Born of Conviction: White Methodists and Mississippi's Closed Society

by Joseph T. Reiff

The dominant narrative of the role of white citizens and the white church in Mississippi's civil rights era focuses on their intense resistance to change. The "Born of Conviction" statement, signed by twenty-eight white Methodist pastors and published in the Mississippi Methodist Advocate on January 2, 1963, offered an alternative witness to the segregationist party line. Calling for freedom of the pulpit and reminding readers of the Methodist Discipline's claim that the teachings of Jesus permit "no discrimination because of race, color, or creed," the pastors sought to speak to and for a mostly silent yet significant minority of Mississippians, and to lead white Methodists to join the conversation on the need for racial justice. The document additionally expressed support for public schools and opposition to any attempt to close them, and affirmed the signers' opposition to Communism. Though a few individuals, both laity and clergy, voiced public affirmation of "Born of Conviction," the overwhelming reaction was negative-by mid-1964, eighteen of the signers had left Mississippi, evidence of the challenges faced by whites who offered even mild dissent to massive resistance in the Deep South. Dominant narratives, however, rarely tell the whole story. The statement caused a significant crack in the public unanimity of Mississippi white resistance. Signers and their public supporters also received private messages of gratitude for their stand, and eight of the signers would remain in the Methodist ministry in Mississippi until retirement. Born of Conviction tells the story of "the Twenty-Eight" illuminating the impact on the larger culture of this attempt by white clergy to support race relations change. The book explores the theological and ethical understandings of the signers through an account of their experiences before, during, and after the statement's publication. It also offers a detailed portrait of both public and private expressions of the theology and ethics of white Mississippi Methodists in general, as revealed by their responses to the "Born of Conviction" controversy.

Genres: Religion

408 pages, Paperback

First published February 11, 2015

Reviews

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I saw that a book had been written about this time in Mississippi Methodism I had to read it. I was amazed to be able to get it through interlibrary loan in Michigan. U of M Library came through for me.
I was a freshman in high school when our preacher signed the letter. There's a lot about that time that I misremembered or just didn't know. There were so many names I knew or recognized. I think 2 previous pastors of our little church also signed.
I thought I would just skim through the book and read relevant passages. I could not put it down. It really did read like a novel. I am grateful to the author for writing this book. I could not help drawing parallels with the turmoil of the present-day United Methodist Church. I wonder how the Mississippi Conference is handling it, hopefully better this time.

[Joe Vess · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a really terrific, inspiring book. It's very interesting even if you're not familiar with the Methodist church and the theology behind the Born of Conviction statement. What gripped me the most were the individual human stories, primarily of the signers, and also the larger role they played in the history of the civil rights movement. As a white southerner, it's so great to read about white allies who challenged other whites to change, how they did it, and what happened. It gave me lots to think about, and helped me think about more things I can do today.

[Fredr · Rating 5 out of 5]

J. Reiff’s book about the Born of Conviction statement issued in January, 1963 in the Mississippi Methodist Advocate by 28 ministers and the reactions by the local communities to what many felt were betrayals to Mississippi’s segregation society. The witnesses and impacts since is heart wrenching to ministers and families who left and also the ministers and families that stayed in Mississippi.
Much progress has been made but also not enough. As the statement begins in Section I - “The church is the instrument of God’s purpose. This is His church. It is ours only as stewards under his Lordship.”
We must remember verse in Micah 6:8 - “Do justice, Love mercy and walk humbly with your God”

[Rob · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reiff offers an inside look at the struggle for integration and equality in the height of the civil rights era. His thorough research takes the reader inside the minds of white Methodist pastors in Mississippi. His book is a worthy volume in any civil rights history collection.

[Jane Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent scholarly book that reads as a fast paced novel. The author's extensive research was woven together in such a fashion that it is easier to understand what was going on in the 60's in MS. As a Methodist living on the Gulf Coast then Jackson and Madison this statement by the 28 was unknown to me even though I was 18 at the time. Minister at First Methodist at the time didn't discuss it because he opposed the statement. So many names were familiar to me and I liked the way the author did a "where are they now." Highly recommended.

[Alex English · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an excellent recounting of white pastors taking a stand against racism in early 1960s Mississippi. Dr. Reiff manages to merge countless interviews and historical records into a cohesive and powerful narrative. A note on the length of the book: the actual text of the book is only 284 pages, with the rest mostly consisting of endnotes.