Featuring Dr. Brenda Salter McNeil
Dr. Brenda Salter McNeil has been on a journey. Not only has she travelled the country and world sharing her books and thoughts, but she also has been on a journey of reflection and consideration of one of the key issues of our day – racial reconciliation.
Dr. McNeil’s journey began with her commitment to faith and learning. She earned a Master of Divinity degree from Fuller Theological Seminary, a Doctorate of Ministry from Palmer Theological Seminary and was awarded Doctorates of Humane Letters from both North Park University and Eastern University. She is an ordained pastor in the Evangelical Covenant Church and is on the pastoral staff of Quest Church in Seattle, WA.
For many years, Dr. McNeil shared about the significance and Biblical roots of racial reconciliation. She had to convince Christians that reconciliation was not politically motivated, nor was multiculturalism and diversity at churches and conferences. She led workshops and seminars regarding inclusion and equity and the example of Jesus.
But as she continued her work, she discovered that she had to begin shifting her approach to reach the hearts and minds of people to connect them to the real and important issues of race. She realized she needed to focus on helping emerging Christians learn the foundations of this work and integrate it with their developing faith.
As a dynamic speaker, teacher, author and reconciliation leader, Dr. McNeil’s mission is to inspire and empower emerging Christian leaders to be practitioners of reconciliation in their various spheres of influence. As an Associate Professor of Reconciliation Studies in the School of Theology at Seattle Pacific University, Dr. Salter McNeil directs the Reconciliation Studies program that prepares students to engage the culture around them as Christian reconcilers.
Dr. McNeil is also an author that has influenced the dialogue on racial reconciliation. She is the co-author of The Heart of Racial Justice and the author of A Credible Witness, Roadmap to Reconciliation 2.0 and Becoming Brave: Finding the Courage to Pursue Racial Justice Now. And her recent book Road to Reconciliation has been featured at various advocacy conferences.
Through her work, Dr. McNeil has been recognized internationally as one of the foremost thought-leaders of reconciliation. Among her recognitions, she was featured as one of the 50 most influential women to watch by Christianity Today in 2012.
Dr. McNeil effectively demonstrates that integrating Biblical principles with the leadership development and community action can guide all of us in the pursuit of racial justice.