That We May Be One
That We May Be One
Overview
Description
Transcending divisions and healing the broken Body of Christ.
Disunity is a reality within churches today. Left unaddressed, political disagreements and racial inequities can fester into misunderstanding, resentment, and anger. But often the act of addressing this discord prompts further animosity, widening fissures into gaping fault lines between fellow members of the same community.
Gary Agee, a pastor well-versed in leading diverse congregations, reflects here on the roots of division within the church and the virtues and practices that can promote the restoration of unity. With disarming honesty and humility, Agee offers sage advice gleaned from Scripture and years of practical experience to show how we might fulfill Jesus's prayer on behalf of the church: "That all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. . . . That they may be one as we are one." At the end of each chapter, Agee includes exercises, discussion questions, and suggested practices, providing a concrete path to unity through dialogue and action.
Editorial Reviews
That We May Be One is a timely and beautifully written resource for this crucial work."
-- Doug Pagitt
pastor, author, and executive director of Vote Common Good
"This is a practical guide for churches who are ready to take steps to achieve something that is much easier to preach than it is to practice--Christian unity. Agee examines unity from different vantage points using a variety of sources, including Bible and tradition, anecdote and autobiography. Anyone who views the healing of racial and economic disparities as a desirable outcome of the church's public witness will want to read this book."
-- Cheryl J. Sanders
pastor, author, and professor of Christian ethics at Howard University
"Victor Hugo said that there is nothing more powerful than an idea whose time has come. It may also be that there are few things more powerful than a book whose time has come, and I firmly believe this is one of those books, and this is one of those times. The times in which we live are marked by strife, confusion, and division. Too often, that is our reality in the church as well as in the rest of the world. Gary Agee calls us to be better--to be the church and build true community. I pray we answer that call."
-- Bishop Timothy J. Clarke
senior pastor of First Church of God, Columbus, Ohio
"Gary Agee issues a bold call for unity to a highly polarized church. He honestly deals with the challenges facing a church divided by race, politics, gender, sexual orientation, denomination, and the like. Yet Agee invites readers to embrace a posture of unity and implement a hermeneutic of inclusion.
That We May Be One is hopeful, practical, and compelling--a must-read for twenty-first century Christians!"
-- Curtiss Paul DeYoung
author of
Coming Together in the 21st Century: The Bible's Message in an Age of Diversity
"In this frenzied and fractured time, the clamor of discontent seems to be the echo chamber of our days. Gary Agee's
That We May Be One stands resolute in offering to the churches a distinctive voice and creative alternative to the usual zero-sum battles of our culture. Agee recognizes that the church has fallen under the old imperial standard: we live at the expense of others. To seek genuine unity, to discover what Paul intimated to the early communities, to experience fellowship with those we would discount, entails the risk of asking how it is with those beyond our comfort zone. By sharing his own humbling experience of seeking unity as well as wisely providing a rich array of resources, Agee invites us to discover that the desire to be one intimately ties the depths of divine life with the entangled reality of our life together on this planet."
-- Arthur J. Dewey
professor of theology at Xavier University
"This book offers hope when many seeking unity may feel the pull of despair. On offer here is not a blissful, naive hope that is marked by optimistic delusion, but the hope that is found in attentive listening and acting to make biblical calls to unity come to pass. In this book, Gary Agee takes seriously the failures of the Christian church and the reality of societal and political polarization. Instead of succumbing to despair, he finds a thread of hope in biblical texts and glimpses of churches that show a trajectory of unity. Each chapter deals with Scripture, social realities, and practical challenges and opportunities for local congregations. He guides and inspires the reader to make the practice of unity a purposeful part of personal and congregational reflection and action."
-- Nathan Willowby
dean of the School of Theology and Christian Ministry at Anderson University
"Gary Agee's
That We May Be One is a creative and courageous attempt to work at serious Christian unity. Agee is not naive in his desire for unity; as a Church of God pastor who earned his PhD at a Catholic university, Agee has broad first-hand experience of Christianity's fractured existence. With his lucid prose and his informative autobiographical anecdotes Agee makes a compelling argument for how we can move forward fruitfully towards a unified Body of Christ. One need not agree with Agee on all of his suggestions in order to benefit greatly from his important contribution. Anyone interested in Christian unity (and disunity) should prayerfully read this book."
-- Jeffrey L. Morrow
professor of theology at Seton Hall University
"Dr. Gary Agee has provided both incredible research and personal story in this text. He offers the reader a new understanding about what unity is--and what it's not--and some ideas for making unity a reality. The close of each chapter provides discussion questions for groups and homework assignments to help each of us grow in Christ as Jesus prayed 'that they may be one.' Agee addresses the issues that divide us: race, gender, socioeconomics, LGBTQ+, nationality, religion, etc., in the hope that the reader will see how vast the inclusion/exclusion, us and them, is. It only takes one step for an individual to make unity possible--or to further alienate. Every person makes a difference. Thank you, Dr. Agee, for sharing your journey and your insight. I pray that we might be one."
-- MaryAnn Hawkins
editor of
Called to Minister, Empowered to Serve
About the Author
Gary B. Agee is lead pastor of the Beechwood Church of God in Camden, Ohio, and serves as affiliated faculty at Anderson University's School of Theology and Christian Ministry. Having previously taught church history at Anderson, he is also the author of
A Cry for Justice: Daniel Rudd and His Life in Black Catholicism, Journalism, and Activism, 1854-1933 and?
Daniel Rudd: Calling a Church to Justice.
Gary B. Agee is lead pastor of the Beechwood Church of God in Camden, Ohio, and serves as affiliated faculty at Anderson University's School of Theology and Christian Ministry. Having previously taught church history at Anderson, he is also the author of
A Cry for Justice: Daniel Rudd and His Life in Black Catholicism, Journalism, and Activism, 1854-1933 and?
Daniel Rudd: Calling a Church to Justice.
Condition Guidelines
Books - New and Used
The following guidelines apply to books:
- New: A brand-new copy with cover and original protective wrapping intact. Books with markings of any kind on the cover or pages, books marked as "Bargain" or "Remainder," or with any other labels attached, may not be listed as New condition.
- Used - Good: All pages and cover are intact (including the dust cover, if applicable). Spine may show signs of wear. Pages may include limited notes and highlighting. May include "From the library of" labels. Shrink wrap, dust covers, or boxed set case may be missing. Item may be missing bundled media.
- Used - Acceptable: All pages and the cover are intact, but shrink wrap, dust covers, or boxed set case may be missing. Pages may include limited notes, highlighting, or minor water damage but the text is readable. Item may but the dust cover may be missing. Pages may include limited notes and highlighting, but the text cannot be obscured or unreadable.
Note: Some electronic material access codes are valid only for one user. For this reason, used books, including books listed in the Used – Like New condition, may not come with functional electronic material access codes.
Shipping & Delivery
Shipping Fees
- Stevens Books offers FREE SHIPPING everywhere in the United States for ALL non-book orders, and $3.99 for each book.
- Packages are shipped from Monday to Friday.
- No additional fees and charges.
Delivery Times
The usual time for processing an order is 24 hours (1 business day), but may vary depending on the availability of products ordered. This period excludes delivery times, which depend on your geographic location.
Estimated delivery times:
- Standard Shipping: 5-8 business days
- Expedited Shipping: 3-5 business days
Shipping method varies depending on what is being shipped.
Tracking
All orders are shipped with a tracking number. Once your order has left our warehouse, a confirmation e-mail with a tracking number will be sent to you. You will be able to track your package at all times.
Damaged Parcel
If your package has been delivered in a PO Box, please note that we are not responsible for any damage that may result (consequences of extreme temperatures, theft, etc.).
If you have any questions regarding shipping or want to know about the status of an order, please contact us or email to support@stevensbooks.com.
Returns & Refunds
You may return most items within 30 days of delivery for a full refund.
To be eligible for a return, your item must be unused and in the same condition that you received it. It must also be in the original packaging.
Several types of goods are exempt from being returned. Perishable goods such as food, flowers, newspapers or magazines cannot be returned. We also do not accept products that are intimate or sanitary goods, hazardous materials, or flammable liquids or gases.
