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Healing Our Broken Humanity: Practices for Revitalizing the Church and Renewing the World
We live in conflicted times. Our newsfeeds are filled with inequality, division, and fear. We want to make a difference and see justice restored because Jesus calls us to be a peacemaking and reconciling people. But how do we do this?
Based on their work with diverse churches, colleges, and other organizations, Grace Ji-Sun Kim and Graham Hill offer Christian practices that can bring healing and hope to a broken world. They provide ten ways to transform society, from lament and repentance to relinquishing power, reinforcing agency, and more. Embodying these practices enables us to be the new humanity in Jesus Christ, so the church and world can experience reconciliation, justice, unity, peace, and love.
With small group activities, discussion questions, and exercises in each chapter, this book is ideal to read together in community. Discover here how to bring real change to a dehumanized world.
Based on their work with diverse churches, colleges, and other organizations, Grace Ji-Sun Kim and Graham Hill offer Christian practices that can bring healing and hope to a broken world. They provide ten ways to transform society, from lament and repentance to relinquishing power, reinforcing agency, and more. Embodying these practices enables us to be the new humanity in Jesus Christ, so the church and world can experience reconciliation, justice, unity, peace, and love.
With small group activities, discussion questions, and exercises in each chapter, this book is ideal to read together in community. Discover here how to bring real change to a dehumanized world.
208 pages, Paperback
Published August 28, 2018
72 people are currently reading
357 people want to read
About the author
Grace Ji-Sun Kim
42 books33 followersGrace Ji-Sun Kim (PhD, St. Michael's College, University of Toronto) is associate professor of theology at Earlham School of Religion. She is author or editor of thirteen books, including Embracing the Other,Christian Doctrines for Global Gender Justice, and Intercultural Ministry. She is an ordained minister in the Presbyterian Church (USA).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
March 28, 2023
Not a fan. It is shallow, repetitive, (ironically) divisive and polemic in tone, and intellectually lazy. The thesis is not sophisticated enough to merit book-length treatment. An essay or, perhaps, book chapter would have been sufficient.
October 24, 2018
Summary: In a world with deep racial, gender, national, and political divides, the authors propose nine formative practices churches can pursue enabling the church to have a healing presence in the world.
We live in the midst of a world with terrible brokenness, pretty much wherever we look. Hostility between ethnic and racial groups. Violence against women. Gun violence. Political discord. Relational brokenness. The deep ache so many who sense that life just isn't the way it is supposed to be. Often our churches, even when they seem to be thriving, reflect the wider divides and brokenness of the surrounding society.
Grace Ji-Sun Kim and Graham Hill have seen all this in their respective communities but are not in despair. Out of their experience of working with various church groups, they believe there are nine practices that both offer a roadmap for transformation, and enable God's people to be a transformative presence in the world. These are:
1. Reimagine Church as the new humanity in Jesus Christ
2. Renew Lament through corporate expressions of deep regret and sorrow.
3. Repent Together of white cultural captivity, and racial and gender injustice, and our complicity.
4. Relinquish Power by giving up our own righteousness, status, privilege, selfish ambition, self interests, vain conceit, and personal gain.
5. Restore Justice to those who have been denied justice.
6. Reactivate Hospitality by rejecting division and exclusion, and welcoming all kinds of people into the household of God.
7. Reinforce Agency by supporting people's ability to make free, independent, and unfettered actions and choices.
8. Reconcile Relationships through repentance, forgiveness, justice and partnership.
9. Recover Life Together as a transformed community that lives out the vision of the Sermon on the Mount.
Willie James Jennings, in his Foreward, emphasizes the importance of implementing these practices in diverse communities. He writes, "The crucial matter today for Christian discipleship is not what you practice but who you practice with." In the practical suggestions Kim and Hill offer, the practices themselves take people into the diverse community Jennings commends. In "reimagining church" groups using this book are encouraged to serve other groups in your community and visit Christians from different racial and ethnic backgrounds. In "renewing lament" groups are encouraged to gather for nights of shared lament with a mix of genders, ages, and ethnicities. In "repenting together," groups are encouraged to spend time among the marginalized, and then reflect on what the Spirit is convicting them to repent of, and then form accountability groups to act in ways that express changed hearts, In the chapter on "relinquishing power," the authors challenge people to stop organizing all-white male slates of speakers or panels at conferences and other events.
Each chapter grounds these transformative practices in biblical principles illustrated from the authors' personal ministry experiences. Each chapter concludes with a number of practical suggestions that might be implemented by a small group working together. These include both study and action items. I would observe that this is not a chapter-a-week book for groups to read. If a group seriously engages each chapter, they probably need to take a month to several months on the action steps in each chapter. Often the action steps direct to other readings or studies.
