Be challenged by Michelle T. Sanchez in her book, Color-Courageous Discipleship, and explore how the conversations we often avoid might be the key to our spiritual growth.
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Reading Level: Easy to Moderate
This book is written for adults seeking to wrestle with their own understanding of how racism can affect our engagement with discipleship.
Faith Engagement Level: Easy/Moderate to Digest
The younger the believer the better (i.e. this book will be easier to digest for new Christians). Those of us who have been believers for a long time may have a harder time reorienting our faith experience than those who have the privilege of engaging in this teaching early in their faith journey. This book also includes a guide for small group discussion, and a glossary to enable the reader to engage with the text more deeply.
Reader Age Recommended: Ages 13+
This book references moments that will be hard for some readers to engage – including George Floyd’s Death, the Jewish Holocaust, Residential Schools, and the Chinese Exclusion Act. These topics are addressed in a way that is sensitive, but parents of younger readers will want to give space for conversations to support their teens as they read this work.
*There is a student and children’s version of this book available for younger readers – although, I have not personally reviewed those resources, and cannot speak to the age levels, etc. .*


WHY SHOULD I READ THIS BOOK?
If you can’t name the ways that an individual’s experience of race or ethnicity might affect the way in which they experience the Gospel, and discipleship, it’s time to pick up this book. Systemic racism exists in the church as much as it does in other realms of our culture – and this book is a great place to start in your journey of discernment, dismantling, and discipleship.

Many times, when we talk about reconciliation and faith, it can come across as ‘White people need to do better.’ Unlike these experiences of reading and development, this book sets out with a clear message that the work of Color-Courageous Discipleship is the responsibility of all believers. The author, describes her work in this way: “Imagine my surprise when I , as an African American woman, was reinforcing racism in different ways myself! We all need awakening, transformation, healing, and fresh vision for a new day” (P.18 of 245).

As a point of note, Michelle T. Sanchez begins this conversation with a careful explanation of the uniqueness of Race and Ethnicity with a focus on the way each is handled in Scripture. In light of the biblical use of these words, the author constructs a beautifully rich definition of ethnicity:
“Ethnicity is a God-ordained cultural identity
that God delights in as a means of bringing glory to Himself
and enrichment to His kingdom.”
(P. 22 of 245)
This definition is contrasted by her interpretation that race is a human system that highlights differences, power, and division. Essentially, if God delights in our cultural identities, and race is a human fabrication that only amplifies division, our work as believers is to follow Jesus, dismantle racism, and build community (p. 28 of 245).

One of her central chapters also deals with the trauma and shame that often affects individuals seeking to embrace color-courageous discipleship. With Scripture as the foundation for her discussion, she leads a faithful conversation with readers and guides us through the experience of what is healthy and holy in our Kingdom building – both as individuals who represent minority or majority populations. Trauma and shame can be experienced on either side – and can be powerful pieces in our stories of redemption.

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WHAT DID THIS BOOK CHALLENGE ME TO DO?
Chapter One deeply challenged the way in which I interpret the concepts of race, ethnicity, and the building of culture in Scripture. Michelle T. Sanchez wove together concepts which existed on the fringes of my mind, and gave me a distinct call to action. Her perspective as an expert in Christian discipleship and faith development blends the stories of individuals, the terminology of culture, the words of Scripture in a way that challenges the reader and empowers you to action.

The remaining chapters of the book focus on specific challenges, paradigm shifts, and spiritual practices that will shape the way in which we embrace a color-courageous pattern of discipleship. Each challenge is rooted in Scripture, and is richly practical for individuals from all backgrounds to embrace and engage.

While my review has more of a focus on Chapter 1, each of the other chapters has richly affected me as a reader. I love the way that Michelle gives such careful and meaningful attention to the Word of God in her approach to this conversation. This is not only an approachable book for readers who may find conversations around equity and reconciliation difficult, this book is a transformative work.

As a final note, this book is from the perspective of an American author (hence the use of “Color” and not “Colour”). Readers in Canada and other nations should be mindful of their own contexts and the experiences of the individuals in their local settings. Michelle T. Sanchez shows us how to do the work, calls us to pull up our socks, and tells us get to it.

This book is timely and important in today's social landscape. Every Christian needs to read and consider Sanchez's message. Being the church means being aware of the hurts our brothers and sisters bear, and facing hard issues like racism.

My thoughts:
This book wasn’t revolutionary in its discussion of race. There are many other books I would recommend for that conversation. However, I think this is a great introduction to those who may be nervous to read a “secular” approach to race. The author does a nice job speaking from personal experience. The book also has some great frameworks to think through. One important framework discussed personal through cosmological understanding of sin.

Who is this book for:
This is book is for the christian who not only wants to understand race conversations but also wants to understand how that conversation aligns with their faith. There are many books that enter the race conversation, many do it in better ways, but this is directed to those in the christian faith. I think it does a nice job speaking to its intended audience.

Critique, Questions, Comments:
One critique (which is highly personal) was the language. I often felt myself cringing at the overtly church-y phrases and terminology. Obviously this book is geared toward christians and its use is understandable. I think with some slight language changes this could appeal, and be useful, too younger generations.