Additional non-returnable items:
- Gift cards
- Downloadable software products
- Some health and personal care items
To complete your return, we require a tracking number, which shows the items which you already returned to us.
There are certain situations where only partial refunds are granted (if applicable)
- Book with obvious signs of use
- CD, DVD, VHS tape, software, video game, cassette tape, or vinyl record that has been opened
- Any item not in its original condition, is damaged or missing parts for reasons not due to our error
- Any item that is returned more than 30 days after delivery
Items returned to us as a result of our error will receive a full refund,some returns may be subject to a restocking fee of 7% of the total item price, please contact a customer care team member to see if your return is subject. Returns that arrived on time and were as described are subject to a restocking fee.
Items returned to us that were not the result of our error, including items returned to us due to an invalid or incomplete address, will be refunded the original item price less our standard restocking fees.
If the item is returned to us for any of the following reasons, a 15% restocking fee will be applied to your refund total and you will be asked to pay for return shipping:
- Item(s) no longer needed or wanted.
- Item(s) returned to us due to an invalid or incomplete address.
- Item(s) returned to us that were not a result of our error.
You should expect to receive your refund within four weeks of giving your package to the return shipper, however, in many cases you will receive a refund more quickly. This time period includes the transit time for us to receive your return from the shipper (5 to 10 business days), the time it takes us to process your return once we receive it (3 to 5 business days), and the time it takes your bank to process our refund request (5 to 10 business days).
If you need to return an item, please Contact Us with your order number and details about the product you would like to return. We will respond quickly with instructions for how to return items from your order.
Shipping Cost
We'll pay the return shipping costs if the return is a result of our error (you received an incorrect or defective item, etc.). In other cases, you will be responsible for paying for your own shipping costs for returning your item. Shipping costs are non-refundable. If you receive a refund, the cost of return shipping will be deducted from your refund.
Depending on where you live, the time it may take for your exchanged product to reach you, may vary.
If you are shipping an item over $75, you should consider using a trackable shipping service or purchasing shipping insurance. We don’t guarantee that we will receive your returned item.
Overview
Description
Transcending divisions and healing the broken Body of Christ.
Disunity is a reality within churches today. Left unaddressed, political disagreements and racial inequities can fester into misunderstanding, resentment, and anger. But often the act of addressing this discord prompts further animosity, widening fissures into gaping fault lines between fellow members of the same community.
Gary Agee, a pastor well-versed in leading diverse congregations, reflects here on the roots of division within the church and the virtues and practices that can promote the restoration of unity. With disarming honesty and humility, Agee offers sage advice gleaned from Scripture and years of practical experience to show how we might fulfill Jesus's prayer on behalf of the church: "That all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. . . . That they may be one as we are one." At the end of each chapter, Agee includes exercises, discussion questions, and suggested practices, providing a concrete path to unity through dialogue and action.
Editorial Reviews
That We May Be One is a timely and beautifully written resource for this crucial work."
-- Doug Pagitt
pastor, author, and executive director of Vote Common Good
"This is a practical guide for churches who are ready to take steps to achieve something that is much easier to preach than it is to practice--Christian unity. Agee examines unity from different vantage points using a variety of sources, including Bible and tradition, anecdote and autobiography. Anyone who views the healing of racial and economic disparities as a desirable outcome of the church's public witness will want to read this book."
-- Cheryl J. Sanders
pastor, author, and professor of Christian ethics at Howard University
"Victor Hugo said that there is nothing more powerful than an idea whose time has come. It may also be that there are few things more powerful than a book whose time has come, and I firmly believe this is one of those books, and this is one of those times. The times in which we live are marked by strife, confusion, and division. Too often, that is our reality in the church as well as in the rest of the world. Gary Agee calls us to be better--to be the church and build true community. I pray we answer that call."
-- Bishop Timothy J. Clarke
senior pastor of First Church of God, Columbus, Ohio
"Gary Agee issues a bold call for unity to a highly polarized church. He honestly deals with the challenges facing a church divided by race, politics, gender, sexual orientation, denomination, and the like. Yet Agee invites readers to embrace a posture of unity and implement a hermeneutic of inclusion.
That We May Be One is hopeful, practical, and compelling--a must-read for twenty-first century Christians!"
-- Curtiss Paul DeYoung
author of
Coming Together in the 21st Century: The Bible's Message in an Age of Diversity
"In this frenzied and fractured time, the clamor of discontent seems to be the echo chamber of our days. Gary Agee's
That We May Be One stands resolute in offering to the churches a distinctive voice and creative alternative to the usual zero-sum battles of our culture. Agee recognizes that the church has fallen under the old imperial standard: we live at the expense of others. To seek genuine unity, to discover what Paul intimated to the early communities, to experience fellowship with those we would discount, entails the risk of asking how it is with those beyond our comfort zone. By sharing his own humbling experience of seeking unity as well as wisely providing a rich array of resources, Agee invites us to discover that the desire to be one intimately ties the depths of divine life with the entangled reality of our life together on this planet."
-- Arthur J. Dewey
professor of theology at Xavier University
"This book offers hope when many seeking unity may feel the pull of despair. On offer here is not a blissful, naive hope that is marked by optimistic delusion, but the hope that is found in attentive listening and acting to make biblical calls to unity come to pass. In this book, Gary Agee takes seriously the failures of the Christian church and the reality of societal and political polarization. Instead of succumbing to despair, he finds a thread of hope in biblical texts and glimpses of churches that show a trajectory of unity. Each chapter deals with Scripture, social realities, and practical challenges and opportunities for local congregations. He guides and inspires the reader to make the practice of unity a purposeful part of personal and congregational reflection and action."
-- Nathan Willowby
dean of the School of Theology and Christian Ministry at Anderson University
"Gary Agee's
That We May Be One is a creative and courageous attempt to work at serious Christian unity. Agee is not naive in his desire for unity; as a Church of God pastor who earned his PhD at a Catholic university, Agee has broad first-hand experience of Christianity's fractured existence. With his lucid prose and his informative autobiographical anecdotes Agee makes a compelling argument for how we can move forward fruitfully towards a unified Body of Christ. One need not agree with Agee on all of his suggestions in order to benefit greatly from his important contribution. Anyone interested in Christian unity (and disunity) should prayerfully read this book."
-- Jeffrey L. Morrow
professor of theology at Seton Hall University
"Dr. Gary Agee has provided both incredible research and personal story in this text. He offers the reader a new understanding about what unity is--and what it's not--and some ideas for making unity a reality. The close of each chapter provides discussion questions for groups and homework assignments to help each of us grow in Christ as Jesus prayed 'that they may be one.' Agee addresses the issues that divide us: race, gender, socioeconomics, LGBTQ+, nationality, religion, etc., in the hope that the reader will see how vast the inclusion/exclusion, us and them, is. It only takes one step for an individual to make unity possible--or to further alienate. Every person makes a difference. Thank you, Dr. Agee, for sharing your journey and your insight. I pray that we might be one."
-- MaryAnn Hawkins
editor of
Called to Minister, Empowered to Serve
About the Author
Gary B. Agee is lead pastor of the Beechwood Church of God in Camden, Ohio, and serves as affiliated faculty at Anderson University's School of Theology and Christian Ministry. Having previously taught church history at Anderson, he is also the author of
A Cry for Justice: Daniel Rudd and His Life in Black Catholicism, Journalism, and Activism, 1854-1933 and?
Daniel Rudd: Calling a Church to Justice.
Gary B. Agee is lead pastor of the Beechwood Church of God in Camden, Ohio, and serves as affiliated faculty at Anderson University's School of Theology and Christian Ministry. Having previously taught church history at Anderson, he is also the author of
A Cry for Justice: Daniel Rudd and His Life in Black Catholicism, Journalism, and Activism, 1854-1933 and?
Daniel Rudd: Calling a Church to Justice.
Condition Guidelines
Books - New and Used
The following guidelines apply to books:
- New: A brand-new copy with cover and original protective wrapping intact. Books with markings of any kind on the cover or pages, books marked as "Bargain" or "Remainder," or with any other labels attached, may not be listed as New condition.
