Building Beloved Community: The Courage to Love in the Face of Tyranny

by The United Methodist Church Council of Bishops, Kenneth L. Carder

Building beloved communities where division cannot stand.

When fear and division threaten to take hold, faith communities face a pivotal give in or rise to embody God's radical love and build inclusive, united communities.

Building Beloved Community, a call to action from the United Methodist Council of Bishops, equips readers with theological insight, practical strategies, and inspiring global stories to resist division and foster connection. Drawing on experiences from Ukraine, the Philippines, Guatemala, and beyond, it reveals common patterns of authoritarianism and offers faithful alternatives grounded in love over fear.

Rooted in Wesleyan theology, this resource guides readers in navigating tough conversations, creating safe spaces, engaging in compassionate action, and building networks of solidarity. Reflection questions at the end of each chapter encourage deeper study and meaningful engagement.

Addressing forces such as Christian nationalism, racism, and extremism, Building Beloved Community underscores the urgent need for social healing and the church's role in building just, grace-filled communities. Whether you are a faith leader, congregant, seminary student, or activist, this book offers hope, guidance, and a vision for living faithfully in challenging times. Together, we can reject fear and division to create communities rooted in justice, love, and care.

187 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 21, 2025