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The Offensive Church: Breaking the Cycle of Ethnic Disunity Hardcover – July 18, 2023

by Bryan C. Loritts (Author)
4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 19 ratings
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Crises around race have put the church in a defensive posture, always reacting to racial conflicts in society. But Jesus wants more. He wants Christians to play offense by discipling people into a new humanity, where we push beyond mere diversity and into a biblical vision for ethnic unity.

Bryan Loritts calls Christians to proactively and intentionally live out the embodied reality of a people at one with one another. We play offense by practicing a robust gospel, preparing reliable leadership, and providing relational environments so that the church becomes the aroma of Christ to our culture and gains ground against the demonic foothold of racism in all its forms.

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  1. Print length
    192 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    IVP
  4. Publication date
    July 18, 2023
  5. Dimensions
    5.5 x 0.9 x 8.5 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    1514005972
  7. ISBN-13
    978-1514005972
  8. See all details
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From the Publisher

Quote from Bryan C. Loritts, author of The Offensive Church
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The Offensive Church

"The church that plays offense when it comes to race is the kind of church that will never settle for diversity but will be committed to ethnic unity, nurtured through a relentless commitment to having substantive relationships with the other. We all harbor our own racial biases, which manifest as microaggressions (dare I offer: at times, “macroaggressions”), causing deep hurt and even trauma to our ethnically other siblings. The only way forward is a commitment to a healthy, proactive, and relational offense that seeks to bridge the ethnic divide, is quick to engage in hard but necessary conversations, dives deep into humility by admitting the wrong and walking the road of repentance, and extends huge helpings of grace and forgiveness toward offenders—all in the hopes of emerging as the new humanity the church is to embody and model." -From Chapter One of The Offensive Church by Bryan C. Loritts

Praise for 'The Offensive Church'

Praise for 'The Offensive Church' from Vance Pitman

Praise for 'The Offensive Church' from Irwyn L. Ince Jr.

Praise for 'The Offensive Church' from Tim Muehlhoff

Also by Bryan C. Loritts:

Enduring Frienship book cover The Offensive Church book cover
Enduring Friendship The Offensive Church
Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
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4.7 out of 5 stars
19
Price $17.91 $19.11
Description: Sticking Together in an Age of Unfriending Stop playing defense. Build a church that plays offense for racial reconciliation.
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"If the church in North America does not discover the New Testament ethos of multiethnic community, the church in North America will fail in accomplishing its mission. I know of no better voice to show us the way than my friend Bryan Loritts. In his new book The Offensive Church, Bryan shows us the way forward rooted in a gospel-centered missiology of making disciples in community. This is a must-read for anyone serious about joining in God's activity in North America and the nations!" -- Vance Pitman, president of Send Network and founding pastor of Hope Church Las Vegas

"One of the many radical things Jesus taught was that his followers must learn to love across the lines of difference, or what some call enemy lines. In Christ there is now no longer any Jew or Gentile, male or female, slave or free, for we are all one in Christ Jesus. In tearing down these and other dividing walls of hostility through his death on the cross, Jesus provided not only an example of what it means to love one's enemies but also the resources that empower us to do so ourselves. In a world filled with racial tension and discord, my friend Bryan Loritts does a tremendous job helping us unlock those resources and showing us how to love in the power of Christ." -- Scott Sauls, senior pastor of Christ Presbyterian Church and author of Jesus Outside the Lines

"Bryan Loritts's vision for discipleship is an urgent word for the American church. His plea to 'play a redemptive offense modeled after the words and example of Jesus' should be heard widely because Christians today need boldness and deep faith to become all we're called to be together. This book skillfully readies us to pursue the challenge of real reconciliation that God desires for his people." -- Tony Evans, senior pastor of Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship and president of the Urban Alternative

"Since becoming the codirector of the Winsome Conviction Project, I've attempted to facilitate civil conversations between Christians. Simply put, race is in its own category. At the mere mention of race, people immediately voice anger, confusion, hurt, and defensiveness. Like no other topic, it shuts down communication and erects walls. What is most needed today is a trusted guide who doesn't shy away from the complexity of race but offers hope and a plan to open lines of communication. I can think of no one better qualified than Bryan Loritts to be our guide." -- Tim Muehlhoff, professor of communication at Biola University and author of Winsome Conviction: Disagreeing Without Dividing the Church

"The racial and political upheaval of our day is causing Christians to abandon the pursuit of beautiful community, the ministry of reconciliation in Jesus' name. In The Offensive Church, Bryan Loritts raises his voice, 'Not so fast!' With winsome grace he calls us out of contentment in ecclesial ghettos to embrace the reconciling power of our Savior, proclaiming and practicing a robust gospel in our divided world." -- Irwyn L. Ince Jr., author of The Beautiful Community: Unity, Diversity, and the Church at Its Best

Review

"The racial and political upheaval of our day is causing Christians to abandon the pursuit of beautiful community, the ministry of reconciliation in Jesus' name. In The Offensive Church, Bryan Loritts raises his voice, 'Not so fast!' With winsome grace he calls us out of contentment in ecclesial ghettos to embrace the reconciling power of our Savior, proclaiming and practicing a robust gospel in our divided world."

