Numbers ... and the Church Responds

Thanks to our ever-present media in this age of instant information, there is no lack of statistics used to describe the current state of affairs in our world. Unfortunately, most of these statistics are troubling rather than encouraging. In the past few weeks, three sets of numbers have particularly caught my attention. 

Thirty-three percent of people in the state of Illinois are living in poverty. Heartland Alliance, a Chicago-based human rights advocacy group, released data from its annual study that suggests that 33 percent of Illinoisans are living in poverty or near it. Statistically, that's one out of every three people I pass on my way to work in my home state. 

In city and suburban neighborhoods, like the one in which I currently live, it’s so easy not to see that people are living in poverty.  But they are there … ask the leaders at Trinity Lutheran Church in Roselle, Illinois, located in a comfortable middle-class suburb. They host a one day “Clinic” each year that draws nearly 1,000 people who are in need of food, clothing, a warm meal, and basic health care services.

The death toll by murder in Chicago over the past decade is greater than the number of American forces who have died in Afghanistan since the beginning of Operation Enduring Freedom. Between 2003 and 2012, 4,777 people were murdered in the city of Chicago. In 2012 alone, 512 people were murdered in the city. Operation Iraqi Freedom, the name for the war in Iraq, which started March 20, 2003, and ended Dec. 15, 2011, saw a total of 4,422 killed.

“Two more people were shot to death in Chicago last night and two others critically injured.” This report greeted me when I turned on my car radio yesterday. The reporter’s tone betrayed how matter-of-fact deaths by gun violence have become in Chicago and in other cities in the U.S. Meanwhile, in the aftermath of the Sandy Hook elementary school massacre, the news is filled with reports that gun sales have skyrocketed, and the NRA is suggesting the solution to gun violence is more guns. Thank God for congregations like Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church in Warren, Michigan, that is committed to being an oasis for hope and healing in the midst of their violence-prone neighborhood. They open their church property all day, every day so that residents can be touched by the love of Christ through ministries such as an urban community garden, a safe and nurturing early childhood center, and a counseling and support program for victims of domestic violence.

More suicides by members of the U.S. military in 2012 than soldiers killed in combat. (349 – up 16% from 2011). The only good news in this statistic is that the number of U.S. military men and women being killed in combat is decreasing. However, this is small consolation to the families and loved ones of those who choose to take their own lives rather than continue to struggle with the trauma of combat and its physical and psychological effects. Once again, the church responds. Elim Lutheran Church, a small rural congregation in Minnesota, is served by a retired military chaplain who has a vision for how the church could make a difference. The pastor recruited a talented team of like-minded people and produced Welcome Them Home, Help Them Heal, a resource designed to help congregations develop programs to provide encouragement, support, and hope for veterans returning from military service. Thousands of copies of this resource have been distributed to congregations across the United States.  For more information, click here.

While statistics like these are a vivid and sad reminder of the brokenness that exists in our world, we are also encouraged by efforts such as the recent National Service Day, which demonstrate that millions of people are moved to respond to the needs of others and to move the numbers in a different direction. God’s spirit is at work in powerful ways. Followers of Christ respond by sharing the healing touch of Christ with others. For example, consider that over 170,000 people volunteer annually through the social service agencies of the Lutheran church. The actual figure is undoubtedly much higher, though, since it reflects statistics from just a portion of the member organizations of Lutheran Services in America.

Thank God for congregations whose response to the Gospel calls them to provide free health clinics, food pantries, and employment services. Thank God for those who engage in their community to address the root causes of poverty and who advocate on behalf of those whose voice is otherwise not heard. Thank God for those who bring a listening ear and a healing presence to others who are struggling with post-traumatic stress and other psychological challenges. If you are among those reading this, the chances are good that you are personally engaged through service and support in one of these life saving ministries of the church. Thank God for you!!

Sgt. Pepper and Me!

Yes, the good sergeant and I have something in common.  Fellow Beatles fans know that “it was 20 years ago today” when he taught his band to play.  It was also 20 years ago that I joined the team at Wheat Ridge Ministries.  He probably wondered, as I am, how time can pass so quickly.

 

My first official event as the new Wheat Ridge Vice President for Programs in 1992 was a Wheat Ridge Board of Directors meeting.  Since then, I’ve attended in person or participated by phone in 50 more.  During its most recent meeting, the board was very kind to recognize my 20 years of service.  In fine Wheat Ridge board style, and with considerable help from the Wheat Ridge staff, I received a good roasting and we had lots of fun.

I would not have imagined 20 years at Wheat Ridge when my wife, Deb, and I moved the kids from Florida in 1992.  We moved to Chicago in November … not smart from a weather perspective.  Our girls, both young at the time, had adjustments to make.  Having been born Florida and living there until our move, the shoes they wore while playing outside were more a defense against steaming hot roads and sidewalks than against cold weather.  Lots of shoes, boots and coats were purchased very quickly … Burlington Coat Factory was glad we moved north.


That's me in the center in 1992
with president Dr. Rich Bimler (left)
and Mr. Bob Hopmann, who served
as vice president for program
and finance prior to my arrival.  

