Insider Outsider: My Journey as a Stranger in White Evangelicalism and My Hope for Us All

Easily one of my best reads of the year. This is a memoir of an African American pastor’s journey through the black church and white evangelicalism. It was eye opening and painful to read at times, but Loritts communicates the truth with grace and humility. This is an important introduction to the cultural blindness that plagues those of us in the majority culture. With all that is happening in our country around the problem of racism, police brutality, nationalism, and the deep polarization in our political system, this is an instructive book that I’ll be reccomending to many.

Pastor Bryan's perspective is from a unique place, having been born into a well-known black pastor's family and having some "advantages" that the average black man would not have. In all fairness, he shares that some doors were open to him because of this. That being said, he is very sincere and convincing about the challenges people of color still face everyday, and I believe he has a solid grasp on that. I especially liked his illustrations toward the end of the book clarifying God's love, acceptance, and salvation available to all people who accept Him on faith and then can use God's help in working toward their sanctification from that point on---very comforting and reassuring to hear.

Took me 2 days (4 hours) to finish this amazing book. The book made me laugh, affirm, and weep. This is a prophetic book right here. I really hope that many white evangelical pastor’s read this book with a humble heart to have an inside look to what many minorities feel in white majority spaces. This book isn’t about Bryan whining but rather providing a hopeful solution to a culture that is in need of a reformation.

A MUST READ!!! But be ready. It is not for the faint of heart or those who simply want a “feel good” book on the subject. It’s honest, eye opening, raw and real. But, it is OH SO NECESSARY for understanding the issues.

Book had many great points, effective illustrations and powerful personal experiences. I will be re-reading it and look forward to discussing it with friends. My one critique was that I couldn’t clearly follow the over arching reasoning trajectory arguing for the deconstruction of white evangelicalism. I think this is a failure on the part of the editors or perhaps is due to the autobiographical nature of the book’s organization or possibly just that I’ve been reading it while in post surgery pain and possibly not thinking super clearly, though the book made an impact none the less :)

I loved this book! He’s an excellent writer. He eloquently speaks the truth. There were so many moments in the book that I caught myself saying, “preach!” What has been in my head and heart for so many years, Bryan articulated poignantly. I’ll read it more than once! I’m also gifting it to my pastor, who has the challenge of bringing diversity to Woodstock, Georgia.

As a "white boy" from the South, I've been learning of a whole society that runs parallel to my own. But unknown to me. Bryan Loritts has an excellent and powerful way of communicating how minorities and majorities view, understand, and misunderstand one another. Eye and mind opening. Needed.

Bryan Loritts’ Insider Outsider takes an honest and well-timed look at what today’s churches can and must do to truly reflect themselves as God’s welcoming community to the world. I/O challenges all aspects of our view of others, especially in the context of Christianity - who we say we are juxtaposed against what we are actually doing. Our world and lives are multiethnic; Christ’s church should look like it from the floor to the roof.

This book opened my eyes to much in the white evangelical church . Lorritts writing is exquisite, honest and courageous and his lived experiences as seminary student and pastor are a testimony to his perspective, which may be hard for some to reckon with, but a much needed voice as tgs church and country continues to battle with systemic racism.

I only gave it 3 stars as I was not thrilled with the writing style. However, the points made in this book are important. He talks about how difficult it is for a black evangelical to be in a white evangelical world, and other things as well. White Christians need to be reading books like this to consider what the black experience is like.

Easily one of my best reads of the year. This is a memoir of an African American pastor’s journey through the black church and white evangelicalism. It was eye opening and painful to read at times, but Loritts communicates the truth with grace and humility. This is an important introduction to the cultural blindness that plagues those of us in the majority culture. With all that is happening in our country around the problem of racism, police brutality, nationalism, and the deep polarization in our political system, this is an instructive book that I’ll be reccomending to many.

Pastor Bryan's perspective is from a unique place, having been born into a well-known black pastor's family and having some "advantages" that the average black man would not have. In all fairness, he shares that some doors were open to him because of this. That being said, he is very sincere and convincing about the challenges people of color still face everyday, and I believe he has a solid grasp on that. I especially liked his illustrations toward the end of the book clarifying God's love, acceptance, and salvation available to all people who accept Him on faith and then can use God's help in working toward their sanctification from that point on---very comforting and reassuring to hear.

