Yet Another Church Experience...

Well the Atlanta Church Tour is kicking into high speed. As you know me and my good friend Julian Mugler have been on a search for a church that moves our spirits, feeds our souls, and uplifts us to the next level. Well this Sunday the tour stopped at Beulah Missionary Baptist Church.

Now I had attended Beulah back in my early Atlanta days and once before since moving back. It is great to see the dream of the church and of Jerry D. Black come true. Back in my early ATL days... Beulah had moved out of its old church and into a temporary 1200 seat store front facility while the new church was being built. Now Beulah is a 3000 plus seat sanctuary with a community center attached. Nice job.

Well for some reason me and Julian happen to choose the church of the week when something is going on... unbeknown to us. This Sunday just happened to be the pastor's 15th Anniversary. Growing up in the church where my grandfather was minister, I don't think I ever remember an anniversary being so elaborate and at times ostentatious. When we first walked in we were handed a white handkerchief and a program book... we both gave a look of what the hell is this for?? Only to come to find out that everyone was given one to wave in the air like a pom pom when Black walked in... extra.

In the midst of the service that did not follow the program... we were told by the guest speaker from Detroit that during the love offering no one should give less than $15, to which he referred that as a bronze token... add a zero then you are gold... add two zeros then you giving Platinum. (It annoyed me to no end... as everyone who was sitting around me heard... but who are you to come from out of town into someone else's church and say what the members should be giving. Do you know what is going on in my life to say that my $5 isn't good enough?) We then sat through every ministry delivering their gifts to the pastor and his wife (who was rockin one ol hat let me tell you!!).

I have heard Black preach several times before and was quite disappointed that I didn't get to hear him... because the Detroit pastor was ok but he wasn't giving me what I needed or moving my spirit. However it was my first time seeing Jerry Black Jr. (umm hmmm How You Doin') as he led the choir in Total Praise... which was too short for me cause they were definitely giving me what I needed. Beulah's choir and music ministry was definitely on point. This was the first church so far where the musicians complimented the choir instead of over powering them. We were even treated to a surprise song by Lashaun Pace... who of course promoted her new album that is "in stores now".

Although the service was quite long and extra since it was the anniversary... it was definitely enough for us to want to return soon. Next stop is Elizabeth Baptist.