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The Beautiful Community: Unity, Diversity, and the Church at Its Best
MP3 CD Format The church is at its best when it pursues the biblical value of unity in diversity.
Our world has been torn asunder by racial, ethnic, and ideological differences. It is seen in our politics, felt in our families, and ingrained in our theology. Sadly, the church has often reinforced these ethnic and racial divides. To cast off the ugliness of disunity and heal our fractured humanity, we must cultivate spiritual practices that help us pursue beautiful community.
In The Beautiful Community , pastor and theologian Irwyn Ince boldly unpacks the reasons for our divisions while gently guiding us toward our true hope for wholeness and reconciliation. God reveals himself to us in his trinitarian life as the perfection of beauty, and essential to this beauty is his work as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The gospel imperative to pursue the beautiful community—unity in diversity across lines of difference—is rooted in reflecting the beautiful community of our triune God. This book calls us into and provides tools for that pursuit.
Our world has been torn asunder by racial, ethnic, and ideological differences. It is seen in our politics, felt in our families, and ingrained in our theology. Sadly, the church has often reinforced these ethnic and racial divides. To cast off the ugliness of disunity and heal our fractured humanity, we must cultivate spiritual practices that help us pursue beautiful community.
In The Beautiful Community , pastor and theologian Irwyn Ince boldly unpacks the reasons for our divisions while gently guiding us toward our true hope for wholeness and reconciliation. God reveals himself to us in his trinitarian life as the perfection of beauty, and essential to this beauty is his work as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The gospel imperative to pursue the beautiful community—unity in diversity across lines of difference—is rooted in reflecting the beautiful community of our triune God. This book calls us into and provides tools for that pursuit.
1 pages, Audio CD
Published March 1, 2021
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About the author
Irwyn L. Ince Jr.
1 book7 followersIrwyn L. Ince Jr. serves as a pastor at Grace DC Presbyterian Church and director of the Grace DC Institute for Cross-Cultural Mission. He is a graduate of City College of New York, Reformed Theological Seminary, and holds a DMin from Covenant Theological Seminary. In 2018, Ince was unanimously elected as the forty-sixth Presbyterian Church in America (PCA) General Assembly moderator―the first African American to hold the position. He and his wife, Kim, have been married twenty-eight years and have four children.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 107 reviews
June 15, 2024
5 stars for the message and clarity of this book. Ince does a wonderful job being prophetic in the most biblical sense of the term--a clear call to obey and follow God attached to rich biblical promises and doctrine.
The format and style were a bit of a slog for me, but over all the book is well-worth reading for any believer.
The format and style were a bit of a slog for me, but over all the book is well-worth reading for any believer.
November 6, 2023
Preaching to the choir a little bit because I 10000% support unity in diversity in the church and have prayed for that for years. For anyone on the fence about its importance, this book presents a beautiful argument of why it’s important that we actively pursue this- even at cost to our own comfort. Eye-opening, practical, and down to earth. Honest in the failures and oversights of the white church but hopeful for reconciliation. Highly recommend.
September 6, 2025
2.5 ⭐️
A solid book that introduces the need for racial reconciliation and diversity in the church. Ince made some helpful connections throughout that got me to put the book down and consider. But this did feel more like a primer and introduction than anything else and like many others I would have appreciated practical application or more theological depth/continuation of his arguments.
Two of the stories he shared seemed unhelpful in the way he expressed them to the argument he was making (the church officer and the All Saints) and I would have liked to have more info on those situations.
EDIT: Upon further reflection, I don't know if this would be a helpful book outside of America and in the global church. Ince may not have been writing for the global church (and there's nothing wrong with that) but applying the principles he provides to them actually seems to do a disservice to the cultural differences of the church across the globe. This is interesting to me as the title of the book does not indicate it's America-centric focus, and you could then be convinced that Ince's view of the church at its best must be reflected globally. The tagline of the book includes "the church at its best" but the context of the book is just the American church. Adjusting my rating to 3.5 accordingly.
A solid book that introduces the need for racial reconciliation and diversity in the church. Ince made some helpful connections throughout that got me to put the book down and consider. But this did feel more like a primer and introduction than anything else and like many others I would have appreciated practical application or more theological depth/continuation of his arguments.
Two of the stories he shared seemed unhelpful in the way he expressed them to the argument he was making (the church officer and the All Saints) and I would have liked to have more info on those situations.
EDIT: Upon further reflection, I don't know if this would be a helpful book outside of America and in the global church. Ince may not have been writing for the global church (and there's nothing wrong with that) but applying the principles he provides to them actually seems to do a disservice to the cultural differences of the church across the globe. This is interesting to me as the title of the book does not indicate it's America-centric focus, and you could then be convinced that Ince's view of the church at its best must be reflected globally. The tagline of the book includes "the church at its best" but the context of the book is just the American church. Adjusting my rating to 3.5 accordingly.
May 24, 2021
(3.5) Wisely and soundly prompts Christians to be obedient and attentive to our call to diversity. The thoughts put forth in this book will stay with me and challenge me continually. Any Christian would be edified by taking this book to heart!
