singing at church

A new church experience: mainline denomination style. We went to a Presbyterian church half and half. The first service was in English so we showed up late to hear the sermon. The congregation was about a third full. The second service was in Kiswahili and standing room only. They had us share a song and introduce ourselves in front of the congregation. I really appreciate Bud taking the lead but I laughed to myself as he read notes off his hand, the same hand he used to hold the microphone. I’m sure he was chuckling to himself as well, fully aware of his inability to remember speeches. This wasn’t the first time he’s prepared this way. We chose In Christ Alone as our anthem for the day. A lovely selections with rich words, but 4 verses might have been a bit much. I enjoyed it, but for those of us who don’t have quite the same confidence in their voices, it was extra long.

Now one of my pet peeves is a presentation or offering at church that just ends. Sometimes it’s enough to finish a song, let the congregation clap and sit down. However, in African churches, everything results in clapping. Way to sing- let’s clap. Way to preach- let’s clap. Way to sneeze- let’s clap. So while I knew the applause was coming, I felt uncomfortable about the 4th wall we had created. (a theatre term to separate actor from audience) At my own church, I know I would have a chance to speak to people afterward, they know me and their response would be in my language. While that’s the benefit of clapping, it’s universal, I wanted a little bit more community in our offering. So I prayed.
I’m not sure I’ve ever prayed out loud as I did then. Perhaps the sound guy had turned me up, perhaps he turned up the Holy Spirit. Either way, it was cool. Rich, expressive and flowing with a vigor I rarely have especially when praying with groups. This has long been a silent prayer in my life and will continue to be, but I desire so much to pray better. Can a human qualify prayer? Not really, so long as it’s sincere, but chaperons with ACC and the kids inspired me with their words to God. I even thought of writing them, thanking them for being such good models, and offering me a bit of a tutorial. I can imagine the response ????? and at the same time being what I already know: you can’t get better at something without practicing. Just do it. Just pray.

Following the intro, the song, the prayer, a riotous applause broke out, or so it seemed in the echo of a cement barn of a church. We exited, I pleased to have left a gift that only our group of muzungus could leave. Smiles, tone-deaf harmonizing, humility and total gratitude for taking us just the way we came- freckled and fragile. If it was my custom to clap for everything, I would have clapped for them, the people of Mtwapa, the people of St. Timothy school, the people of Africa. Three cheers and a big boom cha!