A PROGRESSIVE FAITH DIALOG

"Perfect" People Only God Could Love

2012-01-24T17:26:00.000-06:00

Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you…
~Jeremiah 1:5

Maybe we should all run for public office. We could have debates, disagree and end up still shaking hands. We’d have to be “transparent” about our finances; what we make, how we make it, who we get our money from, to whom we give it etc. Everything we have ever done would be fair game for thorough scrutiny. All the poor decisions and mistakes of our lifetime would be printed in newspapers nationwide. We’d be haunted by each of our actions and inactions. Our whole family would be judged; no single member immune from the harsh light of close inspection.
On the other hand, anything we’ve done well or time we’ve been thoughtful or wise or helpful would be lifted up by our friends. Although some crowds would boo us, others would cheer us. We’d start out with lots of money (a requirement to run for public office it seems) but could end up deep in debt. Some of those debts are better described as indebtedness. We would owe and owe and owe.

We wouldn’t always mean everything we would say and never say everything we mean. We’d learn the art of compromise but only practice it with our friends. We would know every moment which way the wind was blowing.
Considering all this, trying to be a good person doesn’t seem so difficult after all! I say that because some churches have given many people the impression that you have to be perfect to belong. Anyone who is honest with her/himself realizes they aren’t perfect and no one else is either! So the conclusion is that churches are filled with folks who think they are perfect, right? And who wants to hang out with a bunch that thinks so highly of themselves and who will judge you for not being so wonderful, right?

Wrong. We know it is wrong. But convincing those who are not part of a faith community that this understanding is incorrect is not an easy task. It would be far easier to run for public office. Isn’t that where we expect the perfect people to be?

How wonderful that we worship a God that knows us so well and loves us anyway!

Quizzically,
Terry

Waiting to be inspired

2012-01-17T14:08:00.000-06:00

Waiting…waiting…waiting…

…to be inspired!

What inspires you?! If asked, I think many people would give answers that would include words like sunsets, the ocean, other things that might be suited to the genre, “nature.” Perhaps I"d get responses such as strength, courage or beauty. Another level of inspiration might be reflected in the words prowess, intelligence, and integrity.

As I'm sitting here waiting for it, I think I'd say - were someone to ask me what inspires me - my reply would be people. More precisely, I'm inspired by people who make a positive difference. Many of my other anticipated responses, as listed above, could be used to describe people who make a positive difference. They tend to be folks who have skills, intelligence, integrity, strength, courage and an appreciation for beauty and nature.

What's more, people who make a positive difference are more likely to see these qualities in the world around them, especially in other people. They are confident, tolerant, determined, optimistic, compassionate and understand their connection to others.

Still waiting, in re-reading what I have written, I am suspecting I'm describing the One whose name I claim. (No, not captain Terry Lee from
the WWII comic strip, Terry and the Pirates.) The attributes I have listed as belonging to a person who made a positive difference certainly fit my heart's portrait of Christ. Since I have chosen the path for my life that I have, that's pretty darn affirming!

I realize, too, that I am inspired by those in whom I have seen the Christ Spirit. Not all of them would call themselves Christians, but that same Spirit shines in them all the same.

Well, it looks as though I've been inspired enough to finish this column. I doubt it has the effect to make a positive difference to anyone. But who knows? Stranger things have happened!

Love,
Terry

Peace: the New Normal

2011-12-22T10:31:00.001-06:00

How fast 2011 has gone! But I think that every year"s end. Is time speeding up or is it just my age? We've seen tragedies and miracles all over the world in 2011; meanness and compassion too. All of it is fresh in our minds and we tend to think it abnormal.

It is not. It is life.

So much of what happens to the world, to our country, our community, our congregation and our family is the result human action/inaction. A man I greatly admire has said more than once, “Most of our problems are caused by human beings. Most of our problems can be solved by human beings.” To this I would add, “IF we are Divinely inspired.”

For the most part, if communities would follow the guiding principles of their culture"s dominant religion, amazing and incredible miracles could happen! We have the power to create a New Normal!

Can you imagine countries putting peer pressure on one another to be more ethical, compassionate, honest, peace-seeking and justice-loving? Now that's a trickle down policy I could support!

One thing I learned from my Human Rights Campaign experiences is that the way to achieve change is to start at the bottom and work your way up. Huge changes in political parties' philosophy were begun through elections to positions on school boards and county commissioners - elections that are not considered by many to be of high importance.

So that sappy hymn I love so well just might hold a key to open the door to that New Normal. “Let There Be Peace On Earth and Let It Begin with Me!”

Hope, Peace, Love and Joy to you and “Happy New Year!”

Terry

To a Glorious Tomorrow!

2011-12-13T11:12:00.001-06:00

I watched a 38 minute DVD last night. It was of the program celebrating MHCC"s 35th Anniversary as a congregation. Divided into 2 sections, the first covered the history of our church from its inception through 1990. The second portion was a series of short comments from then-members beginning with the phrase, “I remember when….” Among the faces I recognized were Ray Bristol, Frank Mabee, Stan Hagadone, Gay Gilmore, Cy Gaiser, Lou Ann Ligon and Val Cunningham. As the video played I must admit that, at first, I was a tad depressed. Before me were scenes of a full church with lots of children and many peace and justice efforts that were well documented. But by the end of the disc, I realized that I was watching my church, made up of my friends who were doing God’s work! I was excited! The spirit of our people, that time and this place have not changed!!!

But some things do change.

2011 has brought so many changes to our remarkable faith community! The most obvious and, by far, the most conspicuous, are manifested in our building and entrance. But there have been other changes that have gone by with less fanfare.

Despite some financial belt-tightening, we have maintained, and in some cases exceeded our outreach efforts. New opportunities for direct involvement are seen in members" exponential participation in Project Linus and our serving meals to young people at First Youth Texas. The Alternative Christmas raised over $10,000 for a variety of deserving non-profits and we have met our goals for mission giving from our 2011 budget, which is around 10% I believe. Still, independent of other fundraising, we have benefited from generous donors, resulting in a new piano for the renewed Sanctuary and windows for the Education Building and Community Hall plus new sliding doors for that area as well.

We have welcomed back David Hammons as our Administrative Assistant and embraced Amber Churchill as our Minister In Training, while continuing to enjoy the skills and creativity of Greg Nunn, Music Director, and the detailed work done by Barbie Lund, Bookkeeper. Lay leaders have worked diligently and intensely on our behalf all year. (So glad we don’t pay them, especially by the hour!)

We are about to begin a New Year that will bring changes and nonchanges:
a new slate of officers, but the same passion to serve; a new budget, but the same priorities for doing God’s work; the same location, but a new look.

We have a history, a legacy, and a reputation within our denomination that have been made strong through the dedication of Ray and Frank and Stan and Gay and Cy and Lou Ann and Val and so many I never had the honor to know - all who made this church the fantastic one-of-a-kind community of faith it has become! Today’s congregation bears the weight of the dreams of all who came before us. We have our own dreams, dreams that are consistent with our past, yet looking toward the future. Their coming true depends upon us. So here’s to yesterday, today and to a glorious tomorrow!

Love,
Terry

Santa's Sack, or...?

2011-12-06T11:35:00.000-06:00

For what I do is not the good thing that I desire to do; but the evil thing that I desire not to do, is what I constantly do.
~ Romans 7:19, The Weymouth New Testament

Today I’m wearing clothes that are big and baggy looking on me, not because I’ve lost weight but, on the contrary, because Halloween, family special occasions and Thanksgiving seemed all bunched together. This is yet another example of the truth I find in the quote attributed to Paul as printed above.

Sometimes the wrong words come spilling forth from my mouth just as surely as the wrong foods are shoveled in. I’ve learned over the years that, for me, when I’m really upset about something, the best course is to keep my mouth shut until my brain catches up with my tongue. That is a lesson learned, but not always a lesson put into practice.

Too many poorly chosen foods and too many poorly chosen words both weigh heavily upon human hearts and both are very unhealthy; one physically, the other spiritually [although if you keep company with a rough crowd those words may cause you bodily as well as spiritual pain!].

We often hear the term “comfort food.” That’s the stuff we eat when we are feeling blue or lonely or sad – the tastes that remind us of safety and warmth and love – they make us feel better. I have heard the term “gunny sacking” referring to collecting negative feelings like anger and hurt and refraining from acknowledging them, claiming them or responding to them until the bag gets so full, heavy and cumbersome that we have no control over our will to open them and let it all pour out in one ragging wave of emotion. Momentarily, we might feel a bit better but in the long run [which is often of short duration] we end up feeling much worse than before, just as we do when we indulge in too much “comfort food.”

This is where I invite you to re-read our lead scripture in this column to better understand what I think, in part, it means for our lives today.
Done? Good.

I find it easy to find this fault in others but easier to find in myself. If you have ever been hit by someone’s over-stuffed gunny sack you how much it can sting. With all the responsibilities we each one carry, how about if we offer extra doses of grace to one another. Grace is a gift that fits all and we don’t have to worry about the color. Still, it might be a good idea to open our sacks a little at a time…

Love,
Terry

Leaders Need to Listen

2011-11-22T15:49:00.000-06:00

9 Then Jesus said, “Whoever has ears to hear,let them hear.” 10 When he was alone, the Twelve and the others around him asked him about the parables. 11 He told them, “The secret of the kingdom of God has been given to you. But to those on the outside everything is said in parables 12 so that,

“ʻthey may be ever seeing but never perceiving, and ever hearing but never understanding; otherwise they might turn and be forgiven!ʼ [a]” ~ Mark 4:9-12a

Iʼve been toying – at the urging of my wife – to consider getting hearing aids. Not going to happen: too expensive and a little vanity. I know hearing is important but…

By the time you are reading this, I expect the work of the bipartisan “Super Committee” will have come to the prescribed deadline for its task to solve our nationʼs debt crises without resolve. Each side is blaming the other for the mess and no one is listening. And many middle-class citizens are expressing their feelings that neither is or has been listening to them.

Leaders need to listen.

Even if they believe they have all the answers, the clearest vision, the skill and wisdom needed, they still need to listen! As hard as it might be
for them to imagine someone else might have a good idea, they need to listen. It will be interesting to see what happens come election day. Our leaders may find that those who are expected to follow their lead have gone in another direction. A leader cannot be a leader without followers.

To respond to those who ask for a hearing with arrogance or attribute dissension to “thatʼs the way those folks are” are not signs of a true leader.

Of course, no one can lead without a certain degree of authority and power,
but those who wield power with authority must never forget that both of these tools are granted as gifts and signs of trust by those who are being governed.

It started with the milk industry as an advertising slogan and has been used or abused by one group or another ever since. I will continue the practice as I ask leaders of all ilk and party: “Got Ears?”
Love,
Terry

A Note to Both "Sides"

2011-11-15T09:48:00.001-06:00

Politics (from Greek πολιτικός, "of, for, or relating to citizens"), is a process by which groups of people make collective decisions. The term is generally applied to the art or science of running governmental or state affairs, including behavior within civil governments, but also applies to institutions, fields, and special interest groups such as the corporate, academic, and religious segments of society. It consists of "social relations involving authority or power" and refers to the regulation of public affairs within a political unit, and to the methods and tactics used to formulate and apply policy.

A few months ago a lot of folks started carrying copies of the U.S. Constitution so they would have a handy tool in proving their absolutely correct position on a variety of issues. It is the same tactic used by some Christians in defense of their religious views. Both are examples of what is commonly referred to as proof- texting. Proof-texting is the use of out-of-context quotes to support an argument. Most often, proof-texting is used in the quoting of religious texts, although scholarly texts are often used. The technique is somewhat related to and is often combined with sophistry, which uses garbled logic to support an illogical claim. Proof-texting is generally disdained by experts as an attempt to deceive a gullible audience, and is often considered a logical fallacy of authoritarian bias.

Most of us are guilty of such shenanigans upon occasion because it is so easy to do. With that in minds, I continue…

I wonder if those Constitutional-carrying patriots have read the following words from that document:

“We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.”

I wonder, too, if they have read this portion of the Declaration of Independence:

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. — That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, — That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.”

If they haven’t read these words, perhaps they are beginning to notice many John and Jane Does across the country have been reading them.

Once again I am reminded, a church should not be partisan, but if it is truly a church, it cannot help being political.
Respectfully,
Terry

You Are Now Entering the Banter Zone

2011-11-08T13:49:00.000-06:00

[Please read Genesis 17:15-22]

“Terry, this isn’t HGTV!” That’s the response I’ve been getting from Patrick, the project supervisor, every morning when I arrive at church. Of course that’s after my every-morning question to him, “Aren’t you guys done yet?”

Needless to say, I’m just ribbing him about getting the renovation done quickly. And you must know that Patrick’s response to me is his way of reminding me “Rome wasn’t built in a day” and neither are sanctuaries. Still, it would be nice if the work could have been completed in 30-60 minutes just like “The Property Brothers” do! I confess the sin of impatience!

And I also confess the sin of loving to banter! You have probably already realized this particular fault of mine. There are times when Cindy and I go out to eat that she reminds me I’m having dinner with her and not the server. The truth is I love meeting people and getting to know them. Not everyone appreciates that; I’m not talking about Cindy, I’m talking about the person on the other end of the bantering. This is rare, but it does happen.

Most of the time the other persons seems pleased I’m interested in them as a person and not just a functionary. I’ll find out where they are from, if they are a student, where else they have lived. Sometimes I get around to religion and occasionally I end up inviting them to church.

If the restaurant is one we frequent they eventually find out things about me, recognize me and if I order the same item a couple of times, regard it as my “regular.” One place in the church’s neighborhood doesn’t even bring me a menu anymore! I like that. I like feeling welcomed and known. I like being greeted with a smile. I do love the bantering!

For those of you who read the suggested scripture, Abraham must have though God was teasing him. Yet, he enjoyed it! Fell on his face laughing with God! Named his son after it! Later, Sarah giggled and was hesitant to admit it. It was witness to the joy she felt.

I see teasing as a way of saying “I’m enjoying this time with you.” So if I tease you, know it is because I like you.

Oh! And the building renovations are being completed more quickly than I ever imagined.

Love,
Terry

Tell Me I'm Not the Only One

2011-11-01T11:50:00.000-05:00

People are wondering the motivation of the Occupy Wall Street movement. To me itʼs very clear. Frustration. I get so frustrated sometimes! Having served two progressive congregations I tend to forget not all people and all places share many of the core values that we do. Being pastor here insulates me from “the real world.” I spend most of my time with those who agree with me about social justice issues and a theology that legitimate sour thinking. And then, I read the paper, watch the news, over-hear a conversation while in a public place and my little bubble breaks. When I share my positions outside our likeminded community, Iʼm often met with disdain as a “liberal” or as one who is naïve about the ways of the world. Perhaps those who so deride me are correct. The older I get, the more “liberal” [that doesnʼt seem to fit] I seem to become. And if Iʼm naïve – welcome to my world! It is a great place to be! It saddens me to think that the vision of a world in which character is valued above possession sand kindness more than power is considered as being guileless. We speak often of the Kingdom of God which I prefer to reference as the “Kin-dom of God,” a place where all are respected and honored and treated as equals as children of God. We pray about it every time we worship. So what does that kingdom/kindom look like to us? How would it feel to abide in such a place? How would a community like that function? Do our answers to these questions sound naïve? Why do folks make what should be easy so difficult? Thirty-seven years ago I thought Iʼd find the answers to all these questions. So far, it hasnʼt happened. I have a few more years to go before I hang up my stole for the final time. If I donʼt have the answers by then, I hope I will, at least, still be naïve, expectant, hopeful.

Love,
Terry

Prayer: What Is It?

2011-10-18T11:29:00.000-05:00

Something interesting is happening to me. Each day I’m becoming more and more conscious of my prayer life. I wish I were becoming more conscientious instead, but I’ll take conscious. I thought as I got older my prayer efforts would be more focused. Instead, just the opposite is happening. My idea as to what form praying takes is getting broader and broader.

Must prayer include words that are spoken or just thought? Must my eyes be closed? Do I need to be in silence? Can I pray through listening to music? Seeing art? Observing Nature? How about experiencing prayer through dance or the faces of grandchildren or someone’s touch – is that prayer too? Poetry anyone? Wonderful food? A glass of water? Is it possible anything can be prayer?

Who is able to answer such questions? Everyone and no one. Everyone answers these questions for themselves. No one answers them for anyone else. Prayer is that personal.

For me, prayer is more an attitude than an action. It is an awareness of the Divine, God’s Spirit that many times sneaks up on me and surprises me with a Holy punch! Wham! God IS here! It cannot be forced. It doesn’t always happen when I employ traditional prayer forms. Most of the time it just happens.

That puzzling scripture from Paul as found in 1st Thessalonians 5:16-19 is more intriguing and at the same time more and more a comfort to me: “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit.”

Praying is a lot more fun now and that’s a good thing to me. Because prayer is a lot more necessary too! Or is that just my attitude?

Love,
Terry

Holy sushi Batman!

2011-10-04T11:23:00.001-05:00

Now I know that some of you reading this think MHCC is being a tad extravagant with the changes we are making in our building, but when you see the project completed I think you will be pleased. For sure, church building can get carried to extremes though.

The Dallas Morning News on Sunday, Oct. 2nd included an article about the nondenominational mega church “The Inspiring Body of Christ.” Granted the pastor there is the Rev. Rickie Rush who has a history of making headlines. Yes, the church claims a membership of more than 15,000 members and is still packing them in, but really?

The church’s new 176,000 square foot campus has a sanctuary that seats more than 2,000 and, according to the DMN, includes not only offices, "a school, but also an ice cream parlor, movie theater, two fitness rooms, a gym and a bowling alley.”

Guess what’s next! There will be a new $33 million facility that will feature a 70,000 gallon aquarium and two 8,000 gallon aquariums. In part, they will serve as arched entranceways with a biblical quote above reminding those who pass through the portals, “Follow me and I will make you fishers of men.” This church is in Oak Cliff, not Oak Lawn.

All those other amenities in place and now this. My, oh, my. $33,000,000.00 for fish tanks. The surrounding community could make good use of the ice cream parlor, movie theater, fitness rooms, gym and bowling alley. I don’t “get” this aquarium business.

I’m glad that the motivation for our humble remodel is to make our church building more accessible and our worship space more intimate and flexible for use by the community we serve.

Do you suppose if we add some gold fish bowls we could add a couple members? Silly notion? Ah, I was just thinking…

Terry

Boxing with God?

2011-09-27T09:50:00.000-05:00

Do you ever find yourself fighting with God? I hope that doesn’t seem a strange question because it happens to me quite frequently! “I’m never going to be a minister!” I resolved at an early age. Then it was, “Well, I’ll never serve a congregation!” That was when it was my goal to be a prison chaplain. Finally it evolved into “I will never be a senior minister and have to preach every Sunday!” Oh well. So much for never. But the two of us still have a good wrestle pretty often. I’ve learned a few things, usually through trial and error, along the way through life. God has a sense of humor. God changes plans. God knows best. God doesn’t let me take shortcuts. God has a different understanding of time than I do. God isn’t at all what I thought God to be twenty years ago, last month, last week nor yesterday – my understanding and our relationship keeps changing and evolving.

Still, we do battle sometimes. You’d think I would know better by now, but I suppose learning something doesn’t necessarily mean putting it into practice.

I believe it was near the end of the 1970s that the musical “Your Arms are Too Short to Box with God” was on Broadway. It was based upon the Gospel of Matthew and was moderately successful with stars Al Green and Patti LaBelle in the cast. I am sure I saw a version of the play somewhere some time, but it must not have been memorable because I don’t recall a single detail about it. I think maybe the title put people off. Most of us don’t feel comfortable with the notion of boxing with God, although there was that guy in the Hebrew Texts that wrestled with an entity that sounded god-like to me. [See Genesis 32:23-34]

Even off-putting, the musical’s title implies a truth. Your arms, my arms are too short to box with God! But that’s okay; another thing I’ve learned along the way. Now if I could just go beyond knowing that to believing it.

Until then, “Hey You…are You ready for another round?”

Blessings,
Terry

I Was Just Thinking...

2011-09-13T11:57:00.000-05:00

…actually I wasn’t thinking at all, so this could be very short! Sometimes it is good not to think. Sometimes I over think and move from concern to being troubled to worrying then on to fretting and once in a while end up in a panic!

When I do this is the result is, I say something I regret or make an impulsive decision. Definitely, I don’t exercise my best judgment. One of my best friends told me that when he turned fifty he realized all this was true about himself too and he started making it a practice to wait until his emotions -- from over-thinking things -- would subside. I believe this is pretty good advice, at least for a guy like me who feels a lot of passion about things.

There’s nothing wrong with feeling passion; as a matter of fact it can be a very powerful gift. Strong feelings are motivating, often lead to otherwise dormant creativity and have been known to make way for a lot of positive problem solving. Of course they can be destructive, counter productive and downright disastrous! So I guess I need to better monitor my passions so they help rather than hinder.

Whoa! I don’t want to over-think this!

Befuddled,
Terry

A Time of Remembrance

2011-09-07T10:20:00.001-05:00

It is evident September 11th will again be a time of remembrance for our nation. This will be especially so as we observe the 10th anniversary of the tragic bombings of the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and United Airlines flight #93. It will be a time to honor those who perished on that day, those who responded to the disasters and their families. Sadly, it will also be a day that revives old fears, anger, desires for revenge and a sense of vulnerability that has endured for the last decade. As long as these emotions persist, the perpetrators of thes egregious crimes will have “won.” Our fear, anger, desire for revenge and feelings of vulnerability have not served our country well in the past ten years. Many unpleasant changes have come about because of them. Our economy has suffered because of them. Our daily life has been much affected as a result of them. Our collective “psyche” has been damaged. Some folks question that civil rights have been tampered with. Let our remembering be of the sort that does not give power or energy to this quartet that robs us of our heritage of seeking peace and just ice nor besmirches our future as a people. Let us pray for peace and wisdom and forgiveness while still acknowledging the tremendous loss that has touched each one of us. I hope you will be present as we worship this Sunday, September 11th in a special service commemorating this day that changed our world.

Shalom,
Terry

Could It Happen Again?

2011-08-30T14:53:00.000-05:00

About a dozen of us had an interesting experience after church Sunday afternoon. We visited the Dallas Holocaust Museum and the special exhibit on persecution of homosexuals by the Nazis. The museum is very well organized with each patron receiving a personal audio tour via an earpiece. It is designed so that you can hear overviews or detailed information so you may move at your own pace. The visit was both educational and sobering; the whys and hows such atrocities happened and the realization that, given certain conditions, they could happen again. Could they?

In the late 1930s Germany was recovering from both the Great Depression and feelings of national humiliation following WW1. The government was broken into factions that were more competitive in seeking power than cohesive in healing the tenuous circumstances. People wanted to regain as sense of national pride. They wanted someone(s) to blame for a failed economy.All was ripe for those speaking with the most authority being given the most authority. Hollow promise were made. Autocratic means to fulfill those promises were employed with a heavy, heavy hand. Those who disagreed with labeled as enemies, unpatriotic and portrayed as being suspicious in their motivations. Does any of this sound familiar?

Faith communities must lead in matters of compassion, fairness, ethics, generosity and morality. Faith communities in Germany during that period were intimidated enough to “look the other way” even though it was becoming more and more evident that more and more power was being collected by those with more and more tendency to misuse that power. We are amiliar with the quote by Martin Niemöller, prominent German anti-Nazi theologian and Lutheran pastor:

"In Germany they came first for the Communists, and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Communist. Then they came for the Jews, and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Jew. Then they came for the trade unionists, and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a trade unionist. Then they came for the Catholics, and I didn't speak up because I was a Protestant. Then they came for me, and by that time no one was left to speak up."

Not so many of us might be familiar with these words attributed to Albert Einstein: “The world is too dangerous to live in not because of the people who do evil ,but because of the people who let it happen.”

May we be ever mindful of the consistent call of scripture that was the last verse of the text shared last Sunday in worship: “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” Romans 12:21
Amen.

Terry

The Gift of Your Story

2011-08-23T11:45:00.000-05:00

I just got back from having lunch with someone that before today I only knew by name. The experience was a gift. Reflecting upon the time
that passed this morning, I am called to question how many other gifts I have allowed to pass me by.

One of the best things about serving a congregation of less than 500 members is that I have opportunities to get to know folks on a deeper level and to share in their lives in more meaningful ways than I did as one of several ministers in a larger congregation. But still…

I wonder about the gifts Iʼm not experiencing. My luncheon guest and I got to know one another in a relatively short time by listening to one anotherʼs stories. Once again, I have been reminded about the power of story.

For many of us, the question asked in last Sundayʼs scripture is usually first answered for us by stories. “Who do you say I am?” is revealed for us at a young age [not just in years but young in the faith] through the familiar and much loved accounts of Jesusʼ birth, miracles, encounters with the disciples and dissenters, the crucifixion and resurrection. A personʼs story tells of their journey and how they got to this very moment in life; how their thoughts have been formed by their experiences, lessons learned along the way, successes and things not so successful. Sadly, Iʼve come to realize that many of the people I have known the longest I know the least. A couple of my cousins die d in the last few years. As children we were fairly close, our mothers being twins. Weʼd look forward to playing together. Iʼd go to their house in the country and they would come to our house in the village, each place bringing a different kind of amusement. But as we grew older and more mobile we drifted apart both in relationship and location. I did not know their stories beyond our middle-school years. What did they love, and value? What troubled them?

In relationship to most of you, I donʼt know much of your stories before September 1st, 2008, nor you much of mine. How much of the stories do you know of longtime friends? Perhaps not as much as you do about new friends. What gifts might we all be passing up?

Love,
Terry

Thy Rod and That Staff

2011-08-16T12:41:00.001-05:00

Perhaps the best known passage of scripture comes from the Psalms: Psalm 23. It describes a pastoral scene – green pastures, still waters – where peace dominates. Within those verses, I want to lift up this week a few particular phrases in tribute of some very, very special people:
…thy rod and that staff – they comfort me…

I am truly blessed to work with a remarkable staff! In alphabetical order, Amber Churchill, David Hammons, Barbie Lund and Greg Nunn go beyond the usual expectations of just being “employees.” Each bring special skills to their agreed upon tasks.

Amber, who has been with us the shortest time, amazes us with her mature faith and relaxed grace as worship leader. Her relationship with our youth and children is already solid and rooted in respect for them as individuals. Her positive and helpful attitude is much appreciated by co-workers and congregation alike.

David Hammons is a “return” presence in the church office. As administrative assistant he is the front line, first contact and impression that week-day guests have with us. He edits and publishes the Echo, Sunday bulletin and manages the website and does his best to keep me organized and aware. David is a true asset!

Barbie is our bookkeeper; accurate, great with detail, personable but a real curmudgeon when she needs to be to keep us accountable in financial matters. Many times she fills in for David on Wednesdays as the one who receives guests.

Greg Nunn, our Music Director, does so many things most of you never know about. He has a real heart of Midway Hills and goes way beyond his music responsibilities in a committed and dedicated member of our church family. Besides, I get a kick out of telling people outside our worshiping community that our Music Director is a son of a Nunn! As is the case in almost every church where I have served, the support staff is never compensated to the level their skills. Your support staff here knows that but their love for you and your mission and ministries takes precedence over their personal gain; something to think about as we look to the future budgets. I understand that we do what we believe we can do but there are a couple of things we might be more intentional about. Keep Amber, David, Barbie and Greg in your prayers and offer them a word of genuine appreciation once in a while!

Love,
Terry

Remembering a Role Model

2011-08-09T11:52:00.000-05:00

I got the news just this morning. By email. A Colorado colleague died last month. Clyde Miller was 83 years old although to look at him you would think he was much younger. This African American United Church of Christ minister was one of the most authentic people I have ever known.
Authentic, in his case, sometimes meant using language uncustomary in “polite society.” Most times his colorful rants were the result of his passion for equality for all of God’s children. Sometimes they were just Clyde being Clyde. The amazing thing about this was that, after the initial shock, he still managed to have the respect of all who knew him or worked with him on any of the numerous human/civil rights issues he confronted. His obituary in the Denver Post described him as “a cage rattler”.

Clyde served the United Church of Christ as its first African American Conference Minister. "He was the most spectacular conference minister," said the Rev. Robb Lapp, another UCC colleague. "He was, at once, the most profane, the most appropriately outspoken, the most visionary, the most prophetic and the most clay-footed leader the conference has had," Lapp said.

Clyde served local pastorates as well including the Boulder Disciples congregation as an intentional interim before my arrival there and as supply minister while I was on sabbatical later.

Many of those who have served MHCC remind me of him in his commitment to justice, his passion and in the ways he brought folks, as diversified as they can be, to work on tough and thoroughly human problems.
My life has been richly blessed by so many wonderful role models who reflect God’s love and grace. Perhaps you have known the same kinds of blessings and role models in your life. It is good to remember them.

Shalom,
Terry

Probably not just in Dallas...

2011-07-26T11:36:00.000-05:00

A Letter to the Editor of the Dallas Morning News:

I read with interest Mr. Park’s article that appeared as the central story on the front page of the Dallas Morning News, Sunday morning, July 24th. I’m not sure just how to react.

If the intent was to celebrate the fact that a huge Dallas congregation owes its success to intolerance of those who are unlike them or see the world differently, I am appalled, frustrated and more than a little upset. If the intent is one of irony – an illustration of cause and effect of such judgments when literally placed side by side another article about the results of such a world view – I am more sympathetic.

But I also fear, if irony is the intent, most people didn’t and won’t get it.

The tragedies experienced by the nation of Norway were prompted by the right-wing Christian fundamentalism of one man. His anti-Muslim, as is all hatred and fear of those who are different, is not genetic but comes as the result of the rhetoric and actions of those perpetrating those emotions i.e. the message of the Rev. Robert Jeffress and others. Mr. Jeffress’ theological understandings are certainly not those of all, hopefully not of a majority, of those who follow the teaching of Christ.

So much for my being appalled and upset. My frustration rests in the fact that the congregation I serve spent over 18 months creating a “Perspective Against Religious Intolerance” that appeals to believers to stop using religion as a weapon against others. For too long scripture has been abused in supporting positions of bigotry, hate, fear against people of color, other religions, non-hetrosexual orientations, immigrants and women. ENOUGH.

Our perspective was sent to all area newspapers hoping for a little exposure to the options available to those who are seeking a loving faith journey. Little is what we got. Let’s see other religious viewpoints as central articles on the front page of the Dallas Morning News! Please.

Rev. Terry L. Zimmerman
Pastor, Midway Hills Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
Dallas, TX

Signs of Progressive Thought

2011-07-19T10:53:00.000-05:00

I am proud to claim that I am a member of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)! Last week's General Assembly illustrated the truth of humanity's spiritual evolution! The messages I heard were evidence that people's understandings do change. Those messages were all about change and healing and growth in things we here MHCC value most. There were signs of a real desire by the gathered body to be more inclusive, do just and honor diversity.

Issues of acceptance of all God's people were affirmed in almost every business session and worship experience. Bullying, human trafficking, advocacy for people in the Congo, moral injury and spiritual care in a time of war, anti-Muslim actions/rhetoric, justice in education were topics for discussion and of resolutions adopted by delegates.

We celebrated the start of hundreds of new churches since the last Assembly
and reelected Sharon Watkins as General Minister and President by an overwhelming vote.

In the dozens of General Assemblies if have attended in the past, I have never seen such a strong youth presence as in this one! Our attending youth, Baxter, Mia and Hunter Johnson, absorbed everything they experienced like thirsty sponges. According to their grandmother, they still haven't stopped talking about the event!

Worship services provided a wider variety of music styles; everything from country (we were in Nashville, remember) to jazz to old time hymns to contemporary Christian and classical. Speakers - Sharon Watkins, Fred Craddock, Holly McKissick, Mel White, Marion Wright Edelman - offered differing world views and preaching styles but all with great power.

We were kept busy with those worship and business sessions and with exploring the vendors and Church agency exhibits that filled two large areas of the convention hall. Meeting friends old and new rounded out our time in "Country Music City" with not much time to explore Nashville itself.

When I was asked which Dallas Church I serve there was always a big "Oh, that's a wonderful congregation!" from those doing the asking. My MHCC red t-shirt was a big hit with many strangers commenting on it.

Those attending from our congregation included; Kathy Bouchard, Amber Churchill, David Freudiger, DeAnna Golsan, Baxter and Mia and Hunter Johnson, Elaine and Don Manworren and Cindy and I.

All in all, despite the Texas-high heat and humidity that traveled with us, it was a grand experience!

Blessings,
Terry

A Special Community

2011-07-12T12:03:00.000-05:00

Cindy and I celebrated our 41st wedding anniversary last week. Yes. I know. She deserves a medal if not sainthood! Anniversaries are interesting events, whether they be birthday anniversaries or, sadly, the anniversary of a great loss. They serve as reminders of special times, people and, even over time and distance, rekindle the sense of "presence" of those times and people in our lives.

Holidays do the same. July 4th reminds us of the struggle so many had in birthing our nation. Labor day celebrates our works that keep our nation going. Veterans Day restores our appreciation for sacrifices made our behalf by men and women of extreme courage. Thanksgiving stirs the spirit of gratitude within us. Christmas lifts up hope, peace, love and joy in ssacred and secular ways. New Years causes bitter/sweet reflection. Ground Hog Day makes us yearn for an early spring. Valentine's Day reveals our need to love and be loved. Easter. Easter is all about God's love, new life, new growth and the possibilities of positive change within us.

But EVERY SUNDAY we are given the opportunity to remember that we are more than flesh and blood, we are connected to one another, we share with the Divine and we are a special community called by God to give life to the love God has given to us. Sometimes, we forget that. Sometimes our relationship with God, with one another, with this community is like the ocean; restless, ebbing and flowing, at one moment tranquil and the next a bit tempestuous. Miraculously, Divine Love brings us back to that body of Living Water.

Living Water heals our brokenness, soothes our anxieties, calms our fears. Each of us has the potential to be a cup of Living Water for the other just as each of us has the potential to be other!

We take our turn. The Water is always there. Drink deeply. See you in worship Sunday!

Love,
Terry

A Bright Future!

2011-06-22T11:44:00.000-05:00

Sigh[selah]. Breathe deeply. Go on. Don't count on lazy, hazy, crazy days
this summer! Well, count on crazy days perhaps! The endless hours of
dreaming, discussion, designing and debating have resulted in a tangible
vision for our church's facility and the remainder of the summer will be
spent in preparing for the work of contractors who will be busy-beeing their way into a renewed entrance and worship space for MHCC!

Sweat Equity will be visible everywhere as well. Your physical strength and prowess will help us $ave a bundle in moving library books, nursery
furniture, painting and refreshing restrooms etc. Pews need to be removed
from our sanctuary and carpeting torn up. We'll be hearing lots more about
these endeavors from our Property Committee I am sure!

If you don't feel up to these physical challenges your prayers will be a
necessary and important contribution to the process. If you happen to stop
by with a cookie or a thermos of iced tea, I'm sure you won't have a problem getting rid of them!

In other words, there is a piece of the action for everybody!

There is no way to thank those who served on the Visioning Team, Dream Team, Building Renovation Team, Marketing Team and Capital Campaign Team that is satisfactory for all they have done to get us to this moment in our church life!

We have been a strong community. We remain strong. The future promises to
be even stronger for us! Let us praise our God, giving thanks for the
blessings that continue...

Love,
Terry

A Time for Gathering Stones

2011-06-07T11:22:00.000-05:00

First Christian Church of Boulder, CO is no longer in Boulder, so they faced an obvious dilemma. They moved out to the southeast corner of Boulder County so the name just didn't fit anymore. There was already a Boulder County Christian Church, which is quite conservative, so that name was not a possibility for more than one reason.

While some churches never change names even if their location changes
(Euclid Ave. Christian Church in Cleveland, OH is actually on Yellowstone
Blvd. for instance) name changes are often seen as necessary to avoid
confusion.

The Colorado congregation went through a long process to decide what they
thought to be just the right name to adequately describe how they see themselves as a faith community. The new facility is on Stonehenge Dr. so one member suggested that as the new name - Stonehenge Christian Church. Others laughed at the idea predicting that the congregation would be known as the Druids for Christ rather than Disciples of Christ!

