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The Church Cracked Open: Disruption, Decline, and New Hope for Beloved Community
"This book will make a profound difference for the church in this moment in history."— The Most Reverend Michael B. Curry
Sometimes it takes disruption and loss to break us open and call us home to God. It’s not surprising that a global pandemic and once-in-a-generation reckoning with white supremacy—on top of decades of systemic decline—have spurred Christians everywhere to ask who we are, why God placed us here and what difference that makes to the world.
In this critical yet loving book, the author explores the American story and the Episcopal story in order to find out how communities steeped in racism, establishment, and privilege can at last fall in love with Jesus, walk humbly with the most vulnerable and embody beloved community in our own broken but beautiful way.
The Church Cracked Open invites us to surrender privilege and redefine church, not just for the sake of others, but for our own salvation and liberation.
Sometimes it takes disruption and loss to break us open and call us home to God. It’s not surprising that a global pandemic and once-in-a-generation reckoning with white supremacy—on top of decades of systemic decline—have spurred Christians everywhere to ask who we are, why God placed us here and what difference that makes to the world.
In this critical yet loving book, the author explores the American story and the Episcopal story in order to find out how communities steeped in racism, establishment, and privilege can at last fall in love with Jesus, walk humbly with the most vulnerable and embody beloved community in our own broken but beautiful way.
The Church Cracked Open invites us to surrender privilege and redefine church, not just for the sake of others, but for our own salvation and liberation.
183 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 17, 2021
About the author
Stephanie Spellers
16 books11 followersSTEPHANIE SPELLERS serves as Presiding Bishop Michael Curry’s Canon for Evangelism and Reconciliation. The author of The Church Cracked Open, and The Episcopal Way (with Eric Law), she has directed mission and evangelism work at General Theological Seminary and in the Diocese of Long Island. A native of Kentucky and a graduate of both Episcopal Divinity School and Harvard Divinity School, she lives in Harlem, New York.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews
July 5, 2021
3.5 - Stephanie Spellers has managed to write both an incisive critique of white supremacist culture in the Episcopal Church and an invitation to think and act constructively towards where God is calling us. I have some lingering reservations about kenosis and privilege in her argument (to what extent do we want to compare Christ’s emptying of divine power and the emptying of white supremacist power and imperialism?), but this book would be an excellent pre- or post- anti-racism training text in its content and in its form.
December 15, 2021
In early November this year our diocesan lay people & clergy met via Zoom for our annual convention. The Rev. Stephanie Spellers, who is our Episcopal Presiding Bishop's Canon for Evangelism, Reconciliation, and Creation was the keynote speak for this event. She's an eloquent woman, vivacious, charming, a good singer, and a person who is brutally honest. This book, written in seven weeks, is a testament to her passion for addressing the state of the Episcopal Church in a time, as she puts it, of "disruption, decline and new hope for Beloved Community".
Since his election as Presiding Bishop the Rt. Rev. Michael B. Curry has been the catalyst for a vision for the Church & for the World, which he calls "the Way of Love", a vision which, as an answer to the "self-centrism" of empire, White supremacy, genocide, slavery, greed, segregation & oppression engrained in our American culture, will hopefully lead us eventually to the vision of "Beloved Community".
Spellars lays out an exciting practical outline of how, now that the pandemic has cracked open so many things in all our lives & culture, we might each take a look at ourselves & hopefully make Beloved Community a reality in the years ahead.
Since his election as Presiding Bishop the Rt. Rev. Michael B. Curry has been the catalyst for a vision for the Church & for the World, which he calls "the Way of Love", a vision which, as an answer to the "self-centrism" of empire, White supremacy, genocide, slavery, greed, segregation & oppression engrained in our American culture, will hopefully lead us eventually to the vision of "Beloved Community".
Spellars lays out an exciting practical outline of how, now that the pandemic has cracked open so many things in all our lives & culture, we might each take a look at ourselves & hopefully make Beloved Community a reality in the years ahead.