-- Irwyn L. Ince Jr., author of The Beautiful Community: Unity, Diversity, and the Church at Its Best

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ IVP (July 18, 2023)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 192 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1514005972
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1514005972
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 12.6 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.5 x 0.9 x 8.5 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 19 ratings

About the author

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Bryan C. Loritts

Bryan C. Loritts

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Bryan Loritts is the Teaching Pastor, at the Summit Church, as well as being an award winning author. He also serves as the Vice President for Regions, with the Send Network. Dr. Loritts is the husband of Korie and the proud father of Quentin, Myles and Jaden. Bryan has been a featured speaker at the Willow Creek Global Leadership Summit, Catalyst and a host of other events.

Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
4.7 out of 5
19 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book on Ethnic Unity
Reviewed in the United States on August 12, 2023
Verified Purchase
I really enjoyed reading the book, The Offensive Church by Pastor Bryan Loritts. He gave compelling evidence that for the majority of the nation, Christians do not know each other well across the ethnic lines. And because of our lack of multi ethnic relationships in our everyday lives, we tend to misunderstand each other and stay in our cultural tribes where we are most comfortable. He made me stop to think about how God views our congregations as we all meet separately and are not unified as followers of Christ. Pastor Loritts discussed our divisiveness by speaking openly and directly about the challenges we face. His style of writing is easy to read and insightful to help us consider why we should pursue multi ethnic, Gospel centered churches.
In the book, he discussed how we view our identity. He treats the threats to ethnic unity equally. For example, he gives very good examples to explain why Color Blindness and Ethnic Idolatry are both divisive mindsets. He encourages us to practice living out the Gospel within multi ethnic relationships by maintaining a loving heart as we commit to Learn, Lament and Live together. Each Chapter has thoughtful questions to consider and would be great to use in small group discussions.
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Keith Whitfield
5.0 out of 5 stars Must Read Playbook for Gospel Community
Reviewed in the United States on July 21, 2023
Verified Purchase
The Offensive Church offers us a playbook for the formation of gospel communities that lead to authentic unity. Bryan Loritts gets that this type of community is not cultivated with well-shaped words, good intentions, and savvy optics. The plays he draws up for the Offensive Church are not an air attack but a run game. It is the gritty slog of running behind the tackle, because he knows that gospel transformation and gospel community takes place in the life-on-life trenches of discipleship— everyone taking responsibility for their assignment, watching out for one another, and moving the ball one yard at a time together toward a culture that cultivates and celebrates unity.
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Marqus
5.0 out of 5 stars Informative and Inspiring!
Reviewed in the United States on September 2, 2023
Verified Purchase
As an associate pastor of a church growing in diversity, I’ve seen the need for something more than diversity. We need unity. And we need help to get to achieve this goal. I’m grateful that this book is not just full of anecdotal stories but facts, truth and strategies. And the discussion questions at the end of each chapter are helpful for self reflection and small group discussion.
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Sharon Curle
5.0 out of 5 stars An important read for all Christ followers
Reviewed in the United States on July 18, 2023
Verified Purchase
Oh how much the body of Christ has needed The Offensive Church! I believe it is the most honest critique of the racial situation in the American church today. In the book, Dr. Loritts provides practical steps to reach true ethnic unity and clearly describes how a loving, gospel-centered multiethnic environment can thrive. It is a must read for every Christian who wants to be part of helping to build Christ-like churches where all are discipled, celebrated, loved and welcomed.
3 people found this helpful
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Jack Clayton Greene
5.0 out of 5 stars This is the book you need.
Reviewed in the United States on July 25, 2023
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Bryan has a way with words when he is teaching live and he did a great job of packing all this knowledge and storytelling ability into this book. If you want a book on this topic, this is the one.
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aaron
5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding!
Reviewed in the United States on July 25, 2023
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Outstanding work by Bryan Loritts! A book that should be everyones go to when it comes to race issues within the church. Convincing, convicting, compelling and Christ-centered throughout!
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Dale Huntington
5.0 out of 5 stars Balanced look at why we struggle to unite
Reviewed in the United States on July 25, 2023
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I’m so thankful for Bryan’s prophetic voice to both sides! He speaks truthfully and with kindness. I cannot recommend this book enough!
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Otis
5.0 out of 5 stars Must read
Reviewed in the United States on September 22, 2023
What an incredibly amazing read. Pastor Lorritts has an awesomely gifted way to express what God has given him. This book is a true love letter to the body of Christ on ways of living out our Christian faith together in unity. This is what comes to my mind, “Make every effort to keep the oneness of the Spirit in the bond of peace [each individual working together to make the whole successful]. There is one body [of believers] and one Spirit—just as you were called to one hope when called [to salvation]— one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of us all who is [sovereign] over all and [working] through all and [living] in all.” Ephesians‬ ‭4‬:‭3‬-‭6‬ ‭AMP.

What does living in unity look like in your surroundings? Within your scope of influence are you an active agent in the area of ethnic unity or do you sit idly by on the sidelines? Do you truly believe all humankind has the imago dei of God or certain groups are held in higher esteem?

This is an excellent book. I highly recommend reading it.
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