That makes the questions at the end of the book for groups a bit puzzling. They seem to assume a single week of discussion on each chapter. The "nine practices accountability form" in the second appendix suggests that groups might study through the nine and begin to shape their lives around the various practices. My sense is that a group that is serious about pursuing these practices and living them out ought to think in terms of a year to several years of working together.
Actually, that could be quite an experience that moves far beyond socializing, a dip into scripture, and prayers that life would "go smoothly" that characterize many small groups. The challenge to lament is likely foreign to most in majority culture, but common among ethnic minorities. Practicing hospitality that goes beyond those "like us" would be transformative in many communities. Finding ways to seek and advocate justice, particularly for those who may not be part of our communities, will open us up to people we might not otherwise meet. The subtitle of this book speaks of "revitalizing the church and renewing the world." These practices have the potential to do just that, if we dare.
____________________________
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary review copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
We live in the midst of a world with terrible brokenness, pretty much wherever we look. Hostility between ethnic and racial groups. Violence against women. Gun violence. Political discord. Relational brokenness. The deep ache so many who sense that life just isn't the way it is supposed to be. Often our churches, even when they seem to be thriving, reflect the wider divides and brokenness of the surrounding society.
Grace Ji-Sun Kim and Graham Hill have seen all this in their respective communities but are not in despair. Out of their experience of working with various church groups, they believe there are nine practices that both offer a roadmap for transformation, and enable God's people to be a transformative presence in the world. These are:
1. Reimagine Church as the new humanity in Jesus Christ
2. Renew Lament through corporate expressions of deep regret and sorrow.
3. Repent Together of white cultural captivity, and racial and gender injustice, and our complicity.
4. Relinquish Power by giving up our own righteousness, status, privilege, selfish ambition, self interests, vain conceit, and personal gain.
5. Restore Justice to those who have been denied justice.
6. Reactivate Hospitality by rejecting division and exclusion, and welcoming all kinds of people into the household of God.
7. Reinforce Agency by supporting people's ability to make free, independent, and unfettered actions and choices.
8. Reconcile Relationships through repentance, forgiveness, justice and partnership.
9. Recover Life Together as a transformed community that lives out the vision of the Sermon on the Mount.
Willie James Jennings, in his Foreward, emphasizes the importance of implementing these practices in diverse communities. He writes, "The crucial matter today for Christian discipleship is not what you practice but who you practice with." In the practical suggestions Kim and Hill offer, the practices themselves take people into the diverse community Jennings commends. In "reimagining church" groups using this book are encouraged to serve other groups in your community and visit Christians from different racial and ethnic backgrounds. In "renewing lament" groups are encouraged to gather for nights of shared lament with a mix of genders, ages, and ethnicities. In "repenting together," groups are encouraged to spend time among the marginalized, and then reflect on what the Spirit is convicting them to repent of, and then form accountability groups to act in ways that express changed hearts, In the chapter on "relinquishing power," the authors challenge people to stop organizing all-white male slates of speakers or panels at conferences and other events.
Each chapter grounds these transformative practices in biblical principles illustrated from the authors' personal ministry experiences. Each chapter concludes with a number of practical suggestions that might be implemented by a small group working together. These include both study and action items. I would observe that this is not a chapter-a-week book for groups to read. If a group seriously engages each chapter, they probably need to take a month to several months on the action steps in each chapter. Often the action steps direct to other readings or studies.
That makes the questions at the end of the book for groups a bit puzzling. They seem to assume a single week of discussion on each chapter. The "nine practices accountability form" in the second appendix suggests that groups might study through the nine and begin to shape their lives around the various practices. My sense is that a group that is serious about pursuing these practices and living them out ought to think in terms of a year to several years of working together.
Actually, that could be quite an experience that moves far beyond socializing, a dip into scripture, and prayers that life would "go smoothly" that characterize many small groups. The challenge to lament is likely foreign to most in majority culture, but common among ethnic minorities. Practicing hospitality that goes beyond those "like us" would be transformative in many communities. Finding ways to seek and advocate justice, particularly for those who may not be part of our communities, will open us up to people we might not otherwise meet. The subtitle of this book speaks of "revitalizing the church and renewing the world." These practices have the potential to do just that, if we dare.
