People of the Dream: Multiracial Congregations in the United States

This book may be the most extensive study of multiracial congregations in the USA, but we really need more insight. Perhaps in 20-30 years we will have a better idea about how to accomplish racial healing.

Michael Emerson did a lot of careful research for this book, and he tells the truth, some of it told in spite of the obvious fact that he has a strong bias in favor of interracial endeavors. To begin with, according to his reasonable definition, only 7% of American congregations are interracial, and all is not peaches and cream with these. In a chapter called "Shadows" Emerson relates candidly the difficulties of melding diverse cultures and traditions, especially in religion, and says in so many words that some of those trying to do this often wonder if it worth the effort. Emerson identifies two dominant religious traditions in America - English European and African American. The big differences are in the areas of preaching and music, which reflect still deeper differences concerning the roles of reason and emotion. Sometimes seemingly minor arguments finally can be seen as rooted in these cultural differences. Many of the churches Emerson studied are, indeed, predominantly either European or African in their style, and often joining an interracial church means accepting the dominant style of that particular church, even though it may not be your own religious tradition at all. When all is said and done, this book is a very valuable study of the real sticking points in American race relations, and if the churches who are trying to do something about this can keep on learning, we might all benefit greatly. I recommend the book mostly because it tells the truth in an area of American life, race relations, where the truth is often hidden or ignored. Dwight Brown