I'm Black. I'm Christian. I'm Methodist.
Paperback
|English
|1791017096
|
9781791017095
I'm Black. I'm Christian. I'm Methodist.
Paperback
|English
|1791017096
|
9781791017095
Overview
"Black American people have 400 years of experience with "Racism dressed up as Christianity." Despite overt and covert white supremacy, I'm Black will help black readers articulate why they choose to identify as Christian and Methodist, with some interest from anti-racist white Methodists who are open to reparation of the harm done by the Church to their brothers and sisters in Christ. Black Methodists, like other segments in a fracturing United Methodist denomination, are experiencing an identity crisis, 50 years after choosing to stay and transform the world together with other persons of color and within a white majority church culture. Ten effective Black Methodist leaders write from personal experience and provide a compass for the "Black People called Methodist." Each starts with the fact, "I am Black," but to resolve the conflict of being Christian and Methodist means confronting aspects of white theology, white supremacy, and white racism in order to ground an oppositional reality and experience born out of domination over several centuries"--
ISBN: 1791017096
ISBN13: 9781791017095
Author: Lillian C. Smith, Erin Beasley, Justin Coleman, Jevon Caldwell-Gross, Pamela R. Lightsey, F. Willis Johnson, Vance P. Ross, Rodney Lorenzo Graves, Tori C. Butler, Rudy Rasmus
Publisher: Abingdon Press
Format: Paperback
PublicationDate: 2020-11-03
Language: English
PageCount: 160
Dimensions: 5.5 x 0.36 x 8.5
inches
Weight:
5.44 ounces
Description
Ten personal narratives reveal the shared and distinct struggles of being Black in the Church, facing historic and modern racism. It's uncertain that Howard Thurman made the remark often attributed to him, "I have been writing this book all my life," but there is little doubt that he was deeply immersed in reflection on the times that bear an uncanny resemblance to the present day, which give voice to the Black Lives Matter movement. Our "life's book" is filled with sentence upon sentence of marginalization, pages of apartheid, chapters of separate and unequal. Now this season reveals volumes of violence against Blacks in America. Ten Black women and men explore life through the lens of compelling personal religious narratives. They are people and leaders whose lives are tangible demonstrations of the power of a divine purpose and evidence of what grace really means in face of hardship, disappointment, and determination. Each of the journeys intersect because of three central elements that are the focus of this book. We're Black. We're Christians. We're Methodists. Each starts with the fact, "I'm Black," but to resolve the conflict of being Christian and Methodist means confronting aspects of White theology, White supremacy, and White racism in order to ground an oppositional experience toward domination over four centuries in America. "The confluence of the everyday indignities of being Black in America; the outrageous, egregious, legalized lynching of George Floyd; and the unforgivable disparities exposed once again by COVID-19 have conspired together to create a seminal moment in America and in The United Methodist Church--in which we must find the courage to say unambiguously 'Black Lives Matter.' To stumble or choke on those words is beneath the gospel," says Bishop Gregory Palmer, who wrote the foreword to the collection.
Praise for I'm Black. I'm Christian. I'm Methodist. "This book made me shout, dance, rage and hope--all at once! As a cradle Methodist, I have deep love for my church and bless it for nurturing my walk with Christ and my passion for social justice. At the same time, I lament that my church is also the place where I have witnessed and been most wounded by virulent racism, sexism, heterosexism, and ageism. Yet, I stay and struggle for the soul of the church because I am a Black Christian woman fired by the love of God-in-Christ-Jesus. I stay because this is MY church and the church of my ancestors. Although I regularly question my decision to remain United Methodist, it is stories like these--from other exuberant love warriors--that remind me that I am called by God to stay, pray, fight, and flourish!" --M. Garlinda Burton, deaconess and interim general secretary, General Commission of Religion and Race, Washington DC "Racism continues to be the unacceptable scandal of American society and the American churches. In spite of some gains such as the diversity of supporters for "Black Lives Matter," even the best intentioned among us remain largely ignorant of the actual life experience of those who are other than ourselves. This collection of testimonies, edited by Rudy Rasmus, helps remedy that by simply recounting personal stories of being Black, Christian, and Methodist in the United States. White Methodist Christians in particular need to read these stories and take them to heart so that racism and its divisiveness is countered by shared experience and recognition of common humanity across difference. More White Methodists need not only reject racism in our society and church but become active anti-racists willing to do the hard work to create the beloved community, dreamed about by Martin Luther King in the 1960s civil rights movement. --Bruce C. Birch, Dean Emeritus and Professor Emeritus of Biblical Theology Wesley Theological Seminary, Washington DC "This book is a powerful collection interweaving personal stories, denominational and intercultural practices, and Black lives bearing hopeful witness. Readers will have their consciousness raised, and they will think more deeply about the meaning of beloved community and the embodiment of the justice of God." --Harold J. Recinos, Professor of Church and Society, Perkins School of Theology/SMU, Dallas, Texas "For hundreds of years, we have not listened. This book is our chance to hear the words of the Black leaders in our church. They will change us, remake us, and reform us. Get ready to be transformed by painful truth and deep love. --Rev. Dr. Dottie Escobedo-Frank, Lead Pastor, Catalina United Methodist Church, Tucson, Arizona
I'm Black gives readers a clear picture of the diversity and value of Black culture in church and society. After reading the dynamic stories told by these faithful, transformative church leaders, Black lives will be cherished, and systemic change for the better will take place." --Joseph W. Daniels, Jr., Lead Pastor, Emory United Methodist Church, Washington, D.C. Dr. Rudy Rasmus and others give an insightful look into what it means to be black, Christian and Methodist in America. Their perspectives on the status and plight of being black in America are both engaging and riveting. If you are looking for ways to better understand the nuances and many faces of African American Methodist evangelical life in America, this book is a must-read! --The Reverend J. Elvin Sadler, D.Min., General Secretary-Auditor, The A.M.E. Zion Church Assistant Dean for Doctoral Studies, United Theological Seminary, Dayton, Ohio I endorse this powerful book of Essays conceived and edited by my friend Pastor Rudy Rasmus. It is a book for our current and future realities facing the Black Church a must read. --Deborah Bass, Vice-Chairperson, National BMCR
Praise for I'm Black. I'm Christian. I'm Methodist. "This book made me shout, dance, rage and hope--all at once! As a cradle Methodist, I have deep love for my church and bless it for nurturing my walk with Christ and my passion for social justice. At the same time, I lament that my church is also the place where I have witnessed and been most wounded by virulent racism, sexism, heterosexism, and ageism. Yet, I stay and struggle for the soul of the church because I am a Black Christian woman fired by the love of God-in-Christ-Jesus. I stay because this is MY church and the church of my ancestors. Although I regularly question my decision to remain United Methodist, it is stories like these--from other exuberant love warriors--that remind me that I am called by God to stay, pray, fight, and flourish!" --M. Garlinda Burton, deaconess and interim general secretary, General Commission of Religion and Race, Washington DC "Racism continues to be the unacceptable scandal of American society and the American churches. In spite of some gains such as the diversity of supporters for "Black Lives Matter," even the best intentioned among us remain largely ignorant of the actual life experience of those who are other than ourselves. This collection of testimonies, edited by Rudy Rasmus, helps remedy that by simply recounting personal stories of being Black, Christian, and Methodist in the United States. White Methodist Christians in particular need to read these stories and take them to heart so that racism and its divisiveness is countered by shared experience and recognition of common humanity across difference. More White Methodists need not only reject racism in our society and church but become active anti-racists willing to do the hard work to create the beloved community, dreamed about by Martin Luther King in the 1960s civil rights movement. --Bruce C. Birch, Dean Emeritus and Professor Emeritus of Biblical Theology Wesley Theological Seminary, Washington DC "This book is a powerful collection interweaving personal stories, denominational and intercultural practices, and Black lives bearing hopeful witness. Readers will have their consciousness raised, and they will think more deeply about the meaning of beloved community and the embodiment of the justice of God." --Harold J. Recinos, Professor of Church and Society, Perkins School of Theology/SMU, Dallas, Texas "For hundreds of years, we have not listened. This book is our chance to hear the words of the Black leaders in our church. They will change us, remake us, and reform us. Get ready to be transformed by painful truth and deep love. --Rev. Dr. Dottie Escobedo-Frank, Lead Pastor, Catalina United Methodist Church, Tucson, Arizona
I'm Black gives readers a clear picture of the diversity and value of Black culture in church and society. After reading the dynamic stories told by these faithful, transformative church leaders, Black lives will be cherished, and systemic change for the better will take place." --Joseph W. Daniels, Jr., Lead Pastor, Emory United Methodist Church, Washington, D.C. Dr. Rudy Rasmus and others give an insightful look into what it means to be black, Christian and Methodist in America. Their perspectives on the status and plight of being black in America are both engaging and riveting. If you are looking for ways to better understand the nuances and many faces of African American Methodist evangelical life in America, this book is a must-read! --The Reverend J. Elvin Sadler, D.Min., General Secretary-Auditor, The A.M.E. Zion Church Assistant Dean for Doctoral Studies, United Theological Seminary, Dayton, Ohio I endorse this powerful book of Essays conceived and edited by my friend Pastor Rudy Rasmus. It is a book for our current and future realities facing the Black Church a must read. --Deborah Bass, Vice-Chairperson, National BMCR
About the Author
Lillian C. Smith (Author)
Pastor Lillian has served as pastor at Cheverly United Methodist Church since July 1, 2016. Prior to that she served as the pastor at St. Matthew's UMC of Valley Forge, PA, where she was the first African-American pastor. She implemented conversations about race and ministry to neighbors of color. She also promoted the idea of enhancing the welcoming nature of the church by cultivating a culture of invitation. Her ministry included Christian Education courses and alternative worship encounters for college students. She has also served as Associate General Secretary, Division on Ministries with Young People with the General Board of Discipleship of the UMC; and as Director, Ministries with Women and Persons of Color with the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry in Nashville, TN. Pastor Lillian received her Master in Divinity from Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, D.C. and her Doctor of Ministry Degree from United Theological Seminary. She is the author of
Words to Live By: Wisdom Keys that Can Change Your Life. No stranger to Prince George's County, she grew up in New Carrollton, College Park, and Glenn Dale.