But I think this wants for, and readers may benefit from, practical examples given, and more logical follow-through on thoughts proposed.
After reading, I feel that I need a long conversation with the author to clarify his thoughts, and process my own. And from the attitude of this book, I predict that conversation would be loving, encouraging, and productive!
But I think this wants for, and readers may benefit from, practical examples given, and more logical follow-through on thoughts proposed.
After reading, I feel that I need a long conversation with the author to clarify his thoughts, and process my own. And from the attitude of this book, I predict that conversation would be loving, encouraging, and productive!
August 1, 2020
This is an excellent introduction for the 'why' behind pursuing ethnic and cultural diversity for the sake of God's glory (I'd add class differences as well but Ince only touches on that topic tangentially).
I'd highly recommend people starting here if they are looking to begin their journey to explore diversity in the body of Christ. He isn't heavy-handed in his presentation. He doesn't shame or guilt anyone for where they are at in their ethnic identity. This book is mainly a positive account for pursuing unity across racial lines.
A few more things that I would note about this book. Ince is clearly writing from a confessional position and it is clear that one of his target audiences is the PCA. As a lay-member in the PCA I appreciated this. Ince was tremendously patient with many of the questions that I frequently hear in the Reformed community. I would also say that Ince stays very close to the storyline of scripture. The outline of the book follows that storyline. But, not only that, he spends extensive time expositing units of scripture.
Overall, this is an accessible read that will encourage and convict anyone.
I'd highly recommend people starting here if they are looking to begin their journey to explore diversity in the body of Christ. He isn't heavy-handed in his presentation. He doesn't shame or guilt anyone for where they are at in their ethnic identity. This book is mainly a positive account for pursuing unity across racial lines.
A few more things that I would note about this book. Ince is clearly writing from a confessional position and it is clear that one of his target audiences is the PCA. As a lay-member in the PCA I appreciated this. Ince was tremendously patient with many of the questions that I frequently hear in the Reformed community. I would also say that Ince stays very close to the storyline of scripture. The outline of the book follows that storyline. But, not only that, he spends extensive time expositing units of scripture.
Overall, this is an accessible read that will encourage and convict anyone.
October 6, 2020
Helpful, hopeful discussion of how churches can begin to engage the challenge of racial division within our own walls.
Ince helpfully points out some of the ways American racial division has both infiltrated and been promoted by American churches. But his emphasis is not only on race in America, or only on the challenges between black and white Christians in America. He provides a theological picture of why we ought to work for unity in diversity. The final chapters on doctrine, counting the cost, and celebrating the truth of where we're headed are worth the price of the book. They provide a determined charge to do the difficult work now of working to act out our unity, but also a beautiful picture of the good gifts we enjoy now and will enjoy for eternity through unity in Christ.
One critique: He often quickly summarizes an idea from another work (typically sociological) at the start of each chapter. Sometimes, I felt like he summarized too quickly before building on that idea. This was particularly the case with a reference to a provocatively titled article by Anthony Bradley. While I appreciated the point Ince's chapter made, it took me longer, because I was frankly confused by his quick reference to Bradley's provocative language. It made me feel the need to read Bradley's article to understand the idea (which was maybe the goal?).
One commendation: Ince regularly uses the personal stories of Christians dealing with the challenges of cross-cultural, cross-racial relationships in a multi-ethnic church. What makes these great is he tells them with the pastoral perspective of years. So some stories that begin with a woman feeling tokenized and asked to serve on a mercy ministry because she was black progresses to feeling more a part of her church, three years later. Such stories help portray how time, patience, and deep relationships are needed to overcome many of the ways we misunderstand and miscommunicate to one another.
Ince portrays in this book a wonderful example: he recognizes and engages with the serious social ills of our day. He reckons with the difficult work needed in order for churches to address these divisions within themselves. All the while he remains grounded and hopeful in Christ Jesus' death, resurrection, and return. May his tribe increase.
Ince helpfully points out some of the ways American racial division has both infiltrated and been promoted by American churches. But his emphasis is not only on race in America, or only on the challenges between black and white Christians in America. He provides a theological picture of why we ought to work for unity in diversity. The final chapters on doctrine, counting the cost, and celebrating the truth of where we're headed are worth the price of the book. They provide a determined charge to do the difficult work now of working to act out our unity, but also a beautiful picture of the good gifts we enjoy now and will enjoy for eternity through unity in Christ.
One critique: He often quickly summarizes an idea from another work (typically sociological) at the start of each chapter. Sometimes, I felt like he summarized too quickly before building on that idea. This was particularly the case with a reference to a provocatively titled article by Anthony Bradley. While I appreciated the point Ince's chapter made, it took me longer, because I was frankly confused by his quick reference to Bradley's provocative language. It made me feel the need to read Bradley's article to understand the idea (which was maybe the goal?).
One commendation: Ince regularly uses the personal stories of Christians dealing with the challenges of cross-cultural, cross-racial relationships in a multi-ethnic church. What makes these great is he tells them with the pastoral perspective of years. So some stories that begin with a woman feeling tokenized and asked to serve on a mercy ministry because she was black progresses to feeling more a part of her church, three years later. Such stories help portray how time, patience, and deep relationships are needed to overcome many of the ways we misunderstand and miscommunicate to one another.
