The Hip-Hop Church - by Efrem Smith & Phil Jackson (Paperback)

About the Book

Pastors Smith and Jackson invite readers to the hip-hop church, which, like the culture from which it rises, speaks to the heart. Here, they show the urgency of connecting hip-hop culture and church to reach a generation with the gospel of Jesus Christ. (Church Life)

Book Synopsis

Pastors Efrem Smith and Phil Jackson show the urgency of connecting hip-hop culture and church to reach a generation with the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Review Quotes

"The Hip-Hop Church implores church leaders to engage the hip-hop culture rather than protest it. . . . Gives readers new insights into a culture influencing most youth in America, regardless of their race or social status. The critique of current traditions is likely to raise objections from some, but it's just as likely to change the way you do ministry."

"The Hip-Hop Church implores church leaders to engage the hip-hop culture rather than protest it. . . . Gives readers new insights into a culture influencing most youth in America, regardless of their race or social status. The critique of current traditions is likely to raise objections from some, but it's just as likely to change the way you do ministry."

--YouthWorker Journal, May/June 2006

"As someone who grew up in hip-hop culture and as someone who pastors a church targeting it, I can say a book like this is long overdue. For years there has been a tension between the two due to a lack of understanding. This has been an additional factor in the drop in church attendance among emerging generations. Efrem and Phil do a thorough job of breaking down the history of hip-hop culture and the dynamics of urban churches. They paint an encouraging and realistic picture of how the church can engage the culture and stay true to its biblical foundation."

"Finally! A thorough resource that intelligently articulates what is too often misunderstood."

"Hip-hop is a culture that we must deal with both culturally and biblically. This book that Phil and Efrem wrote will help the evangelical community to understand it, minister through it and redeem it for the kingdom of God."

"Phil and Efrem have shaped a refreshing and insightful look into the world of hip-hop through the lens of the gospel. They are able to discuss hip-hop culture in a way that is theologically sound while also 'keeping it real.' This book is a must read for pastors, teachers, theologians, youth leaders or anyone else serious about ministry to this current generation."

"Smith and Jackson are to be commended for their thoughtfulness, insight, and commitment to educate the church on this most crucial segment of society, the hip-hop culture."

"Smith and Jackson are to be commended for their thoughtfulness, insight, and commitment to educate the church on this most crucial segment of society, the hip-hop culture."

--Robert W. Strong, Great Commission Research Journal, Winter 2010

"Smith and Jackson provide a valuable starting point for further research on hip-hop's impact on Christian churches around the globe."

"Smith and Jackson provide a valuable starting point for further research on hip-hop's impact on Christian churches around the globe."

--Religious Studies Review, January 2007

"Smith and Jackson undertake the challenge of reconciling the church to hip-hop culture, marrying the two seemingly disparate entities, and offering new hope through this integration."

"Smith and Jackson undertake the challenge of reconciling the church to hip-hop culture, marrying the two seemingly disparate entities, and offering new hope through this integration."

--CCM, April 2006

"The black church and hip-hop are the two greatest repositories of our culture. . . . The time is right for the two to be joined. . . . The gospel ministries and work artfully described in this volume by Efrem Smith and Phil Jackson . . . are successful, exciting and real. In preaching, music, worship, counseling, social analysis and more these congregations offer vibrant insights that may transform the values, beliefs and traditions of hip-hop America--and enrich us all. What these two churches have done, other churches can do. . . . Here is to a new movement in black and multiracial America--the hip-hop church--keepin' it real and keepin' it right."

"The hip-hop culture has penetrated, infiltrated and influenced greatly the young American culture. Hip-hop is no longer an African American phenomenon but now has greatly impacted the White and Latino culture as well. It is extremely important for us as Christians to understand the art of hip-hop and how we can use this medium to reach young Americans with the good news of Jesus Christ. Phil Jackson and Efrem Smith's new book, The Hip-Hop Church, is the best resource I've seen in helping us bridge this gap. For anyone working with youth today, The Hip-Hop Church is a 'have to' read."

"The hip-hop culture has penetrated, infiltrated and influenced greatly the young American culture. Hip-hop is no longer an African American phenomenon but now has greatly impacted the White and Latino culture as well. It is extremely important for us as Christians to understand the art of hip-hop and how we can use this medium to reach young Americans with the good news of Jesus Christ. Phil Jackson and Efrem Smith's new book, The Hip-Hop Church, is the best resource I've seen in helping us bridge this gap. For anyone working with youth today, The Hip-Hop Church is a 'have to' read."

--Wayne "Coach" Gordon, president, Christian Community Development Association, and founding pastor, Lawndale Community Church

About the Author

Phil Jackson is associate pastor of Lawndale Community Church and pastor of The House Covenant Church, an all youth and young adult hip-hop church in Chicago. Phil also trains and consults youth leaders in urban communities across the country through Bringn' dafunk Communications, Inc., a ministry he founded to change the way the gospel is communicated to youth. Phil and his bride, Kim, have three fantastic teenage children.

Efrem Smith is senior pastor of The Sanctuary Covenant Church in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He has also served as executive director of The Park Avenue Foundation (Minneapolis) and urban ministry director of Minnesota Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Smith is a member of the CORE seminar training team of Youth Specialties and a speaker with Kingdom Building Ministries. He is also the author of Raising Up Young Heroes.