____________________________
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary review copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
May 4, 2019
I really, really, really love the cover of this book! Unfortunately, I was a bit underwhelmed by what came after it if I'm honest. That's not to say it's a bad read by any means, however it was a bit more shallow than I had hoped, casting a pretty wide net and only skimming the surface in a lot of areas. I was a bit put-off by how heavily they relied on other writers; there are a number of times where they simply share frameworks that others have developed, as well as an abundance of block quotes and two instances where the same quote is used twice. Meanwhile, I think that a significant number of their own unique sentences tended to flirt with redundancy, often including the same repeating list of social ills and/or expressions of God's "kin-dom" (a frequently used wordplay I genuinely appreciate). I would have loved to see a more robust, depthy exploration of the topics at hand from the authors themselves rather than see them relegated to more of a facilitator role in which they shared some personal anecdotes alongside examples and reflections from others.
I know this is a pretty harsh review, but at the same time I genuinely believe it offers a lot to readers dipping their toes into a more justice-oriented faith, and especially those moving there within an Evangelical current. I noticed that, while diversity of sexuality is acknowledged some of the time, anti-queer oppression is never included in their comprehensive lists nor is straightness or cis-ness noted as a privilege. While I'm sure this makes the book more palatable for Evangelical readers, it was an interesting thing to note throughout. However, I would still stand by this as a terrific on-ramp into an expanding faith that's concerned with beginning the work of bringing God's kin-dom here on earth as it is in heaven, and it would be especially beneficial if read with a small group as they seem to suggest and even hope.
I know this is a pretty harsh review, but at the same time I genuinely believe it offers a lot to readers dipping their toes into a more justice-oriented faith, and especially those moving there within an Evangelical current. I noticed that, while diversity of sexuality is acknowledged some of the time, anti-queer oppression is never included in their comprehensive lists nor is straightness or cis-ness noted as a privilege. While I'm sure this makes the book more palatable for Evangelical readers, it was an interesting thing to note throughout. However, I would still stand by this as a terrific on-ramp into an expanding faith that's concerned with beginning the work of bringing God's kin-dom here on earth as it is in heaven, and it would be especially beneficial if read with a small group as they seem to suggest and even hope.
April 2, 2023
I read this book as part of my EFM class. I did not enjoy it but this book gets 4 stars because the book did what it was supposed to do. I had a classmate that stated: she would have to re-think some of her political/social opinions because of chapters in this book. That is what a religious book is supposed to do.
I think this book was a little weak and trapped in a certain time period. There are mentions of Trump, Eric Garner, and Sandra Bland.
I also feel that this book suffers from the issue of all liberal Christian writing, a belief that Christians and the church are good things. The authors write " The church shows the world G-d's perfect design for humanity.... As a beacon to the world, the church shows the world what G-d calls it to be." One of the authors lives in America. How can one look at the different branches of American Christianity and think that those churches are "perfect designs?"
The authors do a good job of quoting from the Bible. There is also a nice list of other books the authors read and quoted from at the end of the book.
I think this book was a little weak and trapped in a certain time period. There are mentions of Trump, Eric Garner, and Sandra Bland.
I also feel that this book suffers from the issue of all liberal Christian writing, a belief that Christians and the church are good things. The authors write " The church shows the world G-d's perfect design for humanity.... As a beacon to the world, the church shows the world what G-d calls it to be." One of the authors lives in America. How can one look at the different branches of American Christianity and think that those churches are "perfect designs?"
The authors do a good job of quoting from the Bible. There is also a nice list of other books the authors read and quoted from at the end of the book.
June 8, 2024
Like a lot of people on Goodreads (apparently), I read this as part of an assignment for a class that is deep-diving on the Old Testament within the context of a multicultural framework. In that sense, this book is appropriate as it is, at heart, a manifesto urging the Christian church to embrace multiculturalism so that it can better become an positive force in healing the world’s broken humanity. It’s also a direct critique of the church – specifically, the American church – in not only failing to tackle the biggest symptoms of our broken humanity (racism, sexism, white privilege, social injustice, etc) but also being part of the problem.
The basic thesis of the book is that the church can become a positive force for good – not by seizing political power, but by moral example and conviction based on Jesus’ description of the kingdom of God. But in order to do that, it must first lament its shortcomings, repent of its failures and complicity in injustice, relinquish all political and socioeconomic power, restore jutice where it has been denied, extend hospitality to all, reinforce agency for those who have been denied it, and reconcile relationships at all levels of society. The book calls for the church to be reimagined as the “new humanity” that, ideally, resembles the kingdom described by Jesus in the Beatitudes. Phew!
I personally don’t disagree with any of that, but there are a couple of problems here. One is that Kim and Hill jam so many ideas in under 200 pages that a lot of the essential nuance to process this is buried in the text. More problematic is that Kim and Hill cite examples of injustices that embody issues that have been radically politicized in recent years –especially issues such as immigration, BLM and #MeToo that arose during the first Trump administration. This makes it difficult to read this through an apolitical lens. It’s not their fault these issues are heavily politicized now, and certainly all of their examples can be criticized solely in terms of the values that Jesus taught. But the book paradoxically falls into the same trap by seeming to pretend the political lens that readers will inevitably bring to the discussion is irrelevant. This might be technically true, yet many conservative Christians will inevitably associate the arguments here with liberal talking points they’ve been encouraged to hate, which arguably undermines the book’s own call for inclusiveness.
That said, again, I do agree with the basic thesis and the authors’ prescription for moving forward. It sounds impossible in this age of toxic polarized politics, but you gotta start somewhere. If nothing else, the exercises and practices recommended at the end of each chapter are as good a starting point as any. Anyway, it’s interesting and ambitious, but it’s a book that requires a very open mind, politically speaking. I’m all for speaking uncomfortable truths to people who need to hear them, but I also think it’s important to read the room and understand how to best get your message across.
The basic thesis of the book is that the church can become a positive force for good – not by seizing political power, but by moral example and conviction based on Jesus’ description of the kingdom of God. But in order to do that, it must first lament its shortcomings, repent of its failures and complicity in injustice, relinquish all political and socioeconomic power, restore jutice where it has been denied, extend hospitality to all, reinforce agency for those who have been denied it, and reconcile relationships at all levels of society. The book calls for the church to be reimagined as the “new humanity” that, ideally, resembles the kingdom described by Jesus in the Beatitudes. Phew!
I personally don’t disagree with any of that, but there are a couple of problems here. One is that Kim and Hill jam so many ideas in under 200 pages that a lot of the essential nuance to process this is buried in the text. More problematic is that Kim and Hill cite examples of injustices that embody issues that have been radically politicized in recent years –especially issues such as immigration, BLM and #MeToo that arose during the first Trump administration. This makes it difficult to read this through an apolitical lens. It’s not their fault these issues are heavily politicized now, and certainly all of their examples can be criticized solely in terms of the values that Jesus taught. But the book paradoxically falls into the same trap by seeming to pretend the political lens that readers will inevitably bring to the discussion is irrelevant. This might be technically true, yet many conservative Christians will inevitably associate the arguments here with liberal talking points they’ve been encouraged to hate, which arguably undermines the book’s own call for inclusiveness.
That said, again, I do agree with the basic thesis and the authors’ prescription for moving forward. It sounds impossible in this age of toxic polarized politics, but you gotta start somewhere. If nothing else, the exercises and practices recommended at the end of each chapter are as good a starting point as any. Anyway, it’s interesting and ambitious, but it’s a book that requires a very open mind, politically speaking. I’m all for speaking uncomfortable truths to people who need to hear them, but I also think it’s important to read the room and understand how to best get your message across.
August 20, 2018
Professors Grace Ji-Sun Kim and Graham Hill challenge the modern Church to take a very close look at their lives and practices to evaluate what needs to be changed to be the body of Christ that this broken world needs. Both individually and as part of communities they challenge readers to Reimagine Church, Renew Lament, Repent Together, Relinquish Power, Restore Justice, Reactivate Hospitality, Reinforce Agency, Reconcile Relationships, and Recover Life Together.
This is kind of like Life Together for a new century. Not only is it about how to do life individually and corporately as a church, but how to reach out to the hurting and broken people and systems in this world. This is not an easy read by any means. Kim and Hill don’t pull any punches in sharing areas where they think the present Church is failing miserably. It will likely bring some discomfort and conviction to most readers at some if not many points. But they also offer practical ways to change and bring restoration to the Church and the world. At the end of each chapter are action suggestions for small groups. Don’t assign this book for the small groups at your church if you’re looking for light and fluffy conversations. Nope. This stuff is real, deep, sometimes uncomfortable, frequently challenging, and will take hard work. But it is also important. I can’t see a church going through this communally and coming out unchanged if they’re really serious about it. Due to the tough topics they tackle, this isn’t always an easy read. (And they are both university professors, so it is a little more on the academic side than the average relaxed reading side of nonfiction writing.) But these are important things for the modern Church to really think through if they want to be a part of helping heal the broken and hurting world today.
