Mass Communities, Preventing School Violence

I was asked yesterday my thoughts on how to stop the mass shootings, particularly at schools, short of "world peace, spiritual revival, and extensive gun control." This is not an area that I approach lightly, with so many families effected by gun violence. I also know I'm not a mental health professional, but I know communities pretty well. There are several common things I see in mass school shootings that we all can have a role in changing.

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1) Lonely guys:

Almost every perpetrator of mass shootings was a male viewed as an "outsider, quiet guy, someone who kept to himself, or had a few friends." This pattern has been repeated for the last 20 years. While it is a dangerous stereotype to create (being one of those quiet guys in school), it is an important one to understand.

We need more caring adults in the lives of our youth. We need greater spiritual, emotional, and developmental support of youth. Our churches need a transformative presence in our communities, our communities need meaningful relationships, and our families need interconnected networks. Families, churches, schools, and community cannot do it alone, this is a fight for every youth, both victim and perpetrator.

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2) Relationship Corruption:

These perpetrators tend to be young men who have had issues with developing and maintaining relationship, more than the average teen. These tend to be heterosexual males, most often they have recently broken up with a girlfriend, been rejected by a girl, or warped expectations of relationships with women. Again and again, these young guys choose to deal with heartbreak, rejection, and frustration through violent expressions.

We need better examples, better media, and better relationships. I don't expect a "Leave it to Beaver" world, but we lack good media examples of families with values. Our youth are looking for leaders, for men (and women) who can guide and encourage them, invest in their lives, care for their souls, and create a brighter future. We need stronger families that teach how to deal with frustration and disappointment aside from violence or separation. We need better media that doesn't objectify women and glorify sexuality, that doesn't, in the same broadcast, talk about a violent crime against women and then discuss the latest celebrity's body modification or photo scandal. If journalism is to be respected again, publish meaningful news. Lastly, we need better school systems that allow for more creative outlets and teach kids how to express them selves in other more acceptable ways. We need sports, play, arts, and entertainment opportunities for our youth. We need funding for these "non-core" courses that can make all the difference with our youth.

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3) Weaponized Violence:

These mass shootings have just that, guns. I do believe that law-abiding citizens have the right to carry guns. I know that gun laws do impact those citizens the most and gangs still get guns. What we have a problem with is our culture of guns. Most perpetrators obtained guns legally, as youth, or had access to them in their homes, despite warning signs and behavioral alerts. Many had a "fascination" with guns, violence, or studied mass shootings. There are few of these that happen as stabbings, drivings, or smashings... these are shootings, guns must be addressed.

I won't open this debate up here too much, but I cannot address shootings without addressing the tool used to create them. We need more supervision and limitation over youth access to guns. I get that it is culture and that it has not been my family's culture. Those with founded mental issues, should not have access to guns. Those that do not secure their weapons and have them stolen, should probably lose their access to guns. Also, guns aren't cars, cars were made for transportation, guns were made to kill, we have to have policy that addresses them as such. We have had shootings in all corners of the country, with all sorts of backgrounds, this is a gun culture issue. We have to address the issue and not shy away from the tough and meaningful discussion. We cannot just use anecdotes, stories, and fears of government take over to frame the conversation, but that this is real and meaningful issue in our community. We must be willing to put aside our beliefs about guns and find real solutions. We have to start to love our youth more than our guns.

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This isn't a conversation for everyone, but is one that we have to have. I share this because it is on my mind and heart. It is time for our churches to see our real need for community revival, our families to become beacons in our neighborhoods, and our schools to become sacred community ground to be protected and supported. This is possible, but we have to be willing to go the extra mile, to invest ourselves, and to take risks forming new relationships.

Civic Repsonsibility

I've been working on a couple of posts, but in the meantime, I couldn't pass up this opportunity to share this Op-Ed that captures my election thoughts as well...

Op-ed: Civic Life is More Than Voting

"Finding solutions to public challenges isn’t easy. It requires more than voting. It requires time and energy and a willingness to consider different points of view. It means focusing on the common good rather than self-interest."

Citizenship not about party affiliation but a about daily participation. Do your first civic responsibility, vote, and then do your second, serve.

The same applies for the Christian life... Eph 2:19 "Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God"

America: A Christian nation?

This has taken me quite a bit to write and I finally had a chance to put some more thought to it this weekend. I will admit it is far from a perfect article and will not win any great rewards by I think it begins to capture my feelings on something I see all to often. Coming from someone who works in a municipal service position, I feel that government is often misunderstood and resented because decisions can't always be understood from the headlines and the stores that are told aren't always based on full truth. I plan to get back into at least a weekly rhythm once again. Thank you all for reading and I hope it is something that at least gets us thinking about the perspectives that we hold.

What makes America a Christian nation?... A) Laws, B) Culture, C) Majority, or D) None of the Above?

I often hear that, "America was a Christian nation" and that for us to once again be a "great" nation that we need our political leaders to get back to the roots of our Christian heritage. This concept of political straying is often the argument for the cause of economic collapse and the ongoing recession that we have seen. A lack of "Faith," meaning a lack of effort by Christian believers primarily, has been blamed as a contributing cause of our country's moral, financial, intellectual, and social status in the world. People blame everything from political corruption, corporate corruption, media bias, and cultural shifts as the cause for our current state of being.

But before we examine what makes America a Christian nation we must first address the idea that we face greater challenges as Christians in America than we have in the past. Let me first point out that in my lifetime, I do not recall a pastor imprisoned for a message that would be deemed controversial or counter to the current culture. Pastors that have used less than tactful approaches to making a point or even offensive means to challenge non-believers, have been given the freedom to make those statements or use those approaches without fear of governmental intervention or imprisonment. However, in the early years of our former-colonial country, pastors were imprisoned, intimidated, and prohibited from preaching without a license or for preaching beliefs contrary to a particular church's teachings. We experience far greater freedoms, amazingly diverse and effective set of communication tools, and a wealth of financial and social opportunity, and yet we continue to see churches struggle or close due to a lack of membership and resources. Our faith communities continue to rest on the freedom and blessings provided by our location of birth and not in the power of the giver of life.

I also think we need to consider what a broader perspective of America thinks of itself and its future. A recent Gallup poll showed that 69% of Americans viewed the current and future moral outlook for America as negative. They also asked respondents to cite reasons why the thought American's morality was on the decline. According to the report:

Americans are most likely to cite a lack of respect or tolerance for other people as the most important problem with moral values. Other frequent responses include the decline of family structure, a lack of religion and faith, and a lack of morals in general.

Two thirds of Americans think that our moral outlook is grim and the top reason cited was a lack of respect. The other two reasons often relate to the source for that type of respect and the development of our moral compass: the family and the church.

For us to be a truly Christian nation once again we must stop blaming the news media, Hollywood, NY fashion, YouTube, and the other assorted vehicles of cultural expression. I see too often that we give lip service of our expectations of non-believers and then turn around and blame them for our demise. At one time in my life I encouraged to hear, "We can't expect them to act saved if they aren't saved," because it expressed an understanding that blaming "the lost" for the lack of their "lostness" was completely appropriate. However, those same people who say "forgive them for they know not what they do," would turn around and blame the unbeliever for the current state of our country.  "We are in this (Insert: recession, war, scandal, discouraging state) because of (Insert: any group of stereotyped unbeliever)."

I believe there is another reason that we are in the perceived state of moral decay that we are in. I do believe we are in the current state we are in is because we are losing ground as Christians. We are not losing ground legally, culturally, or politically. We are losing ground spiritually. We, as many other corporations and organizations, have become victims of our own success. As Jim Collin's writes in his corporate leadership book, Good to Great, "Good is the enemy of great." I believe he states appropriately that we don't have greatness because we have goodness. We don't have great outreach ministries because we have good ones. We don't have great missionary efforts because we have had good efforts at global missions. We don't have great youth ministries because we have had good youth groups. We don't have great revivals because we have good Christians.

No where in the bible are we told to legislate biblical values. Now before you take offence to that follow this thought. Our first and foremost responsibility is to whom? God. 

6 Now these are the commandments, the statutes, and the judgments, which the Lord your God commanded to teach you, that ye might do them in the land whither ye go to possess it:² That thou mightest fear the Lord thy God, to keep all his statutes and his commandments, which I command thee, thou, and thy son, and thy son's son, all the days of thy life; and that thy days may be prolonged.³ Hear therefore, O Israel, and observe to do it; that it may be well with thee, and that ye may increase mightily, as the Lord God of thy fathers hath promised thee, in the land that floweth with milk and honey.⁴ Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord:⁵ And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.⁶ And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart:⁷ And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.⁸ And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes.⁹ And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates.¹⁰ And it shall be, when the Lord thy God shall have brought thee into the land which he sware unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give thee great and goodly cities, which thou buildedst not,¹¹ And houses full of all good things, which thou filledst not, and wells digged, which thou diggedst not, vineyards and olive trees, which thou plantedst not; when thou shalt have eaten and be full;¹² Then beware lest thou forget the Lord, which brought thee forth out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage.¹³ Thou shalt fear the Lord thy God, and serve him, and shalt swear by his name.  (Note: emphasis added)

This stands as one of the greatest summary promises between God and Israel that sets them apart from the other religious groups of their day. The belief of a single God that does not demand obedience out of duty but individual obedience out of love (vs 4-7). This new view of God, one of desire rather than duty, was promised to transform and bless them in providential ways beyond their own strength and ability (vs 10-12). Our responsibility is to live a true an genuine life that shows a love for God that is beyond hypocrisy or challenge. I know that this is a difficult proposition, especially in my own life. But the challenge does not preclude us from leading in our life for God. We must be living to fulfill our duteous desire show our love to God before we can even expect others around us to even take notice.

Our society is not in the state is in because of the legislation of our government but because of the condition of our hearts. Legislation, legislators, and bureaucrats will change over time, as will society. These are neither better or worse because I can assure you that in Paul's day they believed the "last days" list of activities (2 Tim 3:1) applied just as much as it does today. I believe that too often we waste our energy fighting in political battles against legislation that does not maintain our Christian values rather than fighting spiritual battles to save the souls of those developing the legislation or even the common voter. 

¹¹ Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; ¹² Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation. ¹³ Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; ¹⁴ Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well. ¹⁵ For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men: ¹⁶ As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God. ¹⁷ Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.

We have been called to be "honest," to lawfully "Submit...to every ordinance of man," to "well doing," to be "free...servants," to "honor all men," "love the brotherhood," "fear God," and "honor the king." This passage should truly describe our public and political life. We should strive to be above reproach, honest about our faults, working to improve them, humble in our politics, and respectful in our disagreements.

I can honestly say I despise campaign seasons, Presidential and Senatorial especially. The constant negativity and positioning, the pride and boasting, the divergently similar ideas, the extreme show boaters lacking wisdom, the financial underpinnings and deceptive manipulation of facts. I avoid media during these times, while I do value the American freedoms we have, I am embarrassed by the way in which we choose to maintain those freedoms. I would also embarrassed to be called a Christian nation and have almost any of the candidates represent our country to there nations after some of these campaigns. I want a leader who is able to understand, grow, learn, lead, guide, adapt, listen, and improve. The candidate who is a stalwart against change, who will not "compromise" or waiver, is one who is not ready to lead a country in one of the most complex jobs in the country. Where are our Christian politicians that understand government and leadership? ....The youngest president ever, McBride in 2016...maybe?

(now back from the rabbit trail...)

I ultimately believe that we, Christians today, need to stop blaming the politicians, teachers, psychologist, scientist, presidents, bureaucrats, social workers, professors, liberals, and any other group in our modern society for the state of our society. The real reason for the state of our society is ourselves. We must take the blame and change our course to address it. Our lack of Christian leadership and "well doing" is reflected of our society's state of morality. Now, more than ever, Christians need to step up and be real, be honest, and be serving. We must do a better and reaching souls for Christ. This was the cause of the Christian decline of Europe and will be ours as well if we do not change our political conversation and start having a spiritual one. Only then, might we be a truly Christian nation.

State of the Christian Union

I've found it quite interesting lately, as the election season shifts into high gear, concerning the dialogue my fellow Christians choose to engage in, the reasoning behind their support of specific candidates, and their general belief on the "true" State of the Union.

• Again and again the conversation I hear returns to the social concerns of today's American society - Marriage, Abortion, Social Welfare, Family Values, Broadcast Decency, Ethics. 
• This is often coupled with a sound-bite driven summary of fiscal issues - Overspending, Earmarks, Taxation, Economic Inequality, International Support, National Debt, Job Creation, Recession, Trade Agreements. 
• With a smattering of ethical issues - Campaign Financing, Career Politicians, Cronyism, Lobbyist Interest, Pork Barrel Spending, Party (Dis-)Loyalty, Redistricting. 

On the eve of the President's State of the Union address tonight, I offer my own insight if you choose to care. So I guess you could call the rest of this rather lengthy post my...

 "State of the Christian Union"

These are all very valuable topics for discussion that need to be addressed through informed and respectful dialogue. I argue that we must not focus on the legislation or a political solution but on a "soul-ution." We must make this a matter of salvation not of legislation. Doing so we can understand how to address complex, urgent issues of government including finances, ethics, and national defense. 


In fact, in doing some self examination I have begun to believe that I would have a hard time ever being elected to office. (Aside from not being independently wealthy and unable to finance such a campaign of my own) I have accepted that I tend to be, what some would call, a moderate independent when it comes to my political affiliation. I think my views on government finances and oversight paired with my concern for conservative social values would not garner me many votes on ethical issues alone, especially from my closest Christian family and non-Christian co-workers.


This has caused me to profoundly question why that would be? Why would a fellow christian ever support me for an office? What platform would I campaign on? Then an even deeper question arose, what should be the political conversation for Christians?


I think that after 232 years since the ratification of the Constitution, and long before, Christians have wrestled with the proper role of religion for our governing leaders. We appear to continue to be divided between finding a good national political leader and a good Christian. It seems these are often mutually exclusive because of our own political expectations. 


We often look to these leaders to be steadfast, to never change, to never compromise and we label that conviction. I will discuss this later but I fundamentally disagree with the concept that a good Christian leader does not change. If they do not change, they do not learn. If they do not fail, they do not grow. If they do not understand the true essence of compromise, how can they ever build a spirit of unity or make any progress? (See Forbes article on Failed Executive Habits for a good example)


It also seems to me that too often we are looking towards legislation to shape and define our country, to "save" our country as some have said. To many Christians, the social concerns of today are dangerously and irreparably close to impacting our country's future. As a result, they look to enact or preserve legislation that prevents or criminalizes certain activities. However, I argue that addressing these social issues through legislation does not make our culture a Christian one, it does not lead to cultural revival. We must remember that legislation does not save souls and we, as Christian, are called to be servants and soul winners first and citizens last.


The fundamental issue is a soul issue. The state of our society isn't a result of us having laws that are more permissive, secular, or tolerant. Our society is suffering from a heart condition of the spiritual kind and until we as Christians can stop focusing on the legislation and start focusing on the salvation of those around us we will never see true revival or change in our society. Our government is a reflection of the people - disengaged, dependent, and discouraged. If we hope to see America regain it's old glory,  hope and respect within the domestic and international community we must work to turn hearts to the One who made America that way.


We have failed in our political conversation. We have been captured by vain philosophies of politics and debate and have lost the dignity of our calling. The abortion rate, marriage rate, domestic violence rate, drug use, and public assistance rates are all directly related to health of the family. Our churches are failing to build strong families in the current day and age. We have to get intentional about our work. We cannot rely on Sunday's and Wednesdays to sustain families. We cannot look to Pastors and Deacons alone to counsel and support our families. We cannot wait until a couple is separated to try and intervene (or tolerate the "taking of sides"). The most important ministry in a church has to be the ministry to families, hands down. Without it, churches will fail, society will crumble, America will lose all favor. Research has shown that how much you make has a greater impact on preventing divorce than being involved in a church. This has to change, there is no losing or coming up short here if we want to see America remain a Christian nation.


This can no longer be a Red vs Blue, Tea vs Occupy, Conservative vs Liberal debate. We have to make this a salvation conversation. Just as we don't expect a stranger to love your family, we cannot expect unsaved and spiritually lost to live, govern, or vote like Christians either. I'm not calling for an authoritarian government where political leaders must act and live like Christians, rather I'm calling upon Christians to act and live like authentic Christians and accept their first call and turn to their first love.


I call for a revival, a wildfire of the Holy Spirit to spread in hearts and minds of believers and unbelievers. 


Start with prayer.
Pray continually, for those hurting and those rejoicing.

• A Healthy Body
  Pray for the body of Christ, pray that we are healed with a common cause under a common banner of revival. Pray for a unified effort, one of truth, righteousness, hope, and love. Pray for those who have turned away, who are blind and have forgotten their sins forgiven and cannot see afar off. Pray for thanksgiving, rejoicing in the blessing and gifts of our Father, his mercy, his grace, his providential and omnipotent hand upon us. 
• God-lead Leadership
  Pray for our current political leadership, their wisdom, their peace, their love of God. Pray for our spiritual leaders that they are protected and guided by God, encouraged and surrounded by a hedge of caring believers, their families blessed with patience, understanding, and love.

Start with the Bible. Read, study, meditate, learn. 

• Be Ready
  As Daniel and the young captives of Israel, we must put ourselves wholly to learning of the one we serve. We must be ready to lead, to govern, to minister as the princes and rulers of the King of Kings. But before we can govern others, we must learn to rule our own souls. How can I be changed or improved if I don't know anything is lacking? 
• Be Challenged
  Our country continues to turn to the scriptures for comfort and encouragement in times of despair but not for correction. I cannot slight anyone because I know my own struggles with spiritual growth and repentance. I would choose to taste of the sweet honey of the word than drink the bitter tea of my convictions. 
• Be Sharpened
  Challenge and sharpen one another in the Bible, we must train as any athlete or champion to prepare for the race and calling ahead. Without this training we will come up short every time. We must look to new training practices, new approaches, new techniques to make us ready to answer anyone on the reason for the hope within us. 
• Be Current
  Athletes are constantly looking for tools, techniques that will give them the edge in their training and we must be doing the same. We must take advantage of this modern age of technology and information to spread the gospel farther, faster, broader than any other time in history.

Start with the church. Share, listen, love, encourage, uplift, humble, and forgive. We cannot move if we continue to draw lines and divisions, build up comforting barriers, dig our heels into illusions of tradition. 

• A Strong Body We must learn to live as a body, learn to disagree and move on, learn to find agreement and capitalize on it, build on our strengths and strengthen our weaknesses. For far to long we have let ourselves get in the way of ourselves and the work God has planned for us. We have to get our own house in order before we can expect our nation to do so. If we have a hard time budgeting for a year and conducting business together how do we expect 300 million Americans to come together to secure our future? This starts with communication and structure. We need to start communicating and stop avoiding conflict. Our avoidance of the conflicts have created much more strife and bitterness than ever needs to be within the body of Christ. A relationship that has not worked through conflict at some point is like a ship's hull that has not been tried before it launched, as soon as a storm arises, it breaks apart.  We cannot be afraid to ask the tough questions, have the tough conversations, and know that the relationship we have in Christ is greater then our struggles, it is greater then our conflict.
• A Connected Body
  We must work together, the body of Christ is not divided by cities and we must learn to embrace others outside of our walls and learn from them. We must sharpen our skills both from within our local fellowships and from outside of them. This is how we strengthen the joints that Christ connects and supplies. Without those connections we cannot hope to see the gospel spread if we continue to contain it within our own comfortable circles. We must be bold and speak in the synagogues as Paul did, we must go to the people, we must seek them out and bring them into the fold. (Join the God Bless America Crusade - Hampton, VA, Feb1-3)
• A Growing Body
  First-time visitors and new converts should not be a surprise to our churches but expected at every gathering. We must prepare for growth, position ourselves to be overflowing with new believers. What is the capacity of your church and are you ready to grow? What is your growth plan? Are you praying and preparing for when God will provide an answer?

Ultimately our conversation has to change. This can no longer be about the politics of the day, because they will continue to exist as long as we fail to fulfill our first calling and commission: 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. (Matt 28:19-20)

Will you take up my challenge and change our conversation and turn to our first love and first calling. God has promised results, we need to do our part: 14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. (2 Chr 7:14)

Essential Community Involvement

Wow, what a couple of years it has been. I didn't realize a second child, a departmental reorganization, and across the board layoffs would be this taxing on me in 2010 and almost all of 2011. I hope to focus a bit more on writing and sharing some of the great moments of enlightenment and inspiration that have occurred in that time. Hope you find it all as helpful as I have. So on to a thought that has been hammered home lately...

Community involvement is extremely, extremely simple...except when it is not. I believe it all starts with pride and humility. These are two opposite ideas that when balanced and directed appropriately, can be very powerful:

• Pride...
  In my home:
  The first step is taking pride in my home. I say home because it encompasses a lot and isn't limited to those who own their property ("Renters are neighbors too").
  
  It is the concept of home - the building, the family, the children, the pets, the possessions, the place, the block, the playground, the school, the civic club, the church, the community- that fosters the greatest sense of pride and almost always results in a greater level of care.
  
  Often it is difficult to encourage a "sense of home" in a community where the average person moves every 5 years (according to a local planner). This mean that in one childhood the average youth would have been in 4 different homes or communities and the average adult could be in over 10 communities by the time they retire. Trying to quickly establish a "sense of home" and build pride in where you live is vitally important. Connecting residents from the time they move in and through their local traditions and culture are key to weaving the community together.
  
  In my community:
  When one cares about something they are willing to make sacrifices to care for it or achieve it. The same is for a community. How many business have you walked in and known right away that they had no pride in what that did? Did you stay or go somewhere else? Did you come back? This happens in communities all the time.
  
  If you have pride in your community it shows and others can see it as well. You also care about the others in your community and their well being because ultimately it affects your own quality of life in a neighborhood. But pride in a community is diverse, complex, and simple. It it shown in many unique ways and it can be shown in the simplest ways - Mowing the grass regularly, not parking in the middle of the yard, keeping the house up, planting flowers, sharing tools, sharing stories, or even just a simple greeting.
  
  
• Humility...
  In my lifestyle
  A humble approach to life and the things of life can transform our communities. When we possess a  mind of personal humility it leads us to exhibit true contentment. I'm not talking about the contentment of place or soul but being content with material things and able to give to improve your community.
  
  
  In my networks
  The idea of "no greater love has any man than he lay down his life for his friends" does not mean that we have to die to show love. What it refers to is having a humble spirit of giving. In other words, i will give up my ambitions, my pride to help others achieve their dreams. In doing this collectively we can achieve far greater things than if we push to move forward and leave others behind. Capitalism teaches us the reward for hard work, Socialism reminds us of the needs of others who face far greater challenges.  Each is not exclusive of the other but we require a balanced and fair approach in a high functioning civil society. 

Honor, Fear, Love: Keys to Christian Citizenship

It has been a while since I've posted due to a plethora of reasons that range from family, work and church activity and commitments. I was inspired to write today because of a passage that has grabbed my attention. But first let me share a little context for my study.

In a Sunday School class that I teach of young single adults, the other teacher and I developed a series called "Intentional Living." We are focusing on practical application of biblical principles on issues that closely impact singles and young adults.  We are covering topics such as "Singleness of mind & heart,"  "Right giving, Right Living,"  "The Family: Love, Submit & Obey," "The 5 Love Languages," "Outreach & Evangelism," "Church Body Building," and "Healthy body, Healthy soul." Rather than the traditional alternating teacher lecture style with just the same two teachers, we have elicited help from several experienced leaders in the church to share a 20 minute study (straight and to the key points) and lead a 20 minute discussion on the topic.

The format and the topics aren't ground breaking but the secondary impacts have been greater than expected - attendance is more consistent, students have conversations with leaders outside of class, current leaders are now more connected to the future leaders in the congregation.

So back to where I start this post. I have been tapped to teach a "Truth, Justice and the Christian Way" mini series on civic responsibility and social justice. I was studying the following passage and the last verse has sat with me constantly in the past few months:

13 Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; 14 Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well.15 For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men: 16 As free, and not using your liberty for a cloak of maliciousness, but as the servants of God. 17 Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.

" Honor all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the King." Four simple rules to live by as Christians. Even more importantly in today's climate, four principles to govern by. Here is my quick summary of these 4 simple rules, please share you comments:

• Honour All Men. We must remember the humanity of a man/woman and not just his/her profession  or stature in society. Do we respect and treat a millionaire CEO the same way we respect the homeless person we pass on a busy street. We must remember that each is a lost soul in need of Christ. No one comes from a high position in life because we are all humbled by our guilty sin.
  
  
• Love the Brotherhood. There is a unique bond between Christians that we should crave more of and cherish. This isn't a bond with the church but a bond with the brother/sisters in Christ. Our "allegiance" is to Christ and his joint-heirs not the organizations, institutions or structures we create. The brotherhood is about relationships, people to people, and great value should be given to these relationships in our lives.
  
  
• Fear God. The core of our life and world view should be a fearful respect for God. This is our guiding instruction that sets the standard for all of actions. We develop this fear from study of his word and spending time with him in prayer.
  
  
• Honour the King. The king represents the civic government that is in authority. As Peter writes in verse 13, we are to submit to the "king's" authority and ordinance that our just living will be an example to the lost and foolish. We cannot expect to follow the holy instruction of God if we are unable to follow the simple instruction of earthly kings. But as Psalms 118:8 says,  "It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in princes." Honour but don't expect the prince or the king to provide the needs that only the Lord can provide through faith.

Just a few thoughts as I study the topic. I hope to bring more on a subject that I find fascinating and timely. Please let me know your thoughts on the subject, other reference materials, or your studies on the subject. Have a blessed week!

Inaugural Post - Not an Easy Decision

As President-Elect Obama makes preparations for his inauguration next month, the anxiety of he and his speech writers must be high. This historic election will be viewed on an international stage amidst a backdrop of economic fear, ongoing war, and high social tensions. While he is a skilled orator, no amount of preparation can prepare him for this moment in his life.
I am not the President-Elect, not preparing to become the leader of one of the most powerful
countries in the world, and not sharing my vision for where the country should go in the next four years. This shouldn't be a surprise, but wanted to make it clear. Nevertheless, writing your "inaugural blog" is a daunting task. It sets the tone, the vision and expectation for what is to come. With that said, lets get into it...
Citizens, friends, and neighbors I ask you today to listen with me.

• Listen with me to others in our communities to find out our needs, hopes, dreams and aspirations.


• In listening, discover what they have to offer through their skills, time, ability, knowledge, and history.


• In discovering, share what you have in common, those connections that make us a society, a civilization, citizens of a nation.


• As you share, be moved to act to meet the needs of others by giving of the skills you have and the influence you have to create change.


• Through action, be mindful of others, acting not out of pride or self-gain but through service, humility and concern.


• As you are mindful of others be reminded to listen to ensure you heard what they said at the beginning.

Go. Make a difference, have faith, and build hope.