Our Hearts Were Strangely Lukewarm: The American Methodist Church and the Struggle with White Supremacy

by John Elford, Ian Straker (Foreword)

Our Hearts Were Strangely Lukewarm summons the reader on a most unusual journey through Methodist history. Along the way, we discover how the White American Methodist Church became deeply entangled with White supremacy. From the founding of the church in the late eighteenth century to the present, we have too often been silent bystanders or active accomplices in the enormous harm caused by racism. It's a complicated and shameful story few Methodists know. And yet, if we want to transform the world toward a different and better future for all, one free of the stranglehold of racism, we must come to terms with the story of our past--the whole story! Our Hearts Were Strangely Lukewarm is a trustworthy guide into the church's troubled history. It's also a present-day call to action that finds inspiration in those Methodists who stood against the tide and those guiding the church today toward the horizon of racial justice.

Genres: Race, History

188 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 30, 2023

Reviews

[Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a book that I think everyone should read, especially white people, especially Methodists. It makes clear that the Methodist Church has refused, on many occasions, to stand up against racism. It often said nothing at all, or made statements that tolerated, or even outrightly supported racist practices. This includes slavery, Jim Crow, and segregation. Even on the subject of lynching, there was little that the Methodist church did about it.

Of course, there were individuals and small groups who pushed for equality and justice (United Methodist Women in particular), but the church as a whole was slow to make those things a priority in practice. Some may not know that the Methodist Church split in 1844, between North and South, over the issue of slavery. When they united again in 1939, they created a Central Jurisdiction, a separate church division, for black churches. It wasn't until 1968 that the "CJ" was abolished and the United Methodist Church was created. There had been opposition along the way.

I am sure that a similar history has played out in many other churches. But as a member of the Methodist Church, I am concerned that we have been so slow to stand up for what both Jesus Christ and John Wesley preached. Of course, the Methodist Church has split again, this time on the issue of gay rights. Though many churches have left the UMC, either to join the new Global Methodist Church, or to disaffiliate from any denomination, I am heartened by the current General Conference's stand on the dignity and value of all people, and the pledge not to exclude anyone from the church based on whom they love. Again, I recommend the book.

[Montana Hamby · Rating 4 out of 5]

Our Hearts Were Strangely Lukewarm provides a deep dive into the hidden realities of racism with The United Methodist Church and its history. Our legacy within the Methodist movement has often been rooted in systemic approaches in how black and white members of the church have been included and excluded. This book highlights the policies and practices that have continued to promote racism within our church. Thankfully, this book also highlights the history of brave leaders and churches who have fought against racism and continued moving towards an antiracist church. This should be a required read for all United Methodist clergy and leaders so that we can understand our complicated past to better create a future that is inclusive and racially diverse.

[Laura Giessler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grateful for Elford's compilation and telling of this hard history of Methodism's complicity with racism and its problematic upholding of white supremacy. Methodists, of course, were not alone in their complicity, but it is searing to have a history written about one's particular denomination. I appreciate both Elford's clarity and honesty about the denomination's failings and his recognition of people who courageously and counter-culturally took stands against the prevailing racism and often paid a price for it. His presentation of both types of responses leaves us all with clear choices to make today.

[Dee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting history - a few too many acronyms made some of the material difficult to follow. Also, I was hoping to use it for a Sunday school class on racism in the church, but I don't think it will work for that setting.