ABSTRACT
In the previous chapter I described the physical structure of a Spiritual Baptist church. However, in the faith, a church refers to much more than just a physical structure where services are carried out. And being a member of a church means much more than just attending services there. A church is where one is born spiritually with a new mother into a new family which includes the other members of that church; it is where one learns and grows spiritually and goes through the stages of becoming perfect or Christ-like; and lastly, it is one's new home. It is where one's "navel string [umbilical cord] is buried," and hence, it is the source of one's spiritual strength and well-being. It is difficult to convey the importance of the relationship a converted has with his or her church; and whenever Spiritual Baptists speak about their mothers and their homes, they are invariably referring to their spiritual mothers and the churches where they were baptised. A converted can also be "adopted" into another home if his or her previous mother dies and/or their church ceases to function; and he or she can also decide to move to a new home and a new spiritual mother on his or her own accord. When a Spiritual Baptist dies only the members of his or her church (home) can participate in the final burial rites for the deceased which involve encircling the grave, crossing and linking arms, and finally "passing the word." This ritual is done at the end of the service just before the grave is to be filled with earth.
