Black Preachers Who 'Whoop'-- Minstrels or Ministers?

[LaylaMonroe]

I know we already had this discussion, but CNN.com did a story on it and it's on the front page of their website.

OAN: I think CNN has been giving a lot of attention to Christianity, especially the Black church and Pentecostal churches. Maybe it's because they're headquartered in ATL and church is a huge part of the ATL culture? I dunno, but just yesterday, I saw where they did a 50-choir rendition/video clip of the song "The Blood" which definitely glorifies Jesus and the crucifixion. My friends were featured in it, too, which was cool. 

Anyway, E. Dewey Smith is in this article. I'm not finished reading it, but thought I'd post it in case anyone is interested. http://www.cnn.com/2010/LIVING/10/20/whooping/index.html?hpt=C1

[LaylaMonroe]

Oh wow. I just finished reading it. This article goes way deeper than our thread. Some interesting points...

"When I see a white preacher do it, it feels like they went and learned it, just like a parrot can imitate the human voice," he says. "They're like spiritual parrots."

Despite criticism, whopping is still popular, says Simmon, editor of "Sacred Fire." Preachers who don't practice whooping will call whoopers when they want to pack their churches for special events.

"It's in the DNA of our people," Smith says. "When people were beaten and bruised, the slave preacher, with the intonation of the voice, was able to lift the spirits of the people.".... Smith, the Atlanta pastor, says some of the discomfort blacks have with whooping springs from "self-hate." They're ashamed of an authentic expression of black culture.

"When I was in seminary, I was taught that you had to earn the right to whoop," Smith says. "What earns you the right is solid exegesis, scholarship, being able to apply the message."

Those are the critics who say whoopers are minstrels, not ministers.

[Fenix]

I read the posted article. IT was quite interesting and hilarious.

In any case i am ambivalent towards whooping myself. I didn't grow up in a church where the whooping culture was embraced. It was just preach the word, yell a few times, and go home.

The one i cannot absolutely stand is the out of breath thing. I HATE that. 

[betnich]

Our Pastor is black, and gets asked why he doesn't "whoop" or "hoop".
His style is just more expository, though he tells a few sermon illustrations each time he preaches...

[SirTJ]

I'm sorry, but was this really the best picture they could find?

[SirTJ]

Nevermind. 

[CReneeW]

I can say that this article was developed in good timing. I have been questioning why some preachers whoop every since I was a little girl.

[nessalynn77]

All I gotta say is, if you don't have it, don't try to learn it because it shows...

[under13]

"The old folks used to say, 'If you ain't felt nothing, you ain't got nothing,''' Mitchell says.

I have a problem with that way of thinking. Jesus and Salvation are not feelings. We have people going around telling the unsaved that they should feel something when they get saved. Just because you are an emotional person does not mean that everyone else is. Some of these people are murderers and theives; they know no feelings, and to tell them that Jesus is a feeling will leave them confused.

Smith, the Atlanta pastor, says some of the discomfort blacks have with whooping springs from "self-hate." They're ashamed of an authentic expression of black culture.

I cant agree with this either. Why do so many church folks think that something is wrong with you if you prefer something different than they do? Its called preference, and we all should be allowed to prefer to worship the way we want without being accused of hating ourselves and "black culture".

As for the rest of the article, I think it was well written and very interesting.

As for whooping, I like it when some people do it, but not others. I dont like excessive screaming, imo its not necessary and is annoying. I dont like the "asthma" or "horse" preacher, those types are even more annoying. What I really like is the way that the organist can express his/herself while playing behind a preacher and carry out the "call and response".

As for white people doing it, our Pastor is indian (from India) and he hoops almost as good as a black preacher.

[sjonathan02]

I have a problem with that way of thinking. Jesus and Salvation are not feelings. We have people going around telling the unsaved that they should feel something when they get saved. Just because you are an emotional person does not mean that everyone else is. Some of these people are murderers and theives; they know no feelings, and to tell them that Jesus is a feeling will leave them confused.

I cant agree with this either. Why do so many church folks think that something is wrong with you if you prefer something different than they do? Its called preference, and we all should be allowed to prefer to worship the way we want without being accused of hating ourselves and "black culture".

As for the rest of the article, I think it was well written and very interesting.