Erin Beasley (Author)
Erin Elizabeth Beasley, is from Gulfport, MS and currently resides in Memphis, TN. Erin is an ordained Elder of the United Methodist Church (2017). She is a member of the Memphis Conference. She attended Millsaps College in Jackson, MS. In 2010, Erin graduated with Bachelor of Accountancy degree and a Minor in Music. In 2011, she decided to answer God's call to the ministry and began her studies at Emory University's Candler School of Theology. While at Candler she fulfilled her contextual education requirements at the United Methodist Children's Home, Zoar UMC, and St. Timothy UMC. In May of 2020, Erin obtained her Doctor of Ministry degree from United Theological Seminary. Her dissertation explores racial segregation in the mainline church. Erin is the founder and producer of
Waking Up Church podcast.
Waking Up Church explores dynamics within churches and communities that have gone unnoticed, dynamics that must be seen and addressed for the sake of the church's future.
Waking Up
Church is devoted to church leaders and parishioners who are ready to have honest conversations about issues that have become invisible detriments to the church's mission and vitality.
Justin Coleman (Author)
Justin Coleman is the Senior Pastor of University United Methodist Church in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. A native of Houston, he is a graduate of Southern Methodist University in Dallas, TX, and Duke Divinity School in Durham, North Carolina. Rev. Coleman has also served as the Chief Ministry Officer for the United Methodist Publishing House in Nashville, TN, as Lead Pastor of the Gethsemane Campus of St. Luke's United Methodist Church in Houston, TX. His ministry at University UMC includes leading the church as it seeks to live into radical kinship by loving God, serving others, and building Christian community. Rev. Coleman is married to Dr. Chaka Coleman and they have three sons. Rev. Coleman is the author of
Home for Christmas: Tales of Hope and Second Chances and is the Old Testament presenter on
Disciple Fast Track: Becoming Disciples Through Bible Study.
Jevon Caldwell-Gross (Author)
Rev. Jevon Caldwell-Gross is a native of Detroit, Michigan. He has earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Kalamazoo College, a Masters of Divinity from Princeton Theological Seminary, and a Doctor of Ministry in Transformational Leadership from Wesley Theological Seminary. His passion for leadership guided his research and practice in developing turn-around strategies for Urban congregations. He is a sought after thought leader in creating and sustaining congregational change. His journey has brought him to one of the largest United Methodist churches in the country. He is currently serving as the Teaching and Guest Experience Pastor at St. Luke's United Methodist Church located in Indianapolis, IN. Outside of his regular preaching responsibilities, he has been instrumental at leading the congregational at redefining and expanding its digital footprint to reach people around the world.
Pamela R. Lightsey (Author)
Dr. Lightsey serves as Vice President of Academic and Student Affairs, Associate Professor of Constructive Theology and brings a special mix of life experience and professional proficiency to the position. Following service in the US Army and work as a civil servant, she received her academic and theological training at Columbus State University (BS), Gammon Seminary of the Interdenominational Theological Center (M.Div.) and Garrett-Evangelical Theological School (PhD). After ordination, she served first as a United Methodist congregational pastor and then as a theological school educator, scholar and administrator. Throughout her vocational life, she has been a leading social justice activist, working with local, national and international organizations focusing primarily on the causes of peacemaking, racial justice and LGBTQ rights. Pamela's publications include the book,
Our Lives Matter: A Womanist Queer Theology (Wipf and Stock), He Is Black and We are Queer in
Albert Cleage Jr and the Black Madonna and Child (New York: Palgrave Macmillan), "Reconciliation" in
Prophetic Evangelicals: Envisioning a Just and Peaceable Kingdom (Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company), and If There Should Come a Word" in
Black United Methodists Preach!(Abingdon Press).
F. Willis Johnson (Author)
A third-generation educator, Rev. Dr. F. Willis Johnson is a spiritual entrepreneur. An elder in the West Ohio Conference of the United Methodist Church, Johnson is a respected scholar-practitioner, fellow and author of
Holding Up Your Corner: Talking About Race in Your Community. Johnson holds fellowships at Bridge Alliance and Walker Leadership Institute-Eden Seminary. He is a former Vosburgh Visiting Professor of Ministry and Social Engagement at Drew University's Theological School. Currently, he is the leadership pastors Living Tree Church and adjunct faculty at Methodist Theological School of Ohio (MTSO).
Vance P. Ross (Author)
The Reverend Dr. Vance P. Ross presently serves as Senior Pastor of the Historic Central United Methodist Church, Atlanta, GA., the "Church at the Heart of the City with the City at Heart." Prior to his appointment to Central, Ross served as: Director of Annual Conference Relationships for Discipleship Ministries where he connected the agency with annual conference; 2011-2015, Senior Pastor, Gordon Memorial United Methodist Church, Nashville, TN an 1100 member urban congregation; 2004-2011, the first ever Deputy General Secretary for Discipleship Ministries, Nashville, TN; 1998-2004, Senior Pastor, First United Methodist Church, Hyattsville, MD, the largest multicultural and international church, at the time, in the Northeast region of the United Methodist Church.
Rodney Lorenzo Graves (Author)
Rodney L. Graves is an Inner-city Missionary pastoring McCabe Roberts Avenue, a bi-racial congregation in Beaumont, Texas. Born in Baltimore, Md., he graduated from Howard University with a dual major in Accounting/Economics. Rodney co-founded a Certified Public Accounting firm which was once the largest Black owned CPA firm in a five-state area (Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, New Mexico, Arkansas). He left his thriving business to attend Wesley Theological Seminary majoring in Urban Ministry, becoming the Wesley Scholar, and upon graduation was awarded Church History Award. In a prior ministry appointment, Rodney led extensive community development resulting in a $5 million wastewater system, lavish affordable housing, irrigation at the neighborhood library, and an Enterprise Zone. In 2017, he graduated from Asbury Theological Seminary's International Beeson program with an emphasis in Church Leadership and Preaching; his doctoral dissertation was
Breaking Generational Poverty Through Collaborative Efforts currently being transformed into a book. Rodney and his wife Ava led congregational ministry which transformed the lives of at-risk youth and children. Rodney's ministry praxis inculcates the prophetic witness of both the Old and New Testaments to affirm the sacred worth of all and empower the least, lost, last, and little.
Tori C. Butler (Author)
Rev. Dr. Tori Butler was born and raised by her mother Coretha "Coty" Corry in Baltimore, MD. Ms. Corry taught her that education is of great importance and would be the passport to her future. She would often tell her, "If you are bored, go read a book. It can take you wherever you want to go." Ms. Corry's encouragement in education translated in Tori being the first person in her peer group―from her neighborhood―to graduate with a college degree. Dr. Butler received a BA in History and International Study from McDaniel College in Westminster, MD. Dr. Butler graduated from Duke with a Master of Divinity in 2010 and is published in
Do Not Be Afraid: Bishops & Young Clergy Share Signs of Resurrection & Words of Hope. By God's amazing grace and through tremendous perseverance on May 13, 2019 she received her Doctor of Ministry degree from Emory University with a concentration in Biblical Interpretation and Proclamation. Her Doctor of Ministry project is entitled, "The Power of Mourning: Creating Spaces of Vulnerability for Black Clergywomen to Lament and Holler." She is excited to be the Lead Pastor of Good Hope Union United Methodist Church. She gives praises to God for the opportunity to serve in her home conference and believes that God is up to something good and can't wait to see what it is.
