Rest and restoration

Our girls are out of school for spring break. And a glance at my April calendar suggests there are more than 30 days worth of commitments on it already. So I am planning a few days off next week.

Relaxation doesn’t come easy for me. But once my Sunday duties in Chattanooga are done, I’m ready to switch gears. The crack of a bat and the pop of leather will do the trick come Tuesday afternoon.

While on work-related travel last week I encountered several families in the Atlanta airport who were headed to various destinations such as Orlando or cruise ship ports. The excitement on the kids’ faces (and, in most cases, on their parents’ faces too) suggested high expectations that had been building through the winter.

Such times can enrich our lives and give us a fresh perspective on the rat race we rejoin in just a few days. Never mind that most of us over-plan what is supposed to be a restful experience.

And it doesn’t take too many cruises to discover that last night’s “seaside salad” looks a lot like the first night’s “Neptune salad” — and that if you’ve seen one straw market, you’ve seen them all.

The cruise director on the ship my family enjoyed last fall noted that we travelers are prone to ask stupid questions like:
“Do these stairs go up or down?”
“Does the crew live on the ship?”
“Is the toilet water fresh or saltwater?”
“Does the ship generate its own electricity?” (Image a long extension cord trailing back to the Florida coast.)
“What’s formal wear?”
“If the pictures taken by the ship’s photographer are not marked, how will we know which ones are ours?”

Of course, vacation is a time to rest our minds as well as our bodies. It is a concept that goes all the way back to the great story of Creation.

The pastoral care pioneer Wayne Oates, who coined the phrase “workaholic,” called taking time for rest and play a “major spiritual discovery.”

I’m ready.

But would we behave any better?

As one who spends a lot of time in his car, I've had this recurring dream of getting on the Interstate highway, punching in the desired exit number and sitting back for awhile. An article in the Wall Street Journal last weekend said the idea deserves serious consideration.

Randal O'Toole, a senior fellow with the Cato institute and author of "Gridlock: Why We're Stuck in Traffic and What to Do About It," see "robocars" as a better approach to revolutionizing transportation than high-speed rail.

In fact, we may be late getting there. O'Toole noted that futurist Norman Bel Geddes promised this transportation method would be enjoyed by his grandchildren. He made that proclamation in 1940.

Not being an engineer, I don't know all that is involved — but sure like the concept. GPS technology, said O'Toole, would allow the robocars to travel at high speeds and in close proximity.

With auto manufacturers scoring less than perfection these days, some people might worry about traveling without being in control. But, as O'Toole notes, the failure of one robocar would not create a massive problem since the others would avoid collision.

But at least the robocars would be focused on one thing rather than attempting to read, text or apply makeup. And maybe these computerized brains can grasp what apparently human minds cannot: the concept of "slower traffic keep right."

My hope is to see this come into being soon. It might even eliminate a little road rage — although technology, thus far, has had no impact on creating better human beings. That change must come from within us.

Preserving the songs that help preserve us

The late music educator Dr. Lee Norris Mackey of Chatta- nooga, Tenn., received a grant in the 1980s to conduct a study that revealed a decline in the performance of Negro spirituals. As a result he co-founded the Chattanooga Choral Society for the Preservation of African American Song.

He didn't have to start from scratch as former students and choir members influenced by the late Mrs. Edmonia Johnson Simmons — as was Dr. Mackey — had gathered for several years to lift their voices together informally or in churches.

It is a long name, but one that explains the group's important role. Since 1990, the choir has benefited from the excellent skills of composer Dr. Roland Carter, a professor of American music at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.

The group's first concert was held on Nov. 17, 1984 at the historically African-American First Baptist Church on East 8th Street and the most recent one was last Sunday at the historically white First Baptist Church in the Golden Gateway of downtown Chattanooga.

Beautiful renditions of "Lift Every Voice and Sing," Ride On Jesus," "I Know that I've Been Changed," "Dwell in this House," "Close to Thee" and "You Must Have that True Religion" wafted through the massive sanctuary and the hearts of those blessed to be there.

Then the choir gave way to internationally-known vocalist Wintley Phipps — who sang a wider array of music including Negro spirituals such as "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot," "Go Down, Moses," "Down by the Riverside" and "I Got a Home in that Rock (Don't You See)."