Ince portrays in this book a wonderful example: he recognizes and engages with the serious social ills of our day. He reckons with the difficult work needed in order for churches to address these divisions within themselves. All the while he remains grounded and hopeful in Christ Jesus' death, resurrection, and return. May his tribe increase.
December 8, 2021
I loved this as a resource for thinking about the church and its people. Reading it immediately following “Jesus and John Wayne” felt healing, though I loved that one too - this felt like a way forward.
July 22, 2020
Understandably and rightfully so, many of the books about racism in America contain heavy content and can leave readers feeling overwhelmed. While this book does not shy away from hard topics, it left me with a hope for the vision of the church as the Bible describes it: people from every tribe, tongue, and nation gathered at the marriage supper of the Lamb.
Ince Jr. begins the book by showing how a pursuit of diversity in the church is sustained by our trinitarian God who is Himself the picture of beautiful community. When the church pursues diversity with the goal of more accurately reflecting God rather than because it is the current hot topic, it will have far better and more authentic results.
From there, the book reads as a sort of "how to" manual for Christians who desire to see the church reflect God's heart for unity. He discusses tokenism, politics, majority and minority culture, and gratitude. I believe if we took to heart what the author talks about in this book, God would be glorified and the watching world would marvel at the power of the gospel to unite.
This book gave me a real look at the effort required to pursue unity with purity of heart, but it also left me hopeful. I learned a lot by reading it and would highly recommend it.
I received an advanced ebook copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
Ince Jr. begins the book by showing how a pursuit of diversity in the church is sustained by our trinitarian God who is Himself the picture of beautiful community. When the church pursues diversity with the goal of more accurately reflecting God rather than because it is the current hot topic, it will have far better and more authentic results.
From there, the book reads as a sort of "how to" manual for Christians who desire to see the church reflect God's heart for unity. He discusses tokenism, politics, majority and minority culture, and gratitude. I believe if we took to heart what the author talks about in this book, God would be glorified and the watching world would marvel at the power of the gospel to unite.
This book gave me a real look at the effort required to pursue unity with purity of heart, but it also left me hopeful. I learned a lot by reading it and would highly recommend it.
I received an advanced ebook copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
July 6, 2020
Irwin Ince's The Beautiful Community is a timely polemic to the Church on her lack of true ethnic and cultural diversity in the 21st century. Martin Luther King, Jr. famously said "it is appalling that the most segregated hour of Christian America is eleven o'clock on Sunday morning", and this indictment still rings true in 2020. Ince employs a thoroughly Biblically-informed approach to tackle the Christian vision of the Church as a diverse and beautiful community. By tracing themes of unity amidst diversity all throughout Scripture, Ince employs a strategy that cuts to the heart of readers who wish to align their ecclesiological vision with that of Yahweh. The regular pattern of anecdotal examples assists in driving home Ince's thesis of re-structuring local church communities to place minorities in leadership without tokenism, assimilation, or sacrifice of orthodoxy.
Where Ince's work could use improvement could be deeper and more frequent case studies. Additionally, hypothetical examples would serve to assist the reader in applying the book more readily. The book occasionally failed to captivate my interest -- I think it would be best read along with a local-church-based discussion group, rather than alone.
*An ARC of this book was received in exchange for an honest review.*
Where Ince's work could use improvement could be deeper and more frequent case studies. Additionally, hypothetical examples would serve to assist the reader in applying the book more readily. The book occasionally failed to captivate my interest -- I think it would be best read along with a local-church-based discussion group, rather than alone.
*An ARC of this book was received in exchange for an honest review.*
December 22, 2021
An excellent book on pursuing multicultural unity within the Church.
I usually reserve 5 stars for books that change my life, this is more like 9/10 maybe even 8.5, but it was a good read, quick read- i read it in a week so that has to count for something. The book never gets dry or redundant each chapter is good, even if there isn't anythng that just blows me away
It is a Really good book about building multicultural church. I love how the focus is on God. God Himself is beautiful community, and He calls the church to image/reflect Him. I never really thought about God being beautiful and that He makes beuatiful things and that we are to be beautiful to the world.
I appreciate that he is honest about the challenges facing minorities and challenges the reader in necessary steps to create beautiful community.
Irwin Ince is neither overly optimistic nor cynically complacent/callous about creating multicultural church that honors God and blesses others. He recognizes the need for us to work and God to work, and creating beautiful community is a process.
He does not offer silver bullets. He does give examples of struggles people experience and he sites sociolgists like Michael Emerson, Korie Edwards and Ibram Kendi, as well as theologians - with a great intro from Tim Keller- worth the price of admission in itself.
I was captured by the beautiful cover and heard about it at church, but did read it now as assignment for team leaders training- it will be interesting to see what others think. And think would be valuable read within our church - would have been helpful to read before starting a multicultural church as we made many of the mistakes he warns about.
Pretty quick & easy read. Good Content, broad strokes. Recommended read.