Rudy Rasmus (Author)
Rudy Rasmus is an author, humanitarian, and coffee-man with a passion for outreach to the world's most challenged communities. He co-pastors the St. John's United Methodist Church in Downtown Houston with his wife Juanita. A church that began with 9 existing members in 1992, St. John's has grown to thousands where every week people of every social and economic background share the same pew. Rudy founded the Bread of Life, Inc. (a not for profit corporation) with Juanita in December of 1992 and began serving 500 meals per day to the homeless in the sanctuary at St. John's for twenty-five years. The Bread of Life has literally changed the landscape of Downtown Houston providing an array of services to families in peril and homeless individuals. The project distributes over 30 tons of fresh produce weekly to hungry families who have been financially challenged by the COVID-19 Pandemic. For many years Pastor Rudy has coordinated domestic and global anti-hunger initiatives in conjunction with Beyoncé's concert tours and travels extensively developing and supporting programs around the world for people experiencing poverty and most recently teamed up with Tina and Beyoncé to help Houstonians in the wake of the pandemic through a generous donation from the BeyGood Foundation and the Start Small Foundation (an initiative of Jack Dorsey, founder of Twitter.) Pastor Rudy has authored three prior books, contributed to five others and completed his Doctorate in 2019 with dissertation research focused on "The intersection of Black Millennial Culture with Religion."
Pastor Lillian has served as pastor at Cheverly United Methodist Church since July 1, 2016. Prior to that she served as the pastor at St. Matthew's UMC of Valley Forge, PA, where she was the first African-American pastor. She implemented conversations about race and ministry to neighbors of color. She also promoted the idea of enhancing the welcoming nature of the church by cultivating a culture of invitation. Her ministry included Christian Education courses and alternative worship encounters for college students. She has also served as Associate General Secretary, Division on Ministries with Young People with the General Board of Discipleship of the UMC; and as Director, Ministries with Women and Persons of Color with the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry in Nashville, TN. Pastor Lillian received her Master in Divinity from Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, D.C. and her Doctor of Ministry Degree from United Theological Seminary. She is the author of
Words to Live By: Wisdom Keys that Can Change Your Life. No stranger to Prince George's County, she grew up in New Carrollton, College Park, and Glenn Dale.
Erin Beasley (Author)
Erin Elizabeth Beasley, is from Gulfport, MS and currently resides in Memphis, TN. Erin is an ordained Elder of the United Methodist Church (2017). She is a member of the Memphis Conference. She attended Millsaps College in Jackson, MS. In 2010, Erin graduated with Bachelor of Accountancy degree and a Minor in Music. In 2011, she decided to answer God's call to the ministry and began her studies at Emory University's Candler School of Theology. While at Candler she fulfilled her contextual education requirements at the United Methodist Children's Home, Zoar UMC, and St. Timothy UMC. In May of 2020, Erin obtained her Doctor of Ministry degree from United Theological Seminary. Her dissertation explores racial segregation in the mainline church. Erin is the founder and producer of
Waking Up Church podcast.
Waking Up Church explores dynamics within churches and communities that have gone unnoticed, dynamics that must be seen and addressed for the sake of the church's future.
Waking Up
Church is devoted to church leaders and parishioners who are ready to have honest conversations about issues that have become invisible detriments to the church's mission and vitality.
Justin Coleman (Author)
Justin Coleman is the Senior Pastor of University United Methodist Church in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. A native of Houston, he is a graduate of Southern Methodist University in Dallas, TX, and Duke Divinity School in Durham, North Carolina. Rev. Coleman has also served as the Chief Ministry Officer for the United Methodist Publishing House in Nashville, TN, as Lead Pastor of the Gethsemane Campus of St. Luke's United Methodist Church in Houston, TX. His ministry at University UMC includes leading the church as it seeks to live into radical kinship by loving God, serving others, and building Christian community. Rev. Coleman is married to Dr. Chaka Coleman and they have three sons. Rev. Coleman is the author of
Home for Christmas: Tales of Hope and Second Chances and is the Old Testament presenter on
Disciple Fast Track: Becoming Disciples Through Bible Study.
Jevon Caldwell-Gross (Author)
Rev. Jevon Caldwell-Gross is a native of Detroit, Michigan. He has earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Kalamazoo College, a Masters of Divinity from Princeton Theological Seminary, and a Doctor of Ministry in Transformational Leadership from Wesley Theological Seminary. His passion for leadership guided his research and practice in developing turn-around strategies for Urban congregations. He is a sought after thought leader in creating and sustaining congregational change. His journey has brought him to one of the largest United Methodist churches in the country. He is currently serving as the Teaching and Guest Experience Pastor at St. Luke's United Methodist Church located in Indianapolis, IN. Outside of his regular preaching responsibilities, he has been instrumental at leading the congregational at redefining and expanding its digital footprint to reach people around the world.
Pamela R. Lightsey (Author)
Dr. Lightsey serves as Vice President of Academic and Student Affairs, Associate Professor of Constructive Theology and brings a special mix of life experience and professional proficiency to the position. Following service in the US Army and work as a civil servant, she received her academic and theological training at Columbus State University (BS), Gammon Seminary of the Interdenominational Theological Center (M.Div.) and Garrett-Evangelical Theological School (PhD). After ordination, she served first as a United Methodist congregational pastor and then as a theological school educator, scholar and administrator. Throughout her vocational life, she has been a leading social justice activist, working with local, national and international organizations focusing primarily on the causes of peacemaking, racial justice and LGBTQ rights. Pamela's publications include the book,
Our Lives Matter: A Womanist Queer Theology (Wipf and Stock), He Is Black and We are Queer in
Albert Cleage Jr and the Black Madonna and Child (New York: Palgrave Macmillan), "Reconciliation" in
Prophetic Evangelicals: Envisioning a Just and Peaceable Kingdom (Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company), and If There Should Come a Word" in
Black United Methodists Preach!(Abingdon Press).
F. Willis Johnson (Author)
A third-generation educator, Rev. Dr. F. Willis Johnson is a spiritual entrepreneur. An elder in the West Ohio Conference of the United Methodist Church, Johnson is a respected scholar-practitioner, fellow and author of
Holding Up Your Corner: Talking About Race in Your Community. Johnson holds fellowships at Bridge Alliance and Walker Leadership Institute-Eden Seminary. He is a former Vosburgh Visiting Professor of Ministry and Social Engagement at Drew University's Theological School. Currently, he is the leadership pastors Living Tree Church and adjunct faculty at Methodist Theological School of Ohio (MTSO).
Vance P. Ross (Author)
The Reverend Dr. Vance P. Ross presently serves as Senior Pastor of the Historic Central United Methodist Church, Atlanta, GA., the "Church at the Heart of the City with the City at Heart." Prior to his appointment to Central, Ross served as: Director of Annual Conference Relationships for Discipleship Ministries where he connected the agency with annual conference; 2011-2015, Senior Pastor, Gordon Memorial United Methodist Church, Nashville, TN an 1100 member urban congregation; 2004-2011, the first ever Deputy General Secretary for Discipleship Ministries, Nashville, TN; 1998-2004, Senior Pastor, First United Methodist Church, Hyattsville, MD, the largest multicultural and international church, at the time, in the Northeast region of the United Methodist Church.
Rodney Lorenzo Graves (Author)
Rodney L. Graves is an Inner-city Missionary pastoring McCabe Roberts Avenue, a bi-racial congregation in Beaumont, Texas. Born in Baltimore, Md., he graduated from Howard University with a dual major in Accounting/Economics. Rodney co-founded a Certified Public Accounting firm which was once the largest Black owned CPA firm in a five-state area (Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, New Mexico, Arkansas). He left his thriving business to attend Wesley Theological Seminary majoring in Urban Ministry, becoming the Wesley Scholar, and upon graduation was awarded Church History Award. In a prior ministry appointment, Rodney led extensive community development resulting in a $5 million wastewater system, lavish affordable housing, irrigation at the neighborhood library, and an Enterprise Zone. In 2017, he graduated from Asbury Theological Seminary's International Beeson program with an emphasis in Church Leadership and Preaching; his doctoral dissertation was
Breaking Generational Poverty Through Collaborative Efforts currently being transformed into a book. Rodney and his wife Ava led congregational ministry which transformed the lives of at-risk youth and children. Rodney's ministry praxis inculcates the prophetic witness of both the Old and New Testaments to affirm the sacred worth of all and empower the least, lost, last, and little.
