Celebrating culture in worship

DON FRAZIER * dfrazier@semissourian.com

Sean Braxton, 14, performed as part of St. James AME Church's Spotlight on Youth during services Jan. 26 held at the Cape Girardeau church. The Rev. David R. Allen, Sr. looked on in the background. By Laura Johnston ~ Southeast Missourian

With hands clapping and voices humming, the women begin swaying and singing as they march down the center aisle of the New Bethel Missionary Baptist Church announcing the start of the worship service with their blended harmonies.

A mix of African customs and American religious traditions helped shape the structure and theology of today's black church, which serves as a cornerstone of the community.

And during Black History Month that blend is being celebrated in the choir lofts and pews of area congregations. Worshipers at New Bethel will hear a series of sermons on black history and the Bible; youth at St. James AME Church read parts of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King's "I Have a Dream" speech, and performed spirituals on the trumpet as part of their observances.

But it's not just their history that is celebrated, it's their culture. Music is an integral part of the African-American worship experience.

"It's in our race," said the Rev. Johnny Thomas, pastor at New Bethel. Dating back to slavery, blacks who weren't able to go to church services sang as their way of communicating with God. "It's based on how we feel within, not written down in a book."

Interactive experienceAnd it's that emotion that you find in the services today. Worship is an interactive experience among black congregants. Services last an average of two hours, though sometimes longer depending on the Sunday and the sermon.

Sometimes people can connect with music when words just don't make an impact. "Sometimes they hear it and it just touches their soul," said the Rev. Charles Bobo of the Black Collegiate Christian Ministries, which meets Sundays at the Baptist Student Center on the university campus.

Music allows people to praise God in a different manner than through readings or sermons. "When we lift our voices and sing, we're singing about God and to God, how much we love him and thank him," Bobo said.

Praise and worship music is about 75 percent of the worship service for the black collegiate group, Bobo said.

And it's even part of the sermon at New Bethel Missionary Baptist Church.

When pastor Thomas takes his place behind the pulpit, he often belts out a tune before reading Scripture or teaching.

Thomas likes leading into his sermon with a song because it makes the congregation more receptive to what he's about to say.

"It helps me get into the mood to deliver the sermon and it helps them to relax," he said.

Thomas says he never knows for certain what song he will sing before beginning to preach. "I don't pick it out when I get to church. Sometimes a song comes into my mind or when I stand up it just hits me to do that song. The Lord will give me a song. "

Sometimes he asks the choir to back him up, and at other times he invites the congregation to join in.

Music helps people "get into a groove," he said.

In the choirChoirs are important to the worship service; most area churches have sanctuary or chancel choirs that lead the congregation in song. The choir at St. James African Methodist Episcopal Church dons white robes and orange collars before gathering at the back of the church on Sunday morning, while the choir at New Bethel Missionary Baptist Church doesn't wear robes but their regular Sunday attire. They gather in a side room off the sanctuary before the start of service and the processional.

Nobody uses a hymn book because no one needs to: Choir leaders sing a line from the song and then are echoed by either the full choir or the congregation.

From their seats in the pews, people clap their hands and sway to the music.

"Sometimes people connect with music because they can't connect with just listening to a preacher talk or just teach," Bobo said.

Music is just a different way to worship, he said.

ljohnston@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 126