I received an ARC of this title from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This is kind of like Life Together for a new century. Not only is it about how to do life individually and corporately as a church, but how to reach out to the hurting and broken people and systems in this world. This is not an easy read by any means. Kim and Hill don’t pull any punches in sharing areas where they think the present Church is failing miserably. It will likely bring some discomfort and conviction to most readers at some if not many points. But they also offer practical ways to change and bring restoration to the Church and the world. At the end of each chapter are action suggestions for small groups. Don’t assign this book for the small groups at your church if you’re looking for light and fluffy conversations. Nope. This stuff is real, deep, sometimes uncomfortable, frequently challenging, and will take hard work. But it is also important. I can’t see a church going through this communally and coming out unchanged if they’re really serious about it. Due to the tough topics they tackle, this isn’t always an easy read. (And they are both university professors, so it is a little more on the academic side than the average relaxed reading side of nonfiction writing.) But these are important things for the modern Church to really think through if they want to be a part of helping heal the broken and hurting world today.
I received an ARC of this title from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
July 29, 2020
This book is an absolutely fantastic work of spiritual discipline and practice. A large part of the reason for this is that it is different than any other book of spiritual disciplines I have read. There are plenty of books on spiritual practice (two of my favorites are Tish Harrison Warren’s Liturgy of the Ordinary and Richard Foster’s Celebration of Discipline). While Foster goes through the typical disciplines (prayer, fasting, etc.) and Harrison focused on disciplines in the ordinary day, Kim and Hill bring in a totally different angle and include practices I never considered discipline but probably should have.
Kim and Hill include practices such as Relinquish Power, Renew Lament and Reinforce Agency. They begin with Reimagine Church which sets the tone, then move in to Lament and Repent. Three chapters in, I was hooked.
I am pushing my pastor to use this book for small groups. I am building a weeklong “virtual retreat” for the college students I work with around this book.
I think if you were forming a curriculum for spiritual practice, this one would take its place with those mentioned by Warren and Foster.
Kim and Hill include practices such as Relinquish Power, Renew Lament and Reinforce Agency. They begin with Reimagine Church which sets the tone, then move in to Lament and Repent. Three chapters in, I was hooked.
I am pushing my pastor to use this book for small groups. I am building a weeklong “virtual retreat” for the college students I work with around this book.
I think if you were forming a curriculum for spiritual practice, this one would take its place with those mentioned by Warren and Foster.
December 12, 2024
Healing Our Broken Humanity: Practices for Revitalizing the Church and Renewing the World
I found this book an interesting and timely read.
The book addresses the current challenges of inequality, division, and fear, and helps provide practical guidance for Christians seeking to make a positive impact in a broken world.
I thought Kim was a good writer, and found the book easily accessible and rooted well in theology.
There were some parts of the book about the current world that were a little triggering, but it was well contrasted with the positives of living for Jesus
I am glad I picked it up.
Check it out if this sounds interesting to you!
3.7/5
I found this book an interesting and timely read.
The book addresses the current challenges of inequality, division, and fear, and helps provide practical guidance for Christians seeking to make a positive impact in a broken world.
I thought Kim was a good writer, and found the book easily accessible and rooted well in theology.
There were some parts of the book about the current world that were a little triggering, but it was well contrasted with the positives of living for Jesus
I am glad I picked it up.
Check it out if this sounds interesting to you!
3.7/5
March 11, 2021
Read this alongside a group of friends- highly recommend not reading on your own because so much of it is about practices to do within a community of people. Parts felt a little redundant at times but it was overall a great read that challenged us all to do the work required to help bring healing to our world.
April 6, 2023
Some interesting points but overall there are too many lists, too overwhelming to consider what you can practically do to change the world! Also seems to imply that the world was once great and now has to be "renewed". Lots of "to do" lists and lists within lists. It's an uneven and inconsistent read.
January 26, 2021
Practical, international & local focus. Hopeful and honest. A great church small group book. Lots of helpful next steps and activities are included in each chapter. Love the pairing of the voices of the authors.
April 17, 2023
I had high hopes for this book to offer specific practices for individuals and small groups to learn and discuss tangible steps toward revitalizing their congregation and personal ministry. Given the title, I knew it would all be connected to social justice work, responding to the systemic issues that our world (specifically the U.S.) has a difficult time coming to grips with: racism, sexism, poverty, violence, economic disparities, etc. All issues the church (I'm from an Episcopal tradition) needs to be addressing and acting upon. However, I was disappointed in what the book offered.
The "practices" that are named will not be anything new for those who are well-read on such topics (think books by James Cone, Heather McGee, Howard Thurman, Michelle Alexander, or Kelly Brown Douglas). Each chapter focuses on one of the 9 practices (all beginning with an "R"): reimagine church, renew lament, repent together, relinquish power, restore justice, reactivate hospitality, reinforce agency, reconcile relationships, recover life together. The trouble for me was that the authors spent their words (and lots of them that could have been edited better) describing why each practice was needed but not how a congregation can break the cycle and live them out. This would be especially true for an all white congregation in a predominately all white suburb. Nothing as to how to address why the church and community is all white to begin with.
Many, many other noted authors and speakers are often quoted - so the footnotes and references given were helpful to send me to books that I DO want to read. In many ways this particular book is also outdated; multiple examples of Trump's policies while president are used too often without getting to the systemic issues he capitalized upon. The authors are not Americans, so much of their perspective come from living outside the U.S., albeit from different cultures. Unless you are new to this work - I'd pass on recommending it to others.
The "practices" that are named will not be anything new for those who are well-read on such topics (think books by James Cone, Heather McGee, Howard Thurman, Michelle Alexander, or Kelly Brown Douglas). Each chapter focuses on one of the 9 practices (all beginning with an "R"): reimagine church, renew lament, repent together, relinquish power, restore justice, reactivate hospitality, reinforce agency, reconcile relationships, recover life together. The trouble for me was that the authors spent their words (and lots of them that could have been edited better) describing why each practice was needed but not how a congregation can break the cycle and live them out. This would be especially true for an all white congregation in a predominately all white suburb. Nothing as to how to address why the church and community is all white to begin with.
Many, many other noted authors and speakers are often quoted - so the footnotes and references given were helpful to send me to books that I DO want to read. In many ways this particular book is also outdated; multiple examples of Trump's policies while president are used too often without getting to the systemic issues he capitalized upon. The authors are not Americans, so much of their perspective come from living outside the U.S., albeit from different cultures. Unless you are new to this work - I'd pass on recommending it to others.
October 23, 2023
Good ideas, poorly presented
Revitalizing the church and renewing the world are rather large tasks. They require the extensive work of churches and the faithful, plus government cooperation. This book definitely covers the extensive work involved with suggestions for numerous studies to be undertaken and long lists of tasks to be performed. All good ideas. One big issue though; they never talk about how these other people feel about our studies and tasks. Yes, we need to be open to refugees, other cultures, new theologies, different styles of worship. But. Do the refugees want to join us? Do other cultures have the remotest interest in our worship practices? And new theologies? Sure. New practices? What about death penalty for gays and lesbians. Are we good with that? Separation of men and women in the church? Policing of behavior of church members by elders? It’s not that I think other cultures in the US necessarily advocate for these practices, but there needs to be acknowledgement that reaching out also means that someone has to be there who WANTS to take your hand. Otherwise, it seems kind of presumptuous on our (mainly white European history) part.
The book also had this weird style of identifying one or the other author sharing a story. I found this very annoying. Now I (Graham), the white dude, will share my particular experiences.
Lastly it was terribly redundant. The same ground was covered over and over, each time with some new study and list of tasks quite similar to the ones in the previous chapter. It could have been condensed down. Also the many many anecdotes blurred together, robbing them of their import.
I wish this was a better, and frankly, more honest book about caring for others who are different than ourselves, learning from each other, and sharing the Gospel in ways that speak to the hearts of the lost of hurting in our community.
Revitalizing the church and renewing the world are rather large tasks. They require the extensive work of churches and the faithful, plus government cooperation. This book definitely covers the extensive work involved with suggestions for numerous studies to be undertaken and long lists of tasks to be performed. All good ideas. One big issue though; they never talk about how these other people feel about our studies and tasks. Yes, we need to be open to refugees, other cultures, new theologies, different styles of worship. But. Do the refugees want to join us? Do other cultures have the remotest interest in our worship practices? And new theologies? Sure. New practices? What about death penalty for gays and lesbians. Are we good with that? Separation of men and women in the church? Policing of behavior of church members by elders? It’s not that I think other cultures in the US necessarily advocate for these practices, but there needs to be acknowledgement that reaching out also means that someone has to be there who WANTS to take your hand. Otherwise, it seems kind of presumptuous on our (mainly white European history) part.
The book also had this weird style of identifying one or the other author sharing a story. I found this very annoying. Now I (Graham), the white dude, will share my particular experiences.
Lastly it was terribly redundant. The same ground was covered over and over, each time with some new study and list of tasks quite similar to the ones in the previous chapter. It could have been condensed down. Also the many many anecdotes blurred together, robbing them of their import.
I wish this was a better, and frankly, more honest book about caring for others who are different than ourselves, learning from each other, and sharing the Gospel in ways that speak to the hearts of the lost of hurting in our community.
January 19, 2019
An introductory work exploring various ways in which Christians would do well to engage the world to make a difference.
