5.0 out of 5 stars Beyond Colorblindness

B.B. · October 25, 2007

George Yancey opens his book by reminding the reader that multiracial churches have existed throughout our countries history, and he proposes 7 principles of successful multiracial church leadership, which can alleviate "race fatigue" and lead to healthy sustainable churches in the future. The bulk of the book, chapters 5-12, is taken up with the proposing of 7 great principles of successful churches and unpacking the same. The principles are inclusive worship, diverse leadership, overarching goal, intentionality, location, personal skills, and adaptability. Yancey tackles the question of whether multiracial churches should exist by dispelling two formidable arguments from the church growth and cultural pluralism paradigms. As one author interviewed explains, "there are a lot of people in (urban cities) who will not believe in a message that is spiritual if it does not express itself in a global, holistic way." Despite the overwhelming biblical evidence presented for the planting and revitalization of churches to be multiracial, Yancey makes it clear that monoracial churches are not a "sin", in and of itself, saying, "Some churches do not have an opportunity to create racial diversity because there is not racial diversity in the community around the church." Yancey makes a marvelous point that the tendency of some to accept colorblindness as an aspect of anti-racism, are in effect discounting the very real racial alienation that exists in our society; hence, are injuring people of color similarily to how white flight injures by insult. That is "colorblindness" as an ideology implies ethnicity and culture do not matter, which is an insult. Yancey names another ideology that most are not even aware of - "the dirty little secret that we are a racially segregated society and we are comfortable with this segregation. Many people feel that to admit to this comfort is to admit to being comfortable with racism, and we do not want to be perceived as racist." Yancey has this advice for leaders of multiracial churches - one can continue to believe perspectives from their own racial culture but to be successful in a multiracial setting one must intentionally pursue a fusion of horizons with the perspectives of the other, not just accommodate but value the perspective of the other. One Body, One Spirit is a compelling must have resource for any one serious about the journey to a successful multiracial church. Yancey also supplies a rich appendix including the questions from his Lilly funded research.

5.0 out of 5 stars A Good Roadmap for Diversity

T.S. · July 12, 2008

This was a wonderful book in provoking ideas how we can change the most segregated hour in America...the hour we are in our churches. However, it can be used to consider diversity in all of its shapes and sizes. Learning styles, gender, and ethnicity could be cracked open by a considered and dedicated attempt to become "multiracial." As a lay person, my challenge is how to gently prompt leadership into consideration of these ideas.

4.0 out of 5 stars Solid

M.W. · March 10, 2014

Very informative, must read for those who desire to understand the culture in a deeper way in order to start and maintain multi-ethnic ministry

4.0 out of 5 stars Four Stars

A. · May 2, 2015

Bought for my daughter's college class. It did the job.

Five Stars

I. · November 12, 2015

I heartily recommend this material.

One of the best books written: Eye Opening, Realistic, Practical, and Biblical

A.K. · July 7, 2023

If you are someone who desires to be in a Multi-Ethnic Church, or loves the idea and notion of a Multiracial Church, then this book is for you. I highly recommend this book. Reading this book brought up my past a lot at a Church I attended which failed extensively to capture the idea of a Multiracial Church and was extremely Monoracial.George Yancey does an excellent job talking about the benefits and the shortcomings of the Multiracial Church. Those who desire to be in a Multiracial Church need to be prepared for the challenges that will come with it. Even though this book was written in the early 2000's, it still has a lot of practical application that resonates in our time today. Unfortunately, many Churches don't look Multiracial, and if they do, Yancey even highlights in his book how there needs to be inclusive measures takes towards people of colour who are in those Churches. So much that can be said, but read the book for yourself. Again, highly recommend. As someone who studied Sociology, and is a Christian and a person of colour with lived experiences, George Yancey is someone that is extremely easy to relate to. He talks about the different kinds of multiracial Churches in the book, highlights examples that are relatable, and even argues that a Multiracial Church can embrace benefits. Personally, I find Churches like those to reflect what Heaven will look like. Its one of those books that will make many people uncomfortable, especially those who have been in monoracial Churches for most of their lives because the Multiracial Church goes against the comfort zone. Its adapting, embracing, accepting, and learning to say that all cultures are different, and in the biblical sense bringing it back to love. Reading this book made me realize that many in ministry who don't foster the ideas of the multiracial Church are missing out on the diversity of ethnicities and different cultures. I highly recommend this book if you want to be challenged and gain new ideas you never thought of before. This could be one of those books that is super life changing for you. The ideas in this book will transform your life, and perhaps make you see ministry in a different light. For some, it will either mean finding a Church that is Multiracial if that is something you desire, or staying where you are, but as I've seen through personal experience, sometimes there is resistance with that.This book will answer the challenging questions, and tackle a lot or race related issues going on in America, but apply that wherever you are. We need more Multiracial Churches in the world because Jesus died for all people. A book you won't regret reading.