Pastoral Theology

This book is an introduction to using the insights of Black Theology in the African American Church. Initially the writer sets for principles that distinguish the African American church from the White Evangelical church as well as prominent TV Evangelists. Much of this distinction is found in the difference between the African American insistence that Christ sets us free from social, political, mental, and spiritual hinderances while the white evangelical approach only sees Christ as setting us free spiritually. Also the white evangleical approach emphasizes an indiviudalism whereas the Black Church in its early form emphasizes a community. Finally the White evangelical approach supports and represents the middle and upper classes, while the Black church when it is at its best represetns the lower classes and the poor.The first half of the book uses the theme of liberation which is prominent in many articulations of Black theology. This theology is wholistic and communal oriented rather than individualistic and only spiritual. The second half of the book seeks to take this liberation and show what it means in the real world of ministry. Examples are shown in Chrsitian Education, Preaching and Worship, and Church Administration. This book seeks to show how a ministry based on Black Theology's principles will look. The distinguishing of Black Theology from Conservative White Evangelical Theology and practice is helpful, but you will need more information on Black Theology as well as Black ministry that this book for too much ground is covered in this little book.