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Real Gospel
For A Small Rural New Jersey Church, Tradition Rules
by Elaine Roberson
SeeingBlack.com Gospel Writer
I attend the St. James Church of God In Christ in Swedesboro, N.J.
We have an active music ministry. Our adult choir is regularly invited
to sing at other churches around the state. Most of the church members
I surveyed prefer gospel artists like John P. Kee or Kurt Carr who
have a talent for mixing traditional and contemporary gospel.
These artists and others like them have captured audiences everywhere
with their special blend of music that catches the attention of
believers and non-believers alike. Their music is from a traditional
root that speaks to the heart and the true meaning of praise and
worship.
Most respondents feel that traditional gospel is easier to understand
and has a clearer meaning. James Schwartz, Jr., our minister of
music, says of the different music types: "The contemporary catches
the attention of the people but the traditional can help keep the
people."
Most of my church members don't care for rock or hip-hop gospel.
But they said that a spiritual message is better than the messages
of rappers in secular music. Given a choice, they said they would
prefer children to hear gospel rap rather than secular rap.
Top Ten 2001 and All-Time Gospel Favorites
From the Members of the St James Church of God In Christ
Swedesboro, N.J.
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2001
Favorites
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All-Time
Favorites
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1.
John P. Kee
2. Hezekiah Walker
3. Donnie McClurkin Tremaine, Walter & Edwin
4. T.D. Jakes
5. Kurt Carr
6. Fred Hammond
7. Yolanda Adams
8. Shirley Caesar
9. Dottie Peoples
10.Carlton Pearson
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1.
James Cleveland
2. The Hawkins Family
3. Mississippi Mass Choir
4. William's Brothers
5. Shirley Caesar
6. Andrea' Crouch
7. Mighty Clouds of Joy
8. Albertina Walker
9-10. The Winans Family: BeBe, CeCe Vickie, etc.
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-- April 9, 2001
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2001-05 Seeing Black, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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