Postcards from Around the Globe
MAY 28, 2007 - SOUTH AFRICA - Reginald Cleaver Jr.
Church in Jo'burg
After a long week of great activities, I could not forget to thank God for the blessings He has given me. A few of the brothers and I woke up early Sunday morning and prepared to go to church with one of our program coordinators from South Africa. I left the house expecting to hear African songs and to see people moved by an "African" spirit. I had hoped to hear African drum beats and a translator speaking the sermon for those who did not speak English.
When the group arrived at the church in Johannesburg, I was rudely awakened to see that the church looked just like a contemporary U.S. mega church. There were many members of the church, and they seemed to be separated by class. The more privileged members sat closer to the front, while children and latecomers sat in the back. The sanctuary was very large and had screens for those members who were sitting farther away from the pulpit.
We arrived as the praise team was leading praise and worship. The songs were contemporary American gospel pieces. I was amazed to see that the band had a keyboardist, a drummer and a bass guitarist. The church used a book of litanies that came from a church in England. When the pastor spoke, he used a cordless microphone so he could walk back and forth across the pulpit like so many of our American ministers.
The church was clearly influenced by American church culture. I was reminded of ministers like TD Jakes, Eddie Long and Paul Morton by the way the service was led. I will remember the statement the minister made when he said, "A true leader is one who walks in humility." Although I was disappointed by the lack of cultural differences, I was still blessed with the spirit of God, who truly has the whole world in His hands. Everyone in the church was my brother or sister in Christ, and it does not matter how anyone decides to worship as long as His name is praised.
More Postcards
Day 1: Monday, May 18, 2009
Day 2: Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Day 3: Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Day 4: Thursday, May 21, 2009
Day 5: Friday, May 22, 2009
