Customer Reviews

African American Church Growth: 12 Principles of Prophetic Ministry

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This book is a a much needed text that speaks to the African- American congregation. Dr. Stewart uses the twelve prophetic principles as a foundation that will help the leadership to strategically develop a growing congregation to meet the needs of its community. I have found that the book uses a sound theological foundation and good scholarship. This is not a how to book. This book can be used as a bible study, retreat study and for long range planning. This book is not a church growth book. It is a book that will help the church to discern their gifts for ministry. This book guides us through all the stages it takes to develop a growing and effective congregation . I highly suggest this book for all church leaders both lay and clergy.

Well worth the read. Concise and practical. Get ready to roll up your sleeves and do the leg work.

Many books address church growth written by and for white churches. Pastor Carlyle Fielding Stewart, III, focuses on the same important topic from the perspective of the black church.

He builds his model around the theme of "prophetic ministry," which he defines as concern for the wholeness of the individual and community. Thus the African American church, according to Pastor Stewart, will grow most and best when it focuses both on individual spiritual growth and community social justice (both/and not either/or).

The author outlines the prophetic approach as: four tenants of prophetic engagement, three principles of prophetic worship, three principles of prophetic pastoral care, three principles of prophetic education, and three principles of prophetic evangelism. He uses these principles because his book addresses churches in predominantly white denominations that have tried to grow (in health and in numbers) using models that are not central to the African American cultural history and norms.

While readers may not agree with all the tenants of the book, these twelve prophetic principles should create open conversation, bridge-building, and culturally-informed change management.

Reviewer: Dr. Bob Kellemen is the author of "Beyond the Suffering: Embracing the Legacy of African American Soul Care and Spiritual Direction."