Took me 2 days (4 hours) to finish this amazing book. The book made me laugh, affirm, and weep. This is a prophetic book right here. I really hope that many white evangelical pastor’s read this book with a humble heart to have an inside look to what many minorities feel in white majority spaces. This book isn’t about Bryan whining but rather providing a hopeful solution to a culture that is in need of a reformation.

A MUST READ!!! But be ready. It is not for the faint of heart or those who simply want a “feel good” book on the subject. It’s honest, eye opening, raw and real. But, it is OH SO NECESSARY for understanding the issues.

Book had many great points, effective illustrations and powerful personal experiences. I will be re-reading it and look forward to discussing it with friends. My one critique was that I couldn’t clearly follow the over arching reasoning trajectory arguing for the deconstruction of white evangelicalism. I think this is a failure on the part of the editors or perhaps is due to the autobiographical nature of the book’s organization or possibly just that I’ve been reading it while in post surgery pain and possibly not thinking super clearly, though the book made an impact none the less :)

I loved this book! He’s an excellent writer. He eloquently speaks the truth. There were so many moments in the book that I caught myself saying, “preach!” What has been in my head and heart for so many years, Bryan articulated poignantly. I’ll read it more than once! I’m also gifting it to my pastor, who has the challenge of bringing diversity to Woodstock, Georgia.

As a "white boy" from the South, I've been learning of a whole society that runs parallel to my own. But unknown to me. Bryan Loritts has an excellent and powerful way of communicating how minorities and majorities view, understand, and misunderstand one another. Eye and mind opening. Needed.

Bryan Loritts’ Insider Outsider takes an honest and well-timed look at what today’s churches can and must do to truly reflect themselves as God’s welcoming community to the world. I/O challenges all aspects of our view of others, especially in the context of Christianity - who we say we are juxtaposed against what we are actually doing. Our world and lives are multiethnic; Christ’s church should look like it from the floor to the roof.

This book opened my eyes to much in the white evangelical church . Lorritts writing is exquisite, honest and courageous and his lived experiences as seminary student and pastor are a testimony to his perspective, which may be hard for some to reckon with, but a much needed voice as tgs church and country continues to battle with systemic racism.

I only gave it 3 stars as I was not thrilled with the writing style. However, the points made in this book are important. He talks about how difficult it is for a black evangelical to be in a white evangelical world, and other things as well. White Christians need to be reading books like this to consider what the black experience is like.

So our echo chambers keep us deaf to those outside our lives. The blood of Christ bonds Christians in a supernatural way, however, we don’t experience this union because we aren’t listening to our brothers. Bryan Loritts provides us an opportunity to listen to the rumblings of his soul. His vulnerability is refreshing and challenging at times, but makes this book worth listening to. The point isn’t to agree or disagree but to listen for Christ as this pastor guides us to uncomfortable waters for white non-racist Christians.

Pastor Lorritt has given us an awesome goody in his book. Uncompromisingly Christian in his outlook and defying political labels, he points us beyond labels towards the more important reality of Christ, and he raises challenges to both White and Black communities towards developing racial healing God's way.

This is one of the best books, I have read, addressing what actions we can take to develop a healthy Multi-Ethnic Community. White Evangelicalism, has to be Dismantled only by White Evangelicals

This is neither a ‘shame on you white Christians’ book, nor is it a ‘love covers it all’ kind of book. Ps Loritts calls for action on both sides of the racial conversation. I felt convicted as a black man in that the way forward will require me to forgive and be willing to nurture relationships with my white neighbor. This is a hard topic written in an easy to read manner.

Bryan Loritt writes with refreshing, bold and unapologetic candle that calls for white people to be aware of their privilege while also laboring for solidarity and pursuing minority representation in our churches. His insights on power are vital for any church considering cross cultural ministry.

Fantastic book that addresses the struggles of a minority in a majority church. Well done!

Very impactful and compelling. Also very timely and insightful. Does not come across condescending or judge mental but rather honest and hopeful.

This book is one that the church would well benefit from if it became required reading for all church leaders, especially white leaders. I can only imagine the beautiful fruit that the church could produce if the heart of these pages spread to the hearts of white evangelicals across the u.s. and the globe.

So many questions answered and so many more took their place; inspiring to my own journey deeper into church leadership, ministry and bridging cultural divides for Christ - from my little corner of the world, in my narrative as a daughter of God and a black woman in Christian ministry.

Fantastic insight a must read