Tori C. Butler (Author)
Rev. Dr. Tori Butler was born and raised by her mother Coretha "Coty" Corry in Baltimore, MD. Ms. Corry taught her that education is of great importance and would be the passport to her future. She would often tell her, "If you are bored, go read a book. It can take you wherever you want to go." Ms. Corry's encouragement in education translated in Tori being the first person in her peer group―from her neighborhood―to graduate with a college degree. Dr. Butler received a BA in History and International Study from McDaniel College in Westminster, MD. Dr. Butler graduated from Duke with a Master of Divinity in 2010 and is published in
Do Not Be Afraid: Bishops & Young Clergy Share Signs of Resurrection & Words of Hope. By God's amazing grace and through tremendous perseverance on May 13, 2019 she received her Doctor of Ministry degree from Emory University with a concentration in Biblical Interpretation and Proclamation. Her Doctor of Ministry project is entitled, "The Power of Mourning: Creating Spaces of Vulnerability for Black Clergywomen to Lament and Holler." She is excited to be the Lead Pastor of Good Hope Union United Methodist Church. She gives praises to God for the opportunity to serve in her home conference and believes that God is up to something good and can't wait to see what it is.
Rudy Rasmus (Author)
Rudy Rasmus is an author, humanitarian, and coffee-man with a passion for outreach to the world's most challenged communities. He co-pastors the St. John's United Methodist Church in Downtown Houston with his wife Juanita. A church that began with 9 existing members in 1992, St. John's has grown to thousands where every week people of every social and economic background share the same pew. Rudy founded the Bread of Life, Inc. (a not for profit corporation) with Juanita in December of 1992 and began serving 500 meals per day to the homeless in the sanctuary at St. John's for twenty-five years. The Bread of Life has literally changed the landscape of Downtown Houston providing an array of services to families in peril and homeless individuals. The project distributes over 30 tons of fresh produce weekly to hungry families who have been financially challenged by the COVID-19 Pandemic. For many years Pastor Rudy has coordinated domestic and global anti-hunger initiatives in conjunction with Beyoncé's concert tours and travels extensively developing and supporting programs around the world for people experiencing poverty and most recently teamed up with Tina and Beyoncé to help Houstonians in the wake of the pandemic through a generous donation from the BeyGood Foundation and the Start Small Foundation (an initiative of Jack Dorsey, founder of Twitter.) Pastor Rudy has authored three prior books, contributed to five others and completed his Doctorate in 2019 with dissertation research focused on "The intersection of Black Millennial Culture with Religion."
Rudy Rasmus is an author, humanitarian, and coffee-man with a passion for outreach to the world's most challenged communities. He co-pastors the St. John's United Methodist Church in Downtown Houston with his wife Juanita. A church that began with 9 existing members in 1992, St. John's has grown to thousands where every week people of every social and economic background share the same pew. Rudy founded the Bread of Life, Inc. (a not for profit corporation) with Juanita in December of 1992 and began serving 500 meals per day to the homeless in the sanctuary at St. John's for twenty-five years. The Bread of Life has literally changed the landscape of Downtown Houston providing an array of services to families in peril and homeless individuals. The project distributes over 30 tons of fresh produce weekly to hungry families who have been financially challenged by the COVID-19 Pandemic. For many years Pastor Rudy has coordinated domestic and global anti-hunger initiatives in conjunction with Beyoncé's concert tours and travels extensively developing and supporting programs around the world for people experiencing poverty and most recently teamed up with Tina and Beyoncé to help Houstonians in the wake of the pandemic through a generous donation from the BeyGood Foundation and the Start Small Foundation (an initiative of Jack Dorsey, founder of Twitter.) Pastor Rudy has authored three prior books, contributed to five others and completed his Doctorate in 2019 with dissertation research focused on "The intersection of Black Millennial Culture with Religion."
Condition Guidelines
Books - New and Used
The following guidelines apply to books:
- New: A brand-new copy with cover and original protective wrapping intact. Books with markings of any kind on the cover or pages, books marked as "Bargain" or "Remainder," or with any other labels attached, may not be listed as New condition.
- Used - Good: All pages and cover are intact (including the dust cover, if applicable). Spine may show signs of wear. Pages may include limited notes and highlighting. May include "From the library of" labels. Shrink wrap, dust covers, or boxed set case may be missing. Item may be missing bundled media.
- Used - Acceptable: All pages and the cover are intact, but shrink wrap, dust covers, or boxed set case may be missing. Pages may include limited notes, highlighting, or minor water damage but the text is readable. Item may but the dust cover may be missing. Pages may include limited notes and highlighting, but the text cannot be obscured or unreadable.
Note: Some electronic material access codes are valid only for one user. For this reason, used books, including books listed in the Used – Like New condition, may not come with functional electronic material access codes.
Shipping & Delivery
Shipping Fees
- Stevens Books offers FREE SHIPPING everywhere in the United States for ALL non-book orders, and $3.99 for each book.
- Packages are shipped from Monday to Friday.
- No additional fees and charges.
Delivery Times
The usual time for processing an order is 24 hours (1 business day), but may vary depending on the availability of products ordered. This period excludes delivery times, which depend on your geographic location.
Estimated delivery times:
- Standard Shipping: 5-8 business days
- Expedited Shipping: 3-5 business days
Shipping method varies depending on what is being shipped.
Tracking
All orders are shipped with a tracking number. Once your order has left our warehouse, a confirmation e-mail with a tracking number will be sent to you. You will be able to track your package at all times.
Damaged Parcel
If your package has been delivered in a PO Box, please note that we are not responsible for any damage that may result (consequences of extreme temperatures, theft, etc.).
If you have any questions regarding shipping or want to know about the status of an order, please contact us or email to support@stevensbooks.com.
Returns & Refunds
You may return most items within 30 days of delivery for a full refund.
To be eligible for a return, your item must be unused and in the same condition that you received it. It must also be in the original packaging.
Several types of goods are exempt from being returned. Perishable goods such as food, flowers, newspapers or magazines cannot be returned. We also do not accept products that are intimate or sanitary goods, hazardous materials, or flammable liquids or gases.
Additional non-returnable items:
- Gift cards
- Downloadable software products
- Some health and personal care items
To complete your return, we require a tracking number, which shows the items which you already returned to us.
There are certain situations where only partial refunds are granted (if applicable)
- Book with obvious signs of use
- CD, DVD, VHS tape, software, video game, cassette tape, or vinyl record that has been opened
- Any item not in its original condition, is damaged or missing parts for reasons not due to our error
- Any item that is returned more than 30 days after delivery
Items returned to us as a result of our error will receive a full refund,some returns may be subject to a restocking fee of 7% of the total item price, please contact a customer care team member to see if your return is subject. Returns that arrived on time and were as described are subject to a restocking fee.
Items returned to us that were not the result of our error, including items returned to us due to an invalid or incomplete address, will be refunded the original item price less our standard restocking fees.
If the item is returned to us for any of the following reasons, a 15% restocking fee will be applied to your refund total and you will be asked to pay for return shipping:
- Item(s) no longer needed or wanted.
- Item(s) returned to us due to an invalid or incomplete address.
- Item(s) returned to us that were not a result of our error.
You should expect to receive your refund within four weeks of giving your package to the return shipper, however, in many cases you will receive a refund more quickly. This time period includes the transit time for us to receive your return from the shipper (5 to 10 business days), the time it takes us to process your return once we receive it (3 to 5 business days), and the time it takes your bank to process our refund request (5 to 10 business days).
If you need to return an item, please Contact Us with your order number and details about the product you would like to return. We will respond quickly with instructions for how to return items from your order.
Shipping Cost
We'll pay the return shipping costs if the return is a result of our error (you received an incorrect or defective item, etc.). In other cases, you will be responsible for paying for your own shipping costs for returning your item. Shipping costs are non-refundable. If you receive a refund, the cost of return shipping will be deducted from your refund.
Depending on where you live, the time it may take for your exchanged product to reach you, may vary.
If you are shipping an item over $75, you should consider using a trackable shipping service or purchasing shipping insurance. We don’t guarantee that we will receive your returned item.