April 5, 2022
I found myself disappointed with this book. I had great expectations for a new image of “Church” but left disappointed.
I hoped for blueprint for radical change and instead received a lecture intended for the liberal community already a sympathetic audience. Two major issues stood out.
First, the question of why the established churches were heading the way of all flesh was really never addressed. It was pointed out but then really left unanswered. This is the core issue. What will Church look like. As long as the clergy maintain their central role, nothing will substantially change.
The second problem was who is the audience. At a time when our world is so divided and deaf to each other, I don’t need a book that already outlines my beliefs and attitudes; I need a book that tells me how I may pierce that bubble of those with whom I’m not in dialogue.
Oh well, Ms. Spellers seems very well intended and I do appreciate that. I hope someone will come along and crack the codes I referenced
I hoped for blueprint for radical change and instead received a lecture intended for the liberal community already a sympathetic audience. Two major issues stood out.
First, the question of why the established churches were heading the way of all flesh was really never addressed. It was pointed out but then really left unanswered. This is the core issue. What will Church look like. As long as the clergy maintain their central role, nothing will substantially change.
The second problem was who is the audience. At a time when our world is so divided and deaf to each other, I don’t need a book that already outlines my beliefs and attitudes; I need a book that tells me how I may pierce that bubble of those with whom I’m not in dialogue.
Oh well, Ms. Spellers seems very well intended and I do appreciate that. I hope someone will come along and crack the codes I referenced
May 17, 2022
Beautiful and inspiring exploration of how the church might crack open the confines of power, privilege, racism, and white supremacy--like an alabaster jar--and find the perfume of living spirit inside. As someone new to the Episcopal church, I found Spellers' history of its alignment with presidents, mayors, and empires both sobering and helpful.
Oddly enough, the best summary of the book comes from Spellers' text message to a friend included in the introduction:
"God is breaking open this church and pouring us out--pouring out privilege, pouring out empire, pouring out racism and human arrogance--in order to remake us and use us to serve God's dream for the whole world. We are the broken jar. It hurts and it sucks . . . and I think it's a gift."
Oddly enough, the best summary of the book comes from Spellers' text message to a friend included in the introduction:
"God is breaking open this church and pouring us out--pouring out privilege, pouring out empire, pouring out racism and human arrogance--in order to remake us and use us to serve God's dream for the whole world. We are the broken jar. It hurts and it sucks . . . and I think it's a gift."
May 24, 2021
A very beneficial read. The author puts the Episcopal Church specifically into its historical context and then exposes the various issues that have developed over several centuries. Not stopping there she uses scripture to identify and develop ways forward to reverse trends and embark on a new direction. While written specifically with the Episcopal church in mind, this is applicable to other denominations as well.
July 7, 2021
There’s much to love here, but it ultimately left me feeling like it was a critique without much to do. Granted the final chapter points toward The Way of Love (a modern take on the ancient idea of a rule of life), but I’m left with many questions. Maybe that’s the point. I appreciate dismantling white supremacy and colonialism. TEC has a lot of that that needs addressing. Spellers seems, however, to believe that all our liturgies, traditions, and history are completely entangled in those sins and suggests we get rid of them. With our theology of Lex Orandi, Lex Credendi, that leaves nothing particularly Anglican. I can’t help but wonder if the end goal is to do away with Anglicanism in favor of some type of woke non-denominational church. I applaud the fact that Spellers is making me think about my own privilege. In that regard, the book is highly successful. Theologically, I’m not sure.
June 19, 2021
The guiding metaphor is the biblical story of the woman who broke the alabaster jar of oil to anoint Jesus, as a metaphor for the place the church finds itself: it can’t just dribble out change but needs to break some sacred vessels. Particularly for the Episcopal church, wrestling with its history and legacy of being a colonial church and one that directly benefitted from the slave trade, her words about the self-emptying work of Jesus and the stewardship of privilege are particularly helpful. The book is written to be accessible to many, and also has a great study guide for individuals and groups that is free online.