They finally settled on (drum roll please) Cairn Christian Church. A
"cairn" is a mound of stones erected as a memorial or maker. Its purpose is to act as a landmark guiding those on a journey so they might not lose their way. Honestly, I don't particularly care for the name, but the reasoning behind the choice is good and clear and does suit the hoped-for function of a congregation!

An Ebenezer is similar. Don't think of the eccentric old man from "A
Christmas Carol." Think more of the older version of that great hymn, "Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing." The second verse of that song begins, "Here I raise mine Ebenezer." An Ebenezer is a stone that symbolizes hope. Ebenezers served as sort of temporary altars for people on the move. They were usually built by piling rocks together found in an area where some special event had happened or where people were spending the night, again as travelers.

Most certainly there is a tie-in between such Ebenezer/cairn practices and
the 12 stones Joshua ordered to be taken from the middle of the Jordon when
the people of Israel crossed that river with the Ark of the Covenant [see
Joshua 4].

One could almost read scripture as a travelogue! Over and over again they
tell of believers on the move either metaphorically or literally. That
goes for both the Hebrew Texts as well as the New Testament. In exile,
Exodus or during peripatetic ministries, as Israel, Apostles or individuals, people of faith are always on the move.

As you travel this summer, as we go forward as a congregation, let us be
mindful of the Ebenezers and cairns we carry with us!

Love,
Terry

God's Good News = Equality for All

2011-06-01T11:17:00.000-05:00

Wow! Wow! And triple wow!!! What an incredible experience I had attending the Human Rights Campaign's Clergy Call for Justice and Equality last week!

The primary message of Clergy Call is that religion is no longer a means to
hinder civil rights. Instead, God's Good News advances the concept of
equality for all people. Nearly 300 of us gathered from every state in the
country and from more than twenty faith traditions in Washington D.C. from
Sunday - Tuesday evening. So that I could be in our pulpit on Sunday, I
missed that day's events but caught up as best I could on Monday.

Monday 8:00am: Monday was an intense whirlwind. Those of you who watch
Rachel Maddow on MSNBC are probably familiar with Dr. Melissa Harris-Perry.
She is professor of Politics and African Studies at Princeton University and was keynote speaker for the HRC event. Her grasp of the problems associated with all types of discrimination and her informed perspectives were wonders to be hold. Pens and pencils of participants eagerly and speedily jotted down gems of statistics and facts.

Ten minute break.

There was also a panel discussing pending legislation that was framed in
references to the LGBTQ community but which would impact the general
population as well. Retired Episcopal Bishop, Gene Robinson was among the
panelists.

Twenty minute lunch break. Delicious salmon salad / grilled chicken salad
furnished.

Afternoon sessions focused on "training" for Tuesday's lobbying of our
senators and congress persons. These several hours were just as packed with information as was the morning.

Mid-way through the training we got a second ten minute break.

Finally came dinner-on-our-own time; a whole hour and one half! Would you
believe I had a salad and red wine at an Irish Pub? The other five in our
group thought it was a bit peculiar.

Monday evening lasted until 9:30pm and included a worship service of
meditations and music. Nice.

Tuesday began at 8:00am. After a briefing and distribution of schedules for each of us stating the times of our appointments with our legislators, we got into the nitty gritty of the bills we were addressing; the Defense of Marriage Act, Labor Discrimination and Bullying (the last two have fancier names but my descriptions suffice).

Eventually, we boarded busses to go to the Capital where a two hour press
conference was held. There we were! All of us dressed in clergy "uniform"
seated in the hot D.C. sun. You'd have been proud of me with a TIE and COAT and CLERICAL STOLE. There were 8-1- speakers from many faith traditions, but in my opinion, the HRC President, Joe Solomonese was the most dynamic. After that we had lunch in the Senate Dining Room, which is actually a cafeteria with nary a Senator in sight!

Fifteen of us from Texas (I the only DOC parish clergy) visited the offices
of Kay Bailey Hutchison and John Cornyn. We met, not with the senators but
with staff. At Conryn's we met in the hall outside the office with the
staff member taking notes on our questions and comments. The same was true
at Bailey Hutchison's although tere we were directed to a conference room.

The subgroup of three that I as in visited congressional offices. Of the
three we visited, only one invited us in to a small staff office. I took
the lead with the member who represents our church's district, Pete Sessions. There were no notes taken during our hall-staff meeting.

The event was closed that evening with a reception for participants at the
Human Rights Campaign offices. I slept during most of the flight home the
next afternoon.

I deeply appreciate the congregation's support in my taking time to attend
the Clergy Call.

Blessings,
Terry

Journeys to Justice

2011-05-17T09:32:00.000-05:00

A sure sign of spring is the Human Rights Campaign's "Clergy Call." The call is to the mobilization of what many identity as a "great cloud of witnesses" from throughout the nation to descend upon our nation's capital for two days of teaching, training and lobbying on behalf of equal justice for the LGBTQ community.

I am honored to have been invited to participate in this year's event scheduled for May 22-24 in Washington D.C. Fortunately, I am also a recipient of a special scholarship to cover my expenses.

The timing is amazing! The Midway Hills Christian Church Board recently ratified a "Perspective on Religious Intolerance" that addresses misuse of faith as a tool of judgment, division and hatred among God's people. As I meet with governmental leaders and our representatives next week, I will have the opportunity to hand to them our church's statement and a brief history of our congregation's involvement in social justice issues since our beginning.

I am proud to be pastor of a community that consistently steps out in faith in support of those who find themselves disenfranchised, voiceless and oppressed because they are somehow "different" from the majority. These efforts include, not just the LGBTQ community but also those who are discriminated against because of their religion, race, nationality, age, physical or mental ability or class. This is what it means to be truly "Open & Affirming."

I appreciate your prayer support as I make this journey.

Love,
Terry

"Eye for an eye?", or "Turn the other cheek"?

2011-05-11T16:39:00.000-05:00

Yes, he was an evil person - as close to evil as I understand it to be. Yes, he was responsible for countless atrocities and deaths. Yes, the world is probably better off without him. Yet I cannot celebrate the death of Osama bin Laden.

Listening to the news this morning, part of an interview with (ugh) Nancy Grace caught my ear. She was talking about the soon to start murder case of a young mother in Florida accused of killing her 3 year old daughter. The death took place in 2008, but is just now coming to trial. Ms. Grace noted how difficult it would be to find an impartial jury, further complicated by the probability that the prosecutors would seek the death penalty. Any prospective juror not willing to be open to imposing death would be ultimately rejected.

A person of faith could have difficulty with this one! "An eye for an eye." "Turn the other cheek." Scripture seems to offer conflicting mandates about such things. So we, who try our best to be both just and peaceful, find ourselves on the horns of a moral dilemma and we aren't sure if it’s attached to an orchestra or a wild animal!

I don't make light of this. Truly it is a very serious consideration for all people. As a New Testament kind of guy, I tend to find myself on the cheek-turning side of the equation. It is not the easiest thing to be compassionate, loving and forgiving but we must remember that justice need not be violent.

What would I have had done with bin Laden had I been in the position to decide his fate? Thank God I was not in that position and I honestly don't know what I would have done. But I hope my reaction would have been in keeping with my embracing of the scripture I love and in the tenor of the following quote, coming from a man who knew injustice, violence and a different kind of terrorism than we might be fearing these days:

"I mourn the loss of thousands of precious lives, but I will not rejoice in the death of one, not even an enemy. Returning hate for hate multiples hate, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that."
- Martin Luther King, Jr.
Terry

THE GOOD OLD DAYS?

2011-04-19T12:19:00.000-05:00

Driving in this morning, I found my thoughts returning to those days of “Leave It to Beaver,” and “Ozzie and Harriet” and “Father Knows Best.” Those were the days that television plots and problems weren’t so complicated and everything was happily resolved within 30 minutes, albeit commercials were fewer and shorter. Back then Chet Huntley and David Brinkley and Walter Cronkite would report the day’s news assuring us, “and that’s the way it is.”
Everything was black and white including the TV screens. Or was it? Even the table-top Zenith needed shades of gray and images were often grainy and unclear.
The first memorable movie filmed in color was “The Wizard of Oz.” With Dorothy’s first step into Munchkin Land, the world was never the same. Technicolor to Cinema Scope to High Definition TV to 3-D, we have made great strides in seeing the world in all its glorious variety! But just as Dorothy and the first audiences of that classic movie experienced, there is a sudden awe, a shudder of the strangeness of seeing life as it is for many people. Remember, Dorothy spend the rest of the story trying to find her way back home, encountering and experiencing things she had trouble understanding before appreciating all the beauty that surrounded her.
Today, there are so many ways to connect with that which is new and different as well as to revisit the tried and true aspects of our lives. Yet, many don’t want to see clearly, to encounter, experience and understand. It is just too scary.
The 12”, black and white, round screen Zenith in the first living room I remember as a child is a far cry from what keeps me entertained and informed today! Do I really want to go back to those “good old days?” Nah. I look forward to the Rose Parade too much!
Love,
Terry

THEOLOGY AND TECHNOLOGY! GRRR!

2011-04-13T13:26:00.000-05:00

I have a love / hate relationship with my email. I love the fact that I can communicate quickly. “Can” is the keyword here. It is possible to communicate quickly, but if I don’t check my emails for new messages or if the person to whom I’ve sent a message doesn’t check theirs…perhaps things don’t happen so quickly after all.

There is an additional dynamic at play as well. With email there are not the accompanying nuances that come from the spoken word and no way to read body language. Is the person on the other end of the internet being funny? Sarcastic? Are they angry or merely emphasizing a point? This lack of what I think of as “normal” clues gets lost in translation when using email.

I have been misunderstood and, no doubt, misunderstood others as a result of this. We know what we are trying to say, its just that others may not be able to appreciate the background we bring to our words.

I’ve found this to be true when trying to tell others about the Disciples of Christ beliefs and the core values of our congregation in particular. “What does your church believe?” I’m often asked. When I share that we have a broad range of religious understanding within the body of church, I usually get a follow up questions similar to, “What must one believe to be a part of community?” That Jesus is the Son of the Living God seldom serves as a satisfactory answer to the question.

When we baptize we ask the very question of a candidate to which we expect that very answer, yet we don’t ask them to give a public definition as to what they think they are saying. Ironically, that’s one of the things I love most about being a part of the Disciples of Christ. When we proclaim “there’s place at the table” of everyone we mean it! There is a place within our congregation for almost every point along the Christian belief spectrum.

That’s something to be pondered as we set forth on our journey to promote religious tolerance. We need to be sensitive as we step forward. As the noted Disciples preacher, Fred Craddock, has said, “Our privilege is our peril!”

Blessings,
Terry

CRAZY,DANGEROUS CHRISTIANS

2010-09-08T14:43:00.000-05:00

I am tired of being embarrassed every time I introduce myself as a pastor. We so easily put people into boxes as a short-handed way of figuring out who they are. it used to be called stereo-typing and now it goes by the name profiling. I'm tired of being boxed, stereo-typed, profiled, whatever you may choose to call it for convenience sake -- especially when such practices are many times incorrect, hurtful, harmful and sometimes dangerous!

I'm also embarrassed that this looney in Florida is not just a pastor but a pastor named Terry! His flock needs to take this shepherd to task about his inflammatory behavior and statements regarding the burning of Korans on 9/11. Obviously, no one he loves is in the military in Afghanistan, Pakistan or Iran. When cautioned that his words might endanger the lives of countless men and women serving in the military he dismissed that possibility as a necessity in standing up against a minority of extremists who practice a faith not his own. His actual words were far more hateful and ungly than my paraphrase.

Is Terry Jones not an extremist in practicing his faith as well?

I write this posting as an effort to shed myself of the shame I am feeling in being another "Terry",another "pastor" and another "Christian". Not all Terrys, all pastor, all Christians are like this one. I distance myself from his vicious and venomous proclamation of a gospel I do not recognize nor understand.

I do so as a symbolic act in solidarity with the vast majority of Muslims throught the world who wish only to practice their religion in peaceful ways and with all swho seek to worship a loving God by whatever name they choose to address that one God.

THE COST OF WAR

2010-08-25T14:19:00.000-05:00

The following information comes from the American Friends Service Committee:

"Our governments spends $1 million a year per soldier to wage the war in Afghanistan. We have 78,430 soldiers there, and the total war bill is $72,300,000,000!"

The AFSC goes on to note other ways that $1,000,000 / soldier could be spent if available.

Renewable energy for 127,964,602 homes
Healthcare for 588 children
Salaries for 17 school teachers
Head Start for 132 children
School lunch for 1,602
Healthcare for 227 adults
Four-year Pell grants for 48 college students
Affordable homes for 9 families."

As you can easily see, wars come at an extremely high cost and this doesn't include things you can't hang a dollar sign in front of such as deaths, injuries,disabilities, disruption of families and careers and frequent mental and emotional problems that follow military service.

These statistics have nothing to do with patriotism nor the realization that there are terrorists in the world. But, I believe, they do reflect the necessity to find other ways of solving problems and conflict beyond the option of war.

Let the debate begin....

FAIRNESS IN POLITICS

2010-08-11T14:55:00.000-05:00

Is the title for today's blog an oxymoron? When George W. was president, the conservatives cried that he wasn't being treated fairly by the media or those on the left. Today, many are voicing the same concerns, this time as they apply to Obama and they're coming from the left.

Are elected officials (and those seeking to be elected) dealt with in fairness? Should they be? Should they expect to be? What is a Christian's role in this -- if any?

Some have suggested that pastors and churches should be able to freely endorse candidates. The claim is that this is a free speech issues. Others believe it is not appropriate pointing to the issue of separation of church and state. What do you think?

THE HEAT IS ON...AND ON...AND ON!

2010-08-10T13:24:00.000-05:00

How long, O Lord...? It has been at least 10 days and seems more like 2 weeks or longer that Dallas has experienced 100+ degree temperatures! Still, I wouldn't be anywhere else!

Our amazing congregation is in the midst of an energetic challenge to raise capital funds for building renovations and improvments. The heat is on! The process has spotlighted once again the incredible commitment and considerable talents of our membership in organizing, designing promotional material, and working as a team just to name a few.

Nope, I wouldn't be any place else despite the temperature. As we used to say in the sixties, "Man, this place (Midway Hills Christian Church) is COOL!"

"AFFIRMING THE PAST, EMBRACING THE FUTURE!

2010-08-03T15:31:00.000-05:00

Well we've begun! Sunday we started our month-long Capital Campaign to remodel our facility. Some thing we are doing so to attract new people. Some thing we are doing so to help our building serve us better in our ministries. I think we are doing so for both reasons -- not an either/or kind of thing. It is so important that we get our message out that there are those who understand the gospel in terms of tolerance for others, who are welcoming, see the Story as one of freedom and not bondage, who seek peace and justice, who honor diversity and THINK! Would those who are reading this please help us by telling your friends there are such congregations -- such churches DO exist? Midway Hills Christian Church in Dallas TX is one example. On another note, I've learned that folks are having a hard time commenting on my posts. I'm working on correcting that but in the meantime please feel free to contact me at my email address Blessings, Terry

>CHECK IT OUT!

2010-07-13T12:59:00.000-05:00

We are redesiging our church website. Check out www.midwayhills.org to see a work in process. What would be helpful to you if you were surfing for info about a church?

Help Me Re-Name This Blog

2010-07-12T13:49:00.000-05:00

I don't think the current name is working. I'm thinking of changing it to "A PROGRESSIVE FAITH DIALOG" What do you think?

ARE YOU READY?

2010-06-02T16:07:00.000-05:00

1% of the population controls 46% of the wealth in this country. Many pay no or little income taxes. Most complain about paying any. Many make their fortunes on the backs of the middle class and in products that are environmentally hostile. Most think that's just fine. The Governor of Texas whines that the EPA is out to destroy the Texas encomony when what they are doing is trying to enforce restrictions imposed on everyone else. Gov. Goodhair doens't mind if his idea of the Texas ecomony destroys clean air and water for all of us. BP = oil spill = economic + environmental disaster. Need I say more? Are you ready to do something about it? If not, what will it take? Come on! Comment! I really want to know why we are ALL so complacent. Nero fiddled while Rome burned. We are fiddling around while creation is being abused until it dies. Got any fire in your bellies out there?

2010-04-05T13:42:00.000-05:00

FEELINGS RESURRECTED The following is also published in our church newsleter, THE ECHO. It is about a profound experience I had this Easter morning I mentioned in my Easter message that I had caught a bit of the movie “GODSPELL” as I was getting ready for church. I enjoyed the music, singing along with it, surprised at how many of the lyrics I remembered. Suddenly, I realized I was crying – a rather embarrassing truth for a man of my age. Why? Why was I crying? I really didn’t know at first. Soon I realized that, having had much of my character formed by events of the ‘60s and ‘70s, the flood gates were opened to all the feelings of those times and places. Those were very tense and intense years for people my age and, indeed, for most of the country. Those were days of war and assassinations and racial turmoil and doubt. But they were also days marked by abundant optimism and hope. The Christian Holy Week marks events that were also tense and intense. They too elicited violence, assassination, turmoil and doubt. And finally, optimism and hope. Easter. God is good! How good it is to have a time in which own spirits are reminded that even in the midst of all that would cast shadows on our optimism and hope, there is yet a source of light that makes those shadow pale in comparison! Our best can always be resurrected! There is new life even if death must come first! We need Easter. We need EasterS. We need those things in our world that speak to us of life so that we might be less intense and more intent upon sharing the optimism and hope we know through our faith. And if WE need Easter – those of us who profess faith – how much more so must those who are so full of doubt, whose lives are so overshadowed by violence, assassination, and turmoil need Easter? I guess I wept Easter morning because I recalled a time in my life when I was most alive. I felt it again at church. Easter does that. Christ has risen

RESURRECTION DAY!

2010-03-31T13:59:00.000-05:00

Easter is this Sunday -- the holiest of Christian days. It annually brings many personal questions to my mind. What do I need to let die? What do I need to resurrect in my life? Where are places I see new life? Need new life? What do I truly believe; what is my faith? Some of the answers are excitng, some are scarey, most are revealing, all are challenging. I need to live a good many more years. I've so much work yet to do! May your Easter be all you need it to be!

CIVILITY NEEDS HEALTH CARE

2010-03-23T13:45:00.000-05:00

Civility and common courtesy are sorely in need of health care! The venom displayed over the health care bill tells us many of our "representatives" in Washington need a swift ride to the ER with nearly fatal cases of the uglies. The poison has spread to the masses as seen in the direspect and contempt shown an Ohio man with Parkinson's disease who was mocked and ridiculed for simply declaring his needs for medical coverage via a simple hand held sign. Passion is one thing. Rage is another. There have been threats made against the President, a congressman was spat upon, another harrassed because of his sexuality, violence has been suggested as a way of dealing with the Speaker of the House -- all over a health bill. I don't recall such demonstrations and verbage when another president falsely involved us in a war far more costly than this health bill. There wasn't such an effort to halt the work of Congress when the Republicans were in the majority. Our nation has lost; lost economically, lost in respect of other countries, lost in respect of our own citizens. I fear we are on the brink of "taking it to the streets" as a song from an earlier unsettled time suggested. "If I don't get my way and taking the ball and going home" is a childish position being taken by a party of obstructionists. When are the people going to say ENOUGH?

INMATES ARE RUNNING THE ASYLUM!

2010-03-18T10:14:00.000-05:00

I got an email from a friend yesterday pointing out that the Senate/Congress has passed legislation that whatever the Health Care bill looks like if/when it is passed, it will not apply to them. They will still have the Cadillac coverage they now have. The email went on to remind me of something I had already heard: Even one term senators/representatives get their annual pay for life, some sort of pension + that very special health care coverage. Does that bother you as much as it bothers me. I sent an email to the White House about this but wonder if I'll get a reply...

LET'S RE-WRITE HISTORY!

2010-03-17T15:28:00.000-05:00

Once upon a time there was a group of conservatives who didn't like the way the world was turning. So they all got positions on the Texas State Board of Education. Because no one had shown much interest before and because the group had already gotten away with revisions of what had been, they decided to dare a bit more interference with things just to secure their positions in the future. That is how Thomas Jefferson, the issue of the separation of church and state, references to blacks and hispanics all but disappeared from our country's history texts! "Happy 1950!" on of them cried out to the others! "No," corrrected a second, "Happpy 1750" with a wink! Are we REALLY going to allow this to happen?

I'M FIRED?

2010-03-16T12:43:00.000-05:00

Dear God, I'm so thankful that Glenn Beck does not attend my church. As a pastor of an Open and Affirming congregation that accepts all people without exception, this is a difficult prayer for me to acknowledge. In addition to being an O&A church, we are a peace seeking, SOCIAL JUSTICE working church family. According to Mr. Beck, we are closeted socialists and communists! As I read the Gospels, however, it seems we are in some pretty good company. Perhaps my prayer should be -- rather than being thankful that Glenn Beck is not a member of Midway Hills Christan Church -- that I am grateful I AM a member and pastor here! Amen. P.S. No one has fired me yet!

OF VIRUSES AND VAMPIRES

2010-03-09T12:37:00.000-06:00

I am a victim of a virus vendor! Via Facebook I received and helped spread it around. Grrr! Besides being a major pain in the butt it will also be an extra expense. Grrrr! Someone took the time and intellect to develop a way of hacking into other folks' computers for the sole purpose of creativng a littl havoc. That's just plain meanness! Too bad they didn't put their expertise to better use. Vent, vent,vent!!!

IN ANGER OR IN ORDER?

2010-03-04T14:18:00.000-06:00

Is Mother Nature ticked off or are natural disasters just part of the orderliness of the universe? I've been asked this frequently. Any one want to tackle this one?

DUTY OR DON'T?

2010-03-02T11:05:00.000-06:00

Well today is primary voting day in Texas. This brings up a perpetual question: should people of faith vote? This brings up even more interesting questions. Should churches be political? My position is that any church worth its Bible must be political -- not partisan -- but political. How can a church be part of a community if it isn't involved in that community? To be involved in community necessitates being political. At least that's what I'm still thinking....