Lead Me On, Let Me Stand

"William Barnwell's first book, In Richard's World: the Battle of Charleston 1966 changed my life. It was the main reason I applied to teach at an all-Black school on Daufuskie Island. That experience became the basis for my book, The Water is Wide. He is a shameless white, Southern liberal just like me. We are a small, but stubborn group and we are joined by the likes of Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton and Sister Helen Prejean. I think William Barnwell has lived a stirring, exemplary life--and he writes beautifully."

--Pat Conroy, New York Times bestselling author

"William Barnwell is a deeply committed priest. Surely he has often been the bane of the establishment's existence. This honest book, his journey, provides us with a unique look at racially divided Charleston and his personal struggles through a divorce, a death and more. At each step, he becomes more committed as a crusader for social justice, dedicating himself as a champion of civil rights as well as gay rights, prisoner rights, and more. Readers will be blessed by William's honesty and insights, and especially his willingness to pursue what is right. While William is a great story teller, it has been through our work together that I have seen what a priest should be. He walks with Jesus."

--Patty Johnson, Founder Rebuilding Together

"A beautiful, poignant and inspiring account of a white Southern pastor's rejection of his family's racism in order to spend his life in the struggle for social, especially racial justice. Barnwell's brilliant, laugh-out-loud story-telling illustrates the profound lessons he learned about how -- and how not -- to try to reconcile entrenched opponents. When breakthroughs occurred -- in his work as a pastor, teacher, prison minister and public advocate --Barnwell sometimes writes, quoting Jesus, "And the Kingdom of God is like that." Barnwell's many admirers probably would agree that the same thing should be said of his own brave and faithful life, remembered here with such fitting grace."

--Bob Abernethy, Managing Director, Religion&Ethics Newsweekly (PBS)

"William Barnwell is a brave and courageous spirit, a smart writer and a fine storyteller. Most importantly, he has something to say. Barnwell faced the most painful problems of his culture faithfully and he has been able to keep his finger firmly on the pulse of his times. This is an exciting saga of the civil rights struggle, up close and personal, and it is the heartening story of a man who is passionately determined to bring his commitments to life. This is a lasting testament."

--Joe Morris Doss, Bishop of the Episcopal Church

"As a pastor in historically white Southern churches, William Barnwell has looked racism squarely in the eye and dedicated his ministry to overcoming it. This account of that life's work is compelling, scarily honest--and very important."

-- Shannon Ravenel, editor and co-founder of Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill

"If the argument is ever joined as to whether late 20th century Christianity did much earthly good alongside its heavenly aspirations, the story of William Barnwell will provide a powerful case in the affirmative. This son of the segregated South became as an Episcopal priest a lifelong crusader for racial equality and social justice. Strikingly, he did it not by becoming more of an activist and less of a spiritual leader, but by showing how faith and justice are inseparable. A man of dogged courage, Barnwell is also a riveting story-teller who writes with the same impassioned Southern drawl he uses when he speaks, and draws the reader into a mélange of unforgettable characters, confrontations, and crises. His life of advocacy took him onto the streets of New Orleans, Boston, and Washington, D.C., into the cells on Death Row as well as the pulpits of the powerful. In this memoir he leaves behind the inspiring record of a life and faith that made a difference."

--Sam Lloyd, Rector, Trinity Boston

"William Barnwell is a preacher and a storyteller who has frequently left his pulpit and rolled up his sleeves in the service of community understanding, social justice, and racial harmony. That hands-on experience makes his account of one Southerner's journey from privilege and prejudice to brotherhood and compassion such a compelling read.

--Tom Sancton, journalist and author of Song For My Fathers