July 10, 2021
Nothing New Under the Son
A sizable amount of this book is exposition and an indictment of Christianity - particularly the Episcopal Church - as complicit in the Slave Trade and in American Chattel Slavery; in European Empire Building; and in Colonization.
Most of this I already knew, and what I didn’t know wasn’t particularly revelatory.
There is also an abundance of sermonizing and heightened language outweighs and obscures the value of this book.
That value is in the framework provided on how to adapt to the brokenness of the church…and also the society.
A sizable amount of this book is exposition and an indictment of Christianity - particularly the Episcopal Church - as complicit in the Slave Trade and in American Chattel Slavery; in European Empire Building; and in Colonization.
Most of this I already knew, and what I didn’t know wasn’t particularly revelatory.
There is also an abundance of sermonizing and heightened language outweighs and obscures the value of this book.
That value is in the framework provided on how to adapt to the brokenness of the church…and also the society.
November 21, 2023
I first heard about this book during a presentation at my church on the Emerging Church. My interest was piqued right away, considering how discussions of church decline, shrinking numbers, the rise of the "Nones," and so on seem to plague every denomination at this point. The Reverend Canon Stephanie Spellers penned this short book in seven weeks at the height of the Pandemic, when the future was still yet unclear and the aforementioned issues within the church were shoved to the front after being fretfully ignored or whispered about for decades.
She does something amazing and turns the idea of decline on its head. With an introduction that sets the tone of the book in an extended metaphor--the woman at Bethany breaking open the alabaster jar of nard over Jesus--Spellers poses that perhaps the church: its institution, its influence, its reliance on empire and domination and white supremacy and--most of all, comfort--is at a breaking point for good reason. She does not do this in a cynical, nihilistic way (something I personally know all too well), but to suggest that this is a moment for the church to move on to something better; to move into the world for intentional community amongst communities it has historically and habitually taken advantage of, harmed, or outright oppressed.
The premise of the book is a timely one: this book is very much of its time (2021 to be exact, in the wake of the COVID-19 lockdown and Black Lives Matter protests in response to George Floyd's murder) but yet also out of time, too. In a sense, the book brings up a question that continues to arise within churches. At times, though, Spellers's perspective on social change rings a familiar bell born of the new excitement of 2020 and the years shortly thereafter. The ideas are still rich and important, but I wonder what she would say today--when just three years later the knee-jerk reaction against Black Lives Matter protests has been in full swing legislatively and the stagnant apathy of indifference has seemingly set in after everyone pasted black squares on Instagram, a conversation that has died out because the white center of our nation simply decided they'd marched enough or read enough or said enough and moved on to the next thing. There are times when that in-the-midst-of-it-all perspective rings hollow: not in concept but in the reality of what our world has done in the meantime.
Spellers's language is often flowery and at least conceptually good--though without many concrete steps. This is intentional, I'm sure, as every person and church that reads the book will have their own contexts; but I found myself saying "okay, be specific--what actionable steps do I need to take now to get myself and the church to this place?" In fairness, Spellers alludes to many guides and practice activities on the website which may assuage this concern off the bat.
Additionally, the star of the show here is the question of "what next?" for churches. She has some very interesting ideas, with some important reflection questions, that we all should be asking. For these ideas alone, I gave this book a "I really liked it" four stars. I'm sure we haven't heard the last about these ideas, as they are as relevant and forward-looking as ever. I almost wish I could see it all play out within a few years due to my eager impatience and my fed-up nature with status-quo American Christianity.
Regardless, I'd say if you're a curious parishioner or church leader in any regard: this book is one I would read.
She does something amazing and turns the idea of decline on its head. With an introduction that sets the tone of the book in an extended metaphor--the woman at Bethany breaking open the alabaster jar of nard over Jesus--Spellers poses that perhaps the church: its institution, its influence, its reliance on empire and domination and white supremacy and--most of all, comfort--is at a breaking point for good reason. She does not do this in a cynical, nihilistic way (something I personally know all too well), but to suggest that this is a moment for the church to move on to something better; to move into the world for intentional community amongst communities it has historically and habitually taken advantage of, harmed, or outright oppressed.
