Contents: Origins and growth of the Black Church movement across the Atlantic - Oneness (Apostolic) Pentecostalism and Sabbatarianism - Effects of the history of slavery and subsequent racism on present struggles - Worship and the cultural and spiritual liberation of a people - Missiological, ecumenical and socio-political implications - Issues for further cross-cultural research and action - Directory of churches.

Since the Second World War more than 1.000 Black independent congregations in around 300 different organizations have sprung up all over Britain. The immigration of Afro-Caribbeans and West Africans has led to the emergence and growth of many churches which flourish in the cities and attract a growing number of members. They now play an increasingly active role in the social and ecumenical life of the nation which is reflected in co-operation with the 'New Instrument' of the British churches. They comprise a rich diversity of theological traditions and cultural inheritance, some in an interesting blend, some in a struggle with White elements. Existence and growth of these communities have often been explained by factors inherent in British society, such as social deprivation and English racism. The book attempts to prove that, as much these are a reality, they do not account for the dynamics of the movement, its proliferation and stability. Rather these are carried by strong cultural and theological forces which moulded the spiritual experience of the African diaspora. They carry a living faith, sound contextual theologies, and a form of organization which presents a model for other ethnic minorities.

��It should be required reading for all students in theology and ministerial training...�� (Maurice Hobbs, Racial Justice) ��...ein Standardwerk, das in vielen Bereichen Neuladn erschlie��t.�� (Tilman Wilborn, ��kumenische Rundschau) �� ...a gold mine of information for further research. In all, a useful reference work.�� (A.H. Anderson, Missionalia)

Available electronically via the Internet.

The Author: Roswith Gerloff, born and educated in Germany, is an ordained minister of the United Evangelical Church. Her work experience includes experimental parish work in Berlin-West, the ministry to former German-Jewish refugees in Oxford, a fellowship at Woodbrooke College (Quakers), and the directorship of the Centre for Black and White Christian Partnership in Selly Oak, Birmingham, which she initiated. Her extensive field studies in Black Christianity in Britain made her serving both as a lecturer in Selly Oak and as consultant to the British Council of Churches. Presently she directs the Ecumenical Centre Christuskirche in Frankfurt a. M. and chairs the Forum for Ecumenical Intercultural Learning.