Percussive rhythm is a very strong part of black gospel, even on some of the slower songs, where beats are emphasized, even in a slow line.
Repetition is also typical, and familiar hymns like In The Garden are often chopped into more rhythmic blocks... Last sunday, we heard that song sung by the Men's Chorus of a church in New Haven that my wife and I go to. The lead singer took his time (often amidst shouts of encouragement from the congregation "take your time" while the chorus sang "hw walks with me, he walks with me, he talks with me, he talks with me" in a very syncopated rhythm.

And then, the repetition of the gospel music is mirrored in the sermon, where the minister builds to a climax, with everyone on their feet by pounding home a simple phrase like "HE'S THERE when you are mourning, HE'S THERE when you've lost a loved one, HE'S THERE.." When the minister has raised everyone to a point of high excitement, he'll dramatically stop with a flourish and go sit down, leaving everyone on their feet clapping, and testifying.

The rhythm of the sermon and music draw on the same power of syncopation, strong rhythm and repetition.

Jerry