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Outsiders on the Inside
Understanding Racial Fatigue, Racial Resilience, and Racial Hospitality in Our Churches
Foreword by Carl F. Ellis Jr.
Imprint: Wipf and Stock
Can Christian community be racially exclusive and still call itself faithful?
In the United States, the story of Christianity has been intertwined with the story of race since the beginning. All too often, Christian leaders have fostered cultures that wound minority members instead of creating cultures that heal division. With this history of exclusion, all Christians must ask whether our churches practice the racial hospitality envisioned in the Scriptures. In this necessary conversation, minority pastors voice fatigue, signaling that church cultures are not as welcoming as they often claim to be. Outsiders on the Inside explores the history of race in the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA), comparing the denomination's core theological convictions with the experiences of Black PCA pastors. This is a story of racial fatigue and resilience, of learning to thrive in the midst of challenging environments. This study reveals areas for growth and opens up possibilities for Christians of all races and confessions to come together, creating a diverse, hospitable, and healing community.
William E. Boyce pastors Christ Church of Arlington (PCA) in Arlington, Virginia. He received his doctor of ministry from Trinity School for Ministry, in Ambridge, Pennsylvania, studying the intersection of race, Reformed theology, and pastoral ministry.
“Standing at the intersection of pastoral ministry, Reformed theology, and current concerns, Outsiders on the Inside makes its case for racial inclusivity as part of the church’s mission with scriptural sensitivity and in dialogue with one denomination’s history, Herman Bavinck’s theology, and the experiences of Black pastors. It models the kind of discussion many congregations and networks need to have and the tone with which to have it. I highly recommend it.”
—Mark P. Ryan, Covenant Theological Seminary
“While American culture at large continues to reckon with our nation’s past and present anti-Black racism, churches are (slowly) doing the same. This book is your ticket to a front-row seat for watching that reckoning unfold within the Presbyterian Church in America. . . . Partly an engaging oral history, partly an acute theological analysis, partly an insightful field guide for the ongoing work of justice seeking and reconciliation, this book is a gift and a galvanizing call to action.”
—Wesley Hill, Western Theological Seminary
“Boyce has biblically, theologically, compassionately, and clearly shown us God’s vision of inclusion and hospitality for the church; attentively and piercingly captured the experiences of Black PCA pastors; and pastorally shown the PCA a way forward towards healing and shalom. Outsiders on the Inside is a welcomed, catalyzing, and significant work for our current moment in the PCA and the church at large.”
—Cyril Chavis Jr., RUF pastor, Howard University
“With a scholar’s mind and a pastor’s heart, Billy Boyce’s contribution is intellectually stimulating, historically and biblically faithful, radically Reformed, and saturated with grace. This book will undoubtedly be a helpful resource for those wondering how a historically white denomination might become a place where all races are truly welcome.”
—Charles Lewis, associate pastor, Northside Church of Richmond
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