He explained that Negro spirituals could be played on the five-note scale found on the black keys of a piano — what some call "the slave scale."

Since slaves were not taught to read, the great stories of the Bible were passed along by song, Phipps said, calling that approach "the most effective way of teaching anything." He commended those who are helping preserve "the greatest volume of music by a people in slavery."

While the Bible teaches that the Israelites hung up their harps when in Babylonian captivity, said Phipps, African slaves raised their voices in song.

Phipps closed the inspiring evening with his booming version of former slave ship captain John Newton's "Amazing Grace" — a "white spiritual" that was follows the "slave scale."

Newton likely heard the melody from the slaves he once transported before his heart was changed, said Phipps, who has sung the beloved song thousands of times before everyone from Mother Teresa on down to several U.S. presidents.

Someone has called the spirituals "a disturbing kind of joy," he said, noting that those kept in bondage were able to look beyond their earthly masters and embrace their heavenly Master.

Taking familiar sights for granted weakens our gratitude

While sipping hazelnut coffee at Panera Bread Company in Winston-Salem, N.C., this morning, I watched a pair of Canada geese stroll across the empty parking lot of the adjacent Fuddrucker’s restaurant.

Years earlier, before the mass migration of the majestic birds southward, this sight would have caused a stir. Now most Southerners regard them as common if not a nuisance.

Whenever I travel in mountainous areas now, the rolling hills and contrasting shadows keep my attention longer than they once did.

Every clear day of my childhood and youth offered a view of Lookout Mountain. What was once a daily sight for me is no more — so my appreciation for such a view has been heightened.

The simple reality is that we tend to take for granted that which is commonplace to us — the sights, the people and the simple joys of daily living.

Perhaps a good discipline would be to ask ourselves each day: “What part of life today deserves my gratitude — even if it is a part of most or all of my days?”

Fundamentalism continues — and continues to make no sense

The late Baptist statesman Louie D. Newton's name is on the chapel at the Georgia Baptist Convention's suburban Atlanta headquarters. Yet the in-town church where he was famously pastor is apparently headed for exclusion by and from the state's Southern Baptist leadership — now in the firm grasp of religious and political fundamentalism.

GBC officials reportedly paid a visit to Druid Hills Baptist Church recently to inform them that — despite their valiant and continuous efforts to provide witness and service in one of Atlanta's most unique and challenging communities — their calling of a female co-pastor is unacceptable.

The GBC theological watchdogs sniffed out this "offense" of yet another autonomous Baptist congregation that has recognized and affirmed the calling of a person whom the big Baptist brothers consider beyond such divine direction.

Perhaps if the Rev. Mimi Walker had smoked a pipe and worn a wide-brim hat like the late Rev. Newton, they wouldn't have noticed.

Look for the annual gathering of Georgia Baptists next November to make this yet-another foolish and heavy-handed act of exclusion official.

The congregation of Druid Hills can be grateful. Though they bear the Baptist name, the publicity from this action will help many to know what kind of Baptists they are — and, in contrast to the GBC Pharisees, what kind they are not.


The legendary Louie D. Newton was a proud proponent of the historic Baptist principles lost on modern-day Southern Baptist fundamentalists — like separation of church and state, individual freedom and responsibility, non-creedalism and, yes, local church autonomy in which the convention stays out of the congregation's internal business.


One can wonder if anyone at the Georgia Baptist Convention sees the irony in the group's executive committee voting to toss out the church that Newton served from 1929 to 1968 while meeting in a room that bears his name. But then, trying to make sense — much less be compassionate and cooperative — has not been high on their agenda in quite a few years.

Bedtime behavior gets studied

Most Americans watch TV just before going to sleep. That is the unsurprising conclusion out of a recent survey by the National Sleep Foundation. The survey focused on differing bedtime behaviors according to ethnicity.

Three-quarters of African Americans surveyed said they watch TV just before entering dreamland, as did a large number of Hispanics (72 percent) and whites (64 percent). Asians, who came in at 52 percent watching TV, ranked highest (72 percent) in using a computer/Internet within one hour of nighty-night.

Religion News Service picked on the fact that, according to the survey, African-Americans (at 71 percent) are more likely to say bedtime prayers, compared to 45 percent of Hispanics, 32 percent of whites and 18 percent of Asians.

Also, African Americans and Hispanics (each at 10 percent) came out on ... , I mean, ...reported the most active sex lives at bedtime. In comparison, whites and Asians scored ... uh, reported... 4 percent and 1 percent respectively — which may be reflected in a future survey on birth rates.

Like all surveys, there was room for errors — this one set at plus or minus 3.1 percent.

Several summarizing comments come to mind — all of which would likely embarrass my relatives and employers. So I'll let you reach your own conclusions. Good night.

Gourley to lead Baptist History and Heritage Society

By John Pierce
Baptists Today

ATLANTA — Bruce Gourley, a historian, Internet innovator and online editor for Baptists Today, will become executive director of the Baptist History and Heritage Society (BH&HS) on April 1. He is the former associate director of Mercer University’s Center for Baptist Studies and the owner of the BaptistLife.com discussion forums.

Gourley will work part time from his home in Manhattan, Montana, with periodic trips to Atlanta where the society is currently based.

“(Bruce) is an accomplished writer and Baptist historian,” said Mike Williams, society president and professor at Dallas Baptist University in a letter to society leaders. “He also has an entrepreneurial spirit and the technological skills to lead the society in the 21st century.”

Gourley, a native of Douglas, Ga., is a former campus minister who taught college history courses. He is a graduate of Mercer University, Southern Baptist Seminary and Auburn University where he earned a Ph.D. in history.

He is the author of three books: The Godmakers: The Legacy of the Southern Baptist Convention? (1996, Providence House), Leading the Way For 200 Years: The Story of the First Baptist Church of Huntsville, Alabama, 1809-2009 (2009, BH&HS) and The Capsule History of Baptists (2010, BH&HS).

Baylor University religion professor Doug Weaver, who chaired the search team, said by selecting Gourley the society expressed confidence in its future and that of the Baptist identity.

“Bruce believes that the Baptist story — of historic commitments to principles like freedom of conscience and religious liberty for all — is still important in this increasingly post-denominational world,” said Weaver. “With his passion, tireless work ethic, technological gifts and his ability to relate to younger generations, Bruce is a great choice to lead the society in the 21st century.”

Founded as the Southern Baptist Historical Society in 1938, the society chose independence in 1995 when the Historical Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention — to which the society related — was eliminated as part of the SBC restructuring.

Since 2000, the society has related closely to the then-newly formed Fellowship of Baptist Historians. The society’s name change occurred in 2001 and offices were relocated from Nashville to Mercer University’s Atlanta campus in 2007.

The society has a long history of producing resources on Baptist history and sponsoring an annual conference in partnership with the Fellowship of Baptist Historians. Significant attention was given to resources related to the 400th anniversary of the Baptist movement that was celebrated last year.

Also last year, Charles Deweese retired as executive director after ten years, followed by associate director Pamela Durso’s move to lead Baptist Women in Ministry. Durso, who has continued to assist the society, called Gourley the perfect person to serve as the next executive director.

“Bruce is an established scholar, a published historian and a gifted writer,” said Durso. “He is well known and respected in Baptist circles and is committed to communicating, educating, and interpreting Baptist history for people in the pews as well as for members of the academy.”

In recent years the independent society — dependent upon contributions and revenue from the sale of resources — has faced financial struggles. Baptist historian Walter Shurden of Macon, Ga., provided leadership during the interim period and helped raise funds to ensure the society’s continuation.

Longtime supporters of the society feel that its role in Baptist life remains of great value. Likewise, Gourley said his focus will be on seeing that the best of the Baptist past finds expression in the new ways into the future.

“Broadly speaking, my focus will be on casting the distinctives of 17th and 18th century Baptists — freedom of conscience, religious liberty, separation of church and state, local church autonomy, non-creedal, etc. — as the hallmarks of the Baptist faith that fit well within a 21st century paradigm, resonate both within and without Baptist life today, and are values that are inter-generational,” said Gourley.

Gourley said the society will continue to publish a journal, host an annual meeting and offer varied resources — while making better use of digital film media.

“The society will also make increased use of volunteers and seek new partnerships in terms of publishing and broadcasting Baptist history,” said Gourley.

Shurden, who has known Gourley as his student and colleague, called him “a new treasure for the Baptist people.”

Information on the society and the resources offered is available at www.baptisthistory.org.

Paring down the library

Amassing an impressive personal library was an outward mark of professional achievement and intellectual pursuit during the era when I left school for work. A book was considered a treasure; a room full of them was a treasury of (potential) knowledge.

When entering someone's office or study, I glance at their books which often reveal something about the person who owns them.

My own collection has grown slowly over the years with spurts of deliberate attention. There is something comforting and gratifying about being surrounded by shelves chocked full of good books.

After entering journalism as a second career, I discovered that publishers eagerly give books to editors in hopes of getting publicity. Most of them are lousy; anybody can publish a book these days.

However, I have added many excellent volumes in recent years — mostly without cost — and have become more selective about what to buy or keep.

But my shelves had filled to overflowing. It was time to do some something about it.

So earlier this week I decided to trim down my library — seriously this time. Earlier attempts had few results. It was just too hard to let go of but a handful of them.

To achieve my goal, I came up with some solid criteria to guide my shelf-by-shelf determination of which books to keep and which ones to … let, let, let … let go into the boxes that will be donated to the local library.

My criteria for tossing a book are:

1. Have I opened it ever — or within the last year?

2. Does it have significant sentimental value? (Written by a beloved person or came out of some respected person's library?)

3. Was it written by a local author AND has my name in the front? (If so, I don't want such persons knowing I tossed their book; will dispose of it out of town later.)

4. Is the book rare — first edition, famous author, a classic in its field?

5. Am I likely to go looking for this particular book?

6. Has the book been personally inscribed to me as a thoughtful gift? (The nice inscriptions in the front — from my wife, ex-sister-in-law, former professor, good friends — give these books their value.)

There were a couple of close calls with the last one. So I began checking the front flap more closely.

Two types of books that I once displayed proudly were surprisingly the easiest to give away: some reference books and heavy works of theology.

Reference books that once drew me to them have been replaced by Internet searches that offer more and more-current information. Dropping a two-handed book into the give-away box was an admission of changing ways.






I also asked myself if there was any chance that one day I would pickup Jurgen Moltmann's The Church in Power of the Holy Spirit for a casual refresher course. Nah. In the box, with others of that genre.

While few of my volumes were textbooks — because I usually borrowed them or sold them for cash — I did find a syllabus from Dr. Gonzalez' New Testament intro at Berry College in 1977. I kept the mimeographed sheet and tossed the outdated textbook.

Paring down my Books-A-Bunches to a more manageable size will help me find a book more easily when searching in the future. And the new criteria will be applied to every book that comes into my hands along with the decision to keep or give away.

Now, how to get these boxes to the library without injury?

Dancing toward dogma

In various ways, we have heard it said: “Today’s heresy is often tomorrow’s dogma.”

What seems so certain today can seem so certainly wrong down the road. It is easy to forget how much of our thinking has changed over the years.

That is why our culturally-influenced conclusions of correctness deserve to be re-examined on a regular basis.

Several years ago, when we were working for The Christian Index, my friend and colleague Bill Neal and I were seated at the press table during a session of the Georgia Baptist Convention. A choir and orchestra from a large, very conservative church were performing with banners flying and spotlights sparkling off sequined gowns.

Then interpretive dancers — in body-hugging black tights — came gracefully down the aisle and onto the convention center stage.

As they moved about, Bill [a former Baptist campus minister in Columbus, Ga.] leaned toward me and said: “And just think, I almost got ran out of Columbus by some pastors for having a square dance.”

Indeed the times change and — one can hope — so do we. Putting all understandings and applications of faith into concrete is dangerous. Holding them up again and again to the brightest Light is a good and faithful practice.

Saying something about Ken Starr

Shock. That was my response when a mid-February email from a former Baylor regent arrived with the news that well-known special prosecutor Kenneth Starr had been tapped as the next president of the university in Waco, Texas.

Reading it a second time, it still appeared to say that this polarizing political figure — the independent counsel who relentlessly dug into President Bill Clinton's relationship with intern Monica Lewinsky — would be leading the world's largest Baptist University in need of reconciliation between various factions.

As the news spread over the next couple of days, several calls and emails came asking what I would be saying about this matter — and when. But there seemed to be plenty of public comments from high praise to strong condemnation — all coming from moderate Baptist leaders who typically share opinions.

On one hand Starr was described as a brilliant and effective leader, currently holding the deanship of Pepperdine University Law School in California. On the other hand, his selection was lambasted as a move that would further divide Baylor or, worse, take the university down the road to far-right conservatism.

There was nothing really for me to add. And, while I have visited Baylor several times and count many friends among the alumni, faculty, staff and supporters, my relationship to the university is not as an insider.

For Texas Baptists, being an insider seems quite important. In that regard, Starr is half-credentialed: a native Texan but not a Baptist. However, he quickly assured all Baylorites that he would have his name on a Baptist church roll by the time he takes the helm on June 1.

So why speak now?

Well, I caught Starr on MSNBC last night speaking out against the efforts by Liz Cheney and others to paint current Department of Justice lawyers as terrorist sympathizers — even dubbing some as the "al-Qaeda 7." The charge is based on the attorneys' earlier representation of terrorist suspects detained at Guantanamo Bay.

Starr was animated and passionate in arguing that legal representation for all persons is essential to the American justice system. He pointed to John Adams' unpopular decision to represent British soldiers charged in the Boston Massacre — ensuring that the process worked fairly for all.

He condemned the recent depiction of Justice Department lawyers as terrorist sympathizers as "out-of-bounds characterizations."

While host Lawrence O'Donnell commented on the beautiful Malibu backdrop, neither he nor Starr made any reference to the upcoming move to Waco. But I couldn't help but wonder if Starr's appearance was a way of seeking to soften his image before the broad and conflicted Baylor nation.

Was this just a coincidence — or a public effort to show a side other than the one that made him well known?

I don't know. But come June 1, there will be a lot of people waiting and listening to see what kind of president will lead Baylor into the future.

What’s going or gone?

Radio personalities Randy and Spiff, on Atlanta's Oldies 106.7, helped me endure the metro traffic woes earlier this week with a bit about things that are disappearing.

Callers came up with all kinds of things like printed photos, daily newspapers, landline and pay phones, and bound volumes of encyclopedias. That latter one took me down memory lane.

Googling up an unlimited supply of resources on a subject was not an option in the schools days many of us experienced. Whenever a writing assignment was due, I would call out: "Mom, I'm going over to the Medleys to borrow 'D' (or whatever volume of the World Book Encyclopedia was needed for the topic at hand)."

During the morning show bantering about things that are disappearing, one caller offered: “Talking to people.”

There was laughter, but then a pause. It was the realization that what the caller said was, well, sadly true.

Texting, Facebooking (to make yet another noun into a verb) and whatever evolving forms of communication are wonderful ways to keep in touch and cross miles. But eyeball-to-eyeball, voice-to-voice conversation should be taken off the endangered of extinction list.

Living in the age of TMI

TMI — short for “too much information” — is often used when someone offers more personal details than the listener wants to hear. But it can apply to other areas of communication as well.

Amid the busy publishing cycle this week I am taking moments here and there to limit the increasing number of emails that comes my way.

Having instant communication is a wonderful benefit both personally and professionally. And I try to be a very accessible person.

However, the volume of mass emails — not individual correspondence — is swamping me. It seems that every publicist has snatched up my email and added it to her or his list.

All day long the BlackBerry vibrates with one request after another to promote someone’s book, attend someone’s training or carry the water for someone’s cause. Then there are the groups I never joined.

My word for today is “unsubscribe” — and when that doesn’t work, “blacklist” comes in handy. My goal is to crawl out from under this information overload.

After years of embracing multiple new means of getting information, the current challenge is to get the desired information without getting all of the rest. Exploring simpler, better ways of filtering messages is high on my “to do” list.

In the same way caller I.D. and answering machines curtailed telephone marketers, I’m mounting a better strategy for managing email delivery.