I usually reserve 5 stars for books that change my life, this is more like 9/10 maybe even 8.5, but it was a good read, quick read- i read it in a week so that has to count for something. The book never gets dry or redundant each chapter is good, even if there isn't anythng that just blows me away
It is a Really good book about building multicultural church. I love how the focus is on God. God Himself is beautiful community, and He calls the church to image/reflect Him. I never really thought about God being beautiful and that He makes beuatiful things and that we are to be beautiful to the world.
I appreciate that he is honest about the challenges facing minorities and challenges the reader in necessary steps to create beautiful community.
Irwin Ince is neither overly optimistic nor cynically complacent/callous about creating multicultural church that honors God and blesses others. He recognizes the need for us to work and God to work, and creating beautiful community is a process.
He does not offer silver bullets. He does give examples of struggles people experience and he sites sociolgists like Michael Emerson, Korie Edwards and Ibram Kendi, as well as theologians - with a great intro from Tim Keller- worth the price of admission in itself.
I was captured by the beautiful cover and heard about it at church, but did read it now as assignment for team leaders training- it will be interesting to see what others think. And think would be valuable read within our church - would have been helpful to read before starting a multicultural church as we made many of the mistakes he warns about.
Pretty quick & easy read. Good Content, broad strokes. Recommended read.
September 28, 2022
I found some inspiring passages but could not get past a very conservative Christian reading of the Bible, which actually made the author’s argument more difficult. The need for unity and diversity in the church is much simpler to explain when you embrace the message of the Bible being God’s love for all creation as God created it.
Any doctrine or practice that marginalizes people (and this means ANY people) conflicts with this message and is not of God, but of humans subject to error.
Any doctrine or practice that marginalizes people (and this means ANY people) conflicts with this message and is not of God, but of humans subject to error.
August 11, 2020
Summary: An argument that churches united amid their diversity are beautiful communities that reflect the beauty of the triune God they worship.
Most of us love beautiful things and are drawn to them. That is often not the picture we have of the church, fraught with conflict and division, including division across racial lines. Irwyn L. Ince Jr. believes that such community is necessary, possible under God, though not easy, to point the world to the beautiful God as reflections of God's beauty. Ince has walked this talk as a pastor within the Presbyterian Church of America, part of a multi-ethnic pastoral team pastoring a multi-ethnic church in urban Washington, DC. He is the executive director the Grace DC Institute for Cross-Cultural Mission. In 2018, he was unanimously elected to serve as moderator for the PCA General Assembly, the first Black moderator in the denomination's history.
Ince grounds his argument for the beautiful community is grounded in the relational beauty of the Triune God, and the first part of his work is devoted to this idea. In his introduction, he lists twenty-two attributes of the beautiful God. This is the source of our beauty as creatures in the image of God, the source of our dignity. And since the beauty of God is a beauty in community, no single individual can fully reflect that beauty but only the diverse community of humanity.
Ince writes, "We were made to image God as beautiful community but sin ruptured our communion and polarization has been our story ever since." Ince argues that we moved from garden to ghetto, including the racial ghettos of the American landscape. He argues that while race is indeed a human construct, it is one that has had real effects on the lives of people. He would contend that those who want to do away with the term are unwilling to deal with the harmful consequences of this sinful construct, and how the history of race in this country shapes our present context. He notes the often-failed efforts to form multi-ethnic congregations and the exodus of people of color from many evangelical congregations following their overwhelming support of the current president. He notes how ethnic identity may feel central for all, including whites whose ethnic and cultural practices subtly dominate in many multi-ethnic churches and only the new garments of an identity established in Christ can transform us.
One of the striking chapters in this work was the critical importance of devotion to doctrine. He argues that the injustices people of color have faced are departures from the fundamental truth of the unity of a diverse church, and gospel integrity calls us to address these injustices. He follows this chapter with a call to costly holiness, a holiness that faces and confesses our failures, and relinquishes majority dominated power structures. After challenging words, he concludes with a joyous vision of a beautiful, beloved community enjoying the pleasures of the Lord, including the pleasure of table fellowship, the sharing of good food.
The power of this book is that Ince addresses a challenging reality with a beautiful God-centered vision. Sociologists he cites have analyzed as a near impossibility that churches can gather across racial differences. Yet his doctrinally formed vision of God, of humanity, of the work of Christ, and of the church come together in his beautiful vision, under God's grace. His conviction is that it won't be easy, that it will involve intentional hard work, and reliance upon the grace of God. The question for us is whether our vision of the beautiful God will fuel our vision of a beautiful community that reflects God's beauty to the world.
________________________________
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary review copy of this book from the publisher. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
Most of us love beautiful things and are drawn to them. That is often not the picture we have of the church, fraught with conflict and division, including division across racial lines. Irwyn L. Ince Jr. believes that such community is necessary, possible under God, though not easy, to point the world to the beautiful God as reflections of God's beauty. Ince has walked this talk as a pastor within the Presbyterian Church of America, part of a multi-ethnic pastoral team pastoring a multi-ethnic church in urban Washington, DC. He is the executive director the Grace DC Institute for Cross-Cultural Mission. In 2018, he was unanimously elected to serve as moderator for the PCA General Assembly, the first Black moderator in the denomination's history.
Ince grounds his argument for the beautiful community is grounded in the relational beauty of the Triune God, and the first part of his work is devoted to this idea. In his introduction, he lists twenty-two attributes of the beautiful God. This is the source of our beauty as creatures in the image of God, the source of our dignity. And since the beauty of God is a beauty in community, no single individual can fully reflect that beauty but only the diverse community of humanity.
Ince writes, "We were made to image God as beautiful community but sin ruptured our communion and polarization has been our story ever since." Ince argues that we moved from garden to ghetto, including the racial ghettos of the American landscape. He argues that while race is indeed a human construct, it is one that has had real effects on the lives of people. He would contend that those who want to do away with the term are unwilling to deal with the harmful consequences of this sinful construct, and how the history of race in this country shapes our present context. He notes the often-failed efforts to form multi-ethnic congregations and the exodus of people of color from many evangelical congregations following their overwhelming support of the current president. He notes how ethnic identity may feel central for all, including whites whose ethnic and cultural practices subtly dominate in many multi-ethnic churches and only the new garments of an identity established in Christ can transform us.
One of the striking chapters in this work was the critical importance of devotion to doctrine. He argues that the injustices people of color have faced are departures from the fundamental truth of the unity of a diverse church, and gospel integrity calls us to address these injustices. He follows this chapter with a call to costly holiness, a holiness that faces and confesses our failures, and relinquishes majority dominated power structures. After challenging words, he concludes with a joyous vision of a beautiful, beloved community enjoying the pleasures of the Lord, including the pleasure of table fellowship, the sharing of good food.
The power of this book is that Ince addresses a challenging reality with a beautiful God-centered vision. Sociologists he cites have analyzed as a near impossibility that churches can gather across racial differences. Yet his doctrinally formed vision of God, of humanity, of the work of Christ, and of the church come together in his beautiful vision, under God's grace. His conviction is that it won't be easy, that it will involve intentional hard work, and reliance upon the grace of God. The question for us is whether our vision of the beautiful God will fuel our vision of a beautiful community that reflects God's beauty to the world.
________________________________
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary review copy of this book from the publisher. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
December 2, 2024
I finished this a long time ago and have been dreading writing my review. Irwyn Ince’s “The Beautiful Community” offers a compelling vision for unity and diversity in the church, a conversation that is both timely and necessary. Ince’s central argument that diversity better reflects the nature of God’s church than homogeneity is sound and important for the church today. However, I would find it difficult to recommend this book to a congregant for several key reasons.
The first and most significant issue is Ince’s reliance on the Social Trinitarianism model to build his argument. While Ince does not stray into explicitly heretical territory, this model of the Trinity is a hard sell in the Reformed and evangelical circles he occupies. The connection between a Social Trinity and a social gospel is dangerously short, and Ince’s reliance on this framework introduces theological concerns that could detract from the work’s broader appeal.
Secondly, the book leans heavily on secular scholars and cultural sources such as TED Talks while underutilizing Scripture as a foundation for its arguments. For a work addressing core Christian truths, this imbalance is concerning, particularly coming from such an esteemed scholar within the denomination. At times, it is unclear whether Ince is writing for the church or for broader academic and social clout. This lack of clarity risks alienating readers who expect biblical grounding for theological reflections.
Additionally, the book does not offer much practical advice for mainline white churches, which are arguably among the primary audiences for this conversation. Some of Ince’s positions, such as the idea that criticizing Obama is inherently racist or that voting for Donald Trump is problematic, are bound to alienate large swaths of readers, regardless of political affiliation. Similarly, his suggestion that minority churches should remain safe spaces while the burden of diversification falls on white churches feels one sided and potentially counterproductive to the unity he seeks to promote. Even if one agrees with these positions in certain nuanced cases, presenting them without a more pastoral tone risks undermining the book’s goal of fostering reconciliation.
While I believe diversity is vital to the Church Catholic and a reflection of God’s kingdom, the kind of diversity Ince describes sometimes feels more like homogeneity than unity. A more robust engagement with Scripture and a less polarizing tone could have made this work more accessible and effective for the church at large.
For those seeking resources on this topic, I would recommend “The New Reformation” by Shai Linne, “Oneness Embraced” by Tony Evans, or “Talking About Race” by Isaac Adams. These works better balance the theological, pastoral, and practical aspects of diversity and unity without sacrificing accessibility.
Ultimately, “The Beautiful Community” suffers from a classic case of right doctrines built on the wrong texts. While it contributes positively to the broader conversation, it’s not a resource I would readily hand to a congregant. It’s a thought provoking book but not one I anticipate referring to again.
The first and most significant issue is Ince’s reliance on the Social Trinitarianism model to build his argument. While Ince does not stray into explicitly heretical territory, this model of the Trinity is a hard sell in the Reformed and evangelical circles he occupies. The connection between a Social Trinity and a social gospel is dangerously short, and Ince’s reliance on this framework introduces theological concerns that could detract from the work’s broader appeal.