The premise of the book is a timely one: this book is very much of its time (2021 to be exact, in the wake of the COVID-19 lockdown and Black Lives Matter protests in response to George Floyd's murder) but yet also out of time, too. In a sense, the book brings up a question that continues to arise within churches. At times, though, Spellers's perspective on social change rings a familiar bell born of the new excitement of 2020 and the years shortly thereafter. The ideas are still rich and important, but I wonder what she would say today--when just three years later the knee-jerk reaction against Black Lives Matter protests has been in full swing legislatively and the stagnant apathy of indifference has seemingly set in after everyone pasted black squares on Instagram, a conversation that has died out because the white center of our nation simply decided they'd marched enough or read enough or said enough and moved on to the next thing. There are times when that in-the-midst-of-it-all perspective rings hollow: not in concept but in the reality of what our world has done in the meantime.
Spellers's language is often flowery and at least conceptually good--though without many concrete steps. This is intentional, I'm sure, as every person and church that reads the book will have their own contexts; but I found myself saying "okay, be specific--what actionable steps do I need to take now to get myself and the church to this place?" In fairness, Spellers alludes to many guides and practice activities on the website which may assuage this concern off the bat.
Additionally, the star of the show here is the question of "what next?" for churches. She has some very interesting ideas, with some important reflection questions, that we all should be asking. For these ideas alone, I gave this book a "I really liked it" four stars. I'm sure we haven't heard the last about these ideas, as they are as relevant and forward-looking as ever. I almost wish I could see it all play out within a few years due to my eager impatience and my fed-up nature with status-quo American Christianity.
Regardless, I'd say if you're a curious parishioner or church leader in any regard: this book is one I would read.
April 22, 2022
First, this book gets an A+ for timeliness. Written within a 7-week span during the pandemic, it asks "now what?" to an Episcopal Church that has been disrupted not only by the pandemic itself but also by the recent and ongoing racial unrest in the U.S. and economic strife. (To which we could add, lately, war.) The book is brief and does breeze through some things (e.g., I feel like some stats/charts on the decline in church membership would have been helpful), but the haste to get it out will be worth it if it helps Episcopal parishes create a better post-pandemic "new normal."
Second, this is the best-written book I have read as part of an "interlude" in the Episcopal "Education for Ministry" (EfM) program. (I participated in the program from 2015-2019; this is the first "interlude" I've done since then.) I grant that theology can be difficult to write about clearly, but most "interlude" books from my time in the program seemed to have been chosen primarily for their theology and not at all for their readability, which I think is a mistake when you have participants with wide-ranging levels of formal education, background knowledge, etc. So I really appreciated that as well.
Having moved away from the parish I participated in EfM at, into a much more urban and diverse community (where I did not manage to find a new Episcopal parish to join prior to the pandemic, alas), my discussion of this book was colored by my fellow discussants' being situated in my previous predominantly White parish in a predominantly White community in a predominantly White state. Also, with only 2 exceptions (out of about a dozen of us altogether), the group was comprised of Baby Boomers. I'm a Gen X'er who grew up in a diverse community and has always gone to college/grad school and worked in liberal university environments, so I felt like Spellers' discussion of white privilege, etc. was less new to me than it was to (at least some of) them.
To their credit, they all want to do better! However, I was frustrated that our discussion never seemed to get to actions they could take as a church, right now. I feel like the book could have provided much more direction in that regard. (It sounds like the online supplemental materials might help there, as might Spellers' other book, "Radical Welcome." I wanted to review this book just as itself.) I understand that each community needs to figure that out for themselves, in community, but when you are so mired in Whiteness and it seems stressful enough even to recover the "old normal," some ideas would be welcome. This parish is one of the most thriving in its diocese and has a lot of love to give. Its congregation is full of folks willing to take things on. If the 10-12 of the parishioners in our discussion weren't sure what this book was equipping them to go and do within their own context, that's a loss. Maybe Spellers can come out with Vol. 2 for one of next year's "interludes"? :)
Second, this is the best-written book I have read as part of an "interlude" in the Episcopal "Education for Ministry" (EfM) program. (I participated in the program from 2015-2019; this is the first "interlude" I've done since then.) I grant that theology can be difficult to write about clearly, but most "interlude" books from my time in the program seemed to have been chosen primarily for their theology and not at all for their readability, which I think is a mistake when you have participants with wide-ranging levels of formal education, background knowledge, etc. So I really appreciated that as well.
