The Hip-Hop Church: Connecting with the Movement Shaping Our Culture

by Efrem Smith, Phil Jackson, Efrem Smith

Hip-hop is here. The beats ring out in our cities. Hip-hop culture is all around us: in the clothes youth wear, in the music they listen to, in the ways they express themselves. It is the language they speak, the rhythm they move to. It is a culture familiar with the hard realities of our broken world; the generation raised with rap knows about the pain. They need to know about the hope. Enter the hip-hop church. Like the culture it rises from, the hip-hop church is relevant and bold. And it speaks to the heart. In this book, pastors Efrem Smith and Phil Jackson show the urgency of connecting hip-hop culture and church to reach a generation with the gospel of Jesus Christ. They give practical ideas from their urban churches and other hip-hop churches about how to engage and incorporate rap, break dancing, poetry and deejays to worship Jesus and preach his Word. Hip-hop culture is shaping the next generation. Ignoring it will not reduce its influence; it will only separate us from the youth moving to its rhythm. How will they hear Christ's message of truth and hope if we don't speak their language? And how can we speak their language if we don't understand and embrace their culture? Hear the beat. Join the beat. Become the beat that brings truth and hope to a hungry, hurting generation.

227 pages, Paperback

First published December 15, 2005

About the author

Efrem Smith is an American pastor who is the co-pastor of Midtown Church and co-owner of Influential LLC. Smith has spoken on the subjects of leadership, multi-ethnic issues and development of the Christian community. Smith is considered to be an advocate for urban ministry and reaching out to the marginalized.

Reviews

[Brent · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty well written book on a great topic. This book points out the powerful draw and influence of hip-hop and highlights the spiritual and social power that it inherently carries. The book encourages churches to use hip-hip to both understand and engage youth. It approaches this through basic hip-hip/church history lessons, theological discussions, and practical steps toward engagement.

[Stephen Yates]

A broad analysis of the history and ethos of hip hop. While the perspectives are helpful to hear, other books go into the theological basis for hip hop better (such as Hodge). Interactions with certain texts unfortunately are superficial and piecemeal.

[Jan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book. Broadens you perspective on responding to diversity in multiethnic ministr.

[Adam Walker · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very interesting and informative book offering a balanced discussion of hip-hop culture and how to engage it with the Gospel.