Outsiders on the Inside: Understanding Racial Fatigue, Racial Resilience, and Racial Hospitality in Our Churches
Ebook
Overview
Can Christian community be racially exclusive and still call itself faithful? In the United States, the story of Christianity has been intertwined with the story of race since the beginning. All too often, Christian leaders have fostered cultures that wound minority members instead of creating cultures that heal division. With this history of exclusion, all Christians must ask whether our churches practice the racial hospitality envisioned in the Scriptures. In this necessary conversation, minority pastors voice fatigue, signaling that church cultures are not as welcoming as they often claim to be. Outsiders on the Inside explores the history of race in the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA), comparing the denomination's core theological convictions with the experiences of Black PCA pastors. This is a story of racial fatigue and resilience, of learning to thrive in the midst of challenging environments. This study reveals areas for growth and opens up possibilities for Christians of all races and confessions to come together, creating a diverse, hospitable, and healing community.
“Standing at the intersection of pastoral ministry, Reformed
theology, and current concerns, Outsiders on the Inside
makes its case for racial inclusivity as part of the church’s
mission with scriptural sensitivity and in dialogue with one
denomination’s history, Herman Bavinck’s theology, and the
experiences of Black pastors. It models the kind of discussion many
congregations and networks need to have and the tone with which to
have it. I highly recommend it.”
—Mark P. Ryan, Covenant Theological Seminary
“While American culture at large continues to reckon with our
nation’s past and present anti-Black racism, churches are (slowly)
doing the same. This book is your ticket to a front-row seat for
watching that reckoning unfold within the Presbyterian Church in
America. . . . Partly an engaging oral history, partly an
acute theological analysis, partly an insightful field guide for
the ongoing work of justice seeking and reconciliation, this book
is a gift and a galvanizing call to action.”
—Wesley Hill, Western Theological Seminary
“Boyce has biblically, theologically, compassionately, and clearly
shown us God’s vision of inclusion and hospitality for the church;
attentively and piercingly captured the experiences of Black PCA
pastors; and pastorally shown the PCA a way forward towards healing
and shalom. Outsiders on the Inside is a welcomed,
catalyzing, and significant work for our current moment in the PCA
and the church at large.”
—Cyril Chavis Jr., RUF pastor, Howard University
“With a scholar’s mind and a pastor’s heart, Billy Boyce’s
contribution is intellectually stimulating, historically and
biblically faithful, radically Reformed, and saturated with grace.
This book will undoubtedly be a helpful resource for those
wondering how a historically white denomination might become a
place where all races are truly welcome.”
—Charles Lewis, associate pastor, Northside Church of
Richmond
William E. Boyce pastors Christ Church of Arlington (PCA) in
Arlington, Virginia. He received his doctor of ministry from
Trinity School for Ministry, in Ambridge, Pennsylvania, studying
the intersection of race, Reformed theology, and pastoral
ministry.