Having moved away from the parish I participated in EfM at, into a much more urban and diverse community (where I did not manage to find a new Episcopal parish to join prior to the pandemic, alas), my discussion of this book was colored by my fellow discussants' being situated in my previous predominantly White parish in a predominantly White community in a predominantly White state. Also, with only 2 exceptions (out of about a dozen of us altogether), the group was comprised of Baby Boomers. I'm a Gen X'er who grew up in a diverse community and has always gone to college/grad school and worked in liberal university environments, so I felt like Spellers' discussion of white privilege, etc. was less new to me than it was to (at least some of) them.
To their credit, they all want to do better! However, I was frustrated that our discussion never seemed to get to actions they could take as a church, right now. I feel like the book could have provided much more direction in that regard. (It sounds like the online supplemental materials might help there, as might Spellers' other book, "Radical Welcome." I wanted to review this book just as itself.) I understand that each community needs to figure that out for themselves, in community, but when you are so mired in Whiteness and it seems stressful enough even to recover the "old normal," some ideas would be welcome. This parish is one of the most thriving in its diocese and has a lot of love to give. Its congregation is full of folks willing to take things on. If the 10-12 of the parishioners in our discussion weren't sure what this book was equipping them to go and do within their own context, that's a loss. Maybe Spellers can come out with Vol. 2 for one of next year's "interludes"? :)
June 7, 2021
I always love hearing Stephanie Spellers speak, so I was truly looking forward to her book, which does not disappoint. It is a great addition to the conversation about racism in the US in that it addresses the issues from a theological point of view, giving a mostly unflattering, concise history of the Episcopal Church's participation in the sins of slavery and racism, yet providing hope and tools to help create change, both within the church and within our culture at large. She also highlights individuals who have made a difference so we don’t have to feel disempowered by the enormity of the problems. The historical chapter made me wonder why anyone of color would want to be a member of that denomination. But, of course, Stephanie is an Episcopal priest of color working with Presiding Bishop Michael Curry to make lasting changes in love. The book is a great resource, especially for White Christians of all denominations to learn, pray, rethink and act in a post-George Floyd world and would be great for group discussion.
There are so many underlined areas in in my copy, but here are a few of my favorites:
Sin is placing yourself or your group at the center where God belongs and advancing yourself or your group at the expense of others. White supremacy, colonialism, economic exploitation, consumerism, and individualism participate in sin because together they assert that creation should serve not God’s purposes but the purpose of the self and the powerful. These forces become even more dangerous when they insist that their purposes and God’s are the same.
Solidarity is the voice that finally comprehends: “You are not the same as me, but part of you lives in me.
Once your heart has cracked open—or the heart of your institution has cracked open—you are positioned to give your life, privilege, and power away specifically for love of peoples who have suffered under the knee of oppression.
There are so many underlined areas in in my copy, but here are a few of my favorites:
Sin is placing yourself or your group at the center where God belongs and advancing yourself or your group at the expense of others. White supremacy, colonialism, economic exploitation, consumerism, and individualism participate in sin because together they assert that creation should serve not God’s purposes but the purpose of the self and the powerful. These forces become even more dangerous when they insist that their purposes and God’s are the same.
Solidarity is the voice that finally comprehends: “You are not the same as me, but part of you lives in me.
Once your heart has cracked open—or the heart of your institution has cracked open—you are positioned to give your life, privilege, and power away specifically for love of peoples who have suffered under the knee of oppression.
