The next important value to the Vineyard is contemporary worship in the freedom of the Holy Spirit. I think this really starts getting prickly on both the black and non black sides. Black culture is a culture of expression that goes all the way back to the soil of Africa. One of the things that is repulsive about the Vineyard to many African americans is the worship. One of the reasons is because African Americans relate to God differently than white americans. The appeal of Vineyard worship is intimacy and that smacks against the appeal of most African American worship which is celebration. I think the black soul wants to have the freedom to express not only intimate love to a friend but honor to a King much like the tribes in Africa gave honor to a warrior after returning to battle.
That being said I also believe that the black soul is in need of learning what it means to be intimate with God and to hear from him and to be in connection with the tender side. There is a sensationalism and a hype around God and there is a false expectation for a miracle from the King every day of the week instead of the loving reality of walking with a friend through the mundane details of life.
I think with artists such as Martha Munizzi and Israel Houghton the way is being paved for a new style of music that takes the good from both styles and perspectives
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2 comments:
Ramon...stellar post! It's interesting how our cultural distinctions can play a role into how we all pursue the presence of God.
I recently heard someone say that "the most segregated places in America are our Sunday mornings in churches." I wonder how much of our cultural preferences play into this. It's awesome to get to connect to God in different ways...wish that wouldn't separate so many ethnicities though.
Some of these new worship leaders have led styles that appeal to multiple cultures. It'll be interesting to see if that plays into a more diverse group of churches in the future.
Micah (ROOV.com)
Thanks Micah
I believe that is what is happening as more and more of the post civil rights generation are becoming the leadership of churches and popular music is bridging gaps between different ethnicities. The faces of MTV are the faces of the future! I just hope the church will get with it....
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