Categories
This product is not available in the selected currency.
In Stock
Backordered
Out of Stock
Overview
"Black American people have 400 years of experience with "Racism dressed up as Christianity." Despite overt and covert white supremacy, I'm Black will help black readers articulate why they choose to identify as Christian and Methodist, with some interest from anti-racist white Methodists who are open to reparation of the harm done by the Church to their brothers and sisters in Christ. Black Methodists, like other segments in a fracturing United Methodist denomination, are experiencing an identity crisis, 50 years after choosing to stay and transform the world together with other persons of color and within a white majority church culture. Ten effective Black Methodist leaders write from personal experience and provide a compass for the "Black People called Methodist." Each starts with the fact, "I am Black," but to resolve the conflict of being Christian and Methodist means confronting aspects of white theology, white supremacy, and white racism in order to ground an oppositional reality and experience born out of domination over several centuries"--
ISBN: 1791017096
ISBN13: 9781791017095
Author: Lillian C. Smith, Erin Beasley, Justin Coleman, Jevon Caldwell-Gross, Pamela R. Lightsey, F. Willis Johnson, Vance P. Ross, Rodney Lorenzo Graves, Tori C. Butler, Rudy Rasmus
Publisher: Abingdon Press
Format: Paperback
PublicationDate: 2020-11-03
Language: English
PageCount: 160
Dimensions: 5.5 x 0.36 x 8.5
inches
Weight:
5.44 ounces
Description
Ten personal narratives reveal the shared and distinct struggles of being Black in the Church, facing historic and modern racism. It's uncertain that Howard Thurman made the remark often attributed to him, "I have been writing this book all my life," but there is little doubt that he was deeply immersed in reflection on the times that bear an uncanny resemblance to the present day, which give voice to the Black Lives Matter movement. Our "life's book" is filled with sentence upon sentence of marginalization, pages of apartheid, chapters of separate and unequal. Now this season reveals volumes of violence against Blacks in America. Ten Black women and men explore life through the lens of compelling personal religious narratives. They are people and leaders whose lives are tangible demonstrations of the power of a divine purpose and evidence of what grace really means in face of hardship, disappointment, and determination. Each of the journeys intersect because of three central elements that are the focus of this book. We're Black. We're Christians. We're Methodists. Each starts with the fact, "I'm Black," but to resolve the conflict of being Christian and Methodist means confronting aspects of White theology, White supremacy, and White racism in order to ground an oppositional experience toward domination over four centuries in America. "The confluence of the everyday indignities of being Black in America; the outrageous, egregious, legalized lynching of George Floyd; and the unforgivable disparities exposed once again by COVID-19 have conspired together to create a seminal moment in America and in The United Methodist Church--in which we must find the courage to say unambiguously 'Black Lives Matter.' To stumble or choke on those words is beneath the gospel," says Bishop Gregory Palmer, who wrote the foreword to the collection.
Praise for I'm Black. I'm Christian. I'm Methodist. "This book made me shout, dance, rage and hope--all at once! As a cradle Methodist, I have deep love for my church and bless it for nurturing my walk with Christ and my passion for social justice. At the same time, I lament that my church is also the place where I have witnessed and been most wounded by virulent racism, sexism, heterosexism, and ageism. Yet, I stay and struggle for the soul of the church because I am a Black Christian woman fired by the love of God-in-Christ-Jesus. I stay because this is MY church and the church of my ancestors. Although I regularly question my decision to remain United Methodist, it is stories like these--from other exuberant love warriors--that remind me that I am called by God to stay, pray, fight, and flourish!" --M. Garlinda Burton, deaconess and interim general secretary, General Commission of Religion and Race, Washington DC "Racism continues to be the unacceptable scandal of American society and the American churches. In spite of some gains such as the diversity of supporters for "Black Lives Matter," even the best intentioned among us remain largely ignorant of the actual life experience of those who are other than ourselves. This collection of testimonies, edited by Rudy Rasmus, helps remedy that by simply recounting personal stories of being Black, Christian, and Methodist in the United States. White Methodist Christians in particular need to read these stories and take them to heart so that racism and its divisiveness is countered by shared experience and recognition of common humanity across difference. More White Methodists need not only reject racism in our society and church but become active anti-racists willing to do the hard work to create the beloved community, dreamed about by Martin Luther King in the 1960s civil rights movement. --Bruce C. Birch, Dean Emeritus and Professor Emeritus of Biblical Theology Wesley Theological Seminary, Washington DC "This book is a powerful collection interweaving personal stories, denominational and intercultural practices, and Black lives bearing hopeful witness. Readers will have their consciousness raised, and they will think more deeply about the meaning of beloved community and the embodiment of the justice of God." --Harold J. Recinos, Professor of Church and Society, Perkins School of Theology/SMU, Dallas, Texas "For hundreds of years, we have not listened. This book is our chance to hear the words of the Black leaders in our church. They will change us, remake us, and reform us. Get ready to be transformed by painful truth and deep love. --Rev. Dr. Dottie Escobedo-Frank, Lead Pastor, Catalina United Methodist Church, Tucson, Arizona
I'm Black gives readers a clear picture of the diversity and value of Black culture in church and society. After reading the dynamic stories told by these faithful, transformative church leaders, Black lives will be cherished, and systemic change for the better will take place." --Joseph W. Daniels, Jr., Lead Pastor, Emory United Methodist Church, Washington, D.C. Dr. Rudy Rasmus and others give an insightful look into what it means to be black, Christian and Methodist in America. Their perspectives on the status and plight of being black in America are both engaging and riveting. If you are looking for ways to better understand the nuances and many faces of African American Methodist evangelical life in America, this book is a must-read! --The Reverend J. Elvin Sadler, D.Min., General Secretary-Auditor, The A.M.E. Zion Church Assistant Dean for Doctoral Studies, United Theological Seminary, Dayton, Ohio I endorse this powerful book of Essays conceived and edited by my friend Pastor Rudy Rasmus. It is a book for our current and future realities facing the Black Church a must read. --Deborah Bass, Vice-Chairperson, National BMCR
Praise for I'm Black. I'm Christian. I'm Methodist. "This book made me shout, dance, rage and hope--all at once! As a cradle Methodist, I have deep love for my church and bless it for nurturing my walk with Christ and my passion for social justice. At the same time, I lament that my church is also the place where I have witnessed and been most wounded by virulent racism, sexism, heterosexism, and ageism. Yet, I stay and struggle for the soul of the church because I am a Black Christian woman fired by the love of God-in-Christ-Jesus. I stay because this is MY church and the church of my ancestors. Although I regularly question my decision to remain United Methodist, it is stories like these--from other exuberant love warriors--that remind me that I am called by God to stay, pray, fight, and flourish!" --M. Garlinda Burton, deaconess and interim general secretary, General Commission of Religion and Race, Washington DC "Racism continues to be the unacceptable scandal of American society and the American churches. In spite of some gains such as the diversity of supporters for "Black Lives Matter," even the best intentioned among us remain largely ignorant of the actual life experience of those who are other than ourselves. This collection of testimonies, edited by Rudy Rasmus, helps remedy that by simply recounting personal stories of being Black, Christian, and Methodist in the United States. White Methodist Christians in particular need to read these stories and take them to heart so that racism and its divisiveness is countered by shared experience and recognition of common humanity across difference. More White Methodists need not only reject racism in our society and church but become active anti-racists willing to do the hard work to create the beloved community, dreamed about by Martin Luther King in the 1960s civil rights movement. --Bruce C. Birch, Dean Emeritus and Professor Emeritus of Biblical Theology Wesley Theological Seminary, Washington DC "This book is a powerful collection interweaving personal stories, denominational and intercultural practices, and Black lives bearing hopeful witness. Readers will have their consciousness raised, and they will think more deeply about the meaning of beloved community and the embodiment of the justice of God." --Harold J. Recinos, Professor of Church and Society, Perkins School of Theology/SMU, Dallas, Texas "For hundreds of years, we have not listened. This book is our chance to hear the words of the Black leaders in our church. They will change us, remake us, and reform us. Get ready to be transformed by painful truth and deep love. --Rev. Dr. Dottie Escobedo-Frank, Lead Pastor, Catalina United Methodist Church, Tucson, Arizona
I'm Black gives readers a clear picture of the diversity and value of Black culture in church and society. After reading the dynamic stories told by these faithful, transformative church leaders, Black lives will be cherished, and systemic change for the better will take place." --Joseph W. Daniels, Jr., Lead Pastor, Emory United Methodist Church, Washington, D.C. Dr. Rudy Rasmus and others give an insightful look into what it means to be black, Christian and Methodist in America. Their perspectives on the status and plight of being black in America are both engaging and riveting. If you are looking for ways to better understand the nuances and many faces of African American Methodist evangelical life in America, this book is a must-read! --The Reverend J. Elvin Sadler, D.Min., General Secretary-Auditor, The A.M.E. Zion Church Assistant Dean for Doctoral Studies, United Theological Seminary, Dayton, Ohio I endorse this powerful book of Essays conceived and edited by my friend Pastor Rudy Rasmus. It is a book for our current and future realities facing the Black Church a must read. --Deborah Bass, Vice-Chairperson, National BMCR
About the Author
Lillian C. Smith (Author)
Pastor Lillian has served as pastor at Cheverly United Methodist Church since July 1, 2016. Prior to that she served as the pastor at St. Matthew's UMC of Valley Forge, PA, where she was the first African-American pastor. She implemented conversations about race and ministry to neighbors of color. She also promoted the idea of enhancing the welcoming nature of the church by cultivating a culture of invitation. Her ministry included Christian Education courses and alternative worship encounters for college students. She has also served as Associate General Secretary, Division on Ministries with Young People with the General Board of Discipleship of the UMC; and as Director, Ministries with Women and Persons of Color with the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry in Nashville, TN. Pastor Lillian received her Master in Divinity from Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, D.C. and her Doctor of Ministry Degree from United Theological Seminary. She is the author of
Words to Live By: Wisdom Keys that Can Change Your Life. No stranger to Prince George's County, she grew up in New Carrollton, College Park, and Glenn Dale.
