The changes can be a simple as I - vi - IV-V or as complex as a David Benoit jazz piece, fraught with chromatic substitutions and flatted 9th's. What's held in common in gospel songs is the behind-the-beat feel and raw, gut-level soul.
I rediscovered the unadulterated joy of playing gospel music again this morning at a Full Gospel church in West Palm Beach on North A Street, called Victory Worship Center. The pastor the very talented Sherry Colby who both sings and preaches.
Guest speaker, Jeff Ferguson, a Clint Brown songwriter, led the song service. His voice was rich and textured as a Black Forest cake. And boy, was he free in his leading! One never knew which song, key or modulation was coming up next. It was a glorious roller coaster ride straight up to heaven and back again, stomping feet, smacking hands and singing harmonies stacked to the ceiling. This white girl turned black for about 1/2 hour and loved every minute of it!
Pentatonic runs flew out of nowhere. My Donna Summer - "I Anticipate A Miracle" - days came rushing back, octave scales and glissandi aplenty!
We sang a little bit of everything starting with Jeff Ferguson's originals: I Love Your Word, It's Gonna Be Alright; then, God Bless America (After all, it is July Fourth tomorrow and America could certainly use some blessing and mercy); Chris Tomlin's How Great is Our God, and oldies, like God Will Make A Way.
It was a little Andre Crouch, Reba MacEntire, Kirk Franklin and Mary Mary all mixed together in a delicious helping of sound food for the soul and spirit.
Between songs Jeff brought a message on Romans 8:28 with a twist that "work together for good" doesn't necessarily mean to be healthy and prosperous. He pointed out the Greek "good" means to be useful and have a good attitude. This may have been a disappointment to many of us who have read and memorized, "All things work together for good to those that love God and and called according to His purposes" as to mean if we loved God our problems would go away. We thought the "good" was answered prayers, a fat bank account, deep friendships and happy family life. Not so. Truth is, that life on this broken earth doesn't deliver that, even to the Faithful and Believing (which most of us do poorly, anyway.) But, we are promised a Deliverer through hard times; peace and joy in the middle of troubled waters. That's what "all things work together for good" means.
After the message, a final set of faith-building gospel tunes ushered us out with a hearty, old time "Hallelujah!"
Ain't nothin' like that gospel music!!
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