Congratulations we have our winners!!
I’m super excited about the release of my friend Scott Williams’ book, Church Diversity.
Scott’s been a good friend over the years and has offered me support and advice in so many different areas. I was with him last week in Orlando and just reminded of how powerfully God is working through his life. I’m super proud of him and this first book where he tackles one of the biggest issues facing the church today.
If 11:00 on Sunday mornings is the most segregated hour of the week as of today, Scott’s book will most certainly get conversations started and God’s people fired up and moving in the right direction to where tomorrow, that doesn’t have to be true. Do yourself and your church a favor and pick up a copy today.
Or if you’re lucky, you may be one of the 5 I randomly select to win one in the next 24 hours. Just leave a comment and your automatically entered.
I’ve not picked up the book yet, but I saw Scott speak at the CP2011 Velocity conference & the talk he gave was pretty convicting. Can’t imagine what the book will be like.
Yea Scott! Antother one of our great staff pastors at Lifechurch.tv changing the world!
Whoever finds God, Finds Life!
I love this concept he’s presenting in the video. I’m looking forward to reading it.
A diverse church body is hard to create, especially in areas where racism still flourishes. I would love to read the book!
This is a subject that is very important to me. In fact it is “part” of the reason I left my last church. I don’t feel ANY church has the right to pick and choose who will come. God sent Jesus to die for ALL not just people who look or act like me. Thank you Scott!
Completely believe in the diversity of the church. Would totally love to read his book. Glad to see others believing in this as well.
Would love to win one!
living a diverse life.. and would love to “win” a copy of this book. I have just seen him on twitter when I got a random follow from him, and I need to see what “plan B” is all about…
very thought provoking.. can’t wait to read this book
Love hearing Scott and his passion for this subject! Hope I can figure this out when I launch the church that God gives me!
I would love a copy!
Yay for randomly chosen comments! Make’s it easier to enter. Hope I win!
Great post. This book is definitely on my radar to pick up, it would be sweet to get the hook up for free.
Looking forward to reading this whether or not I get a free copy or not!
Thanks Scott and Pete.
Didn’t read your book , but saw your imformerical on
youtube .
I like the point , of saying it God churches and
not denominations , that also can segregate us as a church.
one church .
I enjoy receiving Scott’s tweets daily and would love to win a copy of his book! I am a member of NewSpring Church in Anderson, SC and love how our church continues to grow in diversity. Long way to go yet, but it is happening!
Great video – I totally believe that this is the way it should be. As a pastor of over 25 years – having gone thru the church growth movement and its homogenious principle – then about 7 years ago seeing that this was so wrong and in direct opposition to Eph 2 – i love Scott Williams message.
Speaking of diversity..
How does your staff look churches?
Just sayin..
I just recently started following Scott on Twitter. (He actually started following me first. #puzzled)I am amazed at some of his insight and am so happy to see someone tackle tough issues in the church. “Cutting Edge” is one of the most mis-used (and over-used) words in our culture today. Scott is far more than cutting edge – he is biblically sound and accurately expresses what so many pastors have been avoiding for far too long! True integrity is shown when even the “best” of them don’t have the courage to say it! Mad props to Scott for saying what nobody else has had the courage to say in a way that shows what the love of Jesus is truly about.
Looking forward to digging into Scott’s new book!
I would love to have a copy of this book, for growth!
Such an important topic today. I’m looking forward to the read!
the elephant in the pew…sounds like there is something for all of us to learn from this book. Thanks for a chance to win a copy Pete!
I will be very interested in reading this…sounds very intriguing!
Blessings to you and your beautiful family! Proud of you!
Lisa
I’d love to read Scott’s new book. It’s always bothered me that, even when living and serving in some pretty diverse communities, our churches have so very rarely reflected that same diversity. For our culture to truly move beyond a race-based mentality, we have to address this contradiction. Our churches should be leading the way rather than trying to catch up!
Would love to review it for my blog!
Sounds very helpful.
Thanks…!
I want this book!!!
Wow, sounds like an excellent book. Would love a copy.
Oh, I can NOT wait to read this book! I am praying now that it changes many, many lives!
This is an issue that has been on my heart for years. I grew up in church, yet did not experience any sort of diversity until I went to college, and it truly grieves my heart. I was even give the ‘advice’ early in my college years that interracial marriage and relationships (on every level) were not biblically sound, and believed that for many, many years. My hope and desire is that through worship and the Word, we are all able to see each other through His eyes, and His purpose. I have finally found a church that I think truly embraces this ideal.
Thanks for sharing, Pete – can’t wait for the book!!
I think that it is awesome to see someone finally speaking up about the racism in the church.
