African-American Worship

African-American worship has been a renewal movement from the beginning, when African-American slaves gathered to affirm God and in turn were affirmed, renewed, and transformed by the presence and power of God. The African-American tradition in worship encourages free and creative response to all that happens in worship, from gestures to song to the spoken and preached Word. Music is fundamentally communal and varies widely, particularly in instrumentation. African-American churches are not concerned so much with ecumenical worship trends as with "Discovery and Recovery" of African and early African-American worship.

Renewal in worship is not a new concept for some African-American worshipers. This fact becomes evident when one participates with understanding in services of worship where there is some apparent continuity between the unique early African-American worship history and current practices. From an African heritage, worshipers understood that God alone was the source of restoration and renewal when the ontological balance between the divine and human had been tilted. In many African traditions there were occasions and rites for making and renewing contact between divinity and humanity. The African-American slave community at worship gathered as a clandestine body and sought renewal, restoration, and reaffirmation of the control of Almighty God in their disrupted and confused lives. Worship provided opportunities for the revival of the soul and the regaining of spiritual and physical vigor necessary for holistic survival in a strange and alien land. In worship, through the enabling power of the Holy Spirit, the impetus to live was "made new again" (renewed) and worshipers were freed "to walk a new walk, and talk a new talk." Renewal in this context means a celebration of the mysteries of Christ by a particular group of believers with the needs and concerns of the community especially highlighted. This understanding of renewal is predicated on forced existential conditions that negated the humanity of African Americans, causing them to be ostracized and marginalized. Separate times and places for worship allowed direct and personal contact with the Word of God, and freedom to respond in joyful celebration of the gospel. The Good News, which affirms that the presence and power of God, is available for all of God's people and is equally renewing, transforming, and empowering, in and beyond the worshiping environment. The gathered community at worship could shape and reshape its own liturgy from common symbols of worship as a means of communication and as a means of survival. The unity established and maintained between African Americans in the koinonia and the diakonia initially transcended doctrinal matters. Renewal in worship made it possible to live and work in an oppressive, racist society without muting the memory of suffering and ultimate victory in Christ. Where there has been continuity from Africa through the period of slavery in America to the present age, it is conceivable that some form of continuing renewal takes place whenever African Americans worship. Amidst community-defined order, and under the power of the Holy Spirit, worshipers respond freely and creatively to the acts of God in history. In services of worship where congregations follow a basic order established by the denomination, one finds a variety of liturgical styles reflective of particular needs and cultural variances. Verbal expressions such as Scripture readings, preaching, prayers, community concerns, and liturgical directions also vary according to the leadership style of the clergy and congregational needs. The unity of the whole church throughout the world is noted in prayers, sermons, and in the increasing use of songs from other traditions and cultures. There is also a growing tendency to use inclusive language in spoken and preached words. The improvisatory gifts of worshipers are demonstrated especially in the interaction of African-American liturgical music (forms and styles), with musical performances outside of the worshiping environment. Both traditional spirituals and the form identified as black Gospel music reflect the shaping as well as vocal and instrumental improvisations of the church and concert stage. This is indicative of the traditional blending of "sacred and secular" in offering praise to God. Music holds in constant tension an emphasis on present situations in "this world" and life in the Spirit, which also transcends the moment. As music ministers to the whole person, it connects the liberating message of the gospel with concerns for social justice throughout the world. Music repertoires also include hymns by African Americans, stylized "metered hymns" (or "Dr. Watts"), hymns by Euro-Americans, and more recently, hymns from other cultural traditions. Performance practices may vary, however, from one congregation to another. "Renewal music for worship," including the contemporary praise and Scripture songs from other traditions, is freely transformed (or reshaped) and incorporated to meet the needs of local congregations. Music in