Welcome to the blog. My name is Edward Gilbreath. I’m a writer, editor, and speaker mostly on issues of diversity and race relations in the church. My latest book is Reconciliation Blues: A Black Evangelical’s Inside View of White Christianity (IVP). Reconciliation Blog is a place to discuss the themes of my book and more. My hope is that it will be a community of men and women from different backgrounds who respect the perspectives of others and reject the practice of seeing people as labels or stereotypes. May a spirit of grace and reconciliation be prevalent here. By the way, the tagline for this blog is taken from the apostle Paul’s words about reconciliation in the New Testament: “So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view” (2 Cor. 5:16, NIV).
I was born in Rockford, Illinois (home of the rock band Cheap Trick), and now live in the Chicagoland area. During the work week, I’m the director of editorial at Urban Ministries, Inc. I used to work for Christianity Today; now they’re kind enough to leave me on the masthead as an editor at large.
My lovely wife, Dana, and I have two young children–DeMara and Daniel. Our favorite family activity is taking DU’s (Destinations Unknown) on weekend afternoons to a host of places–the Brookfield Zoo, the Shedd Aquarium, the DuPage County Children’s Museum. The idea is for the kids to guess where we’re going before we get there. They usually figure it out by the time we’re on the freeway, unless it’s a first-time DU. Find out more about me and my work at www.edgilbreath.com.
B”H
Hi Ed,
I have been reading your articles in CT for a number of years now and I like your writing. This past Dec I purchased your book, Reconciliation Blues, but I have only read about two chapters so far. When I read a little more I’ll try to come here and leave a comment with some of my thoughts. As an aside, I have been working on an entry on my blog site somewhat similiar to yours on Michael Richards. I hope that he will indeed find some healing for his inner rage and anger, but in the public venue I pray that the conversation will continue and grow deeper. Thank you for the insights you have shared and the kind way in which you seek to urge others to follow the LORD and apply our faith in all areas of life.
I invite you to visit my site and read some of the old posts. There aren’t that many so it shouldn’t take you very long. I have two main passions which you might find of some interest - unity in the Body between Blacks & Whites and Jewish and non-Jewish believers. I shared some of my thoughts a few years ago with Clarence Shuler and we corresponded via e-mail for a season. Once, when he came to town to speak on Moody radio, he even stayed with me for two nights. I would love to meet you sometime in person also. I noticed that you are speaking around the area from time to time.
May the LORD richly bless you and your family in the mighty name of Jesus our Messiah,
Shlomo
Shlomo, Thanks for your kind words. I look forward to checking out your site. Yes, let’s stay in touch.
Hi Mr. Gilbreath,
I just read an article about racism in the church and how we can apply gracism to over come it in Today’s Christian Internationl, and I was greatly inspired. I am only 15, and my mom is white and my dad is black. I go to a predomanantly white Christian school. Basically the only place I get diversity is at my multicultural church. I truly believe God had me read your article on purpose, because I was struggling with some prejudice beliefs at my school. None of the kids are mean to me directly, I have many friends, but they are still so different from me and they have a really hard time with people who are different from them ethnically. I often hear slurs against Mexicans, and once heard a nasty comment about asian eyes. My school doesn’t really celebrate black history month and most of the kids in my calss don’t think black history month should exist. When I heard about this, it really hurt. On Martin Luther King Jr. Day, we still atend school, while everyone else has the holiday off. It’s just these little things that have made it hard for me personaly. I was wondering if maybe you could give me some advice on how to deal with these issues and on how to deal with my friends and peers. I know that I have a great influence at my school and I want to show gracism to them not only because I am a Christian, but because I am a black Christian. I am so thankful to God that He has used you to be such a blessing to me. God Bless you!
Abigail
Dear Abigail,
Thanks for writing. I’m glad you found value in my “Racism vs. Gracism” interview with Pastor David Anderson.
I would encourage you to continue making yourself available to God and His purposes for your life. It’s not easy being a reconciler but it’s something that God is calling all Christians to live out. So, first of all, you need to continually seek God’s guidance and strength. I know that He has and will continue to bless your desire to serve Him and to be a bridge-builder across the racial and cultural divides in our world–especially in the church. Please continue to make prayer a priority. Study God’s Word to better understand His heart for reconciliation and unity among His people. Then ask God to make you sensitive to those moments when you can live out “gracism” and share a word or insight that could help others see the ways that they might be perpetuating prejudice or exhibiting cultural insensitivity toward others.
Those are some brief thoughts. I’d be happy to continue the conversation, and I will try to email you with some suggestions for books you can read on this subject. In the meantime, please feel free to contact me with any other questions.
Blessings,
Ed G.
Ed,
really really appreciated you at Peacemakers Convention…am still praying for you, even as i prayed with you that day, that GOD will open doors for you, and continue to use you as a mouthpiece for these messages. I believe you are uniquely designed for such purposes…and many more, i am sure. In your afternoon session at Peacemakers we watched a video, and I have searched for it online, to no avail. Can you help me out with title, and/or a link?
For HIS glory among the nations,
Josh Davis
Josh,
Thanks for your note, brother. Your prayer for me at the conference really touched my heart.
There are multiple names for the DVD, so it can be a little confusing. The Christian Vision Project is the overarching series of which the DVD is a part. That specific DVD is called “Intersect Culture: Where Faith and Culture Meet.” You can find out more info and order it here: http://www.christianvisionproject.com/dvd-2006.html.
