Separate No More: Understanding and Developing Racial Reconciliation in Your Church - Softcover

Peart, Norman Anthony

Softcover

ISBN 10: 080106337X ISBN 13: 9780801063374

Publisher: Baker Pub Group, 2000

Synopsis

Even though our society has made great strides forward since the civil rights era, racial reconciliation remains an unresolved issue in the church. Norman Peart, founding pastor of a multiracial church and a sociologist, argues that reconciliation is basic to the church's purpose, even though the church has consistently viewed the topic as peripheral to its ministry. Peart shows through Scripture that, far from being optional, racial reconciliation is at the heart of the church's mission.

Aimed at pastors, church leaders, and concerned Christians, Separate No More focuses on three areas: the historical basis for America's race problem, the biblical message of racial reconciliation, and suggestions for change in the church.

About this title

About the Author

Norman A. Peart (Ph.D., Michigan State University) is founder of Grace Ministries and founding pastor of Grace Bible Fellowship, a multiracial church plant in Cary, North Carolina, where he resides. His experience as an African American pastor and sociologist contributes to his expertise on race.

From the Back Cover

Even though our society has made great strides forward in social justice since the civil rights era, there remains a disturbing racial divide in our churches and among Christians. In Separate No More, Norman Peart argues that, although racial reconciliation has been viewed as a peripheral matter by the church, it should be at the heart of the church's message and mission.

Through this book, you will be encouraged to actively participate in the ministry of racial reconciliation and to lead your local church in pursuing the goal of being separate no more.

"I am particularly pleased to commend [this] volume to you for it furthers my vision for reconciliation and equips the church of the twenty-first century to resolve this issue for the sake of Christ's church. I wholeheartedly encourage you to read and apply its message." -John M. Perkins (from the foreword)

"Separate No More is a fascinating history of the problem of racism that defines exactly why we need reconciliation, and gives some of the best concrete suggestions so far on how to break the impasse." -Craig Keener, coauthor, Black Man's Religion and Defending Black Faith

"Dr. Peart's premise is absolutely correct in saying that racial reconciliation is viewed as optional. This project can be part of a movement to change that view." -Glen Kehrein, director, Circle Urban Ministries

"Here is one of the few books on the critical issue of race relations that confronts racism in the right way, in remarkable fairness, and for the correct reasons. Dr. Peart's argument, based as it is on the biblical basis of reconciliation, could scarcely be more cogently argued." -Paige Patterson, president, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary

Reviews

Peart, creator of Grace Ministries and founding pastor of a multiracial church, offers a passionate challenge to church leaders to take up the cause of racial reconciliation in their congregations. Yet Peart speaks exclusively to the tension between African-Americans and whites, limiting the book's usefulness. The first five chapters recapitulate the history of black-white relations in the United States, and while much of this is interesting and fresh, it will not be helpful to churches that are addressing race relations among Hispanics, Asians, Native Americans or other ethnic groups. Peart's constant editorializing detracts from the book's impact, and readers will wish for a more nuanced approach than is evidenced by subheadings such as "White Christians Must Understand." (Peart's call to "inHIMtegration"Dintegration in ChristDis also a bit plastic.) The closing section offers general advice on racial reconciliation, calling on church members to become personal reconcilers, be consistent, motivate others with the message of reconciliation and select dynamic leaders. More specific recommendationsDsuch as encouraging the inclusion of different musical or preaching stylesDwill be most helpful to those churches that are already integrating their African-American and Anglo members and not just contemplating the possibility. Since Martin Luther King Jr.'s observation that 11 a.m. on Sunday is "the most segregated hour in America" still holds true for much of the country, this book, however well-intentioned, will have limited readership. (Nov.)
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Edition details

• Publisher: Baker Pub Group
• Publication date: 2000
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 080106337X
• ISBN 13: 9780801063374
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 202