“This isn’t about bringing pop music into the church,” Mr. Lundquist said. “It’s about giving people a new lens for Christianity, and showing them that it’s not about a bunch of old stories in an old book.”

Others disagreed. Detractors called it a publicity stunt, some mocked a singalong atmosphere and some outlets even implied that it was simply Beyoncé worship. None of that sat well with Ms. Norton, a biblical scholar at San Francisco Theological Seminary.

“There’s been pushback. There has been a misunderstanding about what we’re doing and even from people in the church,” she said. “But this is about bringing people together, not pulling them apart.”

Ms. Norton, 35, who will preside over the mass on Wednesday, explained what to expect. “This is a worship service,” she said. “There will be a sermon, we’ll be reading scripture, there will be communion. And we are very clear: All are welcome.”

And why Beyoncé? In Ms. Norton’s words: “She’s a unique embodiment of black women’s struggles.”

Ms. Norton is undecided about the final Beyoncé playlist, but she pointed out one track as personal and poignant.