An African-american Theology Of Worship

African-American theology of worship arises out of a deep sense of oppression and a high anticipation of liberation. In worship, African-Americans experience the redeeming work of Jesus Christ, which liberates them from sin and the power of the Evil One. When African-American Christians gather for worship, regardless of denominations, they share a mutual understanding of God's initiative in the call to worship. Although their experiences of God and life as a "marginalized" community of faith are varied, they share common needs and common perspectives on life. Worshipers come just as they are, in response to God's love and grace, to praise God, to offer thanks, to seek forgiveness and wholeness, and to probe the depths of God's divine mystery in an oppressive society. Worshipers come, well aware of the liberating power of God, seeking to be empowered by the grace of God, as their personhood is affirmed. The gathered redeemed fellowship-the koinonia-is the worshiping arena of the resur…