William Myers has produced an outstanding study of the call to ministry among African American clergy. This is the broadest and deepest study of African American call stories and narratives ever written. Moving beyond the ethnographic descriptions, Myers has placed the call narratives and stories in theoretical perspective, relating them to the traditions of hermeneutics and theological reflection. Highly recommended for all students of African American religious traditions."
--Lawrence H. Mamiya, Vassar College

"The churches need this examination of a distinctive phenomenon of the African American religious experience to which Myers applies impressive cross-disciplinary research skills and insight. A fine contribution to black religious studies!"
--Gayraud S. Wilmore, Editor, Journal of the Interdenominational Theological Center

"This is a pioneering work. It attends to a central dimension of African American Christianity, the call, a topic largely neglected by theologians and religious studies scholars. Bringing multiple perspectives to bear, Myers argues that the call is not only a kind of religious hermeneutic but also a form of ritual and of narrative. Myers has a finely tuned ear for the nuances and richness of specific African American voices."
--Ron Grimes, Wilfrid Laurier University



William H. Myers is Professor of New Testament and Black Church Studies at Ashland Theological Seminary, Ashland, Ohio, and is the president and CEO of the McCreary Center for African American Religious Studies. Born in Stonewall, Mississippi, Myers received a PhD in religious studies in 1991 from the University of Pittsburgh. In addition to numerous articles in religious journals, he has also authored the book The Irresistible Urge to Preach: A Collection of African American "Call" Stories, which serves as a companion volume to this book.