What Is BJM Reading This Summer?
Looking to learn more about faith, justice, and the intersection of the two? Check out the books our staff are reading this summer on those exact topics!
Stand Your Ground: Black Bodies and the Justice of God
Written by Kelly Brown Douglas
Recommended by Gabby Alzate, soon-to-be Executive Director
Stand Your Ground is an important read for anyone who hopes to do any sort of reconciliation work within the Church and beyond. It is written at a key time in history and teaches us the cycles of stand-your-ground-culture exceptionalism in our nation and in the Church. I was challenged by Kelly Brown Douglas from her brilliant and intellectual viewpoints, and also felt pastored by a mother as she walks the reader through systems of injustice, while also being relatable and connected to her reader. I was moved to grieve the loss of so many Black and Brown bodies who were crucified and see Jesus in their faces while also being stirred to hope in the prophetic voices of the Black community and systemic change.
Lift Every Voice: Constructing Christian Theologies from the Underside
Edited by Susan Brooks Thistlewaite and Mary Potter Engel
Recommended by Gabby Alzate, soon-to-be Executive Director
Lift Every Voice is a beautiful collection of essays by liberation theologians. Oftentimes, we have a very narrow view of God and put Him in our constructed boxes. This book will challenge you, encourage you, and expand your understanding of God to experience God from different perspectives and liberation theologies such and Mujieriesta Theology, Womanist Theology, and Feminist Theology. As you go along this journey, we would invite you to ask God what He is up to and how we can learn from each other and our different contexts.
The Blue Sweater
Written by Jacqueline Novogratz
Recommended by Jennifer Lee, Youth Department Volunteer
For the social justice warrior and entrepreneur, The Blue Sweater inspires readers to imagine new business models for alleviating global poverty and empowering marginalized communities. Jacqueline Novogratz, founder and CEO of Acumen Fund, shares her story about leaving Wall Street to develop ventures that enable women in East Africa to build sustainable livelihoods. But her work extends far beyond women to other social entrepreneurs who reinvest in their own communities, ultimately showing how market-based solutions can create longer lasting impacts than traditional charity.
I love stories where people leave conventional paths to make an impact, especially when it demands a creative intersection of skills, experience, and privilege. Especially for those in business and tech, I hope The Blue Sweater inspires you too!
My Grandmother’s Hands
Written by Resma Menakem
Recommended by Justine Martinez, HR Director
This book offered practical insight into how racialized trauma manifests in our bodies, offering tangible practices and reflections to work through healing from harmful automated responses and painful experiences. This book helped me to recognize not only thinking patterns and beliefs, but also body responses that need healing and restoration.
Get Out of Your Head: Stopping the Spiral of Toxic Thoughts
Written by Jennie Allen
Recommended by Marti Sylvan, Youth and EdenMade Departments Staff Member
This book was perfect for the season I was in. I enjoyed how it walked through your everyday thought processes, helping to identify unhealthy habits that we have created over time. While dissecting our thought process, Jennie Allen invites God into that process to heal our brokenness.
Life: An Obsessively Grateful, Undone by Jesus, Genuinely Happy, and Not Faking it Through the Hard Stuff Kind of 100-Day Devotional
Written by Lisa Harper
Recommended by Jacqueline Vallejo, Operations Assistant
A perfect daily devotional to keep you steady and to keep you going. This is a perfect read for those who don’t always have the time to read through a novel, but want short stories of inspiration.
The Making of Biblical Womanhood
Written by Beth Allison Barr
Recommended by Julia Pferdehirt, Women’s Ministry Director
This book by scholar and theologian Beth Allison Barr examines the historical and theological roots of theology concerning women, spiritual gifting, leadership, and identity. The author is calling for change and both recognition and release of women in the church.
The Power of Proximity: Moving From Awareness to Action
Written by Michelle Warren
Recommended by Gabby Alzate, soon-to-be Executive Director
"I cannot recommend this book enough for anyone who wants to make an impact on their neighborhood and community. It is by far my most read and highlighted book in my library (aside from the Bible!). Michelle takes the reader on a journey of realizing brokenness within ourselves, our communities and systems, and God's invitation to be active agents to bring about restoration. We are invited to actively engage in the work of justice that living in proximity to the poor will stir within us, constantly asking the question, "What are you going to do with what you know?" She ends with an invitation to continue to engage for the long haul and addresses issues that commonly come up when living in the City such as fear, courage, and redemption."
If you're curious about incarnational ministry or intentionally investing in your community, The Power of Proximity is for you. Starting this Fall, our soon-to-be Executive Director, Gabby Alzate, will be hosting a virtual book study for people who are wanting to dive into this book together. Email info@becausejusticematters.org for details.