Erin Beasley (Author)
Erin Elizabeth Beasley, is from Gulfport, MS and currently resides in Memphis, TN. Erin is an ordained Elder of the United Methodist Church (2017). She is a member of the Memphis Conference. She attended Millsaps College in Jackson, MS. In 2010, Erin graduated with Bachelor of Accountancy degree and a Minor in Music. In 2011, she decided to answer God's call to the ministry and began her studies at Emory University's Candler School of Theology. While at Candler she fulfilled her contextual education requirements at the United Methodist Children's Home, Zoar UMC, and St. Timothy UMC. In May of 2020, Erin obtained her Doctor of Ministry degree from United Theological Seminary. Her dissertation explores racial segregation in the mainline church. Erin is the founder and producer of
Waking Up Church podcast.
Waking Up Church explores dynamics within churches and communities that have gone unnoticed, dynamics that must be seen and addressed for the sake of the church's future.
Waking Up
Church is devoted to church leaders and parishioners who are ready to have honest conversations about issues that have become invisible detriments to the church's mission and vitality.
Justin Coleman (Author)
Justin Coleman is the Senior Pastor of University United Methodist Church in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. A native of Houston, he is a graduate of Southern Methodist University in Dallas, TX, and Duke Divinity School in Durham, North Carolina. Rev. Coleman has also served as the Chief Ministry Officer for the United Methodist Publishing House in Nashville, TN, as Lead Pastor of the Gethsemane Campus of St. Luke's United Methodist Church in Houston, TX. His ministry at University UMC includes leading the church as it seeks to live into radical kinship by loving God, serving others, and building Christian community. Rev. Coleman is married to Dr. Chaka Coleman and they have three sons. Rev. Coleman is the author of
Home for Christmas: Tales of Hope and Second Chances and is the Old Testament presenter on
Disciple Fast Track: Becoming Disciples Through Bible Study.
Jevon Caldwell-Gross (Author)
Rev. Jevon Caldwell-Gross is a native of Detroit, Michigan. He has earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Kalamazoo College, a Masters of Divinity from Princeton Theological Seminary, and a Doctor of Ministry in Transformational Leadership from Wesley Theological Seminary. His passion for leadership guided his research and practice in developing turn-around strategies for Urban congregations. He is a sought after thought leader in creating and sustaining congregational change. His journey has brought him to one of the largest United Methodist churches in the country. He is currently serving as the Teaching and Guest Experience Pastor at St. Luke's United Methodist Church located in Indianapolis, IN. Outside of his regular preaching responsibilities, he has been instrumental at leading the congregational at redefining and expanding its digital footprint to reach people around the world.
Pamela R. Lightsey (Author)
Dr. Lightsey serves as Vice President of Academic and Student Affairs, Associate Professor of Constructive Theology and brings a special mix of life experience and professional proficiency to the position. Following service in the US Army and work as a civil servant, she received her academic and theological training at Columbus State University (BS), Gammon Seminary of the Interdenominational Theological Center (M.Div.) and Garrett-Evangelical Theological School (PhD). After ordination, she served first as a United Methodist congregational pastor and then as a theological school educator, scholar and administrator. Throughout her vocational life, she has been a leading social justice activist, working with local, national and international organizations focusing primarily on the causes of peacemaking, racial justice and LGBTQ rights. Pamela's publications include the book,
Our Lives Matter: A Womanist Queer Theology (Wipf and Stock), He Is Black and We are Queer in
Albert Cleage Jr and the Black Madonna and Child (New York: Palgrave Macmillan), "Reconciliation" in
Prophetic Evangelicals: Envisioning a Just and Peaceable Kingdom (Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company), and If There Should Come a Word" in
Black United Methodists Preach!(Abingdon Press).
F. Willis Johnson (Author)
A third-generation educator, Rev. Dr. F. Willis Johnson is a spiritual entrepreneur. An elder in the West Ohio Conference of the United Methodist Church, Johnson is a respected scholar-practitioner, fellow and author of
Holding Up Your Corner: Talking About Race in Your Community. Johnson holds fellowships at Bridge Alliance and Walker Leadership Institute-Eden Seminary. He is a former Vosburgh Visiting Professor of Ministry and Social Engagement at Drew University's Theological School. Currently, he is the leadership pastors Living Tree Church and adjunct faculty at Methodist Theological School of Ohio (MTSO).
Vance P. Ross (Author)
The Reverend Dr. Vance P. Ross presently serves as Senior Pastor of the Historic Central United Methodist Church, Atlanta, GA., the "Church at the Heart of the City with the City at Heart." Prior to his appointment to Central, Ross served as: Director of Annual Conference Relationships for Discipleship Ministries where he connected the agency with annual conference; 2011-2015, Senior Pastor, Gordon Memorial United Methodist Church, Nashville, TN an 1100 member urban congregation; 2004-2011, the first ever Deputy General Secretary for Discipleship Ministries, Nashville, TN; 1998-2004, Senior Pastor, First United Methodist Church, Hyattsville, MD, the largest multicultural and international church, at the time, in the Northeast region of the United Methodist Church.
Rodney Lorenzo Graves (Author)
Rodney L. Graves is an Inner-city Missionary pastoring McCabe Roberts Avenue, a bi-racial congregation in Beaumont, Texas. Born in Baltimore, Md., he graduated from Howard University with a dual major in Accounting/Economics. Rodney co-founded a Certified Public Accounting firm which was once the largest Black owned CPA firm in a five-state area (Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, New Mexico, Arkansas). He left his thriving business to attend Wesley Theological Seminary majoring in Urban Ministry, becoming the Wesley Scholar, and upon graduation was awarded Church History Award. In a prior ministry appointment, Rodney led extensive community development resulting in a $5 million wastewater system, lavish affordable housing, irrigation at the neighborhood library, and an Enterprise Zone. In 2017, he graduated from Asbury Theological Seminary's International Beeson program with an emphasis in Church Leadership and Preaching; his doctoral dissertation was
Breaking Generational Poverty Through Collaborative Efforts currently being transformed into a book. Rodney and his wife Ava led congregational ministry which transformed the lives of at-risk youth and children. Rodney's ministry praxis inculcates the prophetic witness of both the Old and New Testaments to affirm the sacred worth of all and empower the least, lost, last, and little.
Tori C. Butler (Author)
Rev. Dr. Tori Butler was born and raised by her mother Coretha "Coty" Corry in Baltimore, MD. Ms. Corry taught her that education is of great importance and would be the passport to her future. She would often tell her, "If you are bored, go read a book. It can take you wherever you want to go." Ms. Corry's encouragement in education translated in Tori being the first person in her peer group―from her neighborhood―to graduate with a college degree. Dr. Butler received a BA in History and International Study from McDaniel College in Westminster, MD. Dr. Butler graduated from Duke with a Master of Divinity in 2010 and is published in
Do Not Be Afraid: Bishops & Young Clergy Share Signs of Resurrection & Words of Hope. By God's amazing grace and through tremendous perseverance on May 13, 2019 she received her Doctor of Ministry degree from Emory University with a concentration in Biblical Interpretation and Proclamation. Her Doctor of Ministry project is entitled, "The Power of Mourning: Creating Spaces of Vulnerability for Black Clergywomen to Lament and Holler." She is excited to be the Lead Pastor of Good Hope Union United Methodist Church. She gives praises to God for the opportunity to serve in her home conference and believes that God is up to something good and can't wait to see what it is.
