This study seeks to define the theological identity of the Caribbean diasporan church by examining how Caribbean people1 understand themselves as a people of God. By people of God, I am referring to the community of faith that is called into being in response to the invitation to follow Jesus Christ as Sovereign and Emancipator. The biblical witness describes this community of faith as those who are:

Using the experience of this community of faith as a source for theological discourse, I argue that this experience is a theological act that is embodied in the practice of the faith community. Central to this theological inquiry are my own cultural history and diasporan experience as well as the socio-political and theological thought in Caribbean intellectual tradition which have all influenced my interest in Caribbean diasporan ecclesiology. This chapter reflects on the importance of the Caribbean diasporan experience and provides the structure of the book which consists of aspects of my personal diasporan journey, a definition of the term diaspora within the context of the Black diasporan experience, the significance of this study, the methodology the study employs and the delineation of each chapter.

My Cultural History

My cultural history shapes my interest in Caribbean diasporan theology.