Getting the audience hyped (excited) is also part of the reason for marches of ushers, nurses, and other church groups during those group's anniversary programs and conventions. Knowing that the choir is going to march to an uptempo song helps gets the congregation "hyped" and further sets the stage for a spirit filled sermon. In many Black churches at least one offerrings occurs immediately before the minister's sermon. Furthermore, I think that it's no coincidence that some Black churches have the tradition, choirs march down from their choir stands to give their offering (money to the church). But choirs marching at the beginning of church services, and marching during the offering portion of church services also add to the enjoyment of the church service. That is a religious reason for processions. The congregation stands in acknowledgement of and out of respect for the choirs' responsibility to help bring forth manifestations of the Holy Spirit through their spirited singing. Traditionally, during church services, members of the congregation who are able to stand do so to welcome the procession of choirs. Processions signify that the service or program is special, since processions are outside the norm of everyday occurances. But processions are more than a way for groups to make a grand entrance. Processions of choirs, ushers, nurses, or other groups that march into their anniversary program or their convention events enhance the celebratory nature of those programs & events. Choir marches into the church's santuary mark the beginning of church service. Group marches also adds to the drama-and the entertaiment of celebratory group events such as anniversaries and conventions. Marching for Jesus adds to the dramatic nature of religious worship. They are a way to praise God and "make a joyful noise to the Lord". However, judging from my experiences, and the comments that have been added to a number YouTube videos on this subject, church processions are viewed as an "old school" tradition that is done by fewer and fewer Black churches, partly because some churches have replaced formal choirs with praise & worship groups, partly because some churches consider processions to be irreligious, or for other reasons.Ī number of persons commenting on discussion threads of YouTube videos of Black church note that processions help set the tone of the worship service. Marching into the church sanctuary is an old tradition among African Americans and some other Black people. PART I - COMMENTS ABOUT BLACK CHURCH PROCESSIONALS This series is also not meant to imply that processions aren't a practice in the church services of other races and ethnicities. This series is not meant to be a comprehensive overview of Black Church Processions. This post provides general information about this tradition in the United States.Ĭlick for Part II of this series (African American & Canadian beginning church service processionals and during offerings).Ĭlick for Part III of this series (Processional of Church nurses, ushers, and other church groups).Ĭlick for Part IV of this series (African church processionals).īrief editorial comments, and a few video viewers' comments are included in each of these posts. This is Part I of a four part post on Black church processions.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |