African American Christian Worship

by Melva Wilson Costen

In this update to her 1993 classic, African American Christian Worship , Melva Wilson Costen, again delights her reader with a lively history and theology of the African American worship experience. Drawing upon careful scholarship and engaging stories, Dr. Costen details the global impact on African American worship by media, technology, and new musical styles. She expands her discussion of ritual practices in African communities and clarifies some of the ritual use of music in worship. In keeping with recent congregational practices, Dr. Costen will also provide general orders of worship suitable for a variety of denominational settings.

Genres: Theology

158 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 1993

Reviews

[Salvador Blanco · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful and concise resource on AA liturgy and it’s historical roots. This is my favorite we’ve read in the African American Church class with Dr. Smith.

[Kathleen A. Griffin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Worship in the African American Community

Participation and bring a part of a body of believers in both familial and historical contexts is important. Worship is not an intellectual pursuit as the Greco-European world experienced. There are elements of involvement in all areas of worship. This is not only true in prayer which gives an openness to the leading of the Holy Spirit, but also gives way to the element of story within the sermon so the hearer can identify with the characters of the selected passage.

[Dustin Turner · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a part of immersing myself in liturgy and worship, I wanted to read something in African American worship from an African American perspective. This book was certainly helpful, particularly in providing historical context into African American worship.

[Remi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredibly interesting history and development or worship among the Black and enslaved all the way up to contemporary Black churches. It kept my attention with fascinating anecdotes, and left me wanting to know more.

[Will Stanard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really good! Overview of the history of African American worship

[Kay Smeal · Rating 3 out of 5]

A really well rounded, scrape the surface account of the history of African American worship. There is a lot of history here and each chapter could probably have been made into a book of their own. I was astounded to see how much of a connection there is in worship between Western Christianity and African American Christianity that is mainly influenced by their African culture.

[Anthony Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a good intro to african american christian worship. I would recommend it to any worshio leader. If you are non black trying to learn about black worship you should start here.