Rudy Rasmus (Author)
Rudy Rasmus is an author, humanitarian, and coffee-man with a passion for outreach to the world's most challenged communities. He co-pastors the St. John's United Methodist Church in Downtown Houston with his wife Juanita. A church that began with 9 existing members in 1992, St. John's has grown to thousands where every week people of every social and economic background share the same pew. Rudy founded the Bread of Life, Inc. (a not for profit corporation) with Juanita in December of 1992 and began serving 500 meals per day to the homeless in the sanctuary at St. John's for twenty-five years. The Bread of Life has literally changed the landscape of Downtown Houston providing an array of services to families in peril and homeless individuals. The project distributes over 30 tons of fresh produce weekly to hungry families who have been financially challenged by the COVID-19 Pandemic. For many years Pastor Rudy has coordinated domestic and global anti-hunger initiatives in conjunction with Beyoncé's concert tours and travels extensively developing and supporting programs around the world for people experiencing poverty and most recently teamed up with Tina and Beyoncé to help Houstonians in the wake of the pandemic through a generous donation from the BeyGood Foundation and the Start Small Foundation (an initiative of Jack Dorsey, founder of Twitter.) Pastor Rudy has authored three prior books, contributed to five others and completed his Doctorate in 2019 with dissertation research focused on "The intersection of Black Millennial Culture with Religion."
Pastor Lillian has served as pastor at Cheverly United Methodist Church since July 1, 2016. Prior to that she served as the pastor at St. Matthew's UMC of Valley Forge, PA, where she was the first African-American pastor. She implemented conversations about race and ministry to neighbors of color. She also promoted the idea of enhancing the welcoming nature of the church by cultivating a culture of invitation. Her ministry included Christian Education courses and alternative worship encounters for college students. She has also served as Associate General Secretary, Division on Ministries with Young People with the General Board of Discipleship of the UMC; and as Director, Ministries with Women and Persons of Color with the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry in Nashville, TN. Pastor Lillian received her Master in Divinity from Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, D.C. and her Doctor of Ministry Degree from United Theological Seminary. She is the author of
Words to Live By: Wisdom Keys that Can Change Your Life. No stranger to Prince George's County, she grew up in New Carrollton, College Park, and Glenn Dale.
Erin Beasley (Author)
Erin Elizabeth Beasley, is from Gulfport, MS and currently resides in Memphis, TN. Erin is an ordained Elder of the United Methodist Church (2017). She is a member of the Memphis Conference. She attended Millsaps College in Jackson, MS. In 2010, Erin graduated with Bachelor of Accountancy degree and a Minor in Music. In 2011, she decided to answer God's call to the ministry and began her studies at Emory University's Candler School of Theology. While at Candler she fulfilled her contextual education requirements at the United Methodist Children's Home, Zoar UMC, and St. Timothy UMC. In May of 2020, Erin obtained her Doctor of Ministry degree from United Theological Seminary. Her dissertation explores racial segregation in the mainline church. Erin is the founder and producer of
Waking Up Church podcast.
Waking Up Church explores dynamics within churches and communities that have gone unnoticed, dynamics that must be seen and addressed for the sake of the church's future.
Waking Up
Church is devoted to church leaders and parishioners who are ready to have honest conversations about issues that have become invisible detriments to the church's mission and vitality.
Justin Coleman (Author)
Justin Coleman is the Senior Pastor of University United Methodist Church in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. A native of Houston, he is a graduate of Southern Methodist University in Dallas, TX, and Duke Divinity School in Durham, North Carolina. Rev. Coleman has also served as the Chief Ministry Officer for the United Methodist Publishing House in Nashville, TN, as Lead Pastor of the Gethsemane Campus of St. Luke's United Methodist Church in Houston, TX. His ministry at University UMC includes leading the church as it seeks to live into radical kinship by loving God, serving others, and building Christian community. Rev. Coleman is married to Dr. Chaka Coleman and they have three sons. Rev. Coleman is the author of
Home for Christmas: Tales of Hope and Second Chances and is the Old Testament presenter on
Disciple Fast Track: Becoming Disciples Through Bible Study.
Jevon Caldwell-Gross (Author)
Rev. Jevon Caldwell-Gross is a native of Detroit, Michigan. He has earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Kalamazoo College, a Masters of Divinity from Princeton Theological Seminary, and a Doctor of Ministry in Transformational Leadership from Wesley Theological Seminary. His passion for leadership guided his research and practice in developing turn-around strategies for Urban congregations. He is a sought after thought leader in creating and sustaining congregational change. His journey has brought him to one of the largest United Methodist churches in the country. He is currently serving as the Teaching and Guest Experience Pastor at St. Luke's United Methodist Church located in Indianapolis, IN. Outside of his regular preaching responsibilities, he has been instrumental at leading the congregational at redefining and expanding its digital footprint to reach people around the world.
Pamela R. Lightsey (Author)
Dr. Lightsey serves as Vice President of Academic and Student Affairs, Associate Professor of Constructive Theology and brings a special mix of life experience and professional proficiency to the position. Following service in the US Army and work as a civil servant, she received her academic and theological training at Columbus State University (BS), Gammon Seminary of the Interdenominational Theological Center (M.Div.) and Garrett-Evangelical Theological School (PhD). After ordination, she served first as a United Methodist congregational pastor and then as a theological school educator, scholar and administrator. Throughout her vocational life, she has been a leading social justice activist, working with local, national and international organizations focusing primarily on the causes of peacemaking, racial justice and LGBTQ rights. Pamela's publications include the book,
Our Lives Matter: A Womanist Queer Theology (Wipf and Stock), He Is Black and We are Queer in
Albert Cleage Jr and the Black Madonna and Child (New York: Palgrave Macmillan), "Reconciliation" in
Prophetic Evangelicals: Envisioning a Just and Peaceable Kingdom (Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company), and If There Should Come a Word" in
Black United Methodists Preach!(Abingdon Press).
F. Willis Johnson (Author)
A third-generation educator, Rev. Dr. F. Willis Johnson is a spiritual entrepreneur. An elder in the West Ohio Conference of the United Methodist Church, Johnson is a respected scholar-practitioner, fellow and author of
Holding Up Your Corner: Talking About Race in Your Community. Johnson holds fellowships at Bridge Alliance and Walker Leadership Institute-Eden Seminary. He is a former Vosburgh Visiting Professor of Ministry and Social Engagement at Drew University's Theological School. Currently, he is the leadership pastors Living Tree Church and adjunct faculty at Methodist Theological School of Ohio (MTSO).
Vance P. Ross (Author)
The Reverend Dr. Vance P. Ross presently serves as Senior Pastor of the Historic Central United Methodist Church, Atlanta, GA., the "Church at the Heart of the City with the City at Heart." Prior to his appointment to Central, Ross served as: Director of Annual Conference Relationships for Discipleship Ministries where he connected the agency with annual conference; 2011-2015, Senior Pastor, Gordon Memorial United Methodist Church, Nashville, TN an 1100 member urban congregation; 2004-2011, the first ever Deputy General Secretary for Discipleship Ministries, Nashville, TN; 1998-2004, Senior Pastor, First United Methodist Church, Hyattsville, MD, the largest multicultural and international church, at the time, in the Northeast region of the United Methodist Church.
Rodney Lorenzo Graves (Author)
Rodney L. Graves is an Inner-city Missionary pastoring McCabe Roberts Avenue, a bi-racial congregation in Beaumont, Texas. Born in Baltimore, Md., he graduated from Howard University with a dual major in Accounting/Economics. Rodney co-founded a Certified Public Accounting firm which was once the largest Black owned CPA firm in a five-state area (Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, New Mexico, Arkansas). He left his thriving business to attend Wesley Theological Seminary majoring in Urban Ministry, becoming the Wesley Scholar, and upon graduation was awarded Church History Award. In a prior ministry appointment, Rodney led extensive community development resulting in a $5 million wastewater system, lavish affordable housing, irrigation at the neighborhood library, and an Enterprise Zone. In 2017, he graduated from Asbury Theological Seminary's International Beeson program with an emphasis in Church Leadership and Preaching; his doctoral dissertation was
Breaking Generational Poverty Through Collaborative Efforts currently being transformed into a book. Rodney and his wife Ava led congregational ministry which transformed the lives of at-risk youth and children. Rodney's ministry praxis inculcates the prophetic witness of both the Old and New Testaments to affirm the sacred worth of all and empower the least, lost, last, and little.
