2 of 2

Leaders who read this book will have to confront their own misdirected quests for recognition, reputation, or the rewards of glory. Even the "idol of indispensability" (the organization can't do without me; my co-leader will fail without me) must be profaned. Especially those in co-leadership should carefully digest this book.

If there is a saint in this book, it is John Alexander. Every other character is shown with flaws or (in the case of the beloved patriarch John Perkins) at least unbalanced virtues. But Alexander is the book's fount of wisdom. After learning his own lessons in community, he "matured downward" and pastored a small congregation in San Francisco. Now he rides in from California, decked out in tie-dye tee shirt, and listens and observes with oracular insight.

Although much of Grace Matters is about race, leadership, and self-discovery, its crowning message is about grace. In his final message to the Antioch community, Alexander says, "The way you grow into God's love isn't by making demands of each other. You do it by giving each other grace … internalizing God's love so much that we can get into the bones of others that God loves them."

Near the end of the book, Spencer once more plays the race card in an argument with Chris. But through Alexander's words, the light dawns for Spencer. And in Spencer's final speech, just days before his tragic death at age 44, he develops the notion of "playing the grace card." Spencer died before he could work out the details. That part is up to the living. And Grace Matters gives us the inspiration to create Spencer's "culture of grace."

Copyright © 2002 Christianity Today. Click for reprint information.

Grace Matters: A True Story of Race, Friendship, and Faith in the Heart of the South , by Chris P. Rice is this month's selection for the Christianity Today Editor's Bookshelf. Elsewhere on our site, you can:

• Buy the book online
  
  
• Read our extended interview with author Chris Rice
  
  
• Read Spencer Perkins's final speech, "Playing the Grace Card"
  
  

More Than Equals: Racial Healing for the Sake of the Gospel is also available online.

Chris Rice is also a regular writer for Sojourners magazine.

The website for Voice of Calvary Ministries provides additional information.

Previous Christianity Today articles by or about Spencer Perkins or Chris Rice include:

The Dick Staub Interview: Chris Rice | The author of Grace Matters talks about his friendship with racial reconciliation leader Spencer Perkins, his former coauthor and best friend. (Nov. 11, 2002)

Reconcilers Fellowship Folds | Following the death of founder Spencer Perkins, ministry closes as cofounder Chris Rice goes to seminary. (Oct. 5, 1998)

Playing the Grace Card | Christians hold the missing key to racial reconciliation—but it won't be popular. Spencer Perkin's final speech. (July 13, 1998)

Racial Reconciler Spencer Perkins | An obituary for an emerging leader. (March 2, 1998)

The Burden of Spencer Perkins (March 2, 1998)

Why Tiger Makes Us Feel Good | Is the best remedy for racism visible black achievement? (July 14, 1997)

More Than Partners | Black and white leaders discover the power of two. (May 19, 1997)

first page |  2 of 2

share this page

December (Web-only) 2002, Vol. 46