Student perspectives on worship services from Instructor Jennifer Garvin-Sanchez\u27s Religious Studies 108 Human Spirituality course at Virginia Commonwealth University

Harris, Daija

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VCU Scholars Compass

Virginia Commonwealth UniversityVCU Scholars CompassRELS 108 Human Spirituality School of World Studies2015Saint Paul's Baptist ChurchDaija HarrisFollow this and additional works at: https://scholarscompass.vcu.edu/rels108Part of the Religion Commons© The AuthorThis Article is brought to you for free and open access by the School of World Studies at VCU Scholars Compass. It has been accepted for inclusion inRELS 108 Human Spirituality by an authorized administrator of VCU Scholars Compass. For more information, please contact libcompass@vcu.edu.Downloaded fromhttps://scholarscompass.vcu.edu/rels108/140This semester I decided to take a course titled Human Spirituality or also called Religious Studies 108. I have always enjoyed discussing and hearing about different reli-gions and I figured this would be an interest-ing and fun course, so when I found out about the field trips that we were required to take I was very excited.   This past Sunday, September 27, 2015, I ven-tured to Saint Paul’s Baptist Church 9:00 AM service where the presiding official was Pastor Lance Watson. Saint Paul’s Baptist Church is located at 4247 Creighton Road Richmond, VA 23223. The church is close to my house and easy to commute to so I figured Baptist/Christian would be my first stop.   Upon arrival you can see this massive church made out of brick topped with green roofing. Surrounded by the church is a giant parking lot and woods behind it with two playgrounds incorporated within the mix. I could automat-ically tell this was a well-run and well known worshiping institution. The landscaping was beautiful and everything was in its place.   Walking from the parking lot to the side door where everyone was entering there were greeters on both sides of the door and at both sets of doors. All of the “members” were smil-ing and saying good morning. The greeters at the doors had on white gloves and shook everyone’s hands who entered. They were welcoming and very kind.  RELS 108 Human Spirituality | PAGE 1Saint Paul’s Baptist Churchby Daija Harris Once I entered into the church, the smell of breakfast being prepared was one that I would never forget. I, in no way, shape, or form ever expected to walk in a church and smell breakfast being cooked, let alone see a huge dining area for the church community to eat at before and after the service. The actual “area” where the service took place was so large that it had a balcony. There was a stage and a large section of seating for the choir behind it. On top was a waterfall and pool used for the baptisms. There were no murals on the walls but there were two huge screens on the walls on both sides of the stage. I would estimate the total amount of people there to be close to around 1,500-2,000 people. The average age was about 45-50, dominant sex was females, and race was black/African American. I believe the majority of the population was middle working class.   I was very comfortable sitting where I was and talking to the people around me. We actually had to because there was like a mini meet and greet during the service. Everyone was friend-ly and approachable. No one offered to sit with me and explain anything but I’m sure if I had asked, someone would have been more than happy too.   The tone and environment was relaxed and subtle in the beginning. It quickly escalated from casual to dramatic. When I say dramatic I don’t mean it in a bad way. The pace picked RELS 108 Human Spirituality | PAGE 2be the collection plate being passed around. I wasn’t forced to put money in, it was just by donation.   Other than those couple of rituals, I didn’t see any symbolization or picture, murals, etc. other than a cross by the waterfall and on the front of the podium. I don’t really know what to make of that, but judging by the crowd, the symbolism isn’t necessary to feel and under-stand the message in the “house of the lord.”   This was an experience that was different from any other and I can honestly say I enjoyed it. I was able to understand the message and I felt very welcomed. I was nervous about these two things the most but everything turned out well. I believe part of the reason my experi-ence was as good as it was, is simply because there were so many people in attendance. I also blended in and didn’t stick out like a sore thumb. Although this field trip was a success I am still a little nervous about the next one. •Written Fall 2015. © Daija Harris.up and the pastor’s voice did as well. The atmosphere was so upbeat once the pastor began really getting into the message. The audience started standing and clapping with excitement. Emotions definitely were running high towards the middle and end. I would say the service started off planned but then ended up being spontaneous because the preacher started off with his bible and notes but then took off in another direction. The end of the service was calmer than the middle but not as calm as the beginning. It ended with Pastor Lance Watson calling anyone up who wanted to begin their journey to baptism, while the choir was singing and the audience standing.   Since it was the 4th Sunday of the month, it was very ritualistic. On 4th Sundays, they do baptisms and right hand of fellowship. First they did the baptisms and then towards the end they did the right hand of fellowship. This is when new members are welcomed into the “fellowship of congregation” and or “welcoming a new ministers into the fellowship of minis-ters.” The people who were baptized wore all white and the ceremony looked so beautiful and pure.   Communion is also another ritual they follow but only on 1st Sundays of the month. Some people would consider his “neighbor” ice breakers to be a ritual at their church. Pastor Watson throughout his service would say “look at your neighbor, say neighbor…” I believe that because of this inside “ritual,” it helped me to have as much confidence and to be calm and relaxed while in the service because everyone interacted and was social with one- another. One thing I did notice was the choir had on matching attire but not the usual choir robes worn when you see churches on television or in church period. One more ritual would 

Saint Paul\u27s Baptist Church

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Saint Paul\u27s Baptist Church

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