What brought me to Chicago and has kept me here for 20 years has been my fascination with the mission of Wheat Ridge.  There’s something about “seeding” new ministries that grabbed me from the time my friend Rich Bimler, then President of Wheat Ridge, first talked to me about the possibility of joining the staff.  I continue to believe that we have one of the important and exciting missions a Christian organization can have as we assist emerging new ministries that are dedicated to sharing health and hope in the name of Christ.  Over the years, I’ve had the great blessing of participating in the process of awarding over 1,000 seed grants and I’ve worked with a much larger number of non-profit and congregation leaders as they engaged in the early stages of new ministry development.  These leaders continue to inspire me with their creativity, their strong faith, their deep caring about the welfare of others, and their tenacity despite the many obstacles they face in developing sustainable health and human care programs.

Likewise, I continue to be inspired by so many people who respond generously to Christ’s love by supporting Wheat Ridge’s efforts to assist new ministries.  These include our awesome family of faithful and generous donors as well as the dedicated pastors and other church leaders, judicatory officials and organizations with whom Wheat Ridge is privileged to serve, collaborate and partner.  I also continue to learn so much from the outstanding members of the Wheat Ridge board of directors and my gifted colleagues on our staff.

I look forward to seeing what God has planned for Wheat Ridge Ministries in the future.  By God’s grace, our generous donors and partners continue to provide an abundance of resources for the seeding of new ministries.  There continues to be great opportunities for Wheat Ridge to invest these resources to assist leaders who are moved by God’s Spirit to touch the lives of people in need.  Let’s keep seeding new ministries – there’s much to accomplish during the next 20 years!!

Can't We Just Talk Nice?

Thank goodness the 2012 election season is coming to an end.  Watching the news or listening to the radio has become an exercise in frustration.  It’s not just the endless string of political commercials, debates, and “expert” commentators.  It’s the tone and the tactics which make it very tempting to conclude that none of the candidates are worthy of my vote.

The endless stream of angry, inflammatory, misleading and rude voices and images used in an effort to convince people to support a particular viewpoint or candidate, or more accurately, why not to support the competition, paints a sad picture of the state of respect and civility in our country.  This has been amplified during this election season by the new protections granted to the “super PACs.”  I’m sorry, but someone will have to convince me that allowing people to secretly contribute millions of dollars to these groups so that they can pay for venomous commercials and advertisements is good for society. 

We can debate whether the media is the cause of, or a reflection of, this uncivil activity.  Either way, I fear we are losing our ability to listen to views other than our own, weigh arguments fairly, and make informed decisions.  Instead, our views are shaped by whatever biased “news” source we choose to watch or listen to.  Those who have different views are quickly labeled as wrong and evil.  Recently, I heard a radio commentator observe that he’s seen fewer political bumper stickers this year than in previous elections.  Perhaps we are simply afraid to share our support in this way for fear of getting run off the road (or worse) by another driver.

What’s particularly sad is when this dark side of American behavior seeps into our faith communities.  A number of my friends and colleagues have commented that they have different political affiliations than their pastor and the majority of their congregation, so they don’t share their opinions on issues for fear of being labeled somehow as un-Christian.  The Sunday worship service has often been referred to as the most segregated hour in America.   These days, perhaps this includes segregation based on your political or social viewpoints. 

There is an alternative to disrespect for other opinions and trash talk, of course, one that opens the door to great opportunities for the church.  Christ’s description of it is pretty straight forward: “Love each other as I have loved you.” (John 15:12)  Can we, as the church, demonstrate love for others by engaging in civil, respectful discussion of societal and life issues?  Can our churches be safe places for dialogue around difficult issues?  Can our day school and Sunday School classrooms be places where children are taught not only the words to the song, “They’ll Know We are Christians by our Love,” but how that message can be applied in our interactions with people whose opinions differ from our own?

I was encouraged recently by a visit to Epiphany Lutheran Church in Alexandria, Virginia.  Pastor Charles Oberkehr and members of Epiphany are responding to God’s love by making it a place that encourages care, understanding and civil conversation among people in their diverse community.  The congregation is located very near a large U.S. Army base.  With the help of a grant from Wheat Ridge Ministries, they are developing a variety of programs to assist members of the military and their families, particularly those who were deployed in the Middle East.  They recognized a significant “disconnect” between these members of the military and local community members on a variety of issues, including the challenges faced by veterans when they return from deployment.  In response, they are sponsoring a series of forums inviting both military and non-military into open, facilitated conversations.  A great example of a congregation serving as a healing place!

There are countless examples like this as churches live out their role as centers of health and healing in their community in response to God’s love.  What are you, or your congregation, doing to promote and encourage civil discussion about issues of importance?  Post a comment below!  And, in the meantime, enjoy God’s blessings each and every day!

Charity, Philanthropy, Justice and Mercy

One of the gatherings I look forward to each year is the annual meeting of the Lutheran Grant Makers Network.  This is a convening of executives from Lutheran foundations who work hard to support efforts that impact the lives of people in Christ’s name.  The participating organizations include a variety of family foundations and conversion foundations.  Wheat Ridge Ministries is an example of the latter, having “converted” many years ago from a tuberculosis hospital to a grant making foundation.

As always, when this group gathