Empowered to Repair: Becoming People Who Mend Broken Systems and Heal Our Communities

"An inspiring starting point for Christians looking to put their beliefs into action."--Publishers Weekly

Political and cultural wars are tearing communities apart. Issues such as immigration, racism, and guns are driving wedges between people and hampering Christians' impact in the world.

In Empowered to Repair, Brenda Salter McNeil looks to the biblical story of Nehemiah for answers. There, she finds an action-based model for repairing and rebuilding our communities and transforming broken systems.

McNeil goes beyond theories, offering practical tools Christians need for organizing, empowering, and activating people to join in God's work of equality, reparations, and justice. She provides strategies to drive systemic changes that go beyond superficial diversity and teaches the skills needed to engage in this important work long-term, such as organizing people, leveraging resources, and avoiding burnout through rest, prayer, and self-care.

Learning from Nehemiah, readers will be emboldened to go out and help build congregations, organizations, and communities where all people can flourish and reach their full, God-given potential.

From the Back Cover

"Timely, powerful, and so very necessary"--Willie James Jennings

Political and cultural wars are tearing communities apart. Issues such as immigration, racism, and guns are driving wedges between people and hampering Christians' impact in the world.

In Empowered to Repair, acclaimed author, speaker, and reconciliation scholar Brenda Salter McNeil looks to the biblical story of Nehemiah for answers. There, she finds an action-based model for repairing and rebuilding our communities and transforming broken systems.

"Dr. Brenda's bravest, most urgent, and most wise yet hopeful and strategic guide and pronouncement to date. An inspiring triumph."
--Patricia Raybon, Christy Award-winning author of the books My First White Friend, I Told the Mountain to Move, and the Annalee Spain Mysteries

"This book is timely, powerful, and so very necessary. It must make its way into the hands of every pastor, congregant, and Christian who believes that there is a work of reconciliation yet to be done."
--Willie James Jennings, Yale Divinity School

"Empowered to Repair is the sum of sage wisdom from a lifelong reconciler. For those awaiting the tools to make a better world, you found them!"
--Rev. Randy Woodley, author, speaker, co-sustainer: Eloheh Indigenous Center for Earth Justice

"Reparative action is the culmination of the Christian practice of self-examination leading to self-knowledge and confession. The culminating question is, 'What can I do to make it right?' As I finished reading this challenging and richly nuanced work, I found myself praying that God would give each of us the strength to participate fully in the ministry of reconciliation by asking this question and then doing it."
--Ruth Haley Barton, founder, Transforming Center; author of Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership

"Are you weary of conversations and debates about justice? Are you ready to practically and meaningfully contribute to systemic healing in your community? Good news--you're holding the playbook in your hands. Let's get to work!"
--David Swanson, pastor, New Community Covenant Church; CEO, New Community Outreach