The authors come from very different backgrounds and thus provide very different perspectives: a white male of European descent from Australia and a woman of Korean descent in America. They address various issues which exist in our world and how Christians have often fallen short: to see the church reflect its multiracial, multicultural environment, to take up lament, to repent of abuses and sinfulness, to give place and power to others who have not enjoyed it, to work for justice, to welcome in hospitality, to empower those disempowered, to reconcile those who have been alienated, and to share in life together. They discuss the issues, give examples, and end with different action items or practices for a small group to seek to accomplish to reinforce learning.
The material is generally good, although the divergence in authorial perspective can be disorienting at times (and one has to become familiar quickly with Australian idiom). The reader is to be advised that the conversations are much wider than they are deep: this is an introductory, exploratory work, designed more for small groups and things which might be starting out on such a journey. The authors appeal often to works of greater depth, and if one is looking for greater depth in dealing with such issues, they will need to look elsewhere.
In many ways it's a "hip" book, taking advantage of the moment and a lot of the currents swirling around parts of Evangelical Christianity. The work accomplishes its purpose; it just does not go beyond it.
**--galley received as part of early review program
The authors come from very different backgrounds and thus provide very different perspectives: a white male of European descent from Australia and a woman of Korean descent in America. They address various issues which exist in our world and how Christians have often fallen short: to see the church reflect its multiracial, multicultural environment, to take up lament, to repent of abuses and sinfulness, to give place and power to others who have not enjoyed it, to work for justice, to welcome in hospitality, to empower those disempowered, to reconcile those who have been alienated, and to share in life together. They discuss the issues, give examples, and end with different action items or practices for a small group to seek to accomplish to reinforce learning.
The material is generally good, although the divergence in authorial perspective can be disorienting at times (and one has to become familiar quickly with Australian idiom). The reader is to be advised that the conversations are much wider than they are deep: this is an introductory, exploratory work, designed more for small groups and things which might be starting out on such a journey. The authors appeal often to works of greater depth, and if one is looking for greater depth in dealing with such issues, they will need to look elsewhere.
In many ways it's a "hip" book, taking advantage of the moment and a lot of the currents swirling around parts of Evangelical Christianity. The work accomplishes its purpose; it just does not go beyond it.
**--galley received as part of early review program
January 21, 2019
Kim and Hill look at ways in which the Christian church is broken and separated from God's purpose for us including racism, sexism, and nationalism. They offer concrete solutions for addressing these issues and reconciling people. They offer nine practices to help heal the brokenness including lament, repentance, relinquishing power, restoring justice, reactivating hospitality, reinforcing agency, reconciling relationships, and recovering life together. The book also contains a lot of group exercises, discussion questions, and concrete steps towards actions addressing these issues. I read the book on my own, but I think it would have been better to read and work through as a group as the authors suggest.
November 14, 2021
I have read numerous books written specifically on one aspect covered in this book, including racial reconciliation, peacemaking, compassion, community development, and restorative justice. However, this book combines all of these topics under the concept of redemption and restoration. As such, I like the comprehensive presentation of what it means to live in a renewed world and to seek the kin-dom on Earth even as the ultimate kingdom is established. While some of the language and commentary on society and the church are overly provocative, the overall message is sound. Of the 9 practices identified, I see the restore justice practice as the one least comfortable and most controversial for the church. However, engaging in the conversation is healthy.
August 16, 2018
Healing Our Broken Humanity
Practices for Revitalizing the Church and Renewing the World
by Grace Ji-Sun Kim and Graham Hill
InterVarsity Press
Christian , Religion & Spirituality
Pub Date 28 Aug 2018
I am reviewing a copy of Healing Our Broken Humanity through Intervarsity Press and Netgallwy:
We live in a time of conflict, we see examples of inequality, division and fear on a daily basis. We have a desire to see justice restored., but how can we do this?
In this book Grace Ji-Sun Kim and Graham Hill offer Christian ways, Christian practices to bring healing as well as Hope to a broken world.
I give Healing Our Broken Humanity five out of five stars!
Happy Reading!
October 10, 2018
We live in a broken and divisive world. What does it look like to bring healing? In this short read, The authors give us 9 practices that your church community can engage in doing to bring reconciliation to your neighborhood. There are a lot of practical ideas for small groups in this book. There are also a lot of great discussion questions to wrestle with what it looks like to be a reconciling community.
January 29, 2023
It is a good and needed book. Yet, it goes into some of my personal pet peeves of saying kin-dom and other aspects of word relevancy. I’m not sure this truly helps to be inclusive, but comes off as if we are trying too hard. Good book otherwise, though I do wish it focused some on disability exclusion along with other acts of injustice.