Secondly, the book leans heavily on secular scholars and cultural sources such as TED Talks while underutilizing Scripture as a foundation for its arguments. For a work addressing core Christian truths, this imbalance is concerning, particularly coming from such an esteemed scholar within the denomination. At times, it is unclear whether Ince is writing for the church or for broader academic and social clout. This lack of clarity risks alienating readers who expect biblical grounding for theological reflections.
Additionally, the book does not offer much practical advice for mainline white churches, which are arguably among the primary audiences for this conversation. Some of Ince’s positions, such as the idea that criticizing Obama is inherently racist or that voting for Donald Trump is problematic, are bound to alienate large swaths of readers, regardless of political affiliation. Similarly, his suggestion that minority churches should remain safe spaces while the burden of diversification falls on white churches feels one sided and potentially counterproductive to the unity he seeks to promote. Even if one agrees with these positions in certain nuanced cases, presenting them without a more pastoral tone risks undermining the book’s goal of fostering reconciliation.
While I believe diversity is vital to the Church Catholic and a reflection of God’s kingdom, the kind of diversity Ince describes sometimes feels more like homogeneity than unity. A more robust engagement with Scripture and a less polarizing tone could have made this work more accessible and effective for the church at large.
For those seeking resources on this topic, I would recommend “The New Reformation” by Shai Linne, “Oneness Embraced” by Tony Evans, or “Talking About Race” by Isaac Adams. These works better balance the theological, pastoral, and practical aspects of diversity and unity without sacrificing accessibility.
Ultimately, “The Beautiful Community” suffers from a classic case of right doctrines built on the wrong texts. While it contributes positively to the broader conversation, it’s not a resource I would readily hand to a congregant. It’s a thought provoking book but not one I anticipate referring to again.
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October 9, 2023Read this in two sittings... the first two chapters last week and the rest this morning. This book seems to serve as somewhat of a primer for white people of faith who are starting out trying to understand their burden of racial reconciliation. Approached from a conservative, reformed theological perspective.
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March 8, 2022Enjoyed this one immensely. Quoted Bavinck a lot so kind of impossible not to like it 🤷🏼♂️
April 24, 2025
This was an interesting and challenging read. However, I do wish there were more suggestions/steps-to-take offered for the individual. What can I actually do?
August 14, 2020
Good, but could've been great.
This book is written by a minister in the denomination in which I serve—the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA).
It is primarily directed to white Christians who are a part of the dominant culture group, though he does speak directly to subdominant group members too. The strength of this book comes from the fact that Ince, unlike other recent voices, wants the church to be diversified in the local church context and believes the multiethnic church to be the best and most beautiful expression of the church.
The book contains some very helpful perspectives and directives for white Christians to understand members of color. The strongest part of the book comes with his three suggestions: 1. Devote to Doctrine. 2. Probe your preferences and count the cost. 3. Toast to the truth, meaning practice true hospitality.
He also placed ethnic/racial identity in a proper perspective—not putting it before one’s Christian identity nor reducing it to something inconsequential or unimportant.
The book is grounded in Scripture and the Westminster Confession of Faith. He cites some great scholars and teachers as well. Emerson’s “Divided by Faith” plays an important role.
My only critique is that at a few points white fragility and anti-racism ideology pops up. There is one example that is terrible in my opinion. He talks about a church officer posting on Facebook a drawing of President Obama trampling upon the bill of rights. An African American woman from the church in a separate post, without mentioning a name, laments the fact that her church allows racism from church officers. Ince uses this as an example of why white Christians should humbly listen to Christians of color. Fair enough. But what about the baseless charge of racism? I mean it is not in any way clear to me that what the church deacon posted was, indeed, racist. In my opinion, this example lacks the mutuality necessary for genuine reconciliation.
Nevertheless, this is a very good book. Without this poor example and the Ibram Kendi quotes it could have been great.
This book is written by a minister in the denomination in which I serve—the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA).
It is primarily directed to white Christians who are a part of the dominant culture group, though he does speak directly to subdominant group members too. The strength of this book comes from the fact that Ince, unlike other recent voices, wants the church to be diversified in the local church context and believes the multiethnic church to be the best and most beautiful expression of the church.
The book contains some very helpful perspectives and directives for white Christians to understand members of color. The strongest part of the book comes with his three suggestions: 1. Devote to Doctrine. 2. Probe your preferences and count the cost. 3. Toast to the truth, meaning practice true hospitality.
He also placed ethnic/racial identity in a proper perspective—not putting it before one’s Christian identity nor reducing it to something inconsequential or unimportant.
The book is grounded in Scripture and the Westminster Confession of Faith. He cites some great scholars and teachers as well. Emerson’s “Divided by Faith” plays an important role.
My only critique is that at a few points white fragility and anti-racism ideology pops up. There is one example that is terrible in my opinion. He talks about a church officer posting on Facebook a drawing of President Obama trampling upon the bill of rights. An African American woman from the church in a separate post, without mentioning a name, laments the fact that her church allows racism from church officers. Ince uses this as an example of why white Christians should humbly listen to Christians of color. Fair enough. But what about the baseless charge of racism? I mean it is not in any way clear to me that what the church deacon posted was, indeed, racist. In my opinion, this example lacks the mutuality necessary for genuine reconciliation.
