Aliens in the Promised Land: Why Minority Leadership Is Overlooked in White Christian Churches and Institutions

Aliens in the Promised Land: Why Minority Leadership Is Overlooked in White Christian Churches and Institutions

Edited by Anthony B. Bradley

Book Outline

CHAPTER 1: General Introduction ~Dr. Anthony Bradley.

CHAPTER 2: Black Pastoral Leadership and Church Planting. ~Rev. Lance Lewis,

CHAPTER 3: Race, Racialization, and Asian-American Leaders in Post-Racist Evangelicalism ~Dr. Amos Yong

CHAPTER 4: Serving Alongside Latinos in a Multiethnic, Transnational, Rapidly Changing World ~Dr. Juan Martínez

CHAPTER 5: Ethnic Scarcity In Evangelical Theology ~Dr. Vincent Bacote

CHAPTER 6: Blacks and Latinos In Theological Education as Professors and Administrators ~Dr. Harold Dean Trulear

CHAPTER 7: Blacks and Latinos In Theological Education as Students ~Dr. Orlando Rivera

CHAPTER 8: A Black Church Perspective On Minorities in Evangelicalism~Dr. Ralph C. Watkins.

CHAPTER 9: Theology and Cultural Awareness Applied: Discipling Urban Men~Dr. Carl Ellis

CHAPTER 10: Afterword ~ Dr. Anthony Bradley

APPENDIX: Racism and the Church–Overcoming The Idolatry (A Biblical Theology of Race and What The Gospel Says About Racism).

Contributors

Vincent Bacote, Associate Professor of Theology and Director of the Center for Applied Christian Ethics, Wheaton College—Ph.D., M.Phil., Drew University; M.Div., Trinity Evangelical Divinity School; B.S. in Biology, The Citadel.

Anthony B. Bradley, Associate Professor of Theology and Ethics, The King’s College—Ph.D., Westminster Theological Seminary; M.A. in Ethics and Society, Fordham University; M.Div., Covenant Theological Seminary; B.S. in Biological Sciences, Clemson University.

Carl F. Ellis Jr., Assistant Professor of Practical Theology, Redeemer Theological Seminary—D.Phil., Oxford Graduate School, Memphis; M.A.R., Westminster Theological Seminary; B.A., Hampton Institute.

Lance Lewis, Pastor, Christ Redemption Fellowship (PCA)—M.Div., Chesapeake Theological Seminary; B.A., Temple University.

Juan Martínez, Associate Provost for Diversity and International Programs, Academic Director of the Center for the Study of Hispanic Church and Community, and Associate Professor of Hispanic Studies and Pastoral Leadership, Fuller Theological Seminary—Ph.D., Th.M., Fuller Theological Seminary; M.Div., Mennonite Brethren Biblical Seminary.

Orlando Rivera, Assistant Professor and Department Chair of Pastoral Ministries, Nyack College—PhD., in Organizational Leadership, Regent University; M.B.A., Rollins College; M.Div., Reformed Theological Seminary; B.A., State University of New York, Albany.

Harold Dean Trulear, Associate Professor of Applied Theology, Howard University School of Divinity—Ph.D., Drew University; B.A., Morehouse College.

Ralph C. Watkins, Associate Professor of Evangelism and Church Growth, Columbia Theological Seminary—Ph.D., The University of Pittsburgh; D.Min., Pittsburgh Theological Seminary; M.A., The University of Dubuque Theological Seminary; B.A., California State University, Sacramento.

Amos Yong, J. Dean of the Divinity School and the Rodman Williams Professor of Theology at Regent University— Ph.D., Boston University; M.A., Portland State University; M.A., Western Evangelical Seminary; B.A., Bethany College.

Endorsements

“This is a terrific book. For years, evangelicals have discussed among themselves ways to reach minority communities, without much participation by minorities themselves. This book is a game changer. Here, black, Asian, and Latino writers say what they most want to say to the evangelical (and specifically Reformed) community. If you are tired of the usual arguments about race, as I am, this book will wake you up with some new ideas. . . That a Reformed publisher has undertaken to publish a book like this is itself a very promising development. I urge a wide readership by all who are seeking to carry out Jesus’ Great Commission.” ~ John Frame, Ph.D, J.D. Trimble Chair of Systematic Theology and Philosophy, Reformed Theological Seminary

