The Third Option

Miles McPherson, senior pastor of the Rock Church in San Diego, addresses a serious problem in America today: radical division. It’s a topic many have shied away from for fear of asking the wrong question or saying the wrong thing. Some are oblivious to the impact racism has, while others pretend it doesn’t exist or choose to ignore it completely.

Even the church has been affected by racial division, with Sunday now being the most segregated day of each week. Christians, who are called to love and honor their neighbors, have fallen into culture’s trap by siding with one group against another: Us vs. them. Cops vs. protestors. Blacks vs. Whites. Racists vs. the “woke.” The lure of choosing one option over another threatens God’s plan for unity among all people.

Instead of going along with the culture, Pastor Miles directs us to pick the Third Option: honoring the priceless value of God’s image in every person we meet. He exposes common misconceptions that keep people from engaging with those of different racial and ethical backgrounds and identifies the privileges and challenges that we all face.

The Third Option challenges us to fully embrace God’s creativity and beauty, as expressed in the diversity of all people. By following the steps and praying the prayers outlined in this book, Pastor Miles teaches us how we can all become leaders in unifying our communities, our churches, and the nation.

Full of practical takeaways and exercises to help us better understand every perspective and point of view, The Third Option inspires, encourages, and equips us all to make a commitment to loving all our neighbors equally – starting with ourselves.