Dear Editor,
The letter about black and white pastors was very interesting, but I believe that the wrong conclusion has been reached. I have attended churches occasionally that have black congregations and enjoy the freedom of spirit I have found there. The same is true of churches in Colombia, South America.
I don’t think the problem is racism at all, but a difference in cultural style of worship and prayer. To expect foreign cultures to adopt the English form of service is unreasonable. Most English church services are very sombre affairs in which they sing about the joy of the Lord, but fail to express it in any way, making sure that the solemnity of the church is maintained.
Other cultures have a much freer approach to their loving God and when they sing about the joy of the Lord they actually sound joyful and don’t leave out the last verse because the finishing time is approaching. The Chinese churches I attended in the Far East generally were very open affairs and were devoid of the long faces in many English churches during their singing in praise of their God. They were actually glad to be alive, and it showed.
Yours sincerely,
David Batty
Felixstowe