African-American worship is first and foremost communal music and therefore lends itself to the renewal of individuals and communities of faith. Regardless of personal depths of faith or levels of suffering, individuals find meaning and renewal through music as they identify with others whose existential journeys are similar. The piano and electronic organ are the most frequently used musical instruments for worship. Pipe organs and guitars are also used in some services, and more recently, percussive instruments—drum sets of varying sizes—have become acceptable liturgical instruments. It is not unusual for the organist or pianist to accompany prayers and the sermon. A gifted sermon accompanist is able to help the preacher establish, maintain, or modulate the pitch of his or her voice and enhance special points in the sermon. Some pastors prefer to have keyboard accompaniment during the entire service. The current liturgical renewal movement among Euro-American denominations that emerged following Vatican II may not be the source of renewal for African Americans. The concept most apparent among African-American congregations is "Discovery and Recovery," with reference to African and early African-American modes of worship. This concept is predicated on events surrounding the civil rights movement, which called attention to the fact that the church universal was not yet practicing what it had attempted to teach about ecumenical unity. Forms of renewal are not limited to acts of worship but to more direct action and involvement in mission and ministry, local and worldwide. While there are specific times in the orders of worship where particular responses are elicited, there is an inherent rhythmic "call-and-response" pattern in African-American services of worship that occurs throughout the service and peaks during the sermon. The renewing Word of God is expressed, not only in the preached message, but also in the faith of the preacher. The intent of the preacher is to be used by God, so that the faith, life, and total being of the hearer may be transformed into a new person—the person that God would have them become. The preacher and hearer thus are holistically involved in the preaching event. The model which follows is based on an order of worship that draws on traditional African-American worship and current liturgical trends. A written document alone cannot do justice to the service itself, since the real "work of the people" varies from one congregation to another. The Basic Pattern A Time of Gathering As the people gather they may greet each other warmly and then prepare for worship in quiet meditation, or there may be a period of corporate devotion. The devotional period could be led by officers, youth groups (if officers do not include youth), or other organizations in the church. Care should be taken to allow spontaneous response within a basic structure, carrying forth themes of the liturgical year so that integrity is not lost. The sacred space should be conducive to a variety of styles of worship. Prelude/Instrumental Voluntary Music appropriate to the season of the Christian year or to the theme of the day is offered as the gathered community continues in preparation. Call to Worship Sentences of Scripture or words which appropriately proclaim that God, in Jesus the Christ, has taken the initiative to call God's people to worship may be spoken by a leader (liturgist) or read responsively by the leader and congregation. The call could be a responsorial setting of the Psalm for the day. This may be preceded or followed by a choral call to worship (introit) by the choir or choir and congregation. Praise, Adoration, and Thanksgiving Hymn or Song of Praise and Adoration The people respond to the call and promises of the grace of God in song. Prayer of Adoration and Thanksgiving In continuing response, an opening prayer is offered that includes elements of adoration, praise, and thanksgiving to Almighty God who, in Jesus Christ, continues to make worship opportunities possible. Choral Response An appropriate choral response to the prayer is offered, or the people may chant the Lord's Prayer. Anthem, Spiritual, or Gospel Song of Praise The choir offers a continuation of praise in song on behalf of the people gathered. Testimonies (optional) In some gatherings, the people are given an opportunity to express personal instances of divine intervention and renewal during the week, which can be claimed by the entire community as reasons for praise and thanksgiving and as witness to what God can and will do. This might also occur during "community concerns." Call to Confession and Confession of Sin Fully aware of the awesome power of God, who is praised, adored, and offered thanksgiving, the people are called to recognize their nakedness in the presence of the majesty and holiness of the Almighty, and the human propensity to sin against God and each other. A prayer of confession is offered by the leader or is prayed in unison by the people. A period of silent confession may precede or follow the prayer. Assurance of Pardon The leader declares God's forgiving grace, mercy, and