Get Off Your But!: Messages, Musings, and Ministries to Empower the African American Church

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In this new paradigm for the proclamation of the Gospel, Dr. Cosby examines twelve challenges that face all communities. He not only gives inspiring biblical examples of meeting those challenges, but also outlines practical ways that churches can make a difference in the lives of those they serve. While set in the context of the African American church, this book speaks to all churches that want to show the love of Christ to people in a real way. Through these pages you will find engaging sermons that are laced with sparkling intellectual thought and solid biblical exegesis. A great value of this writing is to be found in the "Musings, " which immediately follow each sermon and which require of the reader a more profound engagement with the written sermonic word and the contemporary meanings of the biblical text. Of even greater importance is his insistence on ministry that flows from the message. Here you will find clear and definitive ways for the preached word to become operative and significant in the life of the local congregation. The "Ministries" section of this writing is literally capable of transforming churches in terms of their programmatic design. Use these thoughtful suggestions and your church will never be the same! These are not sermons for the sake of writing sermons. They are sermons with purpose and intent to serve and edify the ministry and the church. Dr. Cosby's anointing leaps from the pages with astounding impact on the reader. This is a prophetic writing. It stands within that tradition that speaks on behalf of God a word that most of us did not want to hear. It is a challenging word that moves us beyond complacency and mediocrity and will not let us preach or manage the ministry of the church with a "business as usual" attitude. Kevin Cosby helps us to see ourselves in the man at the contemporary Bethesda Pool and Spa. He does not ignore contemporary pain, but he will not permit us to blame others for our brokenness. He challenges us to healthy, nutritional eating habits. He points us to Sabbath rest and dares us to avoid what has been termed the Messiah Complex. He insists that our churches must be multi-dimensional and offers practical suggestions for the creation of faith-based community development corporations. When Dr. Cosby opens the African window, a fresh breeze of relevance blows into the church. Here the writer reminds us of our African heritage, the importance of our African culture, and the responsibility we have to answer Countee Cullen's question: "What is Africa to me?" With bold and dramatic strokes this preacher reminds us of the value of affirming who we are in order that the people who fill our pews are both enlightened and empowered, like Daniel, to escape the den of exploitation, dislocation and marginalization. These are not timid offerings. The tragedy of this writing is that we do not hear Kevin Cosby preach these powerful words. This young Joshua is, without question, an anointed man of God. He is a sensitive person, an authentic pastor and an articulate spokesman for the living Christ. He is scholarly without being boring. The lessons contained in this volume are the foundation stones upon which he has built one of the most creative, socially sensitive and biblically based congregations in America. He has captured the minds and the hearts of his people, and in so doing, he has honored our Christ and done great service to the St. Stephen Baptist Church. This is a book worth reading. When you read this book, your life will be better, your community will be stronger, and your church will be more relevant. But first, you must get off your but!