This is a new kind of history, the story of the African Americans who remained part of The Methodist Church when others were leaving to form new congregations. The chronology and chart format help readers understand not only what African Americans have done in ministry through the church but also what was going on in the US at that time.

This volume's contributors--dynamic and progressive African American church leaders--advocate the prophetic powers of black theology, preaching, and evangelism in support of community and economic development, ministerial and lay leadership, and enhancement of church life. All of them were presenters in 2004 at the first Samuel DeWitt Proctor Conference, established to reinvigorate the social justice agenda of America's black churches.

This is the book everyone has been waiting for - an inspiring celebration of the joy, challenges, and triumphs of being African American. This book captures the spirit of the community through inspiring storytelling that understands both the struggles and joys of being African American. From Jim Crow to the Civil Rights movement to today's business leaders and gangsta culture, this book is a primer on black history. And like all Chicken Soup books, it's a moving tribute to the small things-a moment of insight, a mentor, a lover, the loss of innocence - that make life worth living.

Renowned for preaching and the growth of his church, Cathedral International, from 125 members to over 7,000 today, Bishop Donald Hilliard shows church leaders how to grow spiritually healthy congregations. He begins by offering an understanding of healthy church growth, defines the mega-church phenomenon, and alerts leaders to the need to be aware of healthy vs. unhealthy church growth. In his section on having the right foundation, issues such as vision, the centrality of Christ, biblical preaching, the priority of holy living, sound doctrine, being people-oriented rather than program-oriented, the importance of tithing, and good Christian education are lifted up and discussed as tools.

By blending the traditional elements of the worship service with African American culture, this book again contains fifteen services for special occasions, including: Pastor’s Day, Men’s Day, Women’s Day, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Kwanzaa, M.L. King, Jr. Day, Watch Night, Usher’s Day, Homecoming/Family Reunion, Deacon’s/Steward’s Day, Deaconess/ Stewardess Day, Youth Rite of Passage, Board of Christian Education, and Women’s Missionary Society Day.
Appendix: Original African American Special Days

In this study, Brian Blount reads the book of Revelation through the lens of African American culture, drawing correspondences between Revelation's context and the long-standing suffering of African Americans. Applying the African American social, political, and religious experience as an interpretive cipher for the book's complicated imagery, he contends that Revelation is essentially a story of suffering and struggle amid oppressive assimilation. He examines the language of "martyr" and the image of the lamb, and shows that the thread of resistance to oppressive power that runs through John's hymns resonates with a parallel theme in the music of African America.

How can the black church fully and successfully forge ahead without recognizing the contributions, wisdom, and insight of those who laid the foundation for its existence today? The authors of "Our Help in Ages Past" proclaim it cannot. Saucer and Elster issue a wake-up call to black churches everywhere; a wake up call to not only recognize the past, but to begin to reap the benefits from all that the elderly have to offer, and are waiting to give. This book challenges and guides the members and leadership of African American churches to make more concerted effort to meet the needs of the elderly in churches and in the larger community.

Editor Darryl Sims scores once more with this follow-up to his critically acclaimed first volume. Sound the Trumpet Again presents eighteen sermons from some of the country's most prominent and prolific black pastors that speak to critical issues facing black men today. Topics such as the necessity of a black role model, maintaining strength in the struggle, a call to fatherhood, having a vision and a voice, overcoming stereotypical images, saving black boys in America, the real dangers of the thug life

There is an old saying in the black community that goes, "God Don't Like Ugly." According to McKinney, the issues named above have led to ugly in the black church and have thus weakened its status as the strongest institution in the black community. These issues are but a few covered in the groundbreaking book, Getting to Amen. This important resource provides a set of practical tools, based on Christian principles, psychological theory and research on African American religious culture, that will help churches move beyond disputes and disagreements to harmony and heartfelt Amen!

This book contains two dramas, recitations and poetry for Christmas that engage the African American experience. One of the dramas reflects a historical point of view and one focuses on the contribution of an individual. Dramas are inclusive for all age levels, from preschool to teens. A permission to local churches to reproduce the materials contained in this publication for purpose of rehearsal and performance has been granted by the publisher.