To Serve This Present Age: Social Justice Ministries in the Black Church

Product Description

The African American church has a charge to keep.
KEY FEATURES:

– Reviews the history of the black church’s social justice contributions and leadership
– Establishes today’s need for justice ministries in the congregation and community
– Spotlights real-life ministries and initiatives
– Provides sample training manual materials

At a time when the African American church is increasingly associated with the controversial prosperity gospel, pastors Danielle Ayers and Reginald Williams remind black church leaders of the prophetic call to “do justice.” Exploring first the biblical foundations for justice work that goes beyond charity, the authors also recall the storied history of the black church’s leadership in the Civil Rights Movement. From there, this practical resource establishes the contemporary need for justice ministries in the congregation and the community. From initiatives of care and education to programs of action and collaboration, discover the transforming impact the church can have on society, culture, and community through diverse social justice ministries. Features Spotlights on real-life ministries and initiatives, common justice issues, and a resource guide to assist in the creation and sustaining of ministries of justice.

Review

“Ayers and Williams are prophetic practitioners of the ‘Charge’ they have issued and this challenging ‘charge” reflects their brilliant and passionate commitment to ”speaking truth to power” while empowering the powerless and addressing issues of injustice. This ‘wake up call’ to the church and all people of principle is practically helpful and insightfully inspirational. It comes from the well of wisdom born out of their respective experiences on the front lines as they have taken the gospel from the sanctuary to the streets and to corporate suites challenging institutional iniquity and structural sin.” –Frederick Douglass Haynes III, senior pastor, Friendship-West Baptist Church, Dallas, Texas and author of Soul Fitness with Frederick D. Haynes III

“Ayers and Williams have creatively woven and penned their personal convictions, theological reflections, and ministry experiences into an educational and practical resource for clergy and lay leaders.” –Iva E. Carruthers, PhD, General Secretary, Samuel DeWitt Proctor Conference

“Ayers and Williams have creatively woven and penned their personal convictions, theological reflections, and ministry experiences into an educational and practical resource for clergy and lay leaders.” –Iva E. Carruthers, PhD, General Secretary, Samuel DeWitt Proctor Conference

“Ayers and Williams have creatively woven and penned their personal convictions, theological reflections, and ministry experiences into an educational and practical resource for clergy and lay leaders.” –Iva E. Carruthers, PhD, General Secretary, Samuel DeWitt Proctor Conference

About the Author

DANIELLE AYERS is Minister of Social Justice at Friendship-West Baptist Church in Dallas, Texas. Mobilizing more than one-thousand individuals in the Dallas community around Jena 6 and serving as lead on the Annual Faith Summit on Poverty are just two of the many social justice initiatives in which she has been involved. Ayers is currently pursuing a Master of Arts in Urban Affairs and a certificate in Law and Public Policy from the University of Texas at Arlington.
Since 2008, REGINALD W. WILLIAMS JR. has served as pastor of First Baptist Church of University Park, in University Park, Illinois. For six years prior, he held the title of Associate Pastor for Justice Ministries under Rev. Dr. Jeremiah A. Wright Jr. at Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago. Rev. Williams holds a Master of Divinity from the Samuel DeWitt Proctor School of Theology at Virginia Union University, and a law degree from the University of Wisconsin Law School.