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PRESERVING FAITH AND CULTURE IN THE AFRICAN AMERICAN CHURCH A TRI -COLLABORATIVE MODEL FOR TEACHING THE TRIPLE-HERITAGE THROUGH THE AFRICAN AMERICAN SPIRITUALS A Dissertation presented to the Faculty of the Claremont School of Theology In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Doctor of Philosophy by Yolanda Yvette Smith May 1998 Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. ° 1998 Yolanda Yvette Smith ALL RIGHTS RESERVED Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. This dissertation, written by Yolanda Yvette Smith under the direction of her Faculty Committee, and approved by its members, has been presented to and accepted by the Faculty of the School of Theology at Claremont in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY Faculty Committee Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission ABSTRACT Preserving Faith and Culture in the African American Church: A Tri-Collaborative Model for Teaching the Triple-Heritage Through the African American Spirituals by Yolanda Yvette Smith The educational ministries of many African American churches do not fully reflect the triple-heritage (African, African American and Christian) of African Americans. An imbalance in church curriculum occurs when one aspect of the heritage (e.g., Christian doctrines or African American history) is emphasized over the others (e.g., African roots). Consequently, African Americans are in danger of losing valuable aspects of their heritage. Churches, however, can enlarge their triple-heritage teaching and curriculum design by focusing on African American spirituals as paradigms for Christian education. This dissertation focuses on the African American spirituals as sources for teaching the triple heritage . The triple-heritage is explored holistically, with attention to the distinctive components and how they are interwoven. A contextual description and analysis is also done through an historical review of education in African and African American communities, a discussion of contemporary educational trends in the African American church, a critical examination of congregational studies on black Sunday Schools identified as successful, and a comparative analysis of four curriculum resources. Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. Moreover, the spirituals are identified as embodiments of the triple-heritage and as sources for deeper insights into the theology and function of the spirituals in the African American church. Characteristics of the spirituals such as the call and response, creative imagery, and biblical content suggest educational qualities like dialogue, imagination and narrative that are inherent within the spirituals. Such qualities can assist educators in determining subject matter and creative approaches to the educational process. In an effort to examine the unique relationship between theology and Christian education, an in-depth study is conducted into Black theology, Womanist theology and the theology of the spirituals. Insights for a triple-heritage model of Christian education are explicated. Lastly, this dissertation proposes a model of Christian education that incorporates the spirituals as a way of experiencing, expressing and teaching the triple-heritage. Through the spirituals, the church can be equipped to teach not only the Christian faith but the full heritage of African American people. Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. PUBLICATION ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Grateful acknowledgement is made for permission to quote from the following: Comparison Chart from Wyatt Tee Walker, "Somebody's Calling My Name": Black Sacred Music and Social Change (Valley Forge, Pa.: Judson Press, 1979), 53. Used with permission of Judson Press. Quotations from African American Christian Worship by Melva W. Costen (c) Copyright, 1993, Abingdon Press. Used by permission. Quotation from Speaking the Truth by James H. Cone (c) Copyright, 1986, William B. Eerdman Publishers. Used by permission. "The Negro Speaks of Rivers" by Langston Hughes, (c) Copyright, 1926, Alfred A. Knopf. Used by permission. "An African Canticle" from An African Praver Book selected and with introductions by Desmond Tutu, (c) Copyright, 1995, Bantam Doubleday Dell. Used by permission. "0 Black and Unknown Bards” from Saint Peter Relates an Incident by James Weldon Johnson, (c) Copyright, 1917, Viking Press. Used by permission. Excerpts from Bullwhip Davs: The Slaves Remember. An Oral History by James Mellon, ed. (c) Copyright, 1988, Avon Books. Used with permission of Grove/Atlantic, Inc. Quotation from African Religions and Philosophy by John S. Mbiti, (c) Copyright, 1970, Anchor/Doubleday. Reprinted by permission of Heinemann Educational Publishers, a division of Reed Educational & Professional Publishing Ltd. Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I would like to express my sincere appreciation to the following persons who journeyed with me throughout my doctoral studies and supported me during the writing of this dissertation. Mary Elizabeth Moore. Dissertation Committee Chair - Your friendship has been a source of inspiration throughout this process. I appreciate the countless hours you have invested in my work. Thank you for your insightful guidance, constructive critique, and commitment to excellence. Karen Baker-Fletcher. Dissertation Committee Member - Thank you for affirming my gifts and encouraging me to reflect more deeply upon the educational legacy of my heritage. Michele Foster. Dissertation Committee Member - Thank you for your words of wisdom and for motivating me to keep pressing towards the goal. Frank Rogers. Dissertation Committee Fourth Reader - Thank you for taking time to read my dissertation. Your insightful comments helped me conceptualize more clearly the triple-heritage presentation. It has been a joy to work with you over the past few years. Cornish Rogers, CST Faculty Member - Thank your for the opportunity to work with you as a faculty assistant and for encouraging me to consider the study tour to South Africa as my religious education internship. These experiences have been rich and rewarding. Moreover, the wisdom that you have shared with me over the years has been invaluable. Elaine Walker. Thesis Secretary - Thank you for your time, energy, support and patience. Your expertise in form and style has been a special gift. I appreciate your willingness to answer all of my questions and to offer helpful suggestions for improvement. Sarah Alexander- Thank you for the friendship that we have shared over the years. It has been a blessing to know you and to work closely with you on numerous projects. I appreciate your willingness to assist me with typing this dissertation. Your tireless work on the first draft formed the foundation for subsequent drafts. Sister Sarah, I couldn't have done it without you. Jeff Brockman - Thank you for your friendship and for walking with me throughout the entire journey. You believed in me when my confidence was shaken and you encouraged me to press on. You have been an inspiration to my life. The mark of a true friend. We did it! iii Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. Calvin Oliver - Thank you for your love, support and encouragement. Your companionship has been a special blessing throughout this journey. Thank you for listening, for praying and for giving me a safe haven when I needed time for rest and renewal. I also appreciate your editorial assistance. Sheila Marchbanks. Rev. Venus Butler and Linda Hickmon Evans - Each of you has been a special friend and a source of spiritual guidance. Thank you for your editorial assistance and for cheering me on to the finish line. Kristen Leslie - Thank you for your endless support and encouragement. You have been a faithful friend, a confidant and a prayer partner. You have also been a wonderful example of self-care. I appreciate your willingness to take time for family and friends. Linden Youngquist - Thank you for your friendship, your helpful comments and your editorial assistance. 1 appreciate the time and energy to have invested in this project. Friendship Baptist Church Ministers Association - Special thanks to all of the ministers of Friendship especially Pastor James D. Carrington, Rev. Leon Clark, Rev. Ivor Duberry, Rev. Dr. Leonidas Johnson, Rev. Henry Johnson and Rev. David Wilson for your prayers, support, and financial assistance. I have been blessed to be a part of the Friendship Family during my tenure at Claremont. Your encouragement over the years has inspired me to stay strong in the Lord. First Institutional Baptist Church Family - Special thanks to Pastor Stewart and the FIBC family. You have inspired my ministry, instilled a passion for the triple heritage, and taught me to be faithful and trust in the Lord. I will always be grateful for your prayers, financial support and encouragement. Your affirmation of my gifts has inspired me to strive for excellence in all that God has called me to do. wupfcist churches. PSA. Fund for Theological Education and school of Theology - Thank you for financial assistance. Your generosity is greatly appreciated. Louis and Vera Smith, parents; Angela. Smith, sister: Valencia ward. sister; Hacep Ward* brgther-in-law; April Black, niece; Maceo Jr. and Michael Ward, nephews - Thank you for your love, commitment to family, and the many sacrifices that you have made on my behalf. You have always believed in me and encouraged me to reach for my dreams. For this I am eternally grateful. I love you all and thank God for the precious gift of my family. iv Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. Dr. James H. Cone and Joseph V. Crockett - Thank you for taking time to meet with me during the early stages of this project. Your wisdom and insight have been invaluable. v Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. TABLE OF CONTENTS Chapter Page Introduction ...................................... 1 Christian Education and The Triple-Heritage ............................ 3 Teaching through the Spirituals: New Possibilities .............................. 17 Thesis and Argument............................ 22 Method........................................ 27 Scope and Limitations ........................ 28 Importance of the Dissertation ................ 29 Overview of the Dissertation.................... 30 1. The Triple-Heritage............................ 32 The Triple-Heritage: A Holistic View............ 39 Components of the Triple-Heritage .............. 42 African Heritage.............................. 42 Pan Africanism.............................. 57 Afrocentrism................................ 60 African American Heritage .................... 64 African American Legacy of Survival and Liberation............................ 66 Celebration of African American Heroes and Heroines.................................. 74 Christian Heritage ............................ 80 Distinctive Elements of African American Christian Heritage ........................ 82 Reclaiming Christian Themes in the African American Church .................. 94 Implications for Christian Education in the African American Church ............. 102 vi Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.