Nevertheless, this is a very good book. Without this poor example and the Ibram Kendi quotes it could have been great.
January 26, 2021
I toyed with making it my policy not to rate or comment on a book written by someone I know. But I highly recommend this book. There are spots that are not easy reading because the doctrine isn’t familiar (which doesn’t mean the doctrine is novel) but the scriptural teaching used to support this idea of a beautiful (diverse) community is itself beautiful. And the practical application is challenging because it’s uncomfortable. This is one of those books you feel like you need to start at the beginning and reread it.
The subtitle is a nice summary: “Unity, Diversity, and the Church At Its Best”.
The subtitle is a nice summary: “Unity, Diversity, and the Church At Its Best”.
February 13, 2021
Reminded me a bit of The Color of Compromise but instead of being mainly about the history of the the American church in compromising with racism and segregation, this book focuses more on moving forward and seeking to build communities that reflect the beauty and diversity of God’s creation, and doing so with all people in mind—not forcing the minority cultures to assimilate, but to build a community that reflects the culture and preferences of all the people present. I appreciated the anecdotal stories, the vision-casting, and the practical steps to take. I also appreciated the acknowledgment that there is a cost associated with creating this community.
October 15, 2020
What a beautiful book! In a season when the division in the church has seemed to mimic the division in the world, Irwyn L. Ince Jr. engages us with the reminder of what it looks like to live in as members of the spectacularly diverse, unified in difference, body of Christ. He gently and kindly invites those of us in the majority to consider what it would be like to be in the minority in our churches. Open this book and discover the hope of the gospel to transform our churches and our hearts.
March 15, 2021
This was a wonderful book. Usually when I’m done a book I’m done. But with this book I felt like starting it all over again.
September 22, 2020
Is true community possible and worth pursuing despite our racial, ethnic, and ideological differences? In The Beautiful Community, Irwyn L. Ince Jr. says that true community is possible and worth pursuing because of these differences, and that our unity and diversity shows the church at its best.
Perfection, Proportion, and Pleasure
The ministry of reconciliation demonstrated in the local church by the gathering of people from diverse backgrounds, cultures, and ethnicities is the natural outworking of a rich biblical and covenantal theological commitment. God is relational, and his pursuit of a relationship should motivate us to do the same.
Beauty has the three facets of perfection, proportion, and pleasure. And simplicity is the strand that runs through them all. All of these find their culmination in the Trinity - and this unity in diversity as well as diversity in unity is the heartbeat of the Christian faith.
Human Dignity
I appreciated how Ince Jr. makes the connection between being image-bearers and our human dignity. This is why we don’t like being seen as “token” representatives. Rather, we want relationships that speak to our worth as individuals.
Ince Jr. uses a lot of stories to help us see different structures at play. As a worship leader, one scenario that stood out to me was how a black man felt that he could not play the organ at a white church the same way he would at a black church. So even worship music is not free from cultural styles and personal preferences.
“Ghetto Living”
The idea of “ghetto living” plays a prominent role in the book. The ghetto that Ince Jr. means is “an environment where a group of people live or work in isolation, whether by choice or circumstance, and draw their sense of worth and dignity from their identification with that community. He draws this idea from the Tower of Babel, and it is a convicting and compelling look at this Biblical story.
This book does not pass over minority-culture churches with a challenge to change. Counting the cost in minority-culture churches means looking for opportunities to bless majority-culture churches with leadership and help toward unity. It means not being arrogant, but taking a hard look at our preferences, and being ready to pursue change despite the discomfort it may bring.
Table Fellowship
The book ends with the thought of table fellowship. With all nations and races and ethnicities joining around a table and feasting together. It’s something that I look forward to in heaven. And it’s something I hope I can get a taste of today.
I received a media copy of The Beautiful Community and this is my honest review.
Perfection, Proportion, and Pleasure
The ministry of reconciliation demonstrated in the local church by the gathering of people from diverse backgrounds, cultures, and ethnicities is the natural outworking of a rich biblical and covenantal theological commitment. God is relational, and his pursuit of a relationship should motivate us to do the same.
Beauty has the three facets of perfection, proportion, and pleasure. And simplicity is the strand that runs through them all. All of these find their culmination in the Trinity - and this unity in diversity as well as diversity in unity is the heartbeat of the Christian faith.
Human Dignity
I appreciated how Ince Jr. makes the connection between being image-bearers and our human dignity. This is why we don’t like being seen as “token” representatives. Rather, we want relationships that speak to our worth as individuals.
Ince Jr. uses a lot of stories to help us see different structures at play. As a worship leader, one scenario that stood out to me was how a black man felt that he could not play the organ at a white church the same way he would at a black church. So even worship music is not free from cultural styles and personal preferences.
