Allen Chapel A.M.E. Church

The African Methodist Episcopal Church was the first independent black denomination in the United States.  My knowledge and experience of black spirituality is quite limited and I decided it was a good morning to begin addressing this by visiting with them.

It was clear when I walked in that I stood out.  I assumed that they don't get many white visitors.  Still, I was greeted warmly.  I soon found a seat in the auditorium and began to look around.  A choir sat up front behind the pulpit.  Some women, mostly older, wore hats.  I wondered if there was a doctrinal reason for this, and if there was a generational difference of opinion on the issue.  If so, the congregation didn't seem divided over it.

The service began with a procession as the Reverend and several others entered the room and moved to the front of the auditorium.  Everyone stood for this.  And then, I heard the most awesome version of Doxology ever.  A song or two followed and then the church read scripture together with the Reverend reading one verse and the congregation reading the next.

Placement of the pulpit and choir seating reflect a theological emphasis on preaching and praise; the lack of communion table or baptismal seems to reflect a devaluing of the sacraments compared with some Christian traditions.  

After this, visitors were introduced to the congregation and an extended period of greeting began.  Before this moment, I had felt a little out of place.  That melted away.  I was given so many hugs and handshakes that I couldn't help but feel welcome.  It's a very warm congregation.

Before launching into his sermon, the Reverend discussed the recent executive order concerning refugees.  He passionately stated that the move was unChristian and stood outside of America's best traditions.  He made it clear that Christians stood up for the oppressed and that they didn't discriminate against people based on their race, ethnicity or religion.  Tears flowed from my eyes as he spoke.  I nearly wept.

A vibrant service continued.  The choir and the congregation sang boisterously.  The Reverend preached about God working with people who were "in the cave" - a symbol for failure and defeat taken from 1 Samuel 22:1-8.  While only part of the passage was read, his exegetical work brought out the rest of the story as he applied it to various situations people face in their daily lives.  He is an amazing preacher.

Allen Chapel A.M.E front entrance

The service ended with an altar call.  Almost everyone approached the front of the sanctuary.  I've seen this in some Assemblies of God.  I wondered what the significance of everyone approaching meant.  Where does this tradition come from?

After the service, I chatted with several people including a kind woman who showed me around the building and drank coffee with me in the fellowship hall.  We exchanged stories.  She told me how she'd been saved and how she currently worked in a prison ministry.  The church and its members actively work for social justice.  They had any number of ministers doing some kind of justice ministry and seemed to focus on a particular one each month.  At least, that's the impression I got from their announcements.

I noticed a few more things about the church, but they don't fit easily into this essay.  Perhaps I will address them in a reflection later.  In any case, I had a great time.  I learned a lot and I want to learn more.

*Later that day, member of the Allen Chapel attended an ecumenical revival of sorts.  Different denominations worshiped together.  I thought to myself that doing this between black, white and Hispanic churches might be a good way to break down some of the racial tension in this country.  Religion is so often used to separate us.  It should be used to bring us together.