Gracism: The Art of Inclusion

by David A. Anderson, David Heiliger (Contribution by), Erwin Raphael McManus (Foreword by)

Overview

When people deal with color, class or culture in a negative way, that's racism. But the answer is not to ignore differences as if they don't matter. Instead, we can focus on diversity in a positive way, as an opportunity to show God's favor to others. That's gracism.

David Anderson, pastor of one of the most vibrant multicultural churches in America, responds to prejudice and injustice with the principle of gracism-radical inclusion for the marginalized and excluded. Building on the apostle Paul's exhortations in 1 Corinthians 12 to honor the weaker member, Anderson presents a biblical model for showing special grace to others on the basis of color, class or culture. He offers seven sayings of the gracist with practical examples for building bridges and including others. A Christian alternative to secular models of affirmative action or colorblindness, gracism is an opportunity to extend God's grace to people of all backgrounds.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781514007334
Publisher:	IVP
Publication date:	05/09/2023
Series:	BridgeLeader Books
Sold by:	Bookwire
Format:	eBook
Pages:	192
File size:	1 MB

About the Author

Dr. David A. Anderson is the founder and senior pastor of Bridgeway Community Church in Columbia, Maryland. He is also president of the BridgeLeader Network, a diversity consulting firm, and a radio talk-show host in the nation's capital. His books include Gracism: The Art of Inclusion and Multicultural Ministry Handbook.

David Heiliger is the director of Gracism Global and the pastor of multicultural bridge building at Bridgeway Community Church. He holds a master's degree in conflict transformation from the Center for Justice and Peacebuilding at Eastern Mennonite University. David and his wife, Julie, have one daughter.

Table of Contents

Introduction     7
Everyone Has A Dot     13
From Racism to Gracism     21
The Art of Inclusion     31
Saying One: "I Will Lift You Up"     47
Saying Two: "I Will Cover You"     63
Saying Three: "I Will Share with You"     73
Saying Four: "I Will Honor You"     87
Saying Five: "I Will Stand with You"     101
Saying Six: "I Will Consider You"     119
Saying Seven: "I Will Celebrate with You"     137
How Can I Become A Gracist?     151
Reading List     161
Notes     165
About the Author     166

What People are Saying About This

Nikki A. Toyama

"With profound concepts and a compelling voice, Gracism creates an accessible tool for navigating culture clashes. Anderson merges a sophisticated understanding of cultural dynamics with real-time, everyday advice. He takes old-time concepts like 'favor' and gives them flesh and blood for a modern world."

Brenda Salter McNeil

"Dr. David Anderson is one of the finest reconciliation practitioners that I know. In this book, Gracism: The Art of Inclusion, he honestly shares his journey into a profound concept that has the potential to revolutionize how we confront racism to create a society with liberty and justice for all."

Dr. Brenda Salter McNeil

"Dr. David Anderson is one of the finest reconciliation practitioners that I know. In this book, Gracism: The Art of Inclusion, he honestly shares his journey into a profound concept that has the potential to revolutionize how we confront racism to create a society with liberty and justice for all."

Dave Gibbons

"David Anderson addresses one of the real solutions to the issue of racism with this difficult practice of grace! David's take from an African American perspective enlightens us to how deep racism runs even in Christian institutions and relationships, but more than that, he also offers us a biblical initiative to lead us to the vision of being a community that reflects the diversity of God."

Michael Emerson

"After reading this book, I am convinced: we need gracism. Division and inequality are consequences of our fallen world. But as the members of the church we must walk against division and injustice. The brilliance of this book is that we are shown how to overcome individual-level racism, clearly and plainly. Dr. Anderson provides us with real tools for real life. Gracism is an act, a state of being. Members of the body, let's be gracists."

Donald T. Floyd Jr.

"David Anderson is a powerful voice of hope and a national leader in racial reconciliation. This book provides a new—and the only—'ism' that can heal the deep wounds of racism."

Brian D. McLaren

"What a beautiful—and needed!—book. Dave Anderson calls people who are saved by the grace of God to extend grace to their neighbors, whoever they are. I can't imagine anyone reading this book without being marked for life as an agent of gracism, which may be the best synonym for reconciliation ever invented."

Phil Jackson

"David Anderson speaks, lives and is called to the truth of multicultural relationships and ministry. This book is not a book just for black people to work with whites or whites to learn how to be sensitive to blacks, but a book about God's practical, real transforming grace for all people to be kingdom people."

