Empowered to repair Becoming people who mend broken systems and heal our communities

Brenda Salter McNeil, 1955-

Book - 2024

"Brenda Salter McNeil shows that the biblical story of Nehemiah offers a model for repairing and rebuilding our broken communities. This book is a guide for activating people to join in God's work of transformation in their local context"--

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Subjects
Genres
Informational works
Instructional and educational works
Self-help publications
Published
Grand Rapids, Michigan : Brazos Press, a division of Baker Publishing Group [2024]
Language
English
Main Author
Brenda Salter McNeil, 1955- (author)
Physical Description
158 pages ; 23 cm
Bibliography
Includes bibliographical references (pages 153-158).
ISBN
9781587434488
  • Preface
  • Introduction
  • 1. Ask the Right Questions
  • 2. Identify with the Plight of People
  • 3. Pursue Proximity to the Problem
  • 4. Organize a Diverse Coalition
  • 5. Repair the Breach Together
  • 6. Expect External and Internal Opposition
  • 7. Stay Covered in Prayer
  • 8. Avoid Faithful Exhaustion
  • 9. Leverage Access to Resources
  • Conclusion: Redefine Success
  • Acknowledgments
  • Notes
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review

McNeil (Becoming Brave), an associate professor of reconciliation at Seattle Pacific University, issues an impassioned call for Christians to bridge racial and social divides by drawing on principles from the biblical book of Nehemiah, an account of a high-ranking Persian official who rebuilds Jerusalem after the Babylonian exile. To mend "broken relationships and systems" with "forgiveness justice," readers are encouraged to ask questions to uncover "core issues," following the example of Nehemiah, who inquired about the conditions of the Jews in Jerusalem. Elsewhere, McNeil draws lessons on how to form diverse coalitions and empathize with others as they suffer injustice (Nehemiah "lamented" for the plight of those who survived the captivity). The biblical narrative serves as a solid organizing framework but doesn't always add much to Salter's analysis. For example, readers are reminded that Nehemiah's project was met with resistance and that they too should anticipate "external and internal challenges" in their repair work. Though discussions of reparations and police and education reform are strewn throughout, some readers may wish for more organized action items. Still, McNeil's uplifting message is enriched by her poignant personal musings, including how her recollection of Martin Luther King Jr.'s assassination highlights the links between faith and social activism. The result is an inspiring starting point for Christians looking to put their beliefs into action. (May)

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