For entrepreneurs out there looking for the next big thing, I have a suggestion: “information saturation management.” Just think, ISM could be the answer to TMI.

Staying true to the call

Carol Burgess remembers the Sunday in 1981 when A.B. Short, an ordained minister and member of Oakhurst Baptist Church in Decatur, Ga., “sounded a call” for a compassionate response to Atlanta’s homeless. She volunteered.

“I thought it sounded too much like work at first,” she confessed.

At the time Carol worked in adult protective services at the Fulton County Department of Family and Children Services in the downtown area where many homeless men gathered. She thought, “I could be a liaison.”

However, her involvement in the ministry to homeless men has grown along with program. She remains an active volunteer and a member of the Oakhurst Recovery Program’s board of directors.

“I went to the first meeting and ended up being a cook,” she recalled.

The earliest days had little strategy. Just take a church van downtown and pick up homeless men looking for a place to eat and sleep.

“We turned the Sunday school rooms on the third floor (of the church’s education building) into individual rooms,” she recalled.

The more Oakhurst members interacted with these men, the better they understood the causes of homelessness.

“Addiction is a big reason for homelessness,” said Carol, noting that mental illness is another.

Over the years the Oakhurst program evolved from a night shelter — going through various partnerships with other organizations — into a residential recovery program for men.

“It was first called Hospitality House,” said pastor Lanny Peters who has been at Oakhurst since 1989 and was heavily involved in the program’s transition to its current form. He admits many challenges have been met — including changes in leadership and limited financial resources — over the years.

“Each time the church has said, ‘This is an important ministry and we are not going to let it die,’” said Lanny. “It’s a vital part of our identity.”

Oakhurst is widely known for it compassion, inclusiveness and a willingness to adjust its ministry attention to a changing community. As many as 70 volunteers have been engaged at any one time in this service to homeless men.

Today the program is directed by David Reeves, an experienced and certified specialist, who came to Decatur from working in recovery programs in New York City.

His motivation comes from “knowing I may have helped affect change in one person.”

The church purchased a home next door to better serve as a residence for the men. Church facilities are still used for group meetings, meals and other activities.

David said the Oakhurst program is unique in that each man has his own bedroom — something he saves as a pleasant surprise when a guy arrives expecting to live in a dorm. Also, David encourages those entering the program to give full attention to the needed personal changes in their lives — for about six months — before seeking employment.

Referrals often come from detoxification centers — and represent a diverse population in terms of race, education, age and experience. Former Georgia Tech and Green Bay Packers running back Eddie Lee Ivery credits Oakhurst with his successful recovery after a failed attempt through an NFL-sponsored program, said Lanny.

Having worked in chemical dependency for 18 years, David said the Oakhurst program —while not fail-proof — provides men with the “time to focus on 12-step work.” The “re-entry phase” — job training and search, family reconnection — comes after the hard work of dealing with addiction.



“Graduates come back as volunteers,” he said. “We try to keep guys linked in that way to a program that was good to them.”
There is special motivation, he said, when someone who has successfully completed the program looks another man in the eyes and says, “You can too.”

Carol is among the volunteers who lead spirituality groups for the men. She has been doing so since 2001.

“They are all phony when they come in, though they don’t mean to be,” she said. “You get to see them grow spiritually and to see them get to know themselves and have a spiritual life with daily practices.”

Some men choose to worship with the Oakhurst congregation but attendance is always a choice.

While funding is a constant challenge and the process of recovery is never fully predictable, David said he and others carry out their daily work with the reminder: “We’re dealing with human beings.”

In one way or another, and having touched many lives, the Oakhurst congregation has stayed true to the call that was sounded nearly three decades ago.

[PHOTOS: One of the ten individual bedrooms in the Oakhurst Recovery home. Longtime volunteer Carol Burgess and program director David Reeves.]

-For information on the Oakhurst Recovery Program or to discover ways to support his effort, visit www.oakhurstrecovery.org.

-To subscribe to Baptists Today news journal — where this story and many other inspiring features, unrestricted news and thoughtful analysis appear each month — call 1-877-752-5658 or visit www.baptiststoday.org.