Chicago Church Abandons ‘White’ Songs During Lent

A suburban Chicago church recently told parishioners that they will be abstaining from conducting any music that has roots dating back to white people. They supposedly had a sign promoting a fast, which was to ‘fast from whiteness”.

Throughout the worship services during Lent, they will not use any music or liturgy that was either written or composed by white people. Below you can see how they are performing their services.

Traditions from Africa Inspire Hymns for Lent

The website for First United Church of Oak Park reads has claimed to use music inspired by African American spiritual traditions. These include South African freedom songs, various Native American traditions, and whatever else they deem fit.

Their reasoning behind this action during Lent, is that in addition to prayer, their spiritual disciplines will help them grow as Christians. By doing this act, they will feel more united in the body of Christ with all people regardless of age, nations, races, and origins.

This goes hand in hand with their ‘values’ according to their website, to accept everyone. However, it appears to be a conflicting stance.

Contradicting Statements

The church has openly described themselves as an inclusive Christian Community. In addition, ther head pastor, John Edgerton, is white but they are attempting to be fasting from whiteness.

If the church wanted to take this a step further, they should look into replacing the instruments they use for these songs. For example, if the church continued to use an electric organ, they should refrain since Canadian Morse Robb patented the first electric organ in 1928 called the Robb Wave Organ.

If this was the case, they would need to really think about how they approach. How far will they continue to go to be truly fasting white during Lent?