Dragging the church toward equality

Early in my life, I was taught that the ground at the foot of the cross is exceedingly level. Then I heard one exception after another in words and deeds.

Those of African descent were inferior to those of us who checked the "Caucasian" box on government forms. The Bible supported that position because of "the curse of Ham."

Never mind that, if one actually reads the biblical story referenced: 1. A drunken Noah, not God, issued the curse. 2. The curse was on Canaan, not Ham. 3. The descendants of Canaan were not servants. But then we shouldn't be picky about such details, I guess.

Then there were the condescending attitudes and crude remarks about Jews, "A-rabs" and most anyone else unlike us good white folks. But much of the feelings and rhetoric of superiority was reserved for African Americans.

So major signs of progress on the equality front deserve our recognition and celebration.

Regardless of how one views Barack Obama's political philosophy or for whom one plans to vote in November, his nomination for president is a significant moment in U.S. history. All who value the biblical call to justice and equality can gratefully acknowledge this achievement.

The significance is seen most clearly in the deep, dark eyes of older African Americans who once could not even access the ballot box in a nation that mouthed the words "liberty and justice for all."

Then Sen. Obama's historic address on Thursday is followed the next morning by the surprise announcement from Sen. John McCain that Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin has been chosen for his vice-presidential slot. For the first time ever, a woman will be a part of the Republican ticket.

Voters will have a choice between two parties — but not a way out of making history. Either the first African-American president or the first female vice president will take office in January.

Gov. Palin is receiving rave reviews from many Evangelical Christian leaders including Southern Baptists. Her anti-abortion, pro-gun stances are a tight fit.

Yet the irony is unmistakable. To Southern Baptist Convention heads and many other ultraconservative Christian leaders, Gov. Palin is fully qualified to assume — in a moment's notice, if necessary — the role of Commander in Chief of the U.S. military and leader of the most powerful nation in the world.

Yet, yet, she is unqualified (once again, "by scripture," they say) from serving as a deacon (servant leader) or especially the pastor (shepherd) of an SBC church. The same body that apologized for their racial wrongness 150 years after the end of slavery still has at least this one major apology to go. One wonders it that one is still a century and a half away.

It will be interesting to see how Religious Right proponents reconcile their desire to have someone in power who holds Gov. Palin's views with their consistent calls for a mother to be home raising her children and submitting to her husband's authority.

On the larger American stage, however, history will be made in early November when this diverse nation takes a corporate step closer to affirming the equality of all persons.

Maybe the church that talks about the level ground around the cross will not be too far behind. Maybe.

Handing out tracts

Baptist Press did a brief story on "a small group of Southern Baptist street evangelists" giving out tracts and witnessing among the Democratic National Convention attendees in Denver.

It stirred memories from my youth. Being a "soul-winner" was a consistent challenge from the pulpit and other places of church leadership. And using tracts was a common method for the more fervent witnesses.

Students from the fundamentalist Tennessee Temple Schools were often found fearlessly distributing gospel tracts at Eastgate Mall (and other places) around Chattanooga, Tenn. Wanting to demonstrate my own unwavering commitment, I picked up a few tracts from a rack in my Southern Baptist church and gave it a good but brief shot.

However, I never got comfortable with this approach to personal evangelism despite my strong desire to be fully committed to my faith.

As a teen, I often felt either uncomfortable doing confrontational evangelism with strangers ("If you were to die tonight...read this tract") or guilty for not being as bold as others.

It took a good while before reaching the conclusion that I am not going to give out tracts AND I am not going to feel guilty about that decision. But, also, I am not going to criticize those who do.

Passing on the faith is indeed a part of the Christian calling. Some find tract-distribution as their method of choice.

The style and content of gospel tracts vary from the simple to the insensitive. Some tracts offer the "simple plan of salvation" or what some might call a simplistic approach to the Christian faith.

Campus Crusade students have distributed the "Four Spiritual Laws" by the millions that provide a four-step approach to "accepting Christ." (One of my friends once noted that Jesus shared the "Two Spiritual Laws" of loving God with all your heart, mind and soul, and your neighbor as yourself.)

Some tracts are creative. One looks like a folded $20 bill that has been dropped, but then offers something much "more valuable" to the finder.

The most offensive tracts (to many) come from Chick Publications. Going beyond the simple Gospel message, the black-background tracts condemn the Roman Catholic Church as false and any Bible translations other than the KJV as "corrupted versions."

Jack Chick's infamous tracts have sold more than 700 million copies the company claims. The popular "It's Your Life" tract ("adapted for black audiences") shows a white angel carting off a chunky, naked black man toward final judgment and eternal torment.

That's not exactly the way most of us would frame the Good News of Jesus Christ. But most tracts — fortunately — take a more appropriate approach.

And for most people — surely including the Southern Baptists on the streets of Denver this week — their desire is nothing more than to be faithful witnesses to the Good News that has changed their lives. Who can argue with that?

When Christians look stupid

Stuart Shepard says he was just kidding when mounting a video campaign to pray down rain on Sen. Barack Obama's acceptance speech this Thursday night in Denver. But his passion sounded a bit stronger than any mild attempt at humor.

According to WorldNetDaily, the video was pulled after constituents complained. Shepard is digital media director for Focus on the Family Action, the organization's "political arm" — as if Focus' head honcho is not political enough.

But California pastor Wiley Drake — who has milked more mileage out of serving one term as second vice president of the Southern Baptist Convention than anyone in history — has taken up the charge. He is still gunning for a mile-high gully-washer.

The nearby tornado that greeted delegates arriving in Denver on Sunday probably increased Drake's fervent plea. In fact, his only regret might be having not thought of this idea earlier and presenting it as a motion to the SBC meeting in Indy this summer.

(However, it is obvious to most observers that the perennial motion-maker's microphone shenanigans and spotlight chasing have run their course with most Southern Baptists.)

Of course, whether "rain of biblical proportions" will come to Denver on Thursday evening is not yet known. But if it does, we can be pretty sure who will take the credit in the name of prohibiting "sodomites" from getting married.

Unlike the weather, this is for certain: Never do Baptists or other so-called evangelical leaders cast the glow of stupidity on all the faithful any brighter than when attempting to recruit God to their side.

The answer is on the table

The best one-liner from the recent Rick Warren conversations with the presidential candidates came from Democratic contender Barack Obama when the Saddleback pastor asked him to define "rich."

With a smile, Sen. Obama replied: "If you've sold 25 million books..." — causing the bestselling author/preacher to blush.

Eventually, Sen. Obama put the mark at an annual income of $250,000 or more — at least for tax purposes. Republican contender John McCain — who married into great wealth — grabbed the figure of $5 million out of the air to define "rich." His campaign staff probably wishes he could put it back.

Of course, wealth is not easily defined and definitely relative. For example, our last Atlanta-area home was very nice and part of a neighborhood with wonderful amenities like a pool and tennis courts. Yet it was surrounded by the most impressive gated communities filled with multi-million-dollar homes and private golf courses. The entrances were almost intimidating by their grandeur.

Yet I could drive for miles in more rural areas of the state before passing a home of greater value than the one in which my family lived. It is all about perspective.

Last night my family was enjoying boiled shrimp and baked fish around the dinner table. The remnant rains from Fay had kept the Kroger seafood off the grill.

As I dipped a shrimp into the cocktail sauce on my plate, my mind flashed back to my childhood when a clearer definition of wealth was present.

For me, a rich person was someone who could order a shrimp cocktail as an appetizer. Such treats were beyond our family budget.

We passed over the shrimp cocktail at Morrison's Cafeteria — but were free to choose a small bowl of coleslaw, carrot-raisin salad or anything primary made of lettuce.

Whenever a server at a seafood restaurant would bring the delicious-looking prawns — arranged perfectly around a glass rim — to a nearby table, I was guilty of coveting something that belonged to my neighbor.

Politicians may struggle to define being rich, but I had some great clarity about the subject last night. The answer was right there on my plate — even if I had to peel it myself.

Baptists better when together

The Progressive National Baptist Convention (PNBC) held its annual meeting in Atlanta earlier this month. According to a Religion News Service report, the 47-year-old convention passed two dozen resolutions related to issues of justice and compassion.

Certainly that is expected from a group formed in the American struggle for civil rights by such legendary Baptist leaders as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Dr. Gardner Taylor.

Participants urged the government to halt the rapid foreclosures on homes that have disproportionately impacted the African-American community. As well, churches were called on to continue working to reduce the spread of AIDS.

Many other issues were addressed as well — including concern for the environment. It was a new topic on the PNBC table.

President T. DeWitt Smith (above), an Atlanta pastor, told RNS that that PNBC churches have shown increased concern about climate change following the historic Celebration of a New Baptist Covenant gathering with multiple Baptist groups last winter.

As a result, one of the resolutions coming out of the recent PNBC meeting urged churches to ask members to seek congressional and presidential action to support measures that would reduce carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emissions.

Dr. Smith said the PNBC is taking steps to help congregations to understand what it means to "go green" with their church facilities and to give greater attention to teaching children how to care for the Earth.

When Baptists — as individuals and as groups — learn from one another, it demonstrates the benefits of being together across denominational, cultural and racial lines. There are many things other Baptist groups and individuals can learn from Progressive National Baptists too.

As the sharing of ideas and the building of mutually beneficial relationships continue among Baptist groups, the hope of Celebration organizers (including Dr. Smith and PNBC Executive Director Tyrone Pitts) is being realized.

Sin and the Olympics

The best part of the Olympics, for me, has been watching my daughters don goggles and race each other to the other end of the pool and back. They try to mimic Michael Phelp's powerful turn — which sure beats sedentary staring at a computer screen.

Each Olympics brings some form of inspiration. Unforgettable moments get etched into our minds.

The purpose of the Games is highly noble: An amateur (originally) athletics competition in a global context to showcase excellence and to build international goodwill.

But like in all aspects of life, the human tendencies toward sin attend. Cheating by athletes (doping); cheating by national teams (underage gymnasts); and cheating by judges (scores that just don't jive).

As a volunteer during 1996 Atlanta Games, I enjoyed seeing the massive event up close for the first and only time. My meager contributions were to edit the Religious Services Guide, assist national and international media doing stories on religious aspects of the Games, and write some stories from inside the Olympic Village for use by a variety of publications.

My work was based in the Olympic Village's Religious Life Center — which was the Baptist Student Center at Georgia Tech where I had previously been campus minister.
It was a busy place with worship services and other programs offered by a volunteer staff of interfaith chaplains.

The evenings were generally a quieter time when athletes would drop by after a tense and grueling day of competition on the big stage. A young woman competing in ribbon dancing for Canada was one I remember in particular.

From her I learned much about the sacrifice required to excel at the Olympic level. She had lived with a demanding coach for years and forgone many common activities of childhood and youth.

She also had a pretty good idea of how she would rank in the end. In subjective sports such as hers, she said, the politics of judging were obvious.

After my experience in Atlanta, I still enjoy the Olympics but have a less-romanticized view of the Games. In the Olympics — as in other arenas of life — the truth is that trying to be the best performer can often bring out the worse behavior.

There is a difference between the desire to do one's very best and the willingness to win at any cost.

The next 'next Billy Graham'

Every time a preacher gains national prominence someone applies the tag of "the next Billy Graham." In my memory, it was Southern Baptist-turned-Pentecostal TV preacher James Robison whom I first heard identified in that way — but there have been others.

The Economist has a story giving that title to Rick Warren, who ably queried the two presidential candidates last night in a "civil forum."

I liked both the title of the event and Warren's introductory statement: "We've got to learn to disagree without demonizing one another." My guess is that Warren has seen enough of the other approach in both the American political arena as well as his own Baptist world.

Though with deep respect for the aging evangelist, identifying the frumpy and creative Southern California preacher as “The next Billy Graham” is unnecessary and inapplicable in many ways.

No one is going to fill Billy Graham's shoes — not because his stature is so great (and it is) but because the world has changed so much. The religious diversity of America, the sense of a smaller world and the demise of stadium evangelism are just a few reasons.

Neither T.D. Jakes, Joel Osteen, offspring Franklin Graham on any other is going to take up where the elder Graham left off.

Yet, in a sense, Warren is a more likely candidate to assume Graham’s pastoral role on the national scene. His blend of conservative theology and social compassion has wide appeal.

Unlike so many prominent preachers, Warren attracts persons from a wide range of backgrounds rather than repelling those unlike him with arrogant condemnation. It was encouraging to watch a Baptist leader listen to the presidential candidates last night rather than dictating to them the ideologies that must be embraced in order to get his and his followers' support.

So often, so-called Christian leaders (including several Baptists) appear in the national media only to embarrass many of us. Yet, Warren — with his compassionate heart, broad world view and genuine warmth — did not.

No wonder both candidates consider him to be a friend who treats them fairly even at points of disagreement. Civility may make a comeback after all.

Also Warren is honest with the viewing audience. Unlike the personalities of the waning religious right, he does not praise one candidate as being God's choice and caution against the fall of the nation if the other is elected and THEN state: "However, I do not endorse candidates for office."

After weeks of negative political ads and ridiculous proclamations by pundits, a serious, civil conversation felt good on a Saturday night. Even the absence of neckties seemed to help those involved in presidential politics to relax a little.