empowering love to all who truly and earnestly repent of their sins. Gloria Patri or Doxology A Trinitarian ascription of praise sung by the whole congregation is appropriate at this time. To use a traditional ascription is a reminder that God's promise of forgiveness is an everlasting gift to sinners saved by grace. Affirmation of Faith or Credal Statement (optional) The people may affirm their faith in God with the whole church at this point or following the sermon. Welcome to Visitors Visitors are acknowledged, welcomed, and encouraged to feel that they are part of the worshiping community. Community Concerns Announcements and parish notices that need to be highlighted and concerns of the congregation and community are shared. Altar Call/Prayers for Healing/Intercessory Prayers (optional) Some congregations may opt to include intercessory prayers at this point in the service. People are invited to come forward and kneel at the kneeling rails or stand around the symbolic sacred space—pulpit, Table, and font. Concerns of the people, personal prayer needs, and prayers for healing may be combined with prayers for the world. The Renewing Word of God Old Testament Lesson A prayer for illumination, which invokes the blessing of the Holy Spirit upon the readers and hearers of the Word, may be prayed prior to the reading of the first Scripture. Although the primacy of Scripture has always been a given in African-American worship, there has not always been an intentional inclusion of readings from both Testaments and the Psalms. The use of a lectionary would facilitate the choice of Scriptures, allow for consistency in following the Christian year, provide an orderly or systematic use of Scriptures, and allow the community of faith to hear more of the fullness of the Bible over a period of years. Anthem, Spiritual, or Gospel Songs The choir may sing words that either provide commentary on the Old Testament Scripture or prepare the people for the New Testament lessons; or a setting of the Psalm for the day may be sung. New Testament Lesson(s) It is appropriate to use two Scriptures, one from the New Testament other than the Gospels and a reading from one of the four Gospels. Congregational Song The music offered here further helps to prepare and free the preacher and the people to "hear the Word" that they might be willing "doers" of the Word. In some settings, this song is eliminated so that the preacher moves directly from the Scripture to the sermon. Sermon One or more of the Scripture readings are interpreted. Faithful preaching confronts us with the liberating, renewing Word, and witnesses to God's continuing activity among the people and in the life of the world. Response to the Word of God Invitation to Discipleship The call to discipleship is a continuation of the call to make or renew personal commitment to God in Jesus Christ given in Scriptures, song, and sermon. It may also symbolize the "opening of the doors of the church" to receive new members into the universal church. Hymn or Song of Affirmation or Commitment The song chosen should continue the call to renewal, commitment, and an affirmation of faith. This might also be the place for an "Altar Call" as people are called through the Word of God in song and sermon to respond to the Word of God. This period may be followed by an affirmation of faith or an ecumenical credal statement that further reminds the local congregation of its connection with the whole body of Christ. Offertory The offertory, placed at this point, symbolizes a continuation of the response to the Word of God. It is a symbolic offering of ourselves and all that we have to God, not merely monetary gifts. Nevertheless, the offertory may occur earlier in the service. Baptism and the Lord's Supper The Lord's Supper (when scheduled). Baptism and the Lord's Supper are appropriate acts of worship to follow in response to the preached Word since both historically symbolize the Word enacted. Through the waters of baptism, the people of God are born (and borne) into the body of Christ. The Lord's Supper renews all that baptism signified and sealed. When either is to be celebrated, it should follow the preaching of the Word. Since African Americans are members of a variety of denominations with different doctrines, polities, and practices, one could expect to find these acts of worship located at other places in services of worship. There are also differences in whether baptism is required before one can partake of the Lord's Supper. Sending and Going Forth in God's Name Hymn or Song "When they had sung a hymn, they went out" (Matt. 26:30; Mark 14:26). In keeping with the Scripture, the people have fed upon the Word and now sing a song as they prepare to leave. Charge and Benediction Using words that capture the essence of the sermon, the minister charges the congregation to go forth into the world to continue the mission and ministry as set forth in the gospel. The blessing of God is then given as the pastor and people look at each other. Recessional The choir and worship leaders may sing a song as they recess, symbolizing the going forth into the world.