Tori C. Butler (Author)
Rev. Dr. Tori Butler was born and raised by her mother Coretha "Coty" Corry in Baltimore, MD. Ms. Corry taught her that education is of great importance and would be the passport to her future. She would often tell her, "If you are bored, go read a book. It can take you wherever you want to go." Ms. Corry's encouragement in education translated in Tori being the first person in her peer group―from her neighborhood―to graduate with a college degree. Dr. Butler received a BA in History and International Study from McDaniel College in Westminster, MD. Dr. Butler graduated from Duke with a Master of Divinity in 2010 and is published in
Do Not Be Afraid: Bishops & Young Clergy Share Signs of Resurrection & Words of Hope. By God's amazing grace and through tremendous perseverance on May 13, 2019 she received her Doctor of Ministry degree from Emory University with a concentration in Biblical Interpretation and Proclamation. Her Doctor of Ministry project is entitled, "The Power of Mourning: Creating Spaces of Vulnerability for Black Clergywomen to Lament and Holler." She is excited to be the Lead Pastor of Good Hope Union United Methodist Church. She gives praises to God for the opportunity to serve in her home conference and believes that God is up to something good and can't wait to see what it is.
Rudy Rasmus (Author)
Rudy Rasmus is an author, humanitarian, and coffee-man with a passion for outreach to the world's most challenged communities. He co-pastors the St. John's United Methodist Church in Downtown Houston with his wife Juanita. A church that began with 9 existing members in 1992, St. John's has grown to thousands where every week people of every social and economic background share the same pew. Rudy founded the Bread of Life, Inc. (a not for profit corporation) with Juanita in December of 1992 and began serving 500 meals per day to the homeless in the sanctuary at St. John's for twenty-five years. The Bread of Life has literally changed the landscape of Downtown Houston providing an array of services to families in peril and homeless individuals. The project distributes over 30 tons of fresh produce weekly to hungry families who have been financially challenged by the COVID-19 Pandemic. For many years Pastor Rudy has coordinated domestic and global anti-hunger initiatives in conjunction with Beyoncé's concert tours and travels extensively developing and supporting programs around the world for people experiencing poverty and most recently teamed up with Tina and Beyoncé to help Houstonians in the wake of the pandemic through a generous donation from the BeyGood Foundation and the Start Small Foundation (an initiative of Jack Dorsey, founder of Twitter.) Pastor Rudy has authored three prior books, contributed to five others and completed his Doctorate in 2019 with dissertation research focused on "The intersection of Black Millennial Culture with Religion."
Rudy Rasmus is an author, humanitarian, and coffee-man with a passion for outreach to the world's most challenged communities. He co-pastors the St. John's United Methodist Church in Downtown Houston with his wife Juanita. A church that began with 9 existing members in 1992, St. John's has grown to thousands where every week people of every social and economic background share the same pew. Rudy founded the Bread of Life, Inc. (a not for profit corporation) with Juanita in December of 1992 and began serving 500 meals per day to the homeless in the sanctuary at St. John's for twenty-five years. The Bread of Life has literally changed the landscape of Downtown Houston providing an array of services to families in peril and homeless individuals. The project distributes over 30 tons of fresh produce weekly to hungry families who have been financially challenged by the COVID-19 Pandemic. For many years Pastor Rudy has coordinated domestic and global anti-hunger initiatives in conjunction with Beyoncé's concert tours and travels extensively developing and supporting programs around the world for people experiencing poverty and most recently teamed up with Tina and Beyoncé to help Houstonians in the wake of the pandemic through a generous donation from the BeyGood Foundation and the Start Small Foundation (an initiative of Jack Dorsey, founder of Twitter.) Pastor Rudy has authored three prior books, contributed to five others and completed his Doctorate in 2019 with dissertation research focused on "The intersection of Black Millennial Culture with Religion."
Condition Guidelines
Books - New and Used
The following guidelines apply to books:
- New: A brand-new copy with cover and original protective wrapping intact. Books with markings of any kind on the cover or pages, books marked as "Bargain" or "Remainder," or with any other labels attached, may not be listed as New condition.
- Used - Good: All pages and cover are intact (including the dust cover, if applicable). Spine may show signs of wear. Pages may include limited notes and highlighting. May include "From the library of" labels. Shrink wrap, dust covers, or boxed set case may be missing. Item may be missing bundled media.
- Used - Acceptable: All pages and the cover are intact, but shrink wrap, dust covers, or boxed set case may be missing. Pages may include limited notes, highlighting, or minor water damage but the text is readable. Item may but the dust cover may be missing. Pages may include limited notes and highlighting, but the text cannot be obscured or unreadable.
Note: Some electronic material access codes are valid only for one user. For this reason, used books, including books listed in the Used – Like New condition, may not come with functional electronic material access codes.
Shipping & Delivery
Shipping Fees
- Stevens Books offers FREE SHIPPING everywhere in the United States for ALL non-book orders, and $3.99 for each book.
- Packages are shipped from Monday to Friday.
- No additional fees and charges.
Delivery Times
The usual time for processing an order is 24 hours (1 business day), but may vary depending on the availability of products ordered. This period excludes delivery times, which depend on your geographic location.
Estimated delivery times:
- Standard Shipping: 5-8 business days
- Expedited Shipping: 3-5 business days
Shipping method varies depending on what is being shipped.
Tracking
All orders are shipped with a tracking number. Once your order has left our warehouse, a confirmation e-mail with a tracking number will be sent to you. You will be able to track your package at all times.
Damaged Parcel
If your package has been delivered in a PO Box, please note that we are not responsible for any damage that may result (consequences of extreme temperatures, theft, etc.).
If you have any questions regarding shipping or want to know about the status of an order, please contact us or email to support@stevensbooks.com.
Returns & Refunds
You may return most items within 30 days of delivery for a full refund.
To be eligible for a return, your item must be unused and in the same condition that you received it. It must also be in the original packaging.
Several types of goods are exempt from being returned. Perishable goods such as food, flowers, newspapers or magazines cannot be returned. We also do not accept products that are intimate or sanitary goods, hazardous materials, or flammable liquids or gases.
Additional non-returnable items:
- Gift cards
- Downloadable software products
- Some health and personal care items
To complete your return, we require a tracking number, which shows the items which you already returned to us.
There are certain situations where only partial refunds are granted (if applicable)
- Book with obvious signs of use
- CD, DVD, VHS tape, software, video game, cassette tape, or vinyl record that has been opened
- Any item not in its original condition, is damaged or missing parts for reasons not due to our error
- Any item that is returned more than 30 days after delivery
Items returned to us as a result of our error will receive a full refund,some returns may be subject to a restocking fee of 7% of the total item price, please contact a customer care team member to see if your return is subject. Returns that arrived on time and were as described are subject to a restocking fee.
Items returned to us that were not the result of our error, including items returned to us due to an invalid or incomplete address, will be refunded the original item price less our standard restocking fees.
If the item is returned to us for any of the following reasons, a 15% restocking fee will be applied to your refund total and you will be asked to pay for return shipping:
- Item(s) no longer needed or wanted.
- Item(s) returned to us due to an invalid or incomplete address.
- Item(s) returned to us that were not a result of our error.
You should expect to receive your refund within four weeks of giving your package to the return shipper, however, in many cases you will receive a refund more quickly. This time period includes the transit time for us to receive your return from the shipper (5 to 10 business days), the time it takes us to process your return once we receive it (3 to 5 business days), and the time it takes your bank to process our refund request (5 to 10 business days).
If you need to return an item, please Contact Us with your order number and details about the product you would like to return. We will respond quickly with instructions for how to return items from your order.
Shipping Cost
We'll pay the return shipping costs if the return is a result of our error (you received an incorrect or defective item, etc.). In other cases, you will be responsible for paying for your own shipping costs for returning your item. Shipping costs are non-refundable. If you receive a refund, the cost of return shipping will be deducted from your refund.
Depending on where you live, the time it may take for your exchanged product to reach you, may vary.
If you are shipping an item over $75, you should consider using a trackable shipping service or purchasing shipping insurance. We don’t guarantee that we will receive your returned item.
Categories
Oops!
Sorry, it looks like some products are not available in selected quantity.
