“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.
Members of the James Lawson Anti-Racism Commission
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!”
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