Inspectional Summary: Dreaming in Black and White, High Ceilings: Women in Leadership and God’s Politics.
Each of the books today addresses some of the most challenging issues in contemporary society, namely, race, gender, and political faith. The first book, Dreaming in Black and White[1] by Brett Fuller, examines the complexities of race and faith in the context of personal transformation and leadership. The second, High Ceilings, Women in Leadership,[2] by Fuller, provides a perspective on women’s unique experiences and challenges as they rise to leadership positions. Finally, Jim Wallis’s God’s Politics: Why the Right Gets It Wrong and the Left Doesn’t Get It[3] explores the intersections of religion and politics, questioning how both political sides miss the mark on matters of faith. We will examine the Pivotal Points and Central Thesis of each book and conclude with questions to ask the authors at the Advance in Washington, DC.
Pivotal Points and Thesis of the Books
The central thesis of Dreaming in Black and White is that race and faith are deeply intertwined and that addressing racial injustice requires a faith-driven leadership approach. As a pastor and leadership coach, Brett Fuller uses his experiences as an African American to discuss how spiritual growth and racial reconciliation coexist, arguing that racial divides can only be overcome when leaders from all sides embrace empathy, humility, and a Christ-centred approach to justice and unity.[4] He harnesses the power of a dream, a world where all sides come together as a source of vision and healing in confronting issues of race.
Pivotal moments in the book include Fuller’s reflections on historical events like the Civil Rights Movement[5] and how they influenced his own understanding of leadership. He also recounts personal stories where his faith was challenged by racial discrimination [6] and how spiritual resilience became essential to his journey. Fuller’s call to action is for readers to “dream in color,”[7] which creates an image of a future where racial equality is not only possible but made possible through faith and intentional action.
High Ceilings: Women in Leadership is an essay that centres on how women may be effectually and biblically used in spiritual Leadership. The main thesis is that women face biblical and ideological expectations that make their journey to leadership more difficult than their male counterparts. Fuller argues that women bring unique strengths to leadership and not as the “weaker partner”[8] historical view asserts. By bringing Biblical evidence to support His view of women, the author surmises that “With no incontrovertible proof that women MAY NOT be utilized in spiritual leadership, I choose to defend the case that they MAY. Therefore, in this preacher’s estimation, a woman’s functional ceiling in the church is as low as her gifting, calling, and capacity allow.”[9]
Jim Wallis’s God’s Politics takes a deep dive into the contentious relationship between religion and American politics. He argues that both the political Right and Left have misunderstood and misused faith to advance their own agendas, leading to a distortion of morality inherent in Christianity. The Right, according to Wallis, has focused narrowly on issues like abortion and same-sex marriage[10] while ignoring broader issues of social justice, poverty, and peace. On the other hand, Wallis criticises the Left for often excluding faith-based discourse from its platform, alienating the religious sector and failing to acknowledge the moral authority of religious principles in advocating for justice and compassion.[11]
The pivotal points in the book revolve around Wallis’s belief that neither side holds a monopoly on moral righteousness.[12] Instead, he argues for a new political framework where faith-based values are used to build bridges, rather than divisions, between different political ideologies. Wallis calls for Christians to adopt a holistic approach to politics that encompasses care for the poor, environmental care, peace, and racial justice, alongside traditional values. His message is a challenge to both sides to reconsider how faith can inform a more just and compassionate political discourse.
Key Questions for each of the Authors
Brett Fuller:
Dreaming in Black and White
- How do you balance the tension between being a spiritual leader and an advocate for racial justice, especially when some of your congregation may not share your views on race?
- Do you believe racial reconciliation is possible without a faith-based approach or is faith essential to healing these divides?
- How do you allow for the ingress of Cultural Marxism and the role it has played in opening doors for a conversation on the issue while potentially enflaming the problem in society at large?
High Ceilings: Women in Leadership
- How can men best support women in leadership without being patronising or overshadowing their voices?
- Do you think leadership styles between men and women are inherently different, or are these differences largely shaped by societal expectations?
Jim Wallis
God’s Politics: Why the Right Gets It Wrong and the Left Doesn’t Get It
- How do you propose religious individuals reconcile their personal faith with political platforms that only partially align with their beliefs?
- Do you see any signs of progress in the current political landscape that give you hope for a more faith-informed, justice-oriented politics?
The three books all explore important issues offering a unique perspective on how individuals and communities can address these challenges. By examining the pivotal points and thesis of these works, we are left with critical questions about the future of leadership, justice, and the role of faith in society. These questions are not just for the authors but for all of us to consider as we navigate an increasingly complex world.
[1] Fuller, Brett. 2021. Dreaming In Black And White. BookBaby.
[2] Fuller, Brett E. 2021. High Ceilings: Women in Leadership. Independently published.
[3] Wallis, Jim. 2005. God’s Politics: Why The Right Gets It Wrong, And The Left Doesn’t Get It. First Edition. San Francisco: Zondervan.
[4] Fuller, Black and White. Ch 4.
[5] Ibid, 25.
[6] Ibid, 33.
[7] Ibid, 8.
[8] Fuller, High Ceilings. 29.
[9] Ibid, 41.
[10] Wallis, Xxii.
[11] Ibid, 2.
[12] Ibid, Xxi.