April 7, 2024
I thought this was a good book to read. While I'm not from the United States, I felt that some of the points resonate throughout the world. From what I see Christianity in the United States for a large part of the church has been co-opted by politicians and parties to endorse themselves or their issues. This is totally wrong and a subversion of what the Bible tells us. God is a good God but He/She/Spirit does not side with the world. The ruler of this world is the devil and the devil has been judged. (See John 16). Church in the US has also subverted what the Gospel is so that when you speak of the gospel they don't have a true understanding of what this is in many evangelical circles. Saying this, the content of the book clearly shows that many denominations have sided with society and become irrelevant for many. The conclusions in Chapter 8 and the conclusion I would say is a start. Discipleship is needed but not another church program. Within discipleship, a true yearning for God and Jesus with prayer. Frankly, I don't see that many people understand even a term called prayer and therefore don't know how to pray and this is a fundamental that URGENTLY needs to be addressed worldwide. Then what is really the gospel? How is this good news for this people and this time? To walk with Jesus and God and not read about it from authors 2nd hand is also a necessary discipline for this time. (Not that you can't learn from others but that you need a relationship with God yourself).
August 1, 2026
I liked this book better than Church Tomorrow?. This one was written during the Covid lockdown and Black Lives Matter movement and reflect the distress most of us felt. I joined the Episcopal church when I was in my 30's so the church's history was very informative. The author talks about the dominant power systems and how they / we have to be "cracked open" to allow others in, and to share / give of ourselves so that all have enough.
"Jesus... consciously chose a path that assured suffering, humiliation, desolation, and finally death on a cross. In response, God lifted him up and gave him glory.
None of this was an accident or coincidence. Jesus entered as he did, where he did, doing what he did, because God needed us to finally comprehend the truth: God is not a sky king who heads up empire; God is the love that gives itself away for the sake of more love. Jesus could only communicate that point by standing outside the power structures and inviting disciples to join him and discover new life with him on the margins." p91/92
" Jesus didn't just come to be with humanity or just to love all of humanity in general. He came to share God's love specificall with people who had been robbed of it, and he proved that love by being one of those despised people himself." p111
"Jesus... consciously chose a path that assured suffering, humiliation, desolation, and finally death on a cross. In response, God lifted him up and gave him glory.
None of this was an accident or coincidence. Jesus entered as he did, where he did, doing what he did, because God needed us to finally comprehend the truth: God is not a sky king who heads up empire; God is the love that gives itself away for the sake of more love. Jesus could only communicate that point by standing outside the power structures and inviting disciples to join him and discover new life with him on the margins." p91/92
" Jesus didn't just come to be with humanity or just to love all of humanity in general. He came to share God's love specificall with people who had been robbed of it, and he proved that love by being one of those despised people himself." p111
July 26, 2021
This is a hard book to review. I read it for a class (which won't be discussing it for another few weeks) and I read it with a lot of attention. As an Episcopalian, I, like Canon Spellers, know that my denomination has a lot to answer for. Canon Spellers doesn't sugar-coat anything, pointing out the long history of the Episcopal Church's complicity in the slave trade, the power elite and segregation. But she holds out hope for our future and our Church's striving to achieve Beloved Community, showing that change is possible, and how the changes may come about. I attended the virtual book launch months ago and then the book sat in my TBR pile until the impetus of the upcoming class made me read it this month. Full disclosure: While I haven't met Canon Spellers, we have many friends in common and share certain political and social convictions. That said, I urge all Episcopalians (and other denominations that may be able to adapt some of the content) to read the book, preferably as part of a study group, as the concepts and data presented are hard, and having others with whom to discuss and debrief would be ideal. I look forward to the discussion my class will have.
April 20, 2022
Without a doubt this book is something that the Episcopal church needs.
A reminder that we have a history of cooperation with, and benefiting from, systems of oppression and marginalization. The stark truth of our racist and colonialist history is something that we need to continue to acknowledge and continue to address.