“There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” -Galatians 3:28
One of the most important Bible verses, in my opinion.
Would love to win a copy, Pete.
Hi Pete,
I am so honored that you took the time to write an encouraging note to me at the Exponential Conference last week. Thank you sooo much! It is a busy season right now, but what a privilege to serve Christ…humbling that He uses us. Thank you for the prayers on my behalf! May God abundantly bless you in what He has called you to do!
Because of His Amazing Love,
Ro
Would love to win a copy.
I don’t know him other than from his blog but he seems like an incredible dude. I’m really wanting to read this book to see what he brings to the table.
I can’t wait to read this book. Living in Mississippi we have our fair share of segregation in some churches. It’s the big elephant in the room that no one likes to talk about but everyone knows its there. I’ve been fortunate to find a church now that excepts everyone just the way God made them
Awesome!! Scott is a great guy, and I’m really about the possibility of winning a copy of his book!!!
I pray for this all the time—a visionof heaven displayed in our local churches.
I hope this book excites others about reaching all for Christ as it does me. There are so many ways a church can be diverse, I am looking forward to see how our church can implement this. Our church is more diverse than others I would say but this promo video makes me realize how much further we need to go. Thanks for the heads up!
Sounds like an interesting read
I’ve always felt I understood and practiced diversity within the church. After watching this video, I’ve been challenged to expose what I may not even be aware of that is placing obstacles that come from my heart. May God make bountiful this book and its message to the Body of Christ.
So when HASN’T corporate America been leaps and bounds beyond the church? We have so much to learn.
Corporate America has a profit motive and (as a result) pushes itself to be good corporate citizens.
Why shouldn’t the church be even more powerfully motivated?
Great post Pete. Would love to Scott’s book.
Sounds like a great read!
Would love a randomly selected copy of his book.
i would like to make 11 o’clock on sundays less segregated
I would love to read this!
The older I get the more fed up of church politics and back seat rumblings! There has to be a way of using these large numbers of people for a purpose other than meeting at 11 on a Sunday! As important as it is to meet with other Christians, I just want to preach Jesus to people who don’t yet know the truth! This video is right along my trail of thought. Thanks for highlighting the book! to God be the Glory!
Interested to add this book to my reading list.
The topic of this book makes me want to scream, YES!!!!!!!!”.
I love the attitude Scott is approaching this subject with. He states in another promo video for the book, “It’s not a black church, it’s not a white church…it’s God’s church!” Looking forward to reading it!
Something I feel very passionate about! Love this! Thanks for the head’s up, Pete, I definitely want to pick this up.
i once had this a discussion about this with a friend of mine – carolyn about 10 years ago . Carolyn is an intelligent black woman who attended an all black church. I am an intelligent white woman who at that time attended an all white church . Both churches were Baptist, had the baptist hymnal, collected offerings, were a part of the same mission board … yet no resources were being consolidated. She being a little older than i had some wisdom i have tried to hold on to since that conversation. Me- ” Carolyn , why do you think that we don’t worship together. Is it because we don’t want to leave our comfort zone ?” Carolyn – ” No, Dana the comfort zone is not the problem.. the ignorance zone is. ” Learning leads to loving which leads to open doors for diversity.
It would be great if every Christian read this book & then moved into action. I love the insight Dana provided from Carolyn too.
I’ve always been a bit perplexed by why the local church remains segregated. At the last church I attended (about 500 people at the time), there were 3 or 4 black couples at the most. Two of the couples also happened to be friends of mine. They eventually left the church. When I asked one couple why, they said they had found a black church where they felt more comfortable. But does that mean that the mostly white church made them feel uncomfortable? I just don’t know. Since I’m bi-racial, I don’t really feel a strong sense of identity to being white or being Asian, but I do understand the feeling of well-meaning people not quite knowing what to do with you or how to act around you.
I would love to read Scott’s book.
Very interesting concept…love it
May we all learn true love that restores us all to one another and to our creator through Christ love and example.
Being in Montana… this is still an issue!
I would love to hear his thoughts on this incredibly important and largely ignored issue!
Sounds like a neat book.
I am excited that another book is written about the “elephant in the pew” because it has been and still is my belief until the “church” begins to pray for the gift/spirit of Love that we will continue to suffer with the truth that Sunday remains the most segregated hour. If we truly had the gift of Love, hate would be terrified of “our great love for one another, to the point of suicide.
I really can’t wait to read this. My wife and I are about to go do full-time ministry in NYC. Thankfully, I’ll be able to experience a more diverse setting, as opposed to my typical experiences throughout the Bible Belt. It’s what Heaven will look like.
Wow! Loved the message of the video. I’ll take a shot at free.
Thanks for sharing… I will check it out soon.
