Becoming an Anti-Racist Church

by Joseph Barndt

Martin Luther King's observation that 11 a.m. on Sunday is the most segregated hour of the week remains all too true. Christians addressing racism in American society must begin with a frank assessment of how race figures in the churches themselves, leading activist Joseph Barndt argues. This practical and important volume extends the insights of Barndt's earlier, more general work to address the race situation in the churches and to equip people there to be agents for change in and beyond their church communities. A hallmark of Barndt's analysis is his keen grasp of the deep yet checkered legacy that American church and church bodies inherit on this question. Yet Barndt also lifts up the ways in which their prophetic work has proved a catalyst for progress in American race relations, and he clearly shows why and how churches can inculcate an antiracist commitment into their collective lives.

Genres: Church, Anti Racist, Theology, Race, Nonfiction, Christian

240 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2011

Reviews

[Emma Di Pace · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading through this a second time—
Important takeways:
distinctions between Ruler’s Church and People’s Church, individual and collective sin and naming systemic racism as a collective sin, idea of “good” power, and how we need to not only dismantle institutional racism but also institutionalize anti-racism w/in churches

[Sandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very dense; this tries to present a philosophy and examples of racism in the church, but it's also a nuts-and-bolts how-to manual. It's extremely dense; I read it, and underlined lots of sections, but I can't help but think there are more resources out there that might be more user-friendly. I'm glad I read it; it's certainly enlightening. But it's simply too huge, too complicated, to help me in a small church in Pennsylvania. Participating in our diocesan anti-racism commission seemed at least a little more practical. This work needs to be done, and this book could be a good place to start. But the people who could benefit most from it are unlikely to "read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest" such a lengthy, wordy tome.

[Clayton Faulkner · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a good book on anti-racism, but it can’t be the only book you read on anti-racism.

[Kari · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this in a group with some members of my church. A powerful book that gives tools and ideas for creating an anti-racist church from the ground up (not just increasing diversity) without glossing over the role the church played in reinforcing and spreading racism.

[Cyndi Whitmore]

I thought this book might be related to the UUA's Journey Toward Wholeness program, but discounted the possibility after reading the description. I wasn't sure if I'd be able to relate to a book specifically geared toward mainline protestant & roman catholic churches, but I decided to give the sample a shot. My eyes moistened pretty quick and by the time I finished the sample (where I learned the author had worked with Unitarian Universalists and many other denominations)there were tears.

[Haley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic book with lots of practical suggestions for churches who wish to engage in the work of racial justice.