Dwight a. Perry

Swaggert, Hybels, Page, Haggard, Bakker, Farewell, McDonald--all names of famous ministers who over the past thirty-five years have fallen from their platforms of significant ministry and brought hurt and confusion to their families and followers due to sexual failure. Even the Best of Us is written by two veterans of the church whose combined professional ministry experience spans more than sixty years. In addition, Perry and Pierre write from both the perspectives of two persons of color and from the perspectives of difference in gender. Both have seen firsthand the pain of clergy sexual failure and want to see their book help not only congregations and clergy who have experienced the devastation of a clergy sexual failure, but those who could experience this in future, for as they say, even the best of us can succumb to the devastating lies of the enemy of our soul. Whether you are a pastor, parachurch leader, lay leader, or parishioner within a congregation you will thoroughly enjoy this clear and revealing entry into a conversation that few in the church address--the reality of clergy sexual failure and how we can prevent it.

Dr. James Ford Jr., Senior Pastor, Christ Bible Church, ChicagoDr. Perry has meticulously and flawlessly addressed a critical issue in Christian ministry, "How To Finish Well." Drawing from his superb Bible knowledge and years of ministry experience as a Pastor, College Professor, and District Executive Minister of a major denomination, Dr. Perry provides insightful and sound strategies for ending well in ministry and in life. Most people want to finish well, yet so few take the time necessary to carefully plan. They focus on their history, but fail to connect it to their destiny. Dr. Perry's unique blend of sound theology and profound "do-ology" makes Finish Well a must read for every Christian who desires to be able to say like the Apostle Paul, "I have fought a good fight. I have kept the faith. I have finished my course." 2 Timothy 4:7-8. Thank you, Dr. Perry, for being such a blessing to the Body of Christ. Scott Ridout, President, Converge WorldwideOne of the greatest limitations on a leader's success is the fluidity of the transition to the next leader. In this book, Dr. Perry gives many great insights and practical tools to ensure effective succession drawn from his extensive experience with churches and ministries. Implementation of these ideas will help your leadership team to move into the future with confidence and clarity. John Jenkins, Senior Pastor, First Baptist Church of Glenarden, Landover, Maryland. Dr. Dwight A. Perry has been a diligent, thoughtful and studious leader for as long as I have known him. His ability to research and gather information with a meaningful and applicable conclusion is phenomenal. If you or your organization desire some clear direction for succession and transition, I recommend Dr. Perry's book.

In the holds of slave ships, Africans brought with them a hope for liberation, a strong oral tradition, and a sense of connectedness between their spiritual and physical lives. When Blacks converted to Christianity, these characteristics contributed to a Christian community that was, and is, distinctly different than the White church. In Breaking Down Barriers, Dwight Perry provides a brief history of the Black church in America and shows how it has survived as a shelter from a hostile world. He offers an introduction to Black evangelicalism, placing it in the context of both the traditional Black church and White evangelicalism. "The entity at the heart of the Black community in America is the Black church," writes Perry. "It has made its strong imprint not only on the Black community, but on the whole of society." Perry also provides a portrait of today's Black evangelical movement as well as ideas for multiracial ministry in the twenty-first century and beyond. Breaking Down Barriers helps Black and White Christians understand the African American church, enabling them to do away with misconceptions and build a new future together.(Originally published 1998 by Baker Book House, reprinted by permission.)