Blessings ~ Jeff
I am looking forward to checking this book out!
Can’t wait to read this book!
This looks like a great book! I would love to read it. I have never understood the lack of mixed race churches and would love for it to change!
Thanks,
Celena
Pete, I want the book.
Plus, you gotta admire Craig Groeschel for ‘allowing’ one of his pastors to write and publish a book, rather than requiring his own books to be exclusive. Lots of the big name pastors would never do that…
I, too, am SO perplexed by this – I’d love to read his book!
I would love a copy
I think this is a book that is very needed in our community. I hope that as many people as possible can read this and apply it. Will a small group study be developed for this?
I need something to read after “Plan B”. =)
awesome sign me up and please pic me. oh and could it be a kindle version by chance?
I would love to read this book. Actually just had a conversation with my husband about this last week.
It sounds like an awesome book I would love a copy! I live in Canada and would love to read it.
Would love to win this!
Amen!!!
Love it!
Can’t wait to read the book!
I think that the more we worship together from all types of cultures, the better we will be in handling issues in our community, schools and workplaces.
This sounds like a really interesting book with a challenge to action. Thanks for the chance to win one!
Blessings,
Lindsey
Wow! I would love to read this book!
Ecidujerp is prejudice spelled backwards-either way it makes no sense!
The song “One” by Chris Sligh makes more sense….
Love to have Scott’s book out here in Oregon! We really need it.
What a timely and well needed resource for the Church!
booyah!
This is a comment. But seriously, I am looking forward to reading this book.
I saw Scott speak backstage at the Orange 2011 and found what he had to say interesting. Would love to read his book and see how Canada plays into what he found.
Powerful thought by Martin Luther King, Jr. Whea! The words of Jesus are ringing in my ears – “if you seek to save your life, you lose it. If you lose it for Christ’s sake and the gospels, you will find it.” Love that! We find our purpose for living when we realize IT’S NOT ABOUT US – and sink our teeth into living for something much greater than us – the cause of Christ! As long as we make it about us – segregation and division will continue in a people that should be marked by unity and love and hope.
interesting! i would love to read the book and will have to put it on my wishlist regardless =)
Powerful thought by Martin Luther King, Jr. Woe!
I can’t wait to read it. I go to a racially diverse Covenant church in the Twin Cities and our mission is to reconcile people to God and one another.
I’m looking forward to this book! I’d love to win it.
Waiting to get my copy of this book! I attempted bringing urban youth into a white mainstream youth ministry setting. It failed miserably. I truly thought it could be done through this paradiagm. It’s truly time for a change!
Greg
This sounds like a book that every pastor needs on his shelf.
Sounds like a great book. I remember being in churches when I was younger that preached about opening the doors to everyone, but as soon as someone who looked different in any way came in, the church staff would turn up their noses to them, eventually running them off. Glad my church today welcomes in everyone!
I am part of a local church that truly is diverse among its congregants. It really is a blessing to worship and serve together, with Caucasians, African Americans, and Hispanics. I agree with the need for increased awareness and willingness for church diversity.
Super excited to read this!
How sadly true this evidence of segregation is within the church walls. I, as I’m sure many others have been that one “outcast” in the reality of what I call the “Christian Country Club”. I have come to realize that if you are different or radical in any way than the “core” group of a church, there are moments of ostracizing. This segregation has brought a new understanding that there are many Christians that don’t know how to deal with the broken. How sad this is. My church, which is guilty of this mentality would be so fortunate to read the truths of their own reflection. I would love a copy of the book, “Church Diversity” to share Scott’s paradigm of this wide-spread plague.
Thanks!
-Tony
Sounds like an interesting book!
So excited about Scott Williams book on diversity. After his great presentation at Velocity 2011 by Churchplanters.com, we met a few people at our hotel impacted by his message. As a church where our values are “Devotion, Diversity, Discipleship”, we had an amazing conversation with some church leaders that were “accidentally segregated” on Sunday mornings, and had no clue on how to steer that ship. However, we heard their cry and talked to them about what the future holds. Resources like this book are definitely going to be beneficial to the body of Christ. I hope I win one, otherwise it’ll be on my short list to buy and read.
Hope I win
Sounds like an interesting book.
#FistBump & thanks for all of the comments and huge thanks to you Pete for sharing…
Been trying to win one of these copies for a while.
you’d think we’d differ so much from the larger culture by being diverse – but we’re actually less diverse than most any other group.
I’d love to read this book. Our congregation has very little diversification, and I’d love to read Scott’s book and gain insight on how to reach all of our community… not just the ones that fit into a certain category.
If I’m not too late, I’d love to be eligible to win this book. It sounds like something great for our to church to discuss.
Thanks!