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 first solo book was Reconciliation Blues: A Black Evangelical’s Inside View of White Christianity (IVP, 2006). Reconciliation Blog is a place to discuss the themes of that 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 prevail 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. I’ve worked for a variety of faith-based publishing companies, including Christianity Today (where I’m still an editor at large), Strang Communications (now Charisma Media), and Urban Ministries Inc., where I was the founding editor of the online magazine UrbanFaith.com. I’m currently the executive director of communication for the Evangelical Covenant Church. My latest book is Birmingham Revolution: Martin Luther King Jr.’s Epic Challenge to the Church, a narrative history of King and his “Letter from Birmingham Jail.”
My lovely wife, Dana, and I have two great children. Find out more about me and my work at www.edgilbreath.com.
Reconciliation Blog 
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
Hi Ed,
I’m writing to say hello. I logged into the main wordpress page to finish a blog I’m writing and your latest post was featured on the home page – and I clicked on, and found some very interesting things – not least in your links page!
I’m based over in the UK, and we have our own very significant issues that divide both the body of Christ and society itself. I have not known of your work, but even though I wrote a post earlier that has not quite agreed with your position on that particular subject, I think I like you already! I am a self-confessed bibliophile, but ‘Reconciliation Blues’ looks like something I will have to read for myself asap.
Like one of my fellow commenters above, I too am in an inter-racial relationship – something I had never planned – but God knows His business, and we’re still here and going forward. We don’t know the future, but she becomes the mother of my children, let’s just say that I have already begun to try and figure out how to do cultural education from jump street that will enable potential offspring to be knowledgeable and comfortable with both sides of their heritage. This has set off a whole chain of thoughts regarding race, society, culture and the church. Some of these I have had for a long time. Others are new. But the things I’m thinking about – wow, it has been a pleasure and delight to discover this blog, and I will certainly be coming back. I see that you are not short of invitations to look at other blogs – but when you have a few spare seconds, I sincerely hope you might have a chance to have a look at mine sometime and let me know your thoughts!
Here’s to future relations as fellow-citizens of the planet and children of God!
Blessings,
Alex
Hey Alex,
Thanks so much for finding my blog and registering your comments and opinions. Where are you located in the UK? I look forward to getting to know you better through our interaction here and perhaps beyond.
Peace,
Ed G.
Hi Ed,
A good question, and not as easily answered at this time for reasons that are possibly best explained via email – please drop me a line if you are so inclined and I will be delighted to reply. However, for blog purposes, the answer to your question: I actually live in Bristol, which is in the eastern part of Southwest England, close to the Welsh border. I don’t know if you have had an opportunity to visit it? Should I still be there when you perchance end up paying a visit, I’d be delighted to show you round and talk you through the vibe. It is a port city with a very interesting and complicated slavery history…
Peace likewise!
Alex.
[…] a new site launched by Edward Gilbreath. Related posts:Advertise Because The Daily Scroll was only recently launched (September […]
Edward,
I discovered your site when I noticed your link to my column, PowerfulPeace.WordPress.com. Thank you for acknowledging my work, and I’m very pleased to have found the Reconciliation Blog!
My work is based on a young lifetime spent as a (now retired) SEAL, counterterrorism specialist and liaison officer. I’m working in Iraq for the year, and constantly advising our military policymakers to balance our “hard” and “soft” power to truly make a difference in this and any war. Engaging with the local populace is the only way for us to truly establish a Powerful Peace.
I wrote a piece on P2 on President-Elect Obama’s selection from the point of view of my international friends, and I believe it would be relevant for your readership as well as all of my usual material on building up a torn society to effectively drive out the violent elements. This article can be found at: http://powerfulpeace.wordpress.com/2008/11/05/39-barack-obama-september-12th-and-november-5th/.
Thank you again, and may God bless ALL of His children in this mixed-up world.
PS – You’re on my Blogroll 🙂
http://PowerfulPeace.WordPress.com
[…] events at USC and UCI, but found this first lecture a more than adequate substitute. Thanks to Ed Gilbreath, I’ve also been reading the blog of two Princeton professors lately. Check it out; […]
Hi Mr. Gilbreath, a friend of mine recommended your blog. I’m a former member of River City Community Church in Chicago and now I’m studying film in Austin, TX.
I just finished a short documentary on an 88 year-old civil rights pioneer and how she experienced the Obama election. You can watch it online if you’re interested.
Thanks for your writing! It’s such an important arena of engagement.
Great Grandmama for Obama
http://current.com/items/89627884/great_grandmama_for_obama.htm
Glad to have found your sites. Excited to dig in!
well Ed, I am thinking about you as I head to Judson next week. I am doing their spiritual enrichment week chapel series and as a member at Christ Bible Church, Russ Knight is one of my elders.
your experience with Russ at Judson makes me think mmmmmmmmmmm. .. . wonder what the reaction to my time there will be?? I saw you were at Taylor last week. . I was there for MLK day and thought we’d get a chance to meet, sorry to have missed you.
one of the interesting things I’ll be doing is a session with faculty on minority student retention. . . if you have time to talk in the next couple of days I’d love to chat about this! 312.446.7264 is my cell.
Blessings,
Joel.
or just comment on my blog post about the topic. . .
peace.
Somebody posted this on my blog. Wondering what you guys think of it, when viewed this way?
(apologies for long link)
Legal definition of Reconciliation = Dissimulatione tollitur Injuria
http://books.google.com.au/books?id=JPmwesVsf6gC&pg=PA377&lpg=PA377&dq=Dissimulatione+tollitur+Injuria&source=bl&ots=xe3865Tflu&sig=13aNG_tJ8roiZLJmrdOhEhGgFsg&hl=en&ei=odFXSpzcO4KSsgOozezWBg&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=9#v=onepage&q=Dissimulatione%20tollitur%20Injuria&f=false
Hello Ed,
Just want to say I have your book Reconciliation Blues and its been a blessing and excellent resource. I attend a predominately white church in Atlanta Georgia and we are working together in love to establish a foundation of unity. It’s beautiful. I would love to interview you for my blog/upcoming documentary if you’re ever in the Atlanta area. I’d also love to be a friend of your blog!
Check us out at http://www.thepurplesky.com
Kindest Regards,
The Purple Sky: Where Kingdom Culture Lives
hi ed: i enjoyed reading reconciliation blues.
it has occurred to me that the origin of racial issues is tied to the account of the tower of babel. i am curious as to whether it has occurred to anyone to explore this.
i still have no idea of what the actual tower was, nor what of its purpose; what stands out to me is that the difference of tongues (and subsequent cultures) prevented “shama” which i am tentatively translating as being able to listen not just with comprehension, but also with an intent to respond in a positive way.
i am curious to hear your thoughts about this.
barry
u is blog good, i wait for your visit to my blog ^ ^
What if you are a non-evangelical (Eastern Orthodox) Christian and person of color (Afro Cuban) who has found their way into a missional suburban church that is predominantly white, straight, middle class, highly privileged and is really only interested in giving lip-service to diversity and inclusion but not really interested in doing the work.
I am feeling beyond alienated and thinking about finding a new church community.
family activities are very nice to have, it also strengthens the bond among family members :’-
Greetings. Thank you for the work you are doing to help equip Christians with biblical principles for multi-ethnic ministry. To help get the word out about your website we have posted a link in the websites sections of TheNewCulture.org. We hope it will help you to get the word out about your efforts.
In case you’re not familiar with us… We are a ministry that helps Christians have a biblical and effective approach to ethnic relations through our website, e-learning, and on-site training. On our website we post hundreds of books, articles, Bible studies, talks, movies, websites, etc. on multi-ethnic issues. We have about 800 visitors each day to our website. If you know of good resources that is not posted on our site please let us know.
If you feel your visitors would be interested, we would appreciate it if you would consider posting a link to our site in your website links, resource section, or newsletter.
Thank you and blessings in your ministry.
Michaela
Michaela Gregory
Training Facilitator | ReNew Partnerships
TheNewCulture.org
614.432.8899
michaela@renewpartners.org
I have added you to my blog roll on The Daily Race and look forward to reading more about the ways in which you are working in Christ’s ministry of reconciliation.
I’ve lived in Jamaica all my life among whites, latino, Indians, chinese, arabs and blacks. Our Motto, Out of Many; ONE People. Its 144 miles long and we DO NOT HAVE RACISM. We have many things but NOT RACISM. I have never seen a set of black and white folks so filled with hate such as Americans. I’m black with 1/8 German Jew and have Jamaican family and friends who are white, black, Asain, Indian and Latino. We’ve learn to appreciate all that we’ are and have in common instead of pointing at our differences. To Abigail; learn to appreciate the white just as much as the black my sister. You are not defined by the color of your skin but the content of your charachter(MLK). Did you know that amost 600 thousand white men died to free black folks? What about their lives, didn’t it mean something? Why don’t we talk about that instead of all the bad things? I predict that one day, the term “Black” will become obsolete. Although Jamaicans uses this to describe our skin color when we have to, we describe ourselves by the term “Jamaican” because its not just our skin that defines us but our struggles, our people(black, white, Indian, Asain, Latino), our country, our family, our friends and I hope one day, America will learn to do the same. I hope that when someone asks you who you are, intead of saying Black or white, you will say, “I am an American”
Here’s an Assignment by one of my Bi-racial students in Florida I think we all can learn something from. We get so caught up in our side of the fence that we forget that the person on the other side, cannot see our side of the fence. If we invite more to church or to dinners at our home, maybe that would understand but we make the assumption that they wont come… and just maybe they would do the same to us so we can see their side of the fence; that its not all as we would like to beleive.
Micah’s Essay
Being born to an immigrant family of African American and Russian Jew parentage who had seen struggles with Jewish and African ancestors, I get to see the world in color; not just black, white, Jewish or African but vibrant colors; and its beautiful. I believe that people are able to find a common ground if they only take the time to look through someone else’s eyes; that it’s all about perspective. Being biracial could have easily been a burden; a struggle for identity, to fit in but I know who I am because my parents made this experience beautiful; allowing me to see both sides of the fence. Although, I had to learn that the world can be a tough place, I also learn that there’s beauty in one’s struggles. Later, I was asked at the age of 10 by the Courts, to choose between the two people I love most but I was able to look through my Mother’s eyes and see what she needed and my Father’s eyes and see what he needed. I also knew that whatever decision I made, my parents would always love me regardless. I had spent 10 wonderful years with my Mom being a child, learning life skills and values and I would choose to spend the next 8 wonderful years with my Dad learning a different set of life skills and how to become a man. Choosing between my parents was the toughest decision of my life but it was a choice that defined me. It prepared me to look deeper, deal with emotions, ponder both sides of an issue and make tough the decisions. It also allowed me to cope with peer pressure, bullying, diversity, and other social issues. Most of all, I learned the critical component to how and why people feel and think the way they do, perspective. That your opinion is formed by which side of the line you stand on, but if you stood in the middle, like I do, instead of seeing ugliness; the world could look beautiful to you.
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