RENEWING A NATION

It is an honor and a privilege to add my critique to this intriguing and stimulating volume written by colleague and friend Dr. Lolita Gilmore-Randall.

Readers should be advised that this is not just an echo of familiar moans and groans pleading for someone to do something. Rather, it is a proposal forged out of broad observation and study of the Word of God, sage voices, and working models sifted through the refining fire of prayer and personal experience. Dr. Gilmore is among a rare breed of broad thinkers who are radically poised to bring about results.

The principles of this book are eternal principles for lasting change. Lessons drawn from Dr. Gilmore-Randall’s military service, her professional social service career and years of pastoral ministry make a compelling case for building and maintaining viable family resource training facilities. Given the widespread reactionary responses to Critical Race Theory (CRT) or said differently, to accurately taught African American history this idea is singular in its effort to coordinate so many different sectors.  

 

Renewing a Nation is a pragmatic and impactful read.   Jesus defined life as relational, and it is in relationship with him that we unselfishly find the abundant life for ourselves and others. The tone of this book is that of a humble heart with a remarkable receptivity and comprehension of other cultures beyond the author’s own.  I am impressed by the degree of attention given to history.  As one who has been privileged to interact with world leaders on multiple levels some who have lasted and others whose final results were disappointing I recognize that the collective insight, wisdom and advice of this work should be foundational to the training todays and tomorrow’s leaders. 

 The model appears to be readily adaptable to mega and small churches.  Undoubtedly, the healing that is hoped for must be preceded by a frank candor which initially almost sounds abrasive as the author talks about the failure of the black church.  Later chapters acknowledge that despite the oppressive environment which occasions the black church it indeed has been a sanctuary and on the vanguard of providing a modicum of temporary relief. This book tells us what we already know in fact or intuitively about the status of African Americans, but somehow the compilation and full confrontation view if the facts in sequence stops just short of one becoming overwhelmed.  I suppose we have to be stunned out of complacency to develop the needed inertia to sustain resisting a future characterized by trauma, isolation and lack of self-discovery. A fresh approach, sort of a one-stop shop for liberation, should refresh drained spiritual leaders and should rescue many in caregiving and empathetic service from burn-out and ultimately extinction.

This book is a clarion call for us to collaboratively begin cultivating the kind of environment that will allow leaders to develop stability and longevity.   Upon reflection, it is apparent that indeed nothing under the sun is new, but rather that the principles, as treasures mapped out in Scripture, and as cultural pathways​