Leonard Sweet

"A tough-minded book and clear-sighted look at what it means for Christians to 'overcome evil with good.' If metaphor is metamorphosis, the metaphor of 'gracism' will change how we do church like it's changed how I do life."

Edward Gilbreath

"Dr. David Anderson has given us both a great new word and a fresh way to approach our racial and cultural divisions in the church—and in life. I'm hoping a huge audience will read this book and discover the heart and passion of one of the racial reconciliation movement's most dynamic young leaders."

George Yancey

"Anderson provides us with more than just a theoretical or political rationale for Christians to work toward racial reconciliation. He also provides us with practical methods by which this reconciliation may be achieved. Gracism needs to become a term common to Christians of all races. As we follow the advice in this important book we will find ourselves becoming inclusive of those who are different than us. As Anderson so ably demonstrates, it is when we develop the heart and skills necessary for such a conclusion that we will be able to truly adopt Christlike attitudes toward our racially different neighbors and colleagues."

Erwin Raphael McManus

"[Gracism] was ahead of its time, but it is needed in our time more than ever."

Editorial Reviews

Anderson, pastor of Bridgeway Community Church in Baltimore (and author of Multicultural Ministry) advocates "gracism" and encourages people to focus "on race for the purpose of positive ministry and service." Against conventional wisdom, he argues that Christians should extend favor to people based on "color, class, or culture." Because of the increasing number of minorities in America, Anderson argues, this makes good demographic sense, but it also makes biblical sense, because Scripture enjoins Christians to extend themselves on behalf of the downtrodden and the outcast. Anderson outlines many steps Christians can take toward gracism: they can lift people up in prayer, and celebrate with people from other ethnic groups. He encourages churches to partner with, rather than adopt, poorer churches around the globe. On a very practical level, Anderson calls those who have personal ties with bankers to leverage those relationships and help minorities, who are often discriminated against when they try to secure a loan or buy a house. This is a thoughtful but flawed book. Too-cute phrasing abounds ("racism is not... a skin problem but is a sin problem"). Occasional digressions, like Anderson's musing about his wife's immodest dress, are distracting. Still, Anderson's framework is innovative, and the discussion questions included after each chapter will usefully guide the conversations that this provocative manifesto is sure to inspire. (June)

Copyright 2007 Reed Business Information

Publishers Weekly

"Dr. David Anderson is one of the finest reconciliation practitioners that I know. In this book, Gracism: The Art of Inclusion, he honestly shares his journey into a profound concept that has the potential to revolutionize how we confront racism to create a society with liberty and justice for all."

Brenda Salter McNeil

"David Anderson addresses one of the real solutions to the issue of racism with this difficult practice of grace! David's take from an African American perspective enlightens us to how deep racism runs even in Christian institutions and relationships, but more than that, he also offers us a biblical initiative to lead us to the vision of being a community that reflects the diversity of God."

Dave Gibbons

"Dr. David Anderson is one of the finest reconciliation practitioners that I know. In this book, Gracism: The Art of Inclusion, he honestly shares his journey into a profound concept that has the potential to revolutionize how we confront racism to create a society with liberty and justice for all."

Dr. Brenda Salter McNeil

"With profound concepts and a compelling voice, Gracism creates an accessible tool for navigating culture clashes. Anderson merges a sophisticated understanding of cultural dynamics with real-time, everyday advice. He takes old-time concepts like 'favor' and gives them flesh and blood for a modern world."

Nikki A. Toyama

"In this book the author encourages people to be gracious to minorities and help them live a quality life. Anderson skillfully explains this biblical mandate to care for the marginalized."

Book Bargains and Previews

"Anderson provides us with more than just a theoretical or political rationale for Christians to work toward racial reconciliation. He also provides us with practical methods by which this reconciliation may be achieved. Gracism needs to become a term common to Christians of all races. As we follow the advice in this important book we will find ourselves becoming inclusive of those who are different than us. As Anderson so ably demonstrates, it is when we develop the heart and skills necessary for such a conclusion that we will be able to truly adopt Christlike attitudes toward our racially different neighbors and colleagues."

George Yancey

"After reading this book, I am convinced: we need gracism. Division and inequality are consequences of our fallen world. But as the members of the church we must walk against division and injustice. The brilliance of this book is that we are shown how to overcome individual-level racism, clearly and plainly. Dr. Anderson provides us with real tools for real life. Gracism is an act, a state of being. Members of the body, let's be gracists."

