Anger and Apathy

Thomas Sowell had a column today in which he made some comments about the "angry Left." For many on the left wing, difference of opinion leads not only to passionate debate, but to downright hostility. Sowell sees a kind of furor on the part of some liberals that could almost be classified as hatred--hatred of politicians they don't like, of views with which they disagree, of traditions and concepts they find distasteful. I think Sowell is largely correct. Tolerance and respect for those ideas and spokesmen of varying opinions seems largely missing on the radical left. On the other hand, however, those of us of more traditional or conservative views seem largely to be basking in apathy. Oh, we talk to each other about our misgivings concerning immigration reform, terrorism, and other issues. And in the church, we are concerned about deviations from theological orthodoxy. But we really don't do much about any of this. True, conservatives have turned out in large numbers during recent elections; but as soon as the elected officials seem unwilling or unable to deliver on their campaign promises, we crouch back into our little holes, whisper to our friends, and essentially behave ourselves. This isn't all necessarily bad. Traditionalists and conservatives are, by our very nature, non-activists. We don't demonstrate or stage civil disobedience. We don't make noisy protests. For the most part, we don't even walk out of our existing organizations or institutions and form revolutionary new political parties or church groups. We pay our taxes, obey the law, and try to adjust to the things we don't like--pretty much the way mature adults are supposed to behave. But there comes a time when apathy must be replaced by decisive, principled action. We don't have to get angry. We don't have to "make demands." We just have to be willing to do and say what's right, no matter what happens. As we used to say in the Presbyterian Church, we have to be willing to defend that which is true and virtuous and godly, "whatever persecution ... may arise" on that account. There will come a time when we who hold traditional views of law and politics and Christianity will have to pay a price. I'm not talking about being fanatics or extremists, or eccentrics. I'm just talking about standing for those principles, values, truths, and ideals of law and order that have been commonly understood during most of American and western civilization. Many of us who are now considered out of step with our culture used to be in the mainstream. I believe it's time we take back the mainstream, the high ground, the American and Christian culture our ancestors fought and worked so hard to establish. The "Angry Left" cannot be allowed to let their anger rule the day.

Economic Development and Church Inertia:

I attended my Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors meeting today. I'll only be attending one more of those before my pastorate here officially ends. My association with the Jackson Area Chamber of Commerce has been the most interesting thing I've done while in Jackson, Alabama; and the people on the Board of Directors are some of the most impressive folks in town. It is truly exciting to be present as the new opportunities for economic development in our area are being discussed. Marketing strategies are being designed for the towns and cities near Mobile which will be most directly affected by the new steel plant. Other retailing and assorted businesses are being actively recruited and anticipated. Membership at the Chamber is increasing. In addition, new and creative revenue streams for the Chamber are being actively considered. The next few months and years will be tremendously interesting in the cities, towns, and counties of southwest Alabama. In one sense, this is a bad time to have to leave. I'd love to be around to see the changes and be a part of the development. Contrast this air of expectancy with the attitude found in most mainline churches. I have heard people express a lack of interest in church activities because it never seems to them that the churches ever really did anything. While I think many people have wrong or unrealistic expectations of churches, we do have to deal honestly with the fact and the perception that churches are institutions full of inertia. We talk a lot, and we argue a lot; but what do we really do? What goes on in the average church that could really get the active person very excited? The church has a great responsibility and a vital mission; but the vision and the dreams that are cast by most ministers and church leaders frankly do not fire the imagination most of the time. We should pay attention to those churches and those ministries that are successful and exciting. I'm not quite sure how to solve the problem of inertia in the average church; but I do know it is a concern that must be addressed.

Economic Development and Winds of Change

The German steel corporation Thyssenkrupp is coming to Alabama. The announcement was made on Friday morning. This is big--the kind of thing that can transform an entire region of the state, and I'm excited about it! Lydia doesn't quite understand why I'm so excited about this. After all, we won't even be here. And I ask myself: Does economic development guarantee an improved spiritual climate in an area? As a minister, shouldn't I be more interested in promoting Jesus than in developing jobs? Thyssenkrupp is prepared to invest $3.7 billion to develop a manufacturing facility in northern Mobile County, very close to the Washington County line. Tu build the facility, 29,000 temporary construction jobs will be available. Once the facility is built, 2700 permanent jobs, paying between $50,000 and $65,000 a year will be provided. Over 50,000 peripheral jobs will also result as a direct or indirect benefit of the plant. While Mobile and Mobile County will benefit most directly, all the counties in southwest Alabama will feel the effects. In addition, other economic development projects may be about to transform Mobile and southwest Alabama from a sleepy, mostly rural culture into a truly bustling 21st-century hotbed of economic activity in several areas. No, economic development does not guarantee spiritual development; but the two don't have to be mutually exclusive, either. I am currently facing the prospect of perhaps having to leave the ministry because my church is unable to continue paying my salary. Clearly, the economic well-being of any area is important for the establishment and perpetuation of strong, mission-minded churches. Affluence can definitely undermine a sense of dependence on the Lord; but vigorous evangelism and church growth is not likely to flourish in areas that are thinly populated and where economic survival is difficult. There is always a "down" side to economic development. A way of life will be gone forever in parts of Mobile and Washington County. There will be growing pains and dislocation. But no community, neighborhood, church, region, or nation can stand still. I'm excited because it is all too obvious that southwest Alabama desperately needs transformation and economic development. The young people need to know that jobs will be available. The rural areas need to grow in order to have access to better roads and other advances and technology of the 21st century. With more population and income, medical facilities, education, and recreational opportunities will improve. Will the spiritual climate improve? Will the churches become more vigorous? That, of course, is an open question. But the opportunity for church growth will exist as never before. Will the Presbyterian and reformed faith gain new adherents? That remains to be seen; but at least, there will be plenty of newcomers and additional resources to make it happen. The Presbyterian churches and the denominational leadership should be preparing now to make the future as exciting for the church as it will be for the newly hired workers at Thyssenkrupp! Are we up to the task?

Excellence, Philippians 4:8-9

Today, I preached on Philippians 4:8-9. "If there be any excellence, ..... think on these things." I have referred to this passage before in relating how God used a sermon I preached on this text during my senminary years in building my friendship with Lydia. I thought it would be appropriate to preach this text today in Jackson. I departed from the lectionary. I had apparently almost preached this text some time during 2006. I reminded the congregation of our need to stop meditating on the negative. The apostle Paul urges us to consider that which is true, honorable, pure, lovely, just, praiseworthy. In order to do that, of course, we have to decide what represents excellence, and then act on our decisions. We have to make judgments. Our society is not comfortable with those who make judgments today. Of course, excellence extends into the way we conduct our affairs, the way we utilize our talents, spiritual gifts, abilities, and resources. It affects the choices we make regarding moral integrity, the influence we have over our young, and the way we conduct our affairs and ministry in our churches. Our society and our churches are much more comfortable with mediocrity; but God demands no less than our best!