Some people will point to the Right Reverend Michael Curry as an example of how far we've come, and they have a point, but electing one black man to Presiding Bishop does not erase centuries of racism.
All that being said, this book also goes very gentle on the white reader, and in many ways allows those of us who are almost better at patting ourselves on the back than we are at kneeling and crossing ourselves to sidestep our own part in the continued systems of oppression. It's a fine starting point, but other writings take a harder look at the reality of the situation and truely ask the Church what we're going to do about the harm we have perpetuated.
It was a good book, but it could have gone harder. Though I guess since some people were so deeply offended by it, that there are still some in the Church who still need to be walked by hand into the truth.
A reminder that we have a history of cooperation with, and benefiting from, systems of oppression and marginalization. The stark truth of our racist and colonialist history is something that we need to continue to acknowledge and continue to address.
Some people will point to the Right Reverend Michael Curry as an example of how far we've come, and they have a point, but electing one black man to Presiding Bishop does not erase centuries of racism.
All that being said, this book also goes very gentle on the white reader, and in many ways allows those of us who are almost better at patting ourselves on the back than we are at kneeling and crossing ourselves to sidestep our own part in the continued systems of oppression. It's a fine starting point, but other writings take a harder look at the reality of the situation and truely ask the Church what we're going to do about the harm we have perpetuated.
It was a good book, but it could have gone harder. Though I guess since some people were so deeply offended by it, that there are still some in the Church who still need to be walked by hand into the truth.
October 28, 2021
The Reverend Canon Stephanie Spellers is a priest in the Episcopal church. She opens her book by underscoring what we are seeing with our own eyes, but ignoring due to our willful blindness. Church attendance is declining, with the disruption of the pandemic accelerating that trend. Church is not even on the radar of younger generations. Most recently we’ve witnessed one scandal after another of past and present sins being revealed in the church. The American church is cracking open. It’s contents, people, are spilling out. The author takes us on a journey through the history of the Western church and its chaplaincy to empire. The fire in her heart is compelling as it draws us into the reality of our history. She casts a hopeful vision that those of us who identify as followers of Jesus will see the light pouring in through the cracks and become light and salt on the earth.
November 27, 2022
4.5 stars rounded up. I appreciated Spellers' willingness to write so clearly and honestly about the Episcopal Church's historic complicity with Empire and domination, along with her staunch faith that we can learn to follow Jesus' iconoclastic example to shake things up and to remake the Church to center itself around the true values of Christ: inclusion, social justice, and love for God, the world, and humanity. My one critique of this short manifesto is that it would be helpful if the action items finally offered were more concrete, with specific examples of how to practice the identified facets of stewardship in effective, revolutionary ways.
April 29, 2022
I couldn’t get et hushed or even engrossed in this book. It didn’t offend or surprise me; it was obvious. Of course the church shared the prejudices of the broader society. The church needs to reform. The patriotic church is too allied with the state.
Now, what are the changes that need to take place? They range from awareness to considered changes.
Perhaps because each congregation needs to figure out their own path to redemption of their congregation, I didn’t find much new or prescriptive.
Now, what are the changes that need to take place? They range from awareness to considered changes.
Perhaps because each congregation needs to figure out their own path to redemption of their congregation, I didn’t find much new or prescriptive.
May 7, 2022
I read this as part of my EFM course and I am not sure how I feel about it or if I was in a place where I could appreciate it. There were a few small lines in the book that I loved,
It’s difficult to differentiate between what is holy and essential and what is actually racial, cultural, class preference.
When you love something - especially something bound up with the sacred - it’s difficult to imagine why anybody else would not love it too. In that model, segregation is nearly inevitable.
It’s difficult to differentiate between what is holy and essential and what is actually racial, cultural, class preference.
When you love something - especially something bound up with the sacred - it’s difficult to imagine why anybody else would not love it too. In that model, segregation is nearly inevitable.
