The Future of the African American Church: An Invitation to Dialogue

What is the future of African American churches? Authors Ralph Watkins and Justin West don’t claim to have a crystal ball. They don’t come with a corrective prescription for what the African American church should be. Instead, they come to the conversation as Christian leaders who love the black church as family -- and who want to talk about what the church can be.

The Future of the African American Church invites elders and young leaders alike to the table to discuss, "How does the church serve the present age?" How can , "prophetic, " churches and , ""praise, " churches come together to reimagine ministry? What can each tradition learn from the other -- and what gifts do we together have to offer the people of God in the world?

Featuring a discussion on the highly debated question "Is the black church dead or alive?" this book offers a new, thought-provoking perspective for reflection and action.

Key features:

• Contains two distinctive voices offering readers different perspectives and experiences `
• Responds to recent critiques of the black church by scholars and pastor-authors, Edwin Glaude, Anthony Pinn, and Marvin A. McMickle
• Invites reconciliation and respect between the "praise and worship"and "prophetic justice"traditions in the African American Church
I• Includes discussion questions for small-group dialogue