Despite having a wide variety of ethnic friends, and being exposed to many different cultures, I…read morecant help buying in to stereotypes. I was 16, and my church youth group was scheduled to attend a service at a Black Baptist Church, in West Philly.
I had much anxiety, about the excursion. My travels into the city were limited and lets face it, West Philly had/has a reputation. Id seen enough buddy comedies to know what happens when a group of white people walk into a room full of black people. Sudden silence, eyes focused, distrust, scorn. Would this happen to my group and I, as we entered the church?
Conversely, other pop culture sources told me the experience would be a hoot. Impassioned sermons, uplifting gospel choir, can I get an Amen? Needless to say, I went into the experience with a healthy mixture of caution and curiosity.
Upon entering their church, the negative perceptions I had, instantly melted away. Never have I felt so welcome, in being out of my comfort zone. We were greeted warmly , from the youngest of children, to the seniors, whose faces were wrinkled with smile and laugh lines. I dont know why I let the negative perception guide me, this was a church after all...people of God. Hadnt my own church, reacted the same way to obvious strangers? And in this case, the friendliness was definitely genuine. Its often easy to tell the difference.
We sat in the pew, dead center of the sanctuary, the first stage of anxiety washed away. I was now looking forward to the pomp and circumstance, of the Black Baptist service.
My first observation disappointed me. I was looking forward to a Gospel Choir but all I saw was a teen at a drum set (already cooler than the boring Lutheran Organ) and a few other teens. Oh well, another stereotype busted. The service started slowly, a few announcements followed by singing a hymn. I was still lingering in my disappointment about the choir, when the back doors burst open and a long line of clapping and singing Choir members came through. I cant describe the goosebumps, I recieved, when the Choir took its place. This was exactly what I hoped for.
One thing we were warned about was that the services here can last up to 3 hrs. I was used to the Lutheran liturgy. Stand up-sing-sit down-pray- stand-sing-listen-commune-sing-done. All done in a boring 45 minutes. While the Lutheran 45mins often seems like 3hrs, the 3hr service at a black baptist church seemed like 45min. Some highlights...
We were surprised when members came up to speak, give testimonials and then give little plugs for their respective businesses. Back then, after the service, we suburban teens debated whether or not the little "commercials" belonged in a church service. As an adult, I look back and see how important community is, in the inner city, and how those little ads, were necessary to the survival of that community.
Pretty much everyone who spoke, did so in an impassioned, inspirational manner, which transfixed my maliable mind. None more than the Pastor, who unleashed a sermon so passionate and heartfelt that, ( I kid you not) an honest to goodness nurse, came out to put a cape around him and sat him down until he calmed down. Anyone who has seen footage of a James Brown concert would know what Im talking about. This really happened.
This is another stereotype, but it also happened. The crowd was part of the experience. From different points in the audience, you would hear constant audible affirmations such as, " Yes Jesus!" " Testify!" " Lord have mercy!". These were not attention seeking members. I felt their genuine joy, and while I was too reserved to copy, I knew what they were shouting about.
To say the least, this experience was about as uplifting spiritually as you can get. I returned a few more times, I brought my girlfriend/fiance, and later took my kids here. The Lutheran ( or insert christian offshoot) liturgy has its place, but it never moved me. The people at the Baptist service experience real joy, and its catching. For those few small hours, there was no thought of skin color or cultural differences. Can I get an Amen?
