Dear Church

<p><b>An inherently fascinating inspired and inspiring read from beginning to end unreservedly recommend and worthwhile reading.--Midwest Book Review</b></p><p>Lenny Duncan is the unlikeliest of pastors. Formerly incarcerated he is now a black preacher in the whitest denomination in the United States: the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). Shifting demographics and shrinking congregations make all the headlines but Duncan sees something else at work -- drawing a direct line between the church's lack of diversity and the church's lack of vitality. The problems the ELCA faces are theological not sociological. But so are the answers.</p><p>Part manifesto part confession and all love letter <i>Dear Church</i> offers a bold new vision for the future of Duncan's denomination and the broader mainline Christian community of faith. <i>Dear Church</i> rejects the narrative of church decline and calls everyone -- leaders and laity alike -- to the front lines of the church's renewal through racial equality and justice.</p><p>It is time for the church to rise up dust itself off and take on forces of this world that act against God: whiteness misogyny nationalism homophobia and economic injustice. Duncan gives a blueprint for the way forward and urges us to follow in the revolutionary path of Jesus.</p><p><i>Dear Church</i> also features a discussion guide at the back -- perfect for church groups book clubs and other group discussion.</p>