Empowered to Repair: Becoming People Who Mend Broken Systems and Heal Our Communities

by Brenda Salter McNeil

Publisher:

Brazos Press

, 2024

"An inspiring starting point for Christians looking to put their beliefs into action."--Publishers Weekly

Political and cultural wars are tearing communities apart. Issues such as immigration, racism, and guns are driving wedges between people and hampering Christians' impact in the world.

In Empowered to Repair, Brenda Salter McNeil looks to the biblical story of Nehemiah for answers. There, she finds an action-based model for repairing and rebuilding our communities and transforming broken systems.

McNeil goes beyond theories, offering practical tools Christians need for organizing, empowering, and activating people to join in God's work of equality, reparations, and justice. She provides strategies to drive systemic changes that go beyond superficial diversity and teaches the skills needed to engage in this important work long-term, such as organizing people, leveraging resources, and avoiding burnout through rest, prayer, and self-care.

Learning from Nehemiah, readers will be emboldened to go out and help build congregations, organizations, and communities where all people can flourish and reach their full, God-given potential.

From the Back Cover

"Timely, powerful, and so very necessary"--Willie James Jennings

Political and cultural wars are tearing communities apart. Issues such as immigration, racism, and guns are driving wedges between people and hampering Christians' impact in the world.

In Empowered to Repair, acclaimed author, speaker, and reconciliation scholar Brenda Salter McNeil looks to the biblical story of Nehemiah for answers. There, she finds an action-based model for repairing and rebuilding our communities and transforming broken systems.

"Dr. Brenda's bravest, most urgent, and most wise yet hopeful and strategic guide and pronouncement to date. An inspiring triumph."
--Patricia Raybon, Christy Award-winning author of the books My First White Friend, I Told the Mountain to Move, and the Annalee Spain Mysteries

"This book is timely, powerful, and so very necessary. It must make its way into the hands of every pastor, congregant, and Christian who believes that there is a work of reconciliation yet to be done."
--Willie James Jennings, Yale Divinity School

"Empowered to Repair is the sum of sage wisdom from a lifelong reconciler. For those awaiting the tools to make a better world, you found them!"
--Rev. Randy Woodley, author, speaker, co-sustainer: Eloheh Indigenous Center for Earth Justice

"Reparative action is the culmination of the Christian practice of self-examination leading to self-knowledge and confession. The culminating question is, 'What can I do to make it right?' As I finished reading this challenging and richly nuanced work, I found myself praying that God would give each of us the strength to participate fully in the ministry of reconciliation by asking this question and then doing it."
--Ruth Haley Barton, founder, Transforming Center; author of Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership

"Are you weary of conversations and debates about justice? Are you ready to practically and meaningfully contribute to systemic healing in your community? Good news--you're holding the playbook in your hands. Let's get to work!"
--David Swanson, pastor, New Community Covenant Church; CEO, New Community Outreach

Contents

Contents
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

Product Details

• Title: Empowered to Repair: Becoming People Who Mend Broken Systems and Heal Our Communities
• Author: Brenda Salter McNeil
• Publisher: Brazos Press
• Print Publication Date: 2024
• Logos Release Date: 2023
• Language: English
• Resources: 1
• Format: Digital › Ebook
• ISBNs: 9781493438594, 9781587434488, 1587434482, 149343859X
• Resource ID: LLS:9781493438594
• Resource Type: Monograph
• Metadata Last Updated: 2024-04-17T08:25:06Z

About Brenda Salter McNeil

Rev. Dr. Brenda Salter McNeil is a dynamic speaker, author and trailblazer with over twenty-five years of experience in the ministry of racial, ethnic and gender reconciliation. She was featured as one of the fifty most influential women to watch by Christianity Today in 2012 and is an associate professor of reconciliation studies in the School of Theology at Seattle Pacific University, where she also directs the Reconciliation Studies program. Salter McNeil was previously the president and founder of Salter McNeil Associates, a reconciliation organization that provided speaking, training and consulting to colleges, churches and faith-based organizations. She also served on the staff of InterVarsity Christian Fellowship for fourteen years as a Multiethnic Ministries Specialist. She earned a MDiv from Fuller Theological Seminary, a DMin from Palmer Theological Seminary and was awarded a Doctorate of Humane Letters from North Park University. She is an ordained pastor in the Evangelical Covenant Church and is on the pastoral staff of Quest Church in Seattle. In addition, she serves on the board of directors for Wycliffe USA and InterVarsity Christian Fellowship USA. She is also the coauthor of The Heart of Racial Justice and the author of A Credible Witness. Brenda lives in Seattle with her husband Dr. J. Derek McNeil and their two children.