“On the Fourth of July, 1981, my church burned to the ground.”
With that searing image, Rev. Doug Cunningham begins a gripping memoir of faith, loss, and the lifelong work of confronting white supremacy within the U.S. church.
Beyond the White Church is both a personal journey and a prophetic challenge, inviting Christians, churches, and spiritual seekers to dismantle the racism embedded in U.S. Christianity and to rebuild faith communities rooted in anti-racism, social justice, and boundary-breaking belonging.
Raised in white suburban Christianity, Cunningham’s worldview was transformed through activism, involvement with multiracial congregations, Black liberation theology, and Filipino resistance movements. Across four decades of ministry, Cunningham articulates a truth many churches resist:
“Ignoring the call to dismantle white supremacy as an essential element of giving oneself to Christ keeps us complicit with the executioner.
White supremacy crucifies Jesus continually to maximize profit and power.”
Drawing readers into compelling stories of protests, romance, church planting, and pastoral leadership, Cunningham explores how the liberating gospel of Jesus compels white Christians toward the fight for racial equity.
What You’ll Find in This Book
A firsthand account of confronting white supremacy in the church. From seminary to church meetings to denominational structures, Cunningham exposes how racism operates in everyday church life and how it can be disrupted. A powerful blend of memoir, theology, and social analysis. Rooted in global movements for justice and liberation theology, this book connects personal transformation to systemic change. A clear-eyed critique of the white church’s complicity Cunningham reveals how patriotism, capitalism, and Christian institutions merge to uphold white dominance, even in progressive spaces. A vision for multiracial, justice-centered communities Through his decades of ministry experience, Cunningham offers a blueprint for congregations seeking authentic, anti-racist transformation.
Who This Book is For
Pastors, faith leaders, and church boards confronting racism in their congregations and institutions Christians seeking an honest, theologically grounded path beyond white-dominant norms Seminarians, educators, and students of theology, race, and religion Readers drawn to memoir of spiritual awakening, racial equity organizing, and cross-cultural ministry Anyone who believes the gospel calls us to dismantle systems of oppression
A Prophetic Call to Rebuild the Church
Cunningham argues that a church centered on the gospel cannot coexist with the structures of white supremacy. This is a book for those who know the church must change. This is a book for those ready to move spiritually, politically, and collectively beyond the white church. If you are ready to reclaim a faith that liberates rather than oppresses, add Beyond the White Church to your cart and begin the journey today.
What People Are Saying
“This book offers an insightful trove of antiracist and anti-hierarchical church ministry practices that radically challenge the repressive politics in our local and national community life. Rev. Cunningham’s inspiring storytelling displays wisdom and humility desperately needed right now from other white social justice faith leaders.”
Rev. Dr. Traci C. West, author of Disruptive Christian Ethics: When Racism and Women’s Lives Matter
“The personal, profound, and sometimes painful details of this compelling memoir shed light on the many contradictions of the White church. Longtime pastor Doug Cunningham’s narrative feels like meeting a dear friend willing to share the intimacies of this struggle with honesty and the courage of self-interrogation–a model of cross-racial and collaborative ministry where the gospel of liberation comes alive.”
Professor Jeannine Hill Fletcher, Author, The Sin of White Supremacy: Christianity, & Racism and Religious Diversity in America
“I laughed and cried while reading these deeply moving stories. Listening, becoming vulnerable, pushing beyond the privilege of white skin, unlearning and learning anew – this is a baptism into the work of confronting past centuries of colonialism within a growing community of solidarity. Thank you for this witness!”
Deaconess Norma P. Dollaga General Secretary, Ecumenical Center for Development, Philippines 2024 Recipient of the World Methodist Peace Award
“Doug Cunningham has written an extraordinary memoir about his journey from being a person of privilege to becoming a minister called to build a Beloved Community that transcends boundaries of race, sex, and class. Join him on his pilgrimage and see the possibilities, challenges, and blessings in these troubled times.”
Donald H. Matthews, PhD. Author, Can This Church Live? & Honoring the Ancestors
“Doug Cunningham joined our experiment–foreign missionaries living and working like our local church workers, and challenging the colonial Christianity imposed by the U.S. church. When Doug worked with us, he wrote about his experiences with our mass movements and rallies against U.S. intervention. Now, he offers this powerful testimonial—essential reading!”
Bishop Erme R. Camba former General Secretary (1986-1994) United Church of Christ in the Philippines
“I first met Rev. Doug at an anti-racism course in Baltimore. He shared a vision of building a multiracial ministry at St. Luke’s. I started attending and loved it: transforming Bible Study, anti-racism study circles, community organizing training… When he began New Day Church in the Bronx, a carload of us went up for the first service. We were so inspired by the multiracial energy there that we made the trip several times.”
Cynthia Taylor Conference Secretary and Laity Co-Chairperson of the 2024 General Conference Delegation Baltimore-Washington Conference, The United Methodist Church
Speaking Engagements
Rev. Cunningham brings four decades of experience in anti-racism work, community organizing, and church leadership to speaking engagements.
Primary Speaking Topics:
Beyond the White Church: Disrupting Racism in Faith Communities
Building Multiracial, Anti-Racist Churches
Lessons from the Philippines: International Solidarity and Resistance
