The Post-Black and Post-White Church: Becoming the Beloved Community in a Multi-Ethnic World

by Efrem Smith Sm, Curtiss Paul DeYoung (Foreword by)

Overview

The key to creating and growing a more unified and holistic church is the multi-ethnic and Christ-centered community that offers a strong connection between theology and practical ministry models, and that nurtures believers who are wrestling with what it means to be the church of the Bible today. Most books on racial reconciliation or multi-ethnic ministry center on the theological foundations, history, or social problem aspects of the topic.

The Post-Black and Post-White Church offers a practical, hands-on blueprint for developing and sustaining a multi-ethnic and Christ-centered community. Written by Efrem Smith, an innovative and passionate African American leader of the Covenant Evangelical Church and founding pastor of Sanctuary Covenant Church in Minneapolis, Minnesota, this groundbreaking book shares his skills, experience, and wisdom for congregations who want to grow into a multi-ethnic, missional identity.

The Post-Black and Post-White Church connects theology and practical ministry models for wrestling with what it means to be church in an increasingly multi-ethnic world that is polarized by class, politics, and race. The book embraces Jesus as one who was both Jewish and multi-ethnic and focuses on a theology of reconciled, multi-ethnic, and missional leadership.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781506463483
Publisher:	Augsburg Fortress, Publishers
Publication date:	11/03/2020
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	220
File size:	3 MB

About the Author

Efrem Smith is the co-senior pastor of Bayside Church Midtown, located in Sacramento, California. He is also the co-owner of Influential LLC, a speaking, consulting, and coaching ministry, along with his wife, Donecia Norwood-Smith. He completed a doctor of ministry degree from Fuller Theological Seminary and was granted an honorary doctor of ministry degree from Ashland Theological Seminary. He is the author of Raising Up Young Heroes; The Hip Hop Church; Jump: Into a Life of Further and Higher; and Killing Us Softly.

Read an Excerpt

Click to read or download

Table of Contents

About the Jossey-Bass Leadership Network Series vii

Foreword by Curtiss Paul DeYoung ix

Introduction: Enter the Sanctuary xiii

1 Reconciling, Multi-Ethnic, and Missional 1

2 Moving the Church Beyond Crisis, Captivity, and Comfort 15

3 Compassion, Mercy, and Justice 41

4 Race 65

5 The Gift of the Black Church 93

6 Creating a Post-White Church 117

7 Leadership 145

8 The Beloved Life and Leadership Project 161

9 Starting, Shifting, and Sustaining 185

Notes 201

About the Author 207

Index 209

Editorial Reviews

"Any leader who is serious about being the church God has envisioned must read this book. Smith shows us that too often Evangelicals, both White and Black, have used the 'race card' to keep from coming together as the church God has intended." —Rodney L. Cooper, Kenneth and Jean Hansen Professor of Discipleship and Leadership, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, Charlotte Campus

"Every serious Christan committed to doing God's will in the world today and tomorrow will find this book a sould stirrer, a compass, and a bright light for a better tomorrow." —Stan Long, Founding pastor and pastor emeritus of Southbay Community Church, Fremont, California

"We have too few resources concerning leading toward reconciliation. This book helps fill a critical gap. Efrem Smith is a leader of leaders who knows what it means to stand in the gap between the races. . . . His writing continues to lead me on a journey of racial understanding." —Alvin Sanders, executive director, EFCA National Ministries

"As God moves in the twenty-first century, fresh eyes and fresh voices provide a much-needed fresh perspective. Efrem Smith not only offers a compelling case for this type of leadership, he embodies it." —Soong-Chan Rah, professor church growth and evangelism, North Park Theological Seminary and author of Many Colors: Cultural Intelligence for a Changing Church

"In this book Efrem Smith challenges us to recognize the grip race has us in, and appeals to us to break free from the 'matrix' of race by casting a vision of church aligned with the ethnic realities of twenty-first century America." —Carl Nelson, president, Transform Minnesota

From the Publisher