A Credible Witness: Reflections on Power, Evangelism and Race, By Brenda Salter McNeil alt

A Credible Witness

Reflections on Power, Evangelism and Race

by Brenda Salter McNeil
Foreword by Tony Campolo

A Credible Witness
Ebook
  • Length: 159 pages
  • Published: August 20, 2009
  • Imprint: IVP
  • ISBN: 9780830874224
Other Formats:

Meet Jesus and Sam.Evangelist and teacher Brenda Salter McNeil thinks evangelism that only introduces people to Jesus is incomplete. The picture is much larger than that, she claims: Christ's death and resurrection reconcile us to God andto each other across gender, race and social lines.Jesus' encounter with the Samaritan woman, introduced here as Brenda's friend Sam, gives you the full picture of gospel reconciliation--reconciliation to God and to each other. In her powerful, prophetic way, Brenda expounds their interaction recorded in John 4 and shares her own story of coming to Christ and learning to relate to other Christians. A Credible Witness tells you why both types of reconciliation are necessary, and moves you to be a person whose evangelism happens through a right relationship with God and others."In today's world," Brenda writes, "we too are called to embody more than one type of reconciliation. The good news brings us to God, and it also brings life and healing to a broken, dying and divided world. Anything less is not the gospel."

"Brenda Salter McNeil has done some wonderful critical thinking about evangelism and how the gospel is to be presented with justice and in a holistic manner. She details how community, race and culture need to be considered in our sharing of the good news. This is a must-read for serious-minded people striving to follow Christ in a postmodern world."Wayne "Coach" Gordon, Lawndale Community Church
"Brenda Salter McNeil paints a wonderful picture of the power that our credible witness can have to a divided world. I wholeheartedly commend this book to anyone who wants to build bridges of reconciliation like Jesus did."Dr. David Anderson, pastor, Bridgeway Community Church and author of Gracism
"McNeil sensitively shows us that if our love for Christ doesn't extend to caring for our cities and for the poor, if there isn't a commitment to racial reconciliation and justice as well as passionate concern for personal salvation, then our witness will be ineffective. This is an important contribution to the field of evangelism. I recommend it enthusiastically!"Rebecca Manley Pippert, author of Out of the Saltshaker
"Drawing from Jesus' encounter with the Samaritan woman at the well, Dr. Salter McNeil engages the text in a fresh, insightful and relevant manner that urges the reader to move beyond the limitations of individual evangelism and embrace the much-needed reality of holistic reconciliation. Weaving aspects of her personal journey with the Samaritan woman's story, Dr. Salter McNeil exposes and expounds on the often-neglected interpersonal issues of sexism, elitism, ageism, racism and schism in anaffable, poignant and yet convicting manner. I highly recommend and encourage everyone to acquire, read and above all live out the challenges and enduring principles graciously presented by Reverend Dr. Brenda Salter McNeil in A Credible Witness."Luis A. Carlo, associate dean, Alliance Theological Seminary
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CONTENTS

Foreword by Tony Campolo
Acknowledgements
Introduction: Becoming a Credible Witness
1 Know My Context to Know My Story
2 Begin with a Divine Mandate
3 Engage in Intentional Interaction
4 Relinquish Power and Embrace Need
5 Take Risks to Reach Out
6 Develop Reciprocity and Interdependence
7 Go Beyond the Superficial
8 Be Authentic and Transparent in Worship
9 Make a Life-Changing Decision
10 Take Action to Be Countercultural
11 Be a Bridge Builder
Conclusion: Taking the Witness Stand
Appendix: A Leader's Guide to Restoring Credibility
Further Reading
Notes

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Brenda Salter McNeil

Brenda Salter McNeil is a dynamic speaker, an author, and a trailblazer with over thirty years of experience in the ministry of racial, ethnic, and gender reconciliation. She is an associate professor of reconciliation studies in the School of Theology at Seattle Pacific University and is also the author of Roadmap to Reconciliation 2.0 and A Credible Witness.