March 29, 2023
I read this with my church as a Lenten Bible study. I really feel like this is an important text for anyone who is looking to actively work towards racial reconciliation and ally-ship with in the church. Not only does the author spend time contextualizing the historical issues with the church, she also engages with how to fix things moving forward. I also appreciate the fact that she is a Black American working as a leader in the Episcopalian church because it gives her writing a very multi-perspective lens that is helpful.
July 29, 2021
Wonderful opportunity
Stephanie Speakers explores the great opportunity of this past year of pandemic and civil unrest, the opportunity to see the handiwork of the Spirit work through the great brokenness of this time. She explains her hope that this time may become one of great transformation for Christians and the Church to follow the way of Jesus, the way of love, despite the Church's history of being more a keeper of the empire than the keeper of way of Jesus.
Stephanie Speakers explores the great opportunity of this past year of pandemic and civil unrest, the opportunity to see the handiwork of the Spirit work through the great brokenness of this time. She explains her hope that this time may become one of great transformation for Christians and the Church to follow the way of Jesus, the way of love, despite the Church's history of being more a keeper of the empire than the keeper of way of Jesus.
October 9, 2022
A Must Read
The author, who is a priest and black, truly cracks open the church. Eloquently describes what I was curious, the discrepancy between what the organizes church says or does contrasted to Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount in Scripture. Honestly discusses the greatest hour of segrgation in the US.
Not just a church or Christian basher, offers hope and some how to’s to improve the way of Jesus, Love.
The author, who is a priest and black, truly cracks open the church. Eloquently describes what I was curious, the discrepancy between what the organizes church says or does contrasted to Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount in Scripture. Honestly discusses the greatest hour of segrgation in the US.
Not just a church or Christian basher, offers hope and some how to’s to improve the way of Jesus, Love.
August 30, 2025
I really hate to give this book anything less than a 5 because I think the message is SO!! IMPORTANT!! - and the author explained it beautifully. I think I was just expecting the wrong thing from this book - rather than spending the majority of the book explaining the biblical foundations of inclusion and kenosis, I would have loved to dive more into concrete changes and actions. Still a beautiful book and beautiful message that everyone should read!
August 22, 2021
A must-read book for those who want to how the church got to where we are today, how we have been cracked open during the COVID pandemic and racial reckoning and how we are being given new opportunities to grow through these disruptions into the Beloved Community that Jesus embodied and wishes for us to embody for the sake of all of creation.
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March 11, 2022This is a thought provoking exploration of current day Episcopalian faith. Stephanie introduces the reader to the history of racism within the church and challenges the reader to think about working through the past with an eye to new directions. The final chapter includes concrete efforts to be made by believers in a new way ahead.
March 16, 2022
Hope for the Church
This author preaches hope to the Christian Church in a time of recognition of centuries of failure to follow Jesus, choosing instead racism, sexism, homophobia, economic oppression, egocentrism, and other false gods of Empire. She convincingly shows us the way forward. Buy this book!
This author preaches hope to the Christian Church in a time of recognition of centuries of failure to follow Jesus, choosing instead racism, sexism, homophobia, economic oppression, egocentrism, and other false gods of Empire. She convincingly shows us the way forward. Buy this book!
November 18, 2024
This was written in the midst of pandemic and following the murder of George Floyd, a time of crossroads for the Church. Who are we when all that is "normal" falls apart? There's so much to chew on and learn from here. I'm just afraid that so much of the Church has either dug in their heels or left for good.
April 3, 2021
I was challenged and affirmed by this book. I have been in shock and despair over the church’s response to all that is unjust in our world today, but this author gives me hope that a reformation is here, and that the church of our Lord is in process of becoming more like him. May it be so!
October 30, 2021
It’s wonderful to see a church leader confronted with the challenges of the pandemic and racial reckoning and see them as a call for the church to change and grow rather than as something to resist. May people and churches everywhere take this beautiful invitation to be cracked open to heart!
March 19, 2022
I read this because of a religious group I belong to was reading and discussing it. It was shocking and bit depressing to see how our beloved church had promoted racism. It did offer some hope, but I don't know how realistic her plans are for the future.
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