When I was in college, I listened to a speaker talking about the history of blues in the United States and as an aside gospel music, etc. One thing he talked about I thought was interesting was the history or purpose of religion in African American culture. He said, at least historically, church wasn't just about worship. It was like an all day event. People would go to church and then afterwards, there would be a picnic or gathering of the church goers. It was a community event. As neither an African American, nor someone who's family was particularly social at church, I never experienced that and was caught completely by surprise in the fact that much more revolved around church than going for an hour and being bored.
This is true of Korean American churches as well, with lunch, weddings, etc. It's an all-day affair and the center of the community where people meet, do business, etc. The younger generation is trickling away but it was a bedrock for the immigrant community.
It makes sense. The ancestors of African-Americans were in many cases forced to convert to Christianity after being transported to America. In those circumstances, you need to add a lot more to the experience than just scripture if you want to maintain your flock.