I also liked the way Warren called them "John" and "Barack" — not out of disrespect for two U.S. Senators but as an embrace of their humanity. Whoever wins the November election, it seems likely he will have Warren's number in his cell phone.

Influence should be won rather than coerced. Warren's civil approach to political debate and deep commitment to tackling the toughest challenges facing the world (AIDS, human trafficking, conflicts, poverty, etc.) give him a platform for participation in the political arena.

The next Billy Graham? No, it seems that being the current Rick Warren is just fine.

Lay leaders extraordinaire

Family and friends of Dr. Drayton and Mary Etta Sanders of Dalton, Ga., will celebrate the fine couple's 50th wedding anniversary this Saturday. While I cannot be physically present for the festive occasion, I do want to pay tribute to two of the finest Baptist lay leaders around.

Drayton and Mary Etta are deeply involved the ministry of First Baptist Church in "the carpet capital of the world." It would be impossible to give a full accounting of their many and significant leadership roles within that congregation and community.

Additionally, they use their gifts to impact the broader ministries of Baptists outside their local setting. For example, Mary Etta is a valued member of the Baptists Today Board of Directors and Drayton has given superb leadership to the Baptist Heritage Council of Georgia as well as serving as a trustee at his alma mater, Mercer University.

In 2005, he organized a tour group to England for an enjoyable experience. The photo above is one I took of the couple in Birmingham, England, where the centenary gathering of the Baptist World Alliance was held.

Mary Etta has served as deacon chair for Dalton First Baptist and is a part of many mission activities — including ministry with the area's large Hispanic population.

Drayton,a retired physician, is a key leader in the Baptist Medical/Dental Fellowship and has served in medical missions years. He was involved in Katrina relief efforts.

Last year, the good doc helped pioneer a partnership in Africa between Mercer's medical school and some missionaries of the African-American Baptist group, Lott Carey Foreign Mission Convention. (This was one of the many good new things to come out of the New Baptist Covenant relationships.)

Not only are Drayton and Mary Etta model lay leaders, but they are friendly, well-humored persons and a joy to be around. I'm delighted to call them my friends.

While I affirm their uniquenesses, it is hard not to wish we could clone them a thousand times. Congratulations and best wishes!

Bob and Larry bypass Georgia and Carolinas

Bob the Tomato, Larry the Cucumber and friends are hitting the road. VeggieTales has announced a 50-city tour of the entertaining and inspirational characters.

Beginning Sept. 4 in Austin, Texas, the new 80-minute stage show — featuring "singing, dancing and a whole lot of silliness" — will go coast-to-coast from Los Angeles to Boston and north-to-south from Minneapolis to Orlando.

However, the VeggieTales God Made You Special, Live! Tour does not enter Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina or Virginia. Perhaps a future Atlantic seaboard tour is planned. But one has to be curious.

The "spectacular singing and dancing" performance that is "perfect for kids of all ages" gets close to Georgia — reaching the border town of Chattanooga, Tenn., on Oct. 2 and then in Montgomery, Ala. on Oct. 5.

But why bypass Georgia? Are the Tomato and the Cucumber offended that Georgia was called the "peach state" instead of being named after one of them? Is it our love of BLTs that creates such fear?

South Carolina is the real peach state, producing more of the fruit than their neighbors to the west. Maybe Bob and Larry know that. And a fuzzy peach was the villain in Larry's hairbrush song.

It could be an identity issue. Bob and Larry may front the VeggieTales crowd but — like the peach — have seeds that qualify them as fruits as well. (Nothing personal intended.)

And it was while living in Durham, N.C., long ago that I acquired a taste for cucumber and mayo sandwiches. Maybe others in the Tar Heel state share that appetite.

Whatever the reasons, the VeggieTales are taking their roadshow elsewhere. But many children (and their parents) will be able to enjoy some very creative entertainment. According to the press release, tickets range from $12 to $25 for the shows "coming to a church or theater near you!" Well, near some of "you."

“This show is really, really cool,” said featured performer Larry the Cucumber, according to the release. “We’ve got bubbles, smoke machines, disco balls, awesome lights, interactive video screens, confetti cannons, and bubbles! Bob and I along with all of our Veggie friends come out on stage and give the kids our best show ever!" Did I mention the bubbles?”

For a tour schedule and additional information on VeggieTales, visit this site.

Loyalty to a losing team

Smoltz is hurt; Skip is dead; and the Atlanta Braves are essentially out of contention early. Trading Mark Teixeira was the baseball equivalent to raising the white flag of surrender.

