through the
Ministry through musical worship	total experience of the content,
is highly regarded and the pastor	not in just one song.
may not give his sermon if the	Ministry through musical worship
singing is ministering powerfully.	is not regarded as highly as the
preaching and is often cut if time
The pastor may sing his sermon, or	is running too long.
songs may be written on the spot	The service feels like an
from a line in his sermon.	interaction with a familiar God,
Worship is a whole day experience.	casual and friendly.
You dress your best to honor God,
and you gather as His people for
food afterward and possibly
another service in the evening.

Common phrases the leader will say during, before, and after the song:

Somebody say. (glory, hallelujah.)
Come on!
Let’s sing it!
Put your hands together!
Look at somebody and say.
Glory to God!
Hallelujah!
Thank you Jesus!
We’ve gotta lift up the name of Jesus
He’s worthy!
Everybody lift your voice and sing
Yes Lord!
Come on and bless the Lord!
You’ve got to give your best praise!
If he’s been good to you sing.
If you love the Lord sing.
Come on and make a joyful noise in this house!