April 13, 2023
A Guide to actively making a difference
A step by step guide to making a difference in our community. The refreshing part of this book is that it empowers the individual to act. The practices use small group development which is less intimidating than trying to engage large groups in social change. Change begins in your heart and expands outward.
A step by step guide to making a difference in our community. The refreshing part of this book is that it empowers the individual to act. The practices use small group development which is less intimidating than trying to engage large groups in social change. Change begins in your heart and expands outward.
Read
December 10, 2023DNF page 110
Honestly this was kind of getting boring. To me, there just wasn’t enough heart and a little bit too much writing from personal experiences that would create a long tangent from the original purpose of the chapter.
Honestly this was kind of getting boring. To me, there just wasn’t enough heart and a little bit too much writing from personal experiences that would create a long tangent from the original purpose of the chapter.
December 12, 2024
Some valuable points throughout this. Sadly, I found them deeply overshadowed by political agenda. A Christian book covering social issues would be fair to highlight pros and cons on both sides. Altogether biased, irresponsible and disappointing.
March 2, 2022
Good content, but needs less drum-beating and more bridge-building, if you want to persuade skeptical Christians to engage in more of the themes, ideas, and actions proposed in the book.
April 16, 2023
Repetitive
June 27, 2023
Fantastic highlights and offers tools on building broken relationships destroyed by patriarchy in religion.
March 24, 2020
Insightful and applicable, this is a book churches need to get into and wrestle with. The authors walk through 9 "actions" the modern church can take to become closer to the Church God intended. I will admit, the later chapters get more theoretical or academic - but the first six are incredible!
What does it mean to be the church? How do we heal this divide that we see? What does it mean to truly follow God? Kim and Hill provided some very tactile answers and a practical way forward.
What does it mean to be the church? How do we heal this divide that we see? What does it mean to truly follow God? Kim and Hill provided some very tactile answers and a practical way forward.
October 7, 2023
I read this over a two-week period, as an assigned book in a class. That's not the way this book is meant to be used. There are exercises with each chapter -- many of which are meant to be associated with activities over a span of weeks, months, or even a few years. Much of the material seems to be more of an overview course -- heavy on anecdotes. We've read several other books in the class that go into more depth on the issues this book is attempting to address. (See my "EfM" shelf.)
February 11, 2025
There are some good, doable ideas in here. Basically, read the end of the chapters and skim for any needed scripture references. The rest got heavy handed, especially politically.
August 15, 2018
Healing Our Broken Humanity aims to focus Christianity on social justice issues.
The authors argue that the church needs to heal and become whole, because the world is watching. “We need a new narrative and a new way of telling our stories of God in our lives,” they write. Rather than expecting others to adapt to the church, the authors posit the church should adapt with fresh practices and that race relations may be a good place to start.
They say that Christians first passion must be for Jesus, then they can respond with passion to other issues like politics, race, gender, and others. They also argue that pastors should address racism and sexim as sins, because they are abuses of power.
The ideas presented in this book are very good and relevant for our present society. The authors are very good about providing specific examples from the real world, as well as citing scripture to support their writing. I truly believe social justice concepts are vital for modern Christianity, so I recommend it for religious readers.
Although this book claims to be for clergy and laypersons alike, the academic tone will probably lend itself better to the former. This would be a great book for small groups or ministries working on discernment and vision for their churches. Discussions and activities are suggested throughout.
The authors argue that the church needs to heal and become whole, because the world is watching. “We need a new narrative and a new way of telling our stories of God in our lives,” they write. Rather than expecting others to adapt to the church, the authors posit the church should adapt with fresh practices and that race relations may be a good place to start.
They say that Christians first passion must be for Jesus, then they can respond with passion to other issues like politics, race, gender, and others. They also argue that pastors should address racism and sexim as sins, because they are abuses of power.
The ideas presented in this book are very good and relevant for our present society. The authors are very good about providing specific examples from the real world, as well as citing scripture to support their writing. I truly believe social justice concepts are vital for modern Christianity, so I recommend it for religious readers.
Although this book claims to be for clergy and laypersons alike, the academic tone will probably lend itself better to the former. This would be a great book for small groups or ministries working on discernment and vision for their churches. Discussions and activities are suggested throughout.
August 29, 2018
I am so thankful for this book! It's a great collection of theology and practice interwoven to "revitalize the church and renew the world". This book prophetically addresses so many issues in the church today and gives practical ways forward. I'm thankful for the heart this book demonstrates towards the church and the author's desire to see it flourish as God intended! I can see the basis for a sermon series coming out of this book!
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