“Ghetto Living”
The idea of “ghetto living” plays a prominent role in the book. The ghetto that Ince Jr. means is “an environment where a group of people live or work in isolation, whether by choice or circumstance, and draw their sense of worth and dignity from their identification with that community. He draws this idea from the Tower of Babel, and it is a convicting and compelling look at this Biblical story.
This book does not pass over minority-culture churches with a challenge to change. Counting the cost in minority-culture churches means looking for opportunities to bless majority-culture churches with leadership and help toward unity. It means not being arrogant, but taking a hard look at our preferences, and being ready to pursue change despite the discomfort it may bring.
Table Fellowship
The book ends with the thought of table fellowship. With all nations and races and ethnicities joining around a table and feasting together. It’s something that I look forward to in heaven. And it’s something I hope I can get a taste of today.
I received a media copy of The Beautiful Community and this is my honest review.
October 8, 2020
A refreshingly beauty-centered read on ecclesial diversity. Ince frames the discussion so well, beginning with the Trinity and continuing into themes of confession and feasting, among others. Ince writes for a broad audience, both majority and minority culture folks, with helpful (not idealized!) examples. He really sits in the difficulties, not glossing over the challenges in pursuit of utopia. His work here is grounded theologically and biblically, but also sociologically.
My only quibble is that Ince works almost exclusively in his own tradition (PCA), so some of the application points are limited in scope. However, familiarity with the differences between one's own tradition and the PCA should help the reader apply things more broadly.
I'd recommend this first to pastoral staff and members of diverse churches, and second to anyone who needs a beauty-charged vision for unity in diversity.
My only quibble is that Ince works almost exclusively in his own tradition (PCA), so some of the application points are limited in scope. However, familiarity with the differences between one's own tradition and the PCA should help the reader apply things more broadly.
I'd recommend this first to pastoral staff and members of diverse churches, and second to anyone who needs a beauty-charged vision for unity in diversity.
May 25, 2023
Couple thoughts that stood out at the end to me:
“In the midst of this struggle, I find that I belong here. That’s the work of the Spirit.”
“What happens over time is you don’t feel like you’re the only one having to engage. It starts to be reciprocated. You get challenged on a couple things, but you’ve created a relationship enough that you know that person. You trust their motive, and you work on that together. That takes time. That takes, I think, humility, and it takes really resting on Christ to do that.”
“The goal is not just to enable close relationships, but healing relationships. Authentic friendships are akin to healing relationships that allow people to experience grace and hope in the middle of life’s trials.”
“In the midst of this struggle, I find that I belong here. That’s the work of the Spirit.”
“What happens over time is you don’t feel like you’re the only one having to engage. It starts to be reciprocated. You get challenged on a couple things, but you’ve created a relationship enough that you know that person. You trust their motive, and you work on that together. That takes time. That takes, I think, humility, and it takes really resting on Christ to do that.”
“The goal is not just to enable close relationships, but healing relationships. Authentic friendships are akin to healing relationships that allow people to experience grace and hope in the middle of life’s trials.”
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 12, 2025
Read for ST350. Incredible read that I've been recommending to everyone. At the core of this book, Ince believes that the goal of the Church is to be a "beautiful community" (he elaborates on his definition of beautiful) of diverse backgrounds, culture, and ethnicities. In some ways, this is always true since Christianity is a global religion, but Ince advocates that the local church should also reflect the diverse reality of the current global church and future eschatological church. With an emphasis on unity, Ince provides tools at the end to help readers think through how this can be made true in their lives and churches: devote to the doctrine, probe the preferences and count the cost, toast to the truth.
December 23, 2020
Ince does good work in allowing for biblical theology to be the grounding for our theological anthropology and ecclesiology. However, some of his critiques of white hegemony in the evangelical church come more from the realm of sociological caprice than exegetical integrity. Furthermore, his utilization of Bavinck’s explication of the sociality of the Trinity reeks of social Trinitarianism, proving the point once again that theology proper should not be employed in regards to the doctrine of man regarding human relationships as a whole.
March 8, 2025
“To refuse to pursue unity in diversity as a redeemed people is to fundamentally neglect what it means for us to be the image of God.”
I don’t think I had ever read a book, heard a sermon, or even had a conversation about God’s characteristic of “beauty” until I came across this book. Focusing on God’s intention for beauty through unity in diversity is really is such a unique perspective that is helpful for everyone in the American church.
I don’t think I had ever read a book, heard a sermon, or even had a conversation about God’s characteristic of “beauty” until I came across this book. Focusing on God’s intention for beauty through unity in diversity is really is such a unique perspective that is helpful for everyone in the American church.
August 25, 2020
Ince Jr., a black PCA pastor in DC, shares stories (his own among them) of being a POC in white churches and the challenges and scars that have followed. But throughout, the tone is hopeful and the gospel remains central. A great read in the pantheon of helpful new books coming out this year on race and the Church.
March 26, 2021
This was an encouraging and challenging book written by a pastor with a love for the widely diverse and beautifully varied body of Christ.
April 14, 2021
Being made in the image of God gives everyone dignity, and that should change everything. The changes aren’t easy, The Beautiful Community shows that, but it also shows that the changes are possible.
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