How To Improve Music In The Black Church

This book reflects opportunity for change in how "music" is defined and understood among churches of all denominations, (secular and religious).

Mapson's objective is to help today's pastor take the leadership in improving the worship experience through the use of music that meets the biblical norm and serves theology as a legitimate response to God.

This fully updated second edition is a selective annotated bibliography of all relevant published resources relating to church and worship music in the United States. Over the past decade, there has been a growth of literature covering everything from traditional subject matter such as the organ works of J.S. Bach to newer areas of inquiry including folk hymnology, women and African-American composers, music as a spiritual healer, to the music of Mormon, Shaker, Moravian, and other smaller sects. With multiple indices, this book will serve as an excellent tool for librarians, researchers, and scholars sorting through the massive amount of material in the field.

Churches should be the backbone of our neighborhoods . . . Many American churches are faced with the decisions of their lives. Will we live? Or will we die? . . . the question of 'Will we live or will we die' is a question of will, as in having the will to live; and it is also a question of who is included in the 'we.' --from Chapter One The State of Mainline Churches Can This Church Live? is the true story of a church that had an opportunity to thrive in the midst of a community that greatly changed its demographics. Matthews directs readers through this painful process he experienced with the pastor and church leaders as they faced a harsh dilemma--a dilemma that more and more churches are facing today--can or will a predominantly white church embrace and welcome the people of color who live within the community? Using H. R. Niebuhr's famous text Christ and Culture, Matthews uses Niebuhr's five categories to analyze churches in crisis: 1) Christ against Culture; 2) Christ of Culture; 3) Christ above Culture; 4) Christ and Culture in Paradox; and 5) Christ the Transformer of Culture. The book also discusses moral and ethical issues as they relate to the Gospel and social transformation. Clergy and lay leaders will find this a valuable resource to help them discuss ways in which they can stabilize their church before they are confronted with a similar predicament.

The Black Church Studies Reader addresses the depth and breadth of Black theological studies, from Biblical studies and ethics to homiletics and pastoral care. The book examines salient themes of social and religious significance such as gender, sexuality, race, social class, health care, and public policy. While the volume centers around African American experiences and studies, it also attends to broader African continental and Diasporan religious contexts. The contributors reflect an interdisciplinary blend of Black Church Studies scholars and practitioners from across the country. The text seeks to address the following fundamental questions: What constitutes Black Church Studies as a discipline or field of study? What is the significance of Black Church Studies for theological education? What is the relationship between Black Church Studies and the broader academic study of Black religions? What is the relationship between Black Church Studies and local congregations (as well as other faith-based entities)? The book's search for the answers to these questions is compelling and illuminating.

Mr. John Maxie Bell, the author and guest conductor-clinician for this book/workshop/worship service, is a native Houstonian. Mr. Bell received his formal education from the Houston Public Schools. His early musical training from the late Mrs. Helen K. Woods inspired him to pursue his musical talents while receiving his formal education. The late Ms Mattie E. Thomas and Mrs Joise B. James along with Ms. Mary J. James and Rosetta Burks all who were church musicians at the Good Hope Missionary Baptist Church in Houston, Texas. Also the late Roi Leeland Hopkins who inspired him to write about church music because of his phrase”I could write a book about the church music departments in the black church. The artist holds a B.S. degree and M.Ed. (Educational Administration)degree from Texas Southern University. While attending Texas Southern University Mr. Bell studied piano with Mrs. Thelma O. Bell and studied voice with Mrs. Ruth Schmoll for three years. Mr. Bell successfully attended the Harvard Principal Academy Institute in 1993. Mr. Bell studied church music at University of Houston in the mid 1990’s. In 2011 Mr. Bell became a member of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars- Phi Theta Kappa chapter at Houston Community College while pursuing a music degree at Texas Southern University. Mr. Bell sang with the Houston Symphnoy Chorale for two seasons under the direction of Mrs. Virginia Babikian, and Dr. Charles Hauseman during the early 1990’s. Mr. Bell taught for over twenty-five and has been an elementary classroom teacher, music teacher, Chapter I Coordinator, Assistant Principal and Principal all in the Houston Independent School District. Currently is Director of Bel-Lin's Music Studio in Houston, Texas. Mr. Bell’s avocation and passion for church music has been around four decades where he has served in the Houston and neighboring communities, and frequently serves as musical consultant for local, state and regional religious and civic organizations. He also is the author of an semi-autobiography about growing up in Houston entitled Kid’s Can’t Be Kids Anymore. He has recorded two CD recordings of inspirational music. He has composed one major religious easter cantata work entitled ‘Hear The Word of The Lord' premeire ecumenical performance in 1987 at the Saint Francis Xavier Catholic Church-Houston, Texas and in 1992 at the Good Hope Missionary Baptist Church-Houston. He also is the composer of many songs sung in the black worship service. His favorite and most well-liked is The Lord Is My Shepherd. He has sung with the Houston Symphony Chorale-Chorus under the direction of the late Virgina Babikian and Dr. Charles Hauseman. He received the National Reading is Fundamental Award...Leaders in Literacy Award in 1994 in Houston, Texas. Those who know the author have often described him as being very talented, inquisitive, very ambitious, a computer whiz-enthuiast, an outgoing fellow, very diligent, and energetic. He always wears an incesasant smile, is quite humorous, and is always willing to help others whenever he can. He is very versatile. Mrs. Elnoir Walton of Houston, Texas, says of Mr. Bell, "the author presents himself as a Christian person who has the love of God in him and reflects this in his conversation and actions. He has a pleasing personality that everyone who is around him enjoys." The author is married to the former Linda Joyce Fuller of Houston, Texas, and is the father of RaKeisha Monet’(Son-Inlaw Cedric) and John (II)Jr.. They reside in Southeast Houston. Mr. Bell enjoys several hobbies for both relaxation and inspiration; they are oil painting, cooking, reading, socializing, and traveling. Some of his future aspirations are to have a showing of his oil paintings, to publish a piano course book, and to establish an urban music academy, utilizing some of the latest developments in the music wor

A nongovernmental survey of urban and rural churches of black communities based on a ten year study.

First Published in 2005. Routledge is an imprint of Taylor & Francis, an informa company.