I hope this helps. Please let me know if you need anything else.
Peace,
Ed G.
Have a nice day !
Ed,
I found your blog in March, during the whole ordeal with Obama and Rev. Jeremiah Wright. I was excited to see that you are from Illinois, as I am too, and I was also very excited to learn about your book, as racial reconciliation in the church is something that I am passionate about, and I want to learn and do all I can to help make a difference. I’m about halfway through Reconciliation Blues, and I have decided to blog my way through it, so I can share what I am learning with others, and hopefully spark some thought and conversation among believers in my area.
Thanks for taking the time to write this book, I can already tell it is going to help raise awareness and break down barriers, as I’m sure it already has for others who have read it.
I would love to know If you have any other recommended reading, conferences, or even experiences that you have found beneficial to building bridges and understanding across the racial divides in the church.
God Bless,
Holly
Holly,
Thanks for your kind note–and for reading (and blogging on) my book. I appreciate your heart for reconciliation.
You ask some very challenging questions. I’ll give it some thought. I’m sure a lot of the books, conferences, etc. that I would recommend are ones you’re already aware of. Off the top of my head, the Christian Community Development Association (CCDA) is a great one to attend. I think they’re meeting in Miami this year. As far as books… Wow, there are so many. Again, off the top of my head:
“Divided by Faith” by Michael Emerson and Christian Smith
“Gracism” by David Anderson
“Invisible Man” by Ralph Ellison
“The Autobiography of Malcolm X” with Alex Haley
“What’s So Amazing About Grace” by Philip Yancey
“Black and Free” by Tom Skinner
“Let Justice Roll Down” by John Perkins
“The Beloved Community” by Charles Marsh
“Beyond Racial Gridlock” by George Yancey
And I’ll add Brenda Salter McNeil’s latest book, “A Credible Witness: Reflections on Power, Evangelism and Race.” Do you know Brenda? She’s in Illinois, too. In fact, anytime you have a chance to see her speak or preach, I’d highly recommend it.
I’ll share more as it comes to me. Thanks again for your support.
Peace,
Ed G.
What your perspective the Obama v Wright saga? It seems to be more in your filed.
Thank you so much for your book “Reconciliation Blues”. As a twenty-nine year old African American woman who is seeking to follow God’s will in this area of racial reconciliation, your book helped to reaffirm God’s call on my life in this area. I was struggling not to cry through the first two chapters because I felt that someone had finally put into words what I have felt for years. I grew up straddilng two worlds attending both a predominately white southern baptist church and a predominately black baptist for most of my childhood. I recieved the call to full time ministry in the seventh grade. God led me to attend Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary (SEBTS)in Wake Forest, NC. I experienced “culture shock” my first semester. My experience at SEBTS was a time of tremendous growth there were many times were I felt like “quitting” SEBTS and transfering to a historically black divinity school. However, I truly felt that SEBTS was where God would have me so I remained. I struggled much like yourself and the people profiled in your book. I graduated with an MA in Biblical Counseling in May of 2006 and am still seeking ways that God may use me a an agent for change in His church in regards with this issue.
I would also be interested in your opinion on Thabiti Anyabwile’s message at Together For the Gospel 2008. “Bearing the Image: Identity, the Work of Christ, and the Church.
Here’s the link http://www.sovereigngraceministries.org/Resources/T4G.aspx
Blessings,TC
Ed -
I am currently reading your latest book, Reconciliation Blues. It is excellent. As an Asian American working at a Christian college, you seem to voice the story of many minorities that work and live in predominately white, evangelical communities/workplaces. Thanks for giving a voice to the story. If you’re interested, please check out my blog: http://bricksandmortar.wordpress.com. Blessings to you!
Hi Edward,
I just finished your book and have now passed it along to my husband (see above). Thank you for the honesty and hope with which you share. After years of living in an interracial/intercultural marriage, I’m continually amazed at how much more I have to learn about the process of reconciliation.
I maintain a blog called The Link Between - Connecting Christians living between cultures (thelinkbetween.wordpress.com) where I catalog useful resources I’ve found for cross-cultural relationships.
Dear LinkBetween & Rukshan: Thanks for your kinds words and for the good work you’re doing. I look forward to checking out your blogs and staying in touch.
Dear Daniel: I’m sorry to respond so late. I’ve posted several things on the Obama/Wright controversy over the last few months. Perhaps you’ve had a chance to check some of them out. I’d love to hear your take.
Dear TC: Thanks for your heartfelt comments. I’m looking forward to hearing Thabiti Anyabwile at the Peacemakers conference this fall in Orlando. I’ve found his book and message compelling and important for the church. I still need to listen to his Together For the Gospel 08 message. Thanks for the link.
Blessings,
Ed G.
Ed G.,
I’m about half way through Reconciliation Blues and your words and experiences resonate with me. I find myself thinking, “yes, yes, yes!” on almost every page. I praise God for brothers like you, Thabiti (The Decline is right on) and others.
I’m someone who held to a militant black nationalist worldview prior to coming to faith in Christ. The Lord gave me a burden for reconciliation ministry and I now serve as pastor of a church committed to that vision (www.cityofhopechurch.net). As you say on p.32, the only reason to pursue this is that it’s God’s call. The pursuit is a gospel imperative.
The content of your book is going to be the subject of my next blog post (www.healingofthenationsblog.com). Your work has been right on time for me.
Thanks,
Irwyn