Spiritual Formation in a Multicultural World - by Benjamin D Espinoza & Sarah F Farmer & Virginia Ward (Paperback)

About the Book

Offers a vision for Christian formation and discipleship that is attuned to the realities of race, ethnicity, culture, and class and helps church leaders learn how to minister more effectively across cultures.

Book Synopsis

In recent years, many have called for a greater emphasis on diversity and multiculturalism while others have remained indifferent or adversarial to the prospect. The role of the church in leading this charge is uncertain, although pastors and church leaders have increasingly acknowledged the role evangelicalism has played in marginalizing communities of color and perpetuating a gospel of Whiteness.

In this book, three authors with youth ministry, family ministry, and community development expertise challenge the ways we often conceptualize conversations around diversity and inclusion in church-based settings. They show how complex racial identity issues rooted in American society manifest themselves in church ministries and provide practitioners with the tools needed to encourage spiritual formation in a diverse world. They offer a vision for Christian formation and discipleship that is attuned to the realities of race, ethnicity, culture, and class to help church leaders minister more effectively across cultures.

About the Author

Benjamin D. Espinoza (PhD, Michigan State University) is lead pastor at Avon Wesleyan Church in Rochester, New York. He previously served as vice president of Northeastern Seminary at Roberts Wesleyan University.

Sarah F. Farmer (PhD, Emory University) is associate director of the Wabash Center for Teaching and Learning at Wabash College in Crawfordsville, Indiana.

Virginia Ward (DMin, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary) is director of leadership and mentored ministry initiatives at the Center for Urban Ministerial Education at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in Boston, Massachusetts.