- Used - Good: All pages and cover are intact (including the dust cover, if applicable). Spine may show signs of wear. Pages may include limited notes and highlighting. May include "From the library of" labels. Shrink wrap, dust covers, or boxed set case may be missing. Item may be missing bundled media.
- Used - Acceptable: All pages and the cover are intact, but shrink wrap, dust covers, or boxed set case may be missing. Pages may include limited notes, highlighting, or minor water damage but the text is readable. Item may but the dust cover may be missing. Pages may include limited notes and highlighting, but the text cannot be obscured or unreadable.
Note: Some electronic material access codes are valid only for one user. For this reason, used books, including books listed in the Used – Like New condition, may not come with functional electronic material access codes.
Shipping & Delivery
Shipping Fees
- Stevens Books offers FREE SHIPPING everywhere in the United States for ALL non-book orders, and $3.99 for each book.
- Packages are shipped from Monday to Friday.
- No additional fees and charges.
Delivery Times
The usual time for processing an order is 24 hours (1 business day), but may vary depending on the availability of products ordered. This period excludes delivery times, which depend on your geographic location.
Estimated delivery times:
- Standard Shipping: 5-8 business days
- Expedited Shipping: 3-5 business days
Shipping method varies depending on what is being shipped.
Tracking
All orders are shipped with a tracking number. Once your order has left our warehouse, a confirmation e-mail with a tracking number will be sent to you. You will be able to track your package at all times.
Damaged Parcel
If your package has been delivered in a PO Box, please note that we are not responsible for any damage that may result (consequences of extreme temperatures, theft, etc.).
If you have any questions regarding shipping or want to know about the status of an order, please contact us or email to support@stevensbooks.com.
Returns & Refunds
You may return most items within 30 days of delivery for a full refund.
To be eligible for a return, your item must be unused and in the same condition that you received it. It must also be in the original packaging.
Several types of goods are exempt from being returned. Perishable goods such as food, flowers, newspapers or magazines cannot be returned. We also do not accept products that are intimate or sanitary goods, hazardous materials, or flammable liquids or gases.
Additional non-returnable items:
- Gift cards
- Downloadable software products
- Some health and personal care items
To complete your return, we require a tracking number, which shows the items which you already returned to us.
There are certain situations where only partial refunds are granted (if applicable)
- Book with obvious signs of use
- CD, DVD, VHS tape, software, video game, cassette tape, or vinyl record that has been opened
- Any item not in its original condition, is damaged or missing parts for reasons not due to our error
- Any item that is returned more than 30 days after delivery
Items returned to us as a result of our error will receive a full refund,some returns may be subject to a restocking fee of 7% of the total item price, please contact a customer care team member to see if your return is subject. Returns that arrived on time and were as described are subject to a restocking fee.
Items returned to us that were not the result of our error, including items returned to us due to an invalid or incomplete address, will be refunded the original item price less our standard restocking fees.
If the item is returned to us for any of the following reasons, a 15% restocking fee will be applied to your refund total and you will be asked to pay for return shipping:
- Item(s) no longer needed or wanted.
- Item(s) returned to us due to an invalid or incomplete address.
- Item(s) returned to us that were not a result of our error.
You should expect to receive your refund within four weeks of giving your package to the return shipper, however, in many cases you will receive a refund more quickly. This time period includes the transit time for us to receive your return from the shipper (5 to 10 business days), the time it takes us to process your return once we receive it (3 to 5 business days), and the time it takes your bank to process our refund request (5 to 10 business days).
If you need to return an item, please Contact Us with your order number and details about the product you would like to return. We will respond quickly with instructions for how to return items from your order.
Shipping Cost
We'll pay the return shipping costs if the return is a result of our error (you received an incorrect or defective item, etc.). In other cases, you will be responsible for paying for your own shipping costs for returning your item. Shipping costs are non-refundable. If you receive a refund, the cost of return shipping will be deducted from your refund.
Depending on where you live, the time it may take for your exchanged product to reach you, may vary.
If you are shipping an item over $75, you should consider using a trackable shipping service or purchasing shipping insurance. We don’t guarantee that we will receive your returned item.
Oops!
Sorry, it looks like some products are not available in selected quantity.
