AME church

Harrison Cowell- Church visit #1

Dupage AME Church

4300 Yackley Avenue, Lisle, IL 60532

Sept. 21, 2014

Different Racial Demographic

My visit to AME Church was a very uplifting experience. Everyone was extremely warm and inviting. Regarding the service, one of the unique elements was the implementation of music. In my local church context, we use music pretty freely. In addition to worship through song, occasionally we will have someone play during times of prayer or communion, but at AME, the worship team members and choir never left their spots. Whether it was bringing energy to the pastor’s prayer, the message, the greeting time, or the benediction, there was no part of the service that did not occasionally have background music. An extremely unique element of the service included the congregation serenading me through a welcome song after the pastor asked me to introduce myself. Another unique element involved the preaching style of the pastor. Although not completely contrasting my church experience, the physical energy behind the pastor’s preaching of the message was pretty intense. Full of energy, the pastor would constantly build to a climax of almost shouting with background music aiding to the energy. In addition, the audience was very openly responsive to the pastor, vocally shouting out words of agreement to what the pastor was sharing and affirming truth through excited clapping. In the closing of the service, contrasting my tradition experience of a benediction, the entire congregation joined hands and we sang a song of benediction. It was a joy to share in the unity of one body united through Christ.

One of the most appealing elements of the service was the obvious energy behind the worship and truth being preached. I know that background music and having the pastor shouting out the message can almost bring about an artificial adrenaline that runs the risk of being a distraction. However, I appreciated the high energy behind the preaching. For me, it reflected the pastor’s heart towards the truth that was being preached. Why shouldn’t there be high energy when one is speaking truth from God’s Word. It was encouraging hearing the pastor preach with such high energy and conviction and then inviting the congregation to respond. As long as the doctrine and truth being preached is sound, it is right to get excited about it, to affirm it, and to celebrate what God reveals through His Word.

Although I anticipated feeling a little awkward being a minority (the only white guy at the church), those feelings went away as I was met with such welcome and acceptance that all I could feel was the unity of my brothers and sisters in Christ. It was a little awkward when the pastor, after worship, asked any first time guests to stand. And after I was the only one to stand up, he asked me my name, where I was from, and why I came to visit. After introducing myself to the entire congregation, everyone turned and serenated me with a welcome song. During the song at least 20 members left their seats to come and greet me in person. This display of love and welcome reflected the unity found within the church regardless of differences in race and culture. It was an unconditional love reflected out of Christ’s love toward us.

There was a strong emphasis on the work of the Holy Spirit throughout the opening prayer and sermon. Although the power of the Holy Spirit is not unique to me, it was helpful to be reminded of the role the Holy Spirit plays in our lives. The Holy Spirit is our helper in discerning the truth of Scripture and indwells in us, aiding in our walk towards sanctification. The Pastor boldly asked God to transform our lives through the work of the Holy Spirit.