As for whooping, I like it when some people do it, but not others. I dont like excessive screaming, imo its not necessary and is annoying. I dont like the "asthma" or "horse" preacher, those types are even more annoying. What I really like is the way that the organist can express his/herself while playing behind a preacher and carry out the "call and response".

As for white people doing it, our Pastor is indian (from India) and he hoops almost as good as a black preacher.

I agree with the above poster.


And, "when a white preacher does it--"...know what, 

[pastor rob]

wow. i don't believe it you don't like whooping you are self hating. it does come to preference. as a preacher who can whoop or not whoop i don't see how people can speak in such certainty.

i take exception to anyone who would classify me as a minstrel. who can speak to what's in my heart? this style of preaching is and expression of who i am.

there have been some sundays i have not whooped. i'm not ashamed of my style of preaching. i embrace it. but i really take pride in my ability to teach the word, whoop or no whoop.

[favoritepsalm1]

Rue, I was about to post this article!  I'm glad I scrolled down before I did.  I feel the timing of it (when to or not to whoop) is all about being in the flow of God.  Who does or doesn't whoop depends on the gifts and anointing of God on that person.  Not every person has it or is supposed to.  What's contained in the whoop should be the Word of God.  If you're talking loud and screaming in A Flat, but you're not saying anything, you get no "amens" from my corner.

But saying whooping is a minstrel show in general is very untrue.  Is it that true in some cases/preachers?   No comment...or is my "no comment" really my comment?  *confused*   

[musicbishop]

This topic bothers me more and more everytime it comes up. Im just gonna be upfront with my opinion. Alot of people (not everyone) are trying to understand something that in reality they don't want to understand so therefore can't understand. And just like with anything else that people don't understand, they criticize it, mock it, or whatever other term you'd like to use.

I remember while I was in school hearing a white preacher say that it's best to open up your sermon with a joke or a funny story. I have seen this followed to a T alot of times so why isn't it in question. what does a joke or a funny story that's not based on scripture have to do with the word of God. That's just his way of doing things. There's alot of far more worse things that happen in church that are not brought to question as whooping is. And yes I'm on the defensive side today. I can't speak for every whooper but I pray to God that before my whoop comes, whenever it comes, that I give his people a Word before and during the whoop. My whoop is no different than my preaching before it, other than tonality. I'll say something and back it up with scripture.

It's no different with people who shout verses people who don't. Those who don't always say it doesn't take all that and so on. Well maybe for you it doesn't but some of us are greatful enough to know that God is Great and Greatly to be praised.

Yes I will say, although I hate to say it, and it's sad to say, that some people use the whoop for show or a crowd pleaser. But just like everything else in life someone will always have the wrong motive. All I'm trying to say is don't try and discredit everyone for one persons foolishness.

Well I see this turned into a rant. Sorry about that, I'm just frustrated. and my rant doesn't come from just responses on lgm but i read the comments on the cnn page as well.

I Hope everyone is blessed

[sjonathan02]

This topic bothers me more and more everytime it comes up. Im just gonna be upfront with my opinion. Alot of people (not everyone) are trying to understand something that in reality they don't want to understand so therefore can't understand. And just like with anything else that people don't understand, they criticize it, mock it, or whatever other term you'd like to use.

I remember while I was in school hearing a white preacher say that it's best to open up your sermon with a joke or a funny story. I have seen this followed to a T alot of times so why isn't it in question. what does a joke or a funny story that's not based on scripture have to do with the word of God. That's just his way of doing things. There's alot of far more worse things that happen in church that are not brought to question as whooping is. And yes I'm on the defensive side today. I can't speak for every whooper but I pray to God that before my whoop comes, whenever it comes, that I give his people a Word before and during the whoop. My whoop is no different than my preaching before it, other than tonality. I'll say something and back it up with scripture.

It's no different with people who shout verses people who don't. Those who don't always say it doesn't take all that and so on. Well maybe for you it doesn't but some of us are greatful enough to know that God is Great and Greatly to be praised.
Yes I will say, although I hate to say it, and it's sad to say, that some people use the whoop for show or a crowd pleaser. But just like everything else in life someone will always have the wrong motive. All I'm trying to say is don't try and discredit everyone for one persons foolishness.

Well I see this turned into a rant. Sorry about that, I'm just frustrated. and my rant doesn't come from just responses on lgm but i read the comments on the cnn page as well.

I Hope everyone is blessed

It's the negative implication in the bolded phrase that makes topics such as the one bolded as well as in this thread a bone of contention amongst the saints. 