About the Author
Glyn Barrett
I am the founding, Lead Pastor of !Audacious Church in Manchester, England. I was born in Manchester, but moved to Australia at the age of two. My wife and I were married in Australia and began married and ministry life in England 28 years ago. After serving as youth pastors for 12 years, we moved to Manchester to pioneer !Audacious Church. As a church we now have 7 locations. 3 in Manchester, Chester, Cardiff (Wales), Sheffield, and Geneva (Switzerland). In 2019 I became the National Leader of Assemblies of God in Great Britain. We have over 600 churches in our movement and have planted 88 new churches since May 2022 with a goal of planting 400 new churches between May 2022 and May 2028. I am the European Lead for MM33, which is the church planting ministry for Assemblies of God Global and also chair Empowered21 Europe. I'm happily married to Sophia, with two children, one dog and two motorbikes. I love Golf, coffee and spending time with friends. I love to laugh, make friends and create memories!12 responses to “Inspectional Summary: Dreaming in Black and White, High Ceilings: Women in Leadership and God’s Politics.”
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Hi Glyn, As I was reading these books, I was curious if there was anything in them, particularly in God’s Politics and Thinking in Black and White, that you noticed was only “American” and not able to be contextualized to your British or Australian contexts. What do you hope to continue doing or change in your church based off of these readings?
Kari stole my thunder. In addressing her question, could you add how you understand the British and/or Australian core cultural issues that must be addressed for transformational change to occur?
Kari is always one step ahead 🙂 In the British or Australian context, core issues include class inequalities, immigration, Indigenous rights, and secularism’s impact on faith communities. For transformational change, churches need to address these societal divisions with a focus on reconciliation, much like Fuller’s approach to racial justice. Encouraging open dialogue on these issues, framed through the lens of faith and moral responsibility, can foster unity and inspire leadership towards social reform.
Our theology is key in this. We are all sons and daughters of God, in essence, One People and One Race. The ingress of Cultural Marxism is, in my opinion, an evil that needs to be addressed through our theology of being Co-heirs with Christ and not with a victim and victor mindset.
Hi Kari. Thanks for the questions. Dreaming in Black and White and God’s Politics have elements deeply rooted in the American experience, particularly around race relations and the political polarisation of faith. While racial dynamics differ in the UK & Australia, Fuller’s emphasis on empathy and faith-driven leadership transcends national boundaries. Wallis’s challenge to the political misuse of faith applies to any context where religion and politics intersect. Based on these readings, promoting unity and justice in the church and adapting the call for faith-led social transformation to local culture transcends nations and is always applicable to me.
Hi Glyn, Reading your question about political platforms only partially aligning with one’s personal faith brought to mind a statement by the current Pope, that although I am not Catholic, I thought held truth and partially mirrors Wallis calling the faithful to speak truth to power. Essentially the Pope commented both parties miss the mark and parts of their platforms are sinful. Yet people of faith still need to vote and make a choice for the least evil. (big paraphrase). Would you agree with that and if so then how do you think a vote is a loud enough voice? It brings back a conversation from last week or so – do we vote a leader in based on character? faith?
Hi Diane. Wallis and the Pope seem to share the perspective that no political party fully aligns with faith, and choices often come down to selecting the least harmful option. While voting is important, it is not the only form of expressing one’s voice. Advocacy, community service, and grassroots movements amplify the role of faith beyond voting. In deciding to vote, character and integrity may take precedence over pure political alignment, reflecting Wallis’s holistic political framework rooted in moral righteousness. I, for one, would rather vote for a good leader with no faith than a bad leader with faith. Contentious?
Glyn,
You highlighted the idea of dreaming in color. This last week at your church you highlighted the nations. How does this idea of dreaming in color affect your leadership of your church?
The concept of “dreaming in color,” (or Colour – as the rest of the correctly writes 🙂 ) as explored by Fuller, emphasises inclusivity, diversity, and racial reconciliation. In leadership, this can mean intentionally promoting multiculturalism within the congregation, embracing the diverse backgrounds of members, and ensuring representation in leadership roles. Highlighting the nations, as we did recently, may tie into this, fostering an environment where equality and empathy guide the church’s mission. However, that is NOT why we did it, at least not intentionally. I have a conviction that despite our backgrounds, remember, I am a citizen of Australia and Britain, and my wife is Australian, British and Chilean; our national differences must always be a cause for celebration and not division. It is what we call “The sanctification of diversity.” Our intentionality is based on honouring humanity from all backgrounds and not just the elevation of a background, whether cultural or national. I’m deliberately vague in this answer (maybe over a coffee, we can talk more.) One thing is certain, I wholeheartedly reject Cultural Marxism and its place in the discussion. BTW – we had 110 nationalities in our central service alone – a touch of heaven.
Glyn,
I am not familiar with the Assemblies of God view of women in leadership. Do the Assemblies of God hold similar views of women in leadership? What various roles do women play in your churches? Does the role of women in leadership ever come up as an issue in the churches that you are planting?
Hi mate, The Assemblies of God has 420,000 churches worldwide, with a goal to be 1 Million by Pentecost Sunday 2033. The Assemblies of God supports women in ministry, recognising their spiritual gifts and calling. Women may serve in pastoral, teaching, and leadership roles, though challenges may arise in more conservative, cultural, and national areas. This could be an ongoing issue in church planting, but embracing Fuller’s stance on the full utilisation of women’s leadership capacity aligns with the denomination’s values.
Hey Glyn,
Looking forward to sharing and seeing you next week. I had a similar question to the one you posed, regarding the support of women in leadership, for those have been given the platform.
I am curious to know how have you balanced the intersection of politics, race and justice while leading a diverse congregation comprised of multiple demographics?
Hi Daren. This is a great question. We just held our international Sunday, with over 110 nationalities in attendance. I’m unsure if my answer to you is satisfactory to everyone, but we don’t spend much time focussing on the ideas of intersectionality. I am well-read on the topic, as is my “most intelligent wife!” Honestly, we just work hard to focus on each gender and all nationalities as sons and daughters of God and let our Christ-centered approach and love for every person lead by example. It seems to work.