Читать книгу A Theology of Race and Place - Andrew Thomas Draper - Страница 7

I would like to thank my parents, Dr. and Dr. David and Linda Draper, who have consistently encouraged me in my pastoral and scholarly work. They have modeled for me lives committed to Jesus Christ, which is the greatest of gifts. Three pastors whose counsel has been important at key points in my life are: Charles Gifford, Guy Pfanz, and David Smith. I would also like to thank my teacher Phil Harrold for teaching me to love reading theology.

The congregation of which I am senior pastor, Urban Light Community Church, has been generous in respecting the space I needed to complete this research and has been the space in which I have experienced joined lives marked by difference. I am thankful for the opportunity to participate in one another’s ongoing conversion. I would especially like to thank Toddrick Gordon, Joe Carpenter, Maria Wilson, Dori Granados, Nichole and Danny Smith, Lezlie McCrory, Elisabeth Taylor, Jody Powers, Shameka Gordon, James Rediger, Carol Jackson, Brenda Miller, Emilie Carpenter, and Seth Winn—the pastors, ministers, and leaders with whom I work. I also thank the leaders of the Churches of God, General Conference and Midwest Region for their support of me and my work.

The Lilly Endowment’s provision of a pastoral sabbatical grant was indispensable in allowing me and my family to journey to Aberdeen as I began the doctoral process that would lead to the writing of an early draft of this text. I thank my father-in-law, Russ Wood, for suggesting the Scottish divinity milieu as an environment appropriate to my research. I can credit only the hand of God with allowing me to find Brian Brock, whose hospitality, gentleness, and humility led me in directions I would never have been able to find on my own. I am privileged to call him both a doctoral father and a friend. Stephanie, Adam, Caleb, and Agnes joined Brian in welcoming me and my family.

I also credit the writings of John Perkins and conversations with Wayne Gordon, the founders of the Christian Community Development Association, with initially alerting me to many of the issues I later sought to address in this text. As my questions have matured, Willie James Jennings has consistently gone above and beyond my expectations in offering me guidance and hospitality as I have dialogued with him about issues in this text. Prof. Jennings’ generosity is more than I could have hoped for. I also thank J. Kameron Carter for meeting with me and pointing me in fruitful directions. I would like to thank Andre Mitchell, Kevin Hargaden, Josh Arthur, Danny Smith, Terrance Bridges, Eric Wood, Adam Stichter, and Leslie Draper for reading portions or the entirety of various versions of this text and patiently conversing with me about the material and its presentation. Thanks are due to Stanley Hauerwas and Jonathan Tran for offering invaluable constructive criticism that helped me clarify my positions. I deeply respect Prof. Hauerwas’s grace and humility in disagreeing with me. I would also like to thank my colleagues at Taylor University. They have been an encouragement in my research, teaching, and ministry.

Finally, I would like to acknowledge and thank my wife, Leslie Eleanor, whose pursuit of the truth and whose commitment to justice have discipled and guided me. I respect her more than words can say and I am so thankful for her love in our shared journey. My two sons, Aidan and Alister, are supportive beyond their years as our family seeks to follow the Way together. The path is often circuitous and I am so thankful that we do not walk it alone.