A team that looked promising coming out of spring training has had more doctor appointments than a typical retirement community. It has been a disappointing season — with multiple one-run losses and few bright spots.

A sharp rookie pitcher, a sweet-swinging catcher and a hobbling third-baseman with a chance at a batting title are about it.

So what am I doing on a Saturday night when an NFL exhibition game and the Summer Olympics are being televised? Yep, watching the Braves play the Arizona Diamondbacks.
(OK, I checked out the Falcons' rookie quarterback and beach volleyball during commercials.)

Why? (Not why do I watch women's beach volleyball, but why do I still watch the Braves when the season is in the tank?)

Loyalty. That's also why I'll be at Turner Field next Thursday night.

As columnist George Will wrote in his book Bunt: "If you can't enjoy the game unless you're pretty sure your team is going to win, baseball is not the game for you. Remember, the best team in baseball is going to be beaten about 70 times (a season)."

Sure, the great years of pennant races and perennial post seasons were more fun. But now the cheering is left to the real fans — those who showed up before the magic of '91 and will be there in Sept. 2008.

Like George Will also noted: "...Baseball is a pretty sight and a nice experience, win or lose, particularly if it is watched in a nice park."

Braves, you can count on me to the bitter end. Go Chipper!

Tag-team interims

This Sunday will be my last as co-interim pastor of Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Macon, Ga. The good "Z-people" are hosting a luncheon for Jack Colwell and me and our families.

Church leadership came up with this unique dual-interim arrangement and everyone seems pleased with the results. When we began, Jack said I might want to write about this so other congregations would be aware of the possibility.

My response was: "Let's wait and see if it works." It did, and I had little doubt.

Jack, a retired pastor with many gifts, was responsible for pastoral care and leading the mid-week service. He took both tasks very seriously and freed the current staff ministers from having to shoulder big additional loads.

While receiving his own medical treatment during this period, Jack was faithful in visiting those who were ill, homebound or in grief. He and his wife, Gwen, also engaged with the senior church members in some of their activities.

Jack did well-planned Bible studies on Wednesday nights and graciously filled the pulpit on the Sundays I was away.

My responsibilities were to preach on Sunday and to consult with church leadership (staff, deacons, leadership council and pastor search committee) when requested. The church wisely updated the church bylaws during this time before the new pastor was called.

In a recent church newsletter, Jack wrote: "This joint interim ministry has benefited us all. Johnny, having a demanding full-time job, has been able to concentrate largely upon preaching. I have been available when he was away and have enjoyed several occasions to preach. Staff members have been able to concentrate upon their work without having to fill leadership gaps... By asking me to do pastoral ministry, you have indicated that you consider it to be important."

Indeed, the pulpit always gets filled during interim periods, but the important work of pastoral care is sometimes shortchanged. Not the case during this time at Mount Zion, thanks to Jack's gifts and the church's creative idea for duel interim pastors.

Stan Braley from Chattanooga, Tenn., will assume the pastorate on Aug. 17. I leave with gratitude for the affirmation of a fine church and for the privilege of working in ministry partnership with Jack Colwell.

Speak for yourself

Self-appointed spokespersons get on my nerves. Such is the case with the Rev. Rob McCoy, pastor of Calvary Chapel in Thousand Oaks, Calif.

Although a second-tier player, at best, in the ongoing evangelical king-of-the-hill game, McCoy claims in a July 29 Washington Times article to speak for the entire community of evangelical Christians. (The link to the article is not working now.)

But he told the newspaper, "I will vote for (John) McCain unless he does one thing. You know what that is? If he puts (Mitt) Romney on the ticket as veep."

Fine. That's his personal opinion and God-given right. But he has more to say.

Should McCain choose Romney as his running mate, McCoy added, "It will alienate the entire evangelical community - 62 million self-professing evangelicals in this country, half of them registered to vote, are going to be deeply saddened."

Heck, I can’t even speak for my family of four on most issues. Yet Rev. McCoy knows the reaction of 62 million people — most of whom he'll never meet.

I, too, am interested in knowing the choices for vice president. Those decisions will influence the next presidential election.

And the presidential candidates should be warned. If not pleased, I carry the full influence of one vote.

Just like Rev. McCoy and every other American — whether counted among the evangelicals or not.

Oh, I'm sure there are many folks in Calvary Chapel (and perhaps elsewhere) who follow this pastor's lead in political matters — but the total is a good bit short of 62 million.