Oh Fix Me: Modifying Worship Primarily in Black Churches to Help Foster Resonance and Affection for Negro Spirituals Among Young Adult Blacks Ages 21-38

• Main Author: Jones, Clifford Anthony
• Format: Dissertation
• Language: English
• Published: ProQuest Dissertations & Theses 01-01-2018
• Subjects: African American Studies; Biblical studies; Black people; Missionaries; Music; Parker, Dorothy (1893-1967); Theme; Theology; Translation; Young adults
• ISBN: 9780355845686; 0355845687

United Cornerstone Missionary Baptist Church, Winston Salem, NC The purpose of the project was to introduce a worship model for churches that inspired young adult blacks, ages 21–38, to love and appreciate Negro Spirituals used during the worship service. For three weeks, the project took the existing worship template at United Cornerstone Missionary Baptist Church in Winston Salem, NC and modified it to ensure that the entire worship component connected to a word, theme, thought, or message of the selected Negro Spiritual. The intent was to present other ways— beyond vocal performance—that the Negro Spiritual could be used during a worship service to inspire resonance and appreciation among young blacks, ages 21–38. One of the key components to ensure the success of the project was spending time training the young adult worship leaders. They spent time reading, listening, reflecting, and discussing each Negro Spiritual. It was important for the worship leader to discern if he or she resonated with the song and translated that feeling to the whole congregation. Another key component was consulting with the music director to make sure all other worship songs used during the service connected with the Negro Spiritual. In measuring the success of the project, young black members at United Cornerstone Missionary Baptist Church were asked to personally reflect on the Negro Spiritual, evaluate the musical presentation of the Negro Spiritual, and assess whether the words, themes, or messages of the highlighted Negro Spiritual aligned with other elements of the worship service.