Michael Emerson

Anderson has practiced what he preaches, which is to honor diversity and be committed to the dignity of other races and cultures. His concept of gracism—as opposed to racism—involves not accepting special treatment at the expense of another and not just ministering to the "least of these," but standing alongside them.

July/August 2007 Outreach

"[Gracism] was ahead of its time, but it is needed in our time more than ever."

Erwin Raphael McManus

"A tough-minded book and clear-sighted look at what it means for Christians to 'overcome evil with good.' If metaphor is metamorphosis, the metaphor of 'gracism' will change how we do church like it's changed how I do life."

Leonard Sweet

"If you have been exposed to this idea of God desiring ethnic reconciliation and justice but have felt overwhelmed by the task or wondered why it should even be a priority, this book is for you."

Being Redefined Blog

"David Anderson is a powerful voice of hope and a national leader in racial reconciliation. This book provides a new—and the only—'ism' that can heal the deep wounds of racism."

Donald T. Floyd Jr.

"What a beautiful—and needed!—book. Dave Anderson calls people who are saved by the grace of God to extend grace to their neighbors, whoever they are. I can't imagine anyone reading this book without being marked for life as an agent of gracism, which may be the best synonym for reconciliation ever invented."

Brian D. McLaren

"David Anderson speaks, lives and is called to the truth of multicultural relationships and ministry. This book is not a book just for black people to work with whites or whites to learn how to be sensitive to blacks, but a book about God's practical, real transforming grace for all people to be kingdom people."

Phil Jackson

"Dr. David Anderson has given us both a great new word and a fresh way to approach our racial and cultural divisions in the church—and in life. I'm hoping a huge audience will read this book and discover the heart and passion of one of the racial reconciliation movement's most dynamic young leaders."

Edward Gilbreath

"Anderson provides us with more than just a theoretical or political rationale for Christians to work toward racial reconciliation. He also provides us with practical methods by which this reconciliation may be achieved. Gracism needs to become a term common to Christians of all races. As we follow the advice in this important book we will find ourselves becoming inclusive of those who are different than us. As Anderson so ably demonstrates, it is when we develop the heart and skills necessary for such a conclusion that we will be able to truly adopt Christlike attitudes toward our racially different neighbors and colleagues."

--George Yancey, associate professor of sociology, University of North Texas, author of Beyond Racial Gridlock

"Dr. David Anderson is one of the finest reconciliation practitioners that I know. In this book, Gracism: The Art of Inclusion, he honestly shares his journey into a profound concept that has the potential to revolutionize how we confront racism to create a society with liberty and justice for all."

--Dr. Brenda Salter McNeil, President, Salter McNeil Associates, LLC, Co-author of The Heart of Racial Justice: How Soul Change Leads to Social Change

"What a beautiful--and needed!--book. Dave Anderson calls people who are saved by the grace of God to extend grace to their neighbors, whoever they are. I can't imagine anyone reading this book without being marked for life as an agent of gracism, which may be the best synonym for reconciliation ever invented."

--Brian D. McLaren, author/activist

"With profound concepts and a compelling voice, Gracism creates an accessible tool for navigating culture clashes. Anderson merges a sophisticated understanding of cultural dynamics with real-time, everyday advice. He takes old-time concepts like 'favor' and gives them flesh and blood for a modern world."

--Nikki A. Toyama, coeditor of More Than Serving Tea: Asian American Women on Expectations, Relationships, Leadership and Faith

Anderson's framework is innovative, and the discussion questions included after each chapter will usefully guide the conversations that this provocative manifesto is sure to inspire.

--Publishers Weekly, April 9, 2007

In this book the author encourages people to be gracious to minorities and help them live a quality life. Anderson skillfully explains this biblical mandate to care for the marginalized.

--Book Bargains and Previews, May 2008

Anderson has practiced what he preaches, which is to honor diversity and be committed to the dignity of other races and cultures. His concept of gracism--as opposed to racism--involves not accepting special treatment at the expense of another and not just ministering to the "least of these," but standing alongside them.

--Outreach, July/August 2007

If you have been exposed to this idea of God desiring ethnic reconciliation and justice but have felt overwhelmed by the task or wondered why it should even be a priority, this book is for you.

--Being Redefined Blog, May 25, 2007

From the Publisher