A few learnings from worshipping at a African-American megachurch that we could use

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This past weekend my family and I attended the James family reunion in Atlanta, GA. This is my father's side of the family and was the first time I have attended. Needless to say I had a great time connecting with all 80 in attendance. Sundays are usually the last day of family reunions and we attend worship at a church in town. My cousin (who was the host) invited us to his church, New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in Lithonia, GA with Bishop Eddie Lee Long as the pastor. I was familiar with the church because I worshiped there a few times when I began seminary 18 years ago. At that time Rev. Long (who like myself is also a graduate of the Interdenominational Theological Center, which Johnson C. Smith Theological Seminary is a constituent) had about 10,000 - 12,000 members. Today the church has an estimated 25,000 members, has a new campus with a sanctuary that seats 10,000, a school, fully-equipped health and fitness center, and ministries that cater to all ages and interests. They have two services - 7 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. - and we attended the 7 a.m. one. Believe it or not, there was an estimated 5,000 - 6,000 worshipers - and that was low for the summer. As I was worshiping I made some definite observations that I and probably you could probably take note of:

1. They lived out radical hospitality - As soon as you walk through the front doors, church greeters were everywhere in their uniforms. I had a least 6 -7 people SINCERELY greet me. Everything was well lit and directional signs were in place. Not only did greeters welcome you but other worshipers did as well - and that was before you were seated. If I were a newcomer looking for a church home I was definitely impressed.

2. Excellence in music - when you walked in the 250 - 300 member choir sang contemporary gospel praise songs led by a praise team with a contemporary gospel artist and a instrument section. My mental note here is not that you need to change your music selections but more to the point is to do whatever you do the best you can and not be half-baked.

3. The level of inclusiveness - Although the great majority of worshipers were African-American, there were Euro-American, Latino, African, and Asians in service. Every age range - from children to older adults - were present. Young families, singles, couples - you name it and it was there. Also people came dressed as they were - some in t-shirts and jeans to full-on three piece suits. To me, no one age group dominated. The Presbyterian Church is 93 % Euro-American and even within our churches of color we are pretty much homogeneous. How do we begin to bridge that gap?

4. Strong Biblical message - Rev. Long's sermon was entitled "All Dressed Up and Don't Know Where You Are Going", focusing on heaven and the afterlife in light of the number of famous people dying recently. He focused on a few scriptures in the New Testament from Paul's writings and Revelation and although I don't really like comparing different scriptures in a 20 - 30 minute sermon I agreed with the spirit of the message he delivered. Often times I have heard pastors read scriptures and tell you about everything else but the scripture that was read during a sermon, which really irks me!! And then we wonder why are churches are dying.

5. Use of Multimedia - I am a person of order and like the "safety" of having a bulletin so I can know what is going on during service. New Birth did not have a bulletin. As a matter of fact there was no real order of service. Whatever you needed to know was up on a screen. And to be honest it was not used much. Rev. Long illustrated his sermons with two film clips from the movie "Ghost" and profile pictures of people who recently died - Farrah Fawcett, Billy Mays, Ed McMahon, Michael Jackson and Stephen McNair. During the service either he or the choir with shots of the congregation were on the screen. How do you use technology in your services? Or do you at all?

6. Use of Leaders during service - My cousin Craig (the host for the reunion) is a minister at New Birth and all of the ministers had a role to play during service, from watching the crowd for potential problems to praying for people. The thing that struck me is that leadership in this congregation is not just elected and meet once a month behind closed doors or maybe see them at worship on Sundays. It is modeled and is practiced every Sunday. And Craig told me they are not to use titles. Just be themselves.

Now I don't want to you think that everything was picture perfect and I am in no way defending mega-churches or denigrating small churches. As a matter of fact, I wouldn't want to pastor a church that large. I am sure there are more staff and logistical problems that I could name. As much as one hates to admit, money is the bottom line in some cases because at some level this is a financial business.  I did not necessarily agree with or was used to everything that I heard, saw or experienced. But I can definitely see why people go to mega-churches. As a matter of fact, you can check out the article on New Birth's website on "Seven Reasons Why I Love A BIG CHURCH" here. 

But more importantly how can we help others to develop a relationship with Jesus Christ? We spend a lot of time criticizing mega-churches, questioning everything from style of worship to theology. However, what do we have to offer? Should we change or do we have to? What can we learn from these types of churches and what is adaptable for our congregations that we serve or more importantly what can we learn as a denomination? I am interested in hearing what you have to say.

Comments

[Susan Phillips]

I have no interest in serving in a church of thousands, but I'm with you on hospitality, inclusiveness, scriptural relevance and excellence. We've realized that we must use the gifts G-d has given us as this moment rather than trying to remain something we used to be. Because we have new gifts for instrumental music and dance, we are needing much more flexibility in our chancel area -- and are in conversation about how to make that happen. We don't need a space dedicated to a choir when the choir only sings 25 songs a year.

We are using projection for 2 entirely different services each week. We print liturgy in bulletins and use the screen for lyrics and artwork that lifts the biblical or liturgical themes for the day. The screen, if used artfully and faithfully, can be the 21st century equivalent of stained glass windows revealing the stories of our faith.

Using projection artfully, faithfully AND legally requires some attention and education. I have a workshop design that addresses these three areas. I also have been practicing a spiritual discipline in preparing visuals for worship that I've been calling "imago divina." If you are interested, feel free to contact me at godpots @ gmail.com

[Lynette Hawkins]

Thanks for sharing your experience in Atlanta area. The radical hospitality you described is what I have experienced at every church I have visited that appears to be growing. When people share sincere smiles and welcomes, it makes a difference. This is exactly what I share in my Make Room to Welcome seminar. I am so glad you had the opportunity to experience it for yourself. It's amazing to see what happens when we show our Christian love in worship. Thanks again!

[Byron Wade]

Susan - definitely like what you are doing in your congregation! Thanks for the post!

[Byron Wade]

Lynette - thanks for your encouraging words and assistance!

[Marvella Lambright]

Marvella - My sister's family are members of Bishop Eddie Long's church. I have not been there but I have visited Dr. Creflo Dollar's church outside of Atlanta, several times.
My church in Dayton, Ohio uses the technology on the screen for the 11:00 A.M. Sunday service only. We also use bulletins, but might not continue due to the cost. It is difficult getting enough people trained to operate the equipment, too.

For me, I wouldn't want to be a member of such large churches. When my mother died in 2005, New Birth church gave my sister a letter of sympathy about my mother. The letter had the wrong name on it for my sister and my mother. That would never have happened in my church. They sent a lovely flower arrangement that was put on the grave in South Carolina, as I had requested. The main thing is that our church home fulfills our needs.

[Byron Wade]

Marvella - sorry about the experience with New Birth and your mom in her death. I'm sure that receiving the letter with the wrong names was a real turnoff. And I am also happy to know that your home church fulfills your needs!