by James L. Evans | Dec 13, 2019 | Opinion
Editor’s note: This article first appeared on Dec. 23, 2004. At the time of publication, Evans was pastor of First Baptist Church in Auburn, Alabama. My favorite Christmas hymn is “Joy to the World.” Written by Isaac Watts in the 18th century, the music of this hymn...
by Richard Shadinger | Dec 6, 2019 | Opinion
Editor’s note: This article first appeared on Nov. 22, 2004. At the time of publication, Shadinger was associate dean of academic studies in Belmont University‘s School of Music. During Advent and Christmas, our churches seem to sing more heartily as hymns remind us...
by Michael Ruffin | Jun 18, 2019 | Opinion
Southern gospel music emanating from a 19-inch black-and-white television set was the background for my family getting ready for church in our small Barnesville, Georgia, home in the 1960s. We’d listen to two programs that an Atlanta station sent our way. The first...
by Naomi King Walker | Mar 8, 2019 | Opinion
Editor’s note: This article first appeared on Aug. 11, 2010. Naomi King-Walker was music/worship pastor at Immanuel Baptist Church in Frankfort, Kentucky, at the time of publication. She is now retired. Her column is republished today on International Women’s Day to...
by Leroy Seat | Jul 6, 2018 | Opinion
“The Star-Spangled Banner,” the official national anthem of the U.S. since 1931, has been sung and played often in the past few days, including at many churches last Sunday. This article, however, is about what has often been called the “Black National Anthem.” James...