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by Antonia Arnold-McFarland (Author)
The Evolution of African American Worship is the original manuscript that disserts and documents the doctoral research of Dr. Antonia Arnold-McFarland. As a church music director, she realized a need to bring urgent attention to the concerns affecting the African American Worship Experience of the Black Church Tradition. For this demographic, the worship space, regardless of place, has always been critical to pivotal change in their social climate. To inspire hope and to change the outlook, this research takes a current day and relatable look at the problems faced by the independent gospel artist who, as a Christian disciple, is charged to exalt God and to evangelize to the world. This must be done while balancing demands of the music industry that often conflict against the Christian faith. At the same time, in the local church, the pastor and music ministry leadership must maintain an effective worship experience, heavily influenced by the controversial music industry. They are faced with a series of operational and spiritual challenges, alongside the demands to stay relevant and knowledgeable in the selection of appropriate music.In order to address these dynamics, Dr. Antonia Arnold-McFarland began advocating change as a music clinician and seeking solutions ten years prior to enrolling in the doctoral program. The academic undergirding enabled her to enhance her knowledge and to think critically, as she took an ethnomusicological approach. The emphasis is on the Thomas Dorsey to Kirk Franklin Era yet looks historically from 1619-2015 at key contributors and artists to the Black Sacred music artform. The research leverages the work of world-renown scholars in African American Worship and Church Music. It expands upon their research by including key historical parallels and social conditions. It also quantifies trends in the evolving acceptance for various types of Black Sacred music, as gospel music styles emerged. Her 2018 debut book, Moving Forward and Facing the Future, is an excerpt of the manuscript and a practical guide specifically for use in the music and worship arts ministry of The Black Church. It takes the research up to 2017. After its release and due to the request for copies, "Dr. Toni" realized a need to go back and make easily accessible the full manuscript of The Evolution of African American Worship. It will support ongoing scholastic research and ministerial needs.
