Church name: Quinn Chapel AME Church
Church address: 2401 S. Wabash Ave., Chicago
Date attended: 1/18/15
Church category: Different ethnic/racial demographic
Describe the worship service you attended. How was it similar to or different from your regular context?
I went to Quinn chapel in Chicago. It is actually the oldest black church in the city and is a historic building, built after the first building burned down in the Chicago fire. I went with other Wheaton students over MLK weekend as part of the Willie-O and Urban Studies club retreat. We got to the church early and the service started (or maybe is was right before it started) with everyone up front holding hands and praying. The worship was gospel music, with keyboard, drums, bass and saxophone, no guitar and CCM, and the small choir up front had robes. People trickled into the service late, to a slightly greater degree than the churches I have attended (though usually I am one of the late people). There was no communion. At the church I grew up in we had communion every Sunday, though at the church I go to know we only have it once a month. Also, there was a picture of Dr. King on the bulletin because it was MLK weekend, which probably was not the case at any of the other churches I have been a part of.
I went to Quinn chapel in Chicago. It is actually the oldest black church in the city and is a historic building, built after the first building burned down in the Chicago fire. I went with other Wheaton students over MLK weekend as part of the Willie-O and Urban Studies club retreat. We got to the church early and the service started (or maybe is was right before it started) with everyone up front holding hands and praying. The worship was gospel music, with keyboard, drums, bass and saxophone, no guitar and CCM, and the small choir up front had robes. People trickled into the service late, to a slightly greater degree than the churches I have attended (though usually I am one of the late people). There was no communion. At the church I grew up in we had communion every Sunday, though at the church I go to know we only have it once a month. Also, there was a picture of Dr. King on the bulletin because it was MLK weekend, which probably was not the case at any of the other churches I have been a part of.
What did you find most interesting or appealing about the worship service?
I love the worship music. It was wonderful and powerful. I love the freedom I felt during it. I could feel the presence of the Holy Spirit during worship and just felt a sense of peace and joy. It was also interesting how sometimes the musicians would play in the background of the preaching, reinforcing what was being said.
I love the worship music. It was wonderful and powerful. I love the freedom I felt during it. I could feel the presence of the Holy Spirit during worship and just felt a sense of peace and joy. It was also interesting how sometimes the musicians would play in the background of the preaching, reinforcing what was being said.
What did you find most disorienting or challenging about the worship service?
There was an alter call. Though it seemed to fit in to the worship service, I have never actually been a part of a church service that had an alter call. I don't know really how I feel about the pressure to have a moment of conversion. I think that the public declaration of faith is in baptism. Also, the alter call happens in a fairly emotionally charged atmosphere that makes me slightly skeptical, though of course that does not at all deny the way the Holy Spirit can and does work there.
There was an alter call. Though it seemed to fit in to the worship service, I have never actually been a part of a church service that had an alter call. I don't know really how I feel about the pressure to have a moment of conversion. I think that the public declaration of faith is in baptism. Also, the alter call happens in a fairly emotionally charged atmosphere that makes me slightly skeptical, though of course that does not at all deny the way the Holy Spirit can and does work there.
What aspects of Scripture or theology did the worship service
illuminate for you that you had not perceived as clearly in your regular
context?
I was able to see more clearly the beauty of the body of Christ. I had a sense of being among family at Quinn, even though I did not actually know anyone besides the Wheaton students I went with. If I moved into the Bronzeville neighborhood, I could see myself going to Quinn. It was also really encouraging and exciting to see the ways that Quinn is involved in their community--they host town hall meetings, important people like Dr. King have spoken there and famous black musicians have performed there. It also has a beautiful mural in the main sanctuary with a black Jesus.
I was able to see more clearly the beauty of the body of Christ. I had a sense of being among family at Quinn, even though I did not actually know anyone besides the Wheaton students I went with. If I moved into the Bronzeville neighborhood, I could see myself going to Quinn. It was also really encouraging and exciting to see the ways that Quinn is involved in their community--they host town hall meetings, important people like Dr. King have spoken there and famous black musicians have performed there. It also has a beautiful mural in the main sanctuary with a black Jesus.
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