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Practical Theology for Black Churches: Bridging Black Theology & African American Folk Religion
The rift between black theology, with its social and political concerns, and black churches, with their emphases on pastoral care and piety, has been growing. Here, Dale Andrews offers a way to bridge this gap by redefining the paradigm of church as "refuge" in terms of a faith identity that brings together a concern for liberation with a pastoral focus on spirituality. This faith identity emerges from dominant biblical themes that shape preaching and pastoral care. Andrews' insightful analysis of the gulf between black churches and black theology reveals the invasive influence of individualism in black religious life as well as the shared values for social change and care of the soul. Notably, it is this influence of individualism that has disrupted communal solidarity and brought about the neglect of liberation ethics within black church life. This practical theology will contribute greatly towards renewing the pastoral and prophetic ministry of black religious life.
- GenresTheology
200 pages, Paperback
First published November 1, 2002
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
January 9, 2025
It took a minute, but it was worth the trip
I read this book after reading Warnock’s “The Divided Mind of the Black Church.” I think that I should have read this first, but at least, you should read these two books together, and then go further in terms of engaging the issues connected to Critical Race Theory, Antiracism, and Pastoral Care in the context of inner-city church life.
As an American Descendant of Slavery/African American who pastors two church congregations that are not historically black and are not in a demographic transition into the world of the Black Church, I feel the need to be a bridge between the world that shaped me, a son of Gary IN during the Civil Rights era, and a Lutheran faith community that would view that history from the outside, as spectators rather than as participants. That is because I came into my current call with few parameters as to what that would mean for them and for me and my family. I feel like a unicorn because there are not many pastors in my position. I have colleagues who are pastors of either historically black churches or churches that have transitioned as a result of demographic changes. I have a foot in both worlds, but beyond that, I know that the day will come when those two worlds will become “one flesh.” The Kingdom of Heaven is not segregated; the effects of the fall are not permanent. Therefore, we must always look at the missio Dei in terms of its “telos.” When Christ divides the nations between “the sheep and the goats,” it will be on the basis of their having embraced the practical theology of the Kingdom, not on the basis of race. That reality must always guide our theology in the present.
I read this book after reading Warnock’s “The Divided Mind of the Black Church.” I think that I should have read this first, but at least, you should read these two books together, and then go further in terms of engaging the issues connected to Critical Race Theory, Antiracism, and Pastoral Care in the context of inner-city church life.
As an American Descendant of Slavery/African American who pastors two church congregations that are not historically black and are not in a demographic transition into the world of the Black Church, I feel the need to be a bridge between the world that shaped me, a son of Gary IN during the Civil Rights era, and a Lutheran faith community that would view that history from the outside, as spectators rather than as participants. That is because I came into my current call with few parameters as to what that would mean for them and for me and my family. I feel like a unicorn because there are not many pastors in my position. I have colleagues who are pastors of either historically black churches or churches that have transitioned as a result of demographic changes. I have a foot in both worlds, but beyond that, I know that the day will come when those two worlds will become “one flesh.” The Kingdom of Heaven is not segregated; the effects of the fall are not permanent. Therefore, we must always look at the missio Dei in terms of its “telos.” When Christ divides the nations between “the sheep and the goats,” it will be on the basis of their having embraced the practical theology of the Kingdom, not on the basis of race. That reality must always guide our theology in the present.
January 13, 2022
powerful
A powerful read that gives knowledge and guidelines to help churches. I learned a lot and gain a different view on what to do in my local context.
A powerful read that gives knowledge and guidelines to help churches. I learned a lot and gain a different view on what to do in my local context.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews