Gracism: The Art of Inclusion(BridgeLeader Books)

We can't ignore color, class, or culture. Instead, we must engage matters of race with a different posture and embrace radical inclusion of the marginalized. Now with David Heiliger, David A. Anderson revives the biblical model for showing special grace to others on the basis of ethnicity, class, or social distinction-one of gracism. Responding to ongoing problems of prejudice and injustice, the original seven sayings of the gracist now become eight with a new chapter alongside a revised conclusion. Take this opportunity to extend God's grace to people of all backgrounds in this edition of Gracism.

Table of Contents:
Foreword by Erwin Raphael McManus Introduction 1. Everyone Has a Dot 2. From Racism to Gracism 3. The Art of Inclusion 4. Saying One: I Will Lift You Up 5. Saying Two: I Will Cover You 6. Saying Three: I Will Share with You 7. Saying Four: I Will Honor You 8. Saying Five: I Will Stand with You 9. Saying Six: I Will Consider You 10. Saying Seven: I Will Celebrate with You 11. Saying Eight: I Will Heal with You 12. How Can I Become a Gracist? Questions for Reflection and Discussion Notes

About the Author :
David A. Anderson (DPhil, DLitt) is the founder and senior pastor of Bridgeway Community Church. He is the founder and president of Gracism Global andand chancellor of Omega Graduate School. David's other books include Letters Across the Divide and Multicultural Ministry. He and his wife, Amber, have three children. David Heiliger is the director of Gracism Global and the pastor of multicultural bridge building at Bridgeway Community Church. He holds a master's degree in conflict transformation from the Center for Justice and Peacebuilding at Eastern Mennonite University. David and his wife, Julie, have one daughter.

Review :
"[Gracism] was ahead of its time, but it is needed in our time more than ever." "In this book the author encourages people to be gracious to minorities and help them live a quality life. Anderson skillfully explains this biblical mandate to care for the marginalized." "If you have been exposed to this idea of God desiring ethnic reconciliation and justice but have felt overwhelmed by the task or wondered why it should even be a priority, this book is for you." "Anderson has practiced what he preaches, which is to honor diversity and be committed to the dignity of other races and cultures. His concept of gracism--as opposed to racism--involves not accepting special treatment at the expense of another and not just ministering to the 'least of these,' but standing alongside them." "Anderson's framework is innovative, and the discussion questions included after each chapter will usefully guide the conversations that this provocative manifesto is sure to inspire." "After reading this book, I am convinced: we need gracism. Division and inequality are consequences of our fallen world. But as the members of the church we must walk against division and injustice. The brilliance of this book is that we are shown how to overcome individual-level racism, clearly and plainly. Dr. Anderson provides us with real tools for real life. Gracism is an act, a state of being. Members of the body, let's be gracists." "Dr. David Anderson is one of the finest reconciliation practitioners that I know. In this book, Gracism: The Art of Inclusion, he honestly shares his journey into a profound concept that has the potential to revolutionize how we confront racism to create a society with liberty and justice for all." "David Anderson speaks, lives and is called to the truth of multicultural relationships and ministry. This book is not a book just for black people to work with whites or whites to learn how to be sensitive to blacks, but a book about God's practical, real transforming grace for all people to be kingdom people." "David Anderson addresses one of the real solutions to the issue of racism with this difficult practice of grace! David's take from an African American perspective enlightens us to how deep racism runs even in Christian institutions and relationships, but more than that, he also offers us a biblical initiative to lead us to the vision of being a community that reflects the diversity of God." "A tough-minded book and clear-sighted look at what it means for Christians to 'overcome evil with good.' If metaphor is metamorphosis, the metaphor of 'gracism' will change how we do church like it's changed how I do life."