“Prophetically addresses the issues connected to evangelicalism and minorities. Everyone, particularly church leaders, need to read this book.” ~Tremper Longman, Robert H. Gundry Professor of Biblical Studies, Westmont College

Never before have ethnic minorities within this “tribe” of conservative evangelicals addressed directly such explosive questions of white privilege, structural sin, unequal opportunity and the suburban cultural captivity of their churches. What I like most is that these contributors don’t dwell on past pain—and there is plenty of it! Rather, this volume is about reconstructing in faith a path towards God’s sovereign vision of human community. Anyone who cares about the future of Christianity in the North America needs to read this.  ~John Nunes, Ph.D., President and CEO, Lutheran World Relief

Those that have ears to ear, let the American evangelical church hear what the Spirit is saying through these teachers. The importance of this book cannot be over-stressed. In order for evangelicalism to survive into the next generation, the warnings of Dr. Bradley, et al. must be heeded. This book not only offers personal stories and insightful analysis into the role of race in American Christian institutions, but it offers practical ideas to actively move these institutions forward. I pray that this book will be read and applied by every major American evangelical leader who wishes to honestly explore the future of American evangelicalism. ~Soong-Chan Rah, Author of The Next Evangelicalism

Anthony Bradley has assembled an impressive cast of Hispanic, black, and Asian scholars to analyze the “alien” status of minorities in the “Promised Land” of evangelical America. Informed by personal, theological, and practical reflection, these sobering and often uncompromising essays challenge culturally dominant white evangelicals to move beyond their tribalism and embrace ethnic and racial diversity in their midst. “Wake up,” these contributors are saying, “The multi-cultural future of evangelicalism is now.” ~David W. Kling, Ph.D. Chair, Department of Religious Studies, University of Miami

Make no mistake – this is not a book to be pigeonholed as merely one more addition to the ongoing conversation about faith and race. It is, rather, a book about the viability of Evangelicalism and therefore the future of western Christianity as a whole. No longer can white, western Christians conveniently turn a blind eye to their own privilege, underlying racism, and the absolute necessity of repentance and change. The question is, will the blind eyes be opened? Will evangelicals heed the prophetic word offered by the voices in <em>Aliens in the Promised Land</em>, or will we fade into obscurity as the rest of global Christianity comes to resemble a body of every tribe, tongue, and nation? I’ve heard it said that Christians sometimes answer questions that no one is asking. Here, Bradley and a host of emboldened pastors, scholars, and theologians answer questions that many Christians are afraid to ask. As such, the volume serves as a significant catalyst for conversation, prayer, and the hope that the faith once delivered can indeed be proclaimed and revealed by a diversity of members within the body of Christ. It is an effort worthy of the highest commendation. ~Rev. Adam S. Borneman, Second Presbyterian Church, Birmingham, AL.

As an African-American pastor in an white evangelical denomination, I must say that Aliens in the Promised Land:  Why Minority Leadership Is Overlooked in White Christian Churches and Institutions offers no easy way out or loop holes to the problem or race and ethnicity in our churches and institutions. It calls us through the insightful experiences and expertise of its contributors to look and dig deep into our hearts, actions and faith. I left this book begging God for mercy for His church and for me. I learned that we have all dropped the ball and have been dropped on in some way when it comes to overlooking minority leadership. This book is a must read for evangelical leaders of churches and religious institutions. If more of what this book offers is not embraced by evangelical leadership, they will continue to deform in their growth while quenching God’s grace.  ~Rev. Howard Brown, Christ Central Church, Charlotte, NC.

Pre-order  at Amazon.com

Join us for: “The Future of Race In American Evangelicalism: A book launch discussion for Aliens In the Promised Land”

Date: May 14, 2013

Time: 7:30pm

Location: Calvary Baptist,

755 8th St., N.W.

Washington, DC 20001

http://www.calvarydc.org/

Participants:

• Harold Dean Trulear, Ph.D. Associate Professor of Applied Theology and Director of the Doctor of Ministry program, Howard University School of Divinity
• Rev. Lance Lewis, Pastor Christ Redemption Fellowship, Philadelphia, PA
• Anthony B. Bradley, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Theology and Ethics, The King’s College
•  Rev. Glenn Hoburg, Senior Pastor, Grace DC, Washington DC

Event Sponsors: Grace DC and the Reformed African American Network

For more about the location contact GraceDC at 202.386.7637 or office@gracedc.net