[musicbishop]

It's the negative implication in the bolded phrase that makes topics such as the one bolded as well as in this thread a bone of contention amongst the saints. 

Reading it now, I can see why you would say that. Sorry didn't mean it that way, I'll retract and reprhase: we just praise differently don't knock mines because it's different from yours this is what shouldv'e been said. And again I apologize no harm intended was just in an uproar at the time. I shoulda known better had to find this out from preaching to people that I though were dead when in reality they were enjoying God's word.

random Oan: I really have alot of respect for certain people and their opinion on LGM  Thanks Sjon

[BassbyGrace]

My issue as someone previously stated, is that often the many "Whoopers" Ive heard speak 1 maybe two scriptures, and everything else is just preaching about the world, blessings, Hes alright, etc.  I came up under many very word versed preachers where 80-90% of their sermons were literally scripture.  Now the less Word I hear as you go, the less I become engaged.  I have only heard maybe 2 preachers that whooped AND brought some sho nuff manna.  I do see it as just a style, but whether you fry it, saute' it, grill it, or bake it, you still gotta have some meat or noone's eating.

[LaylaMonroe]

It's the negative implication in the bolded phrase that makes topics such as the one bolded as well as in this thread a bone of contention amongst the saints. 

Beat me to it.

--------------------------------------

IRT the subject at hand, I'll just give the short version of what I said on FB when a friend posted the story. I really don't care whether you hoop or not. I just want the word, without fluff. If you hoop, fine. If you don't, even better. Just give me the word. I've outgrown all the extra stuff, antics, rhymes, cliches, catch phrases, etc. I just want the revelatory insight of the Word. I don't want to feel good when church is over, I want to be changed or have the tools in my hand to work on change.

Now, the Apostolic church is full of hoopers, so I've heard some really good ones with some really good word (Noel Jones is the first that comes to mind - he NEVER fails when it comes to delivering the word). If you have a word, I don't care whether you hoop or not. But I do agree that there ARE too many hoopers who DON'T have a word, and give - as Teresa Fry said - a diabetic word.

And I agree with U13 - if you hack or sound asthmatic or whatever that's called, you lost me immediately. If it goes on for longer than a few minutes, I'll probably have to step out because I REALLY can't take that. It drives me nuts.

[sjonathan02]

Reading it now, I can see why you would say that. Sorry didn't mean it that way, I'll retract and reprhase: we just praise differently don't knock mines because it's different from yours this is what shouldv'e been said. And again I apologize no harm intended was just in an uproar at the time. I shoulda known better had to find this out from preaching to people that I though were dead when in reality they were enjoying God's word.

random Oan: I really have alot of respect for certain people and their opinion on LGM  Thanks Sjon

No problem and thank you, good sir. 

[jdholliday]

Beat me to it.

--------------------------------------

IRT the subject at hand, I'll just give the short version of what I said on FB when a friend posted the story. I really don't care whether you hoop or not. I just want the word, without fluff. If you hoop, fine. If you don't, even better. Just give me the word. I've outgrown all the extra stuff, antics, rhymes, cliches, catch phrases, etc. I just want the revelatory insight of the Word. I don't want to feel good when church is over, I want to be changed or have the tools in my hand to work on change.

Now, the Apostolic church is full of hoopers, so I've heard some really good ones with some really good word (Noel Jones is the first that comes to mind - he NEVER fails when it comes to delivering the word). If you have a word, I don't care whether you hoop or not. But I do agree that there ARE too many hoopers who DON'T have a word, and give - as Teresa Fry said - a diabetic word.And I agree with U13 - if you hack or sound asthmatic or whatever that's called, you lost me immediately. If it goes on for longer than a few minutes, I'll probably have to step out because I REALLY can't take that. It drives me nuts.

These would be the youtube preachers who get sermons from there instead of the bible.

[sistagurl]

I'm sorry, but was this really the best picture they could find?

 


I didn't read the article because I've already reach my quota for reading this month...


But my pastor is a whooper and that's rare for methodist. I don't mind it but it seems that it sometimes goes along with "longwindedness"... .
So, sometimes it can be over kill. At least he's not one that sounds like he has a breathing problem when he preaches. You know that extreme intake of air that seems like it's their last breath?? Otherwise, I couldn't sit there. That's like nails on a chalkboard to me.