BEYOND THE WHITE CHURCH: Disrupting Racism, Rebuilding Faith Community

“On the Fourth of July, 1981, my church burned to the ground.”

With that searing image, Rev. Doug Cunningham begins a gripping memoir of faith,
loss, and the lifelong work of disrupting white supremacy within the U.S. church.
Beyond the White Church is both a personal journey and a prophetic challenge, inviting
Christians, churches, and spiritual seekers to dismantle the racism embedded in
American Christianity and to rebuild faith communities rooted in anti-racism, social
justice, and boundary-breaking belonging.

Raised in white suburban Christianity, Cunningham’s worldview was transformed
through activism, involvement with multiracial congregations, Black liberation theology,
and Filipino resistance movements. Across four decades of ministry, Cunningham
articulates a truth many churches resist:

“Ignoring the call to dismantle white supremacy as an essential element of giving
oneself to Christ keeps us complicit with the executioner. White supremacy
crucifies Jesus continually to maximize profit and power.”

Drawing readers into compelling stories of protests, romance, church planting, and
pastoral leadership, Cunningham explores how the liberating gospel of Jesus compels
white Christians toward the fight for racial equity.

What You’ll Find in This Book

A firsthand account of confronting white supremacy in the church
From seminary to church meetings to denominational structures, Cunningham
exposes how racism operates in everyday church life and how it can be
disrupted.
A powerful blend of memoir, theology, and social analysis
Rooted in global movements for justice and liberation theology, this book
connects personal transformation to systemic change.
A clear-eyed critique of the white church’s complicity
Cunningham reveals how patriotism, capitalism, and Christian institutions merge
to uphold white dominance, even in progressive spaces.
A vision for multiracial, justice-centered communities
Through his decades of ministry experience, Cunningham offers a blueprint for
congregations seeking authentic, anti-racist transformation.

Who This Book is For

Pastors, faith leaders, and church boards confronting racism in their
congregations and institutions
Christians seeking an honest, theologically grounded path beyond white-
dominant norms
Seminarians, educators, and students of theology, race, and religion
Readers drawn to memoir of spiritual awakening, justice organizing, and cross-
cultural ministry
Anyone who believes the gospel calls us to dismantle systems of oppression

A Prophetic Call to Rebuild the Church

Cunningham argues that a church centered on the gospel cannot coexist with the
structures of white supremacy.
This is a book for those who know the church must change.
This is a book for those ready to move spiritually, politically, and collectively beyond the
white church.
If you are ready to reclaim a faith that liberates rather than oppresses, add
Beyond the White Church to your cart and begin the journey today.