More Than Equals: Building Moral Character

This was a required text for one of my graduate courses and I didn't expect to enjoy it much. It wasn't far into the book that I began to resonate with some of the struggles for racial harmony articulated by Perkins and Rice. In Chapter 1, Spencer Perkins states emphatically, "The Civil Rights Movement has run its course, and we've gotten just about all you can expect to get from a political movement." I, a white guy, took offense at the thought that someone would declare the struggle for civil rights obsolete. His point is well made through the development of this and subsequent chapters. The move toward reconciliation must move from race to grace. Regardless of your religious affiliations, if you are engaged in civil rights causes or racial reconciliation you would be remiss to neglect this ground-breaking tome. PAX Erik

Every person needs to hear this message of racial reconciliation. Easy to read, challenging with a strong message. Read this book!

Spencer Perkins and Chris Rice offer us a vivid portrayal of two men from extremely different backgrounds coming together with their families in true Christian community. The book is open and honest. It will help to lift the cultural blinders we all wear.IS IT EASY? No, this book describes the self sacrifice, forgiveness, and difficulty of such an endeavour with great detail.IS IT POSSIBLE? Yes AND No. The book ends happily ever after, but the true friendship between Spencer Perkins and Chris Rice did not. Only a week before he died of heart failure at the age of 44 Perkins spoke of his difficulties in dealing with "White Folks" and the need to forgive. In a July 13, 1998 issue of Christianity Today Perkins describes how after more than 10 years of partnership with Chris Rice they still came to what seemed like insurmountable obstacles in their relationship, but they worked through it.WHY STRUGGLE? Because it is the right thing to do. God calls us to a ministry of reconciliation. Relationships are difficult, especially relationships with people from different backgrounds. It is not easy to remain married for 50 years, but the ones who make it are the ones who don't give up.WHY READ THIS BOOK? It will encourage you to embrace the struggle. It will help you see others from a different perspective. It will help you to grow. It may change your life.

A friend of mine and I read this book. We both have had experiences of being in all-Black and all-White congregations and the authors are right on target. This is definitely a must read for all that are concerned about reconciling the races for the greater cause of Christ. 5 stars!

A wonderful book! Rice and Perkins hold nothing back as they show that the race problems in America cannot be worked out simply by passing laws. The only way true healing can take place between hostile races is through Christ's unconditional love for all of us. They strongly encourage churches to open their doors and arms to people of different races and cultures and to work out their differences through God's Grace rather than simply passing legislation. This book offers strong, proven examples of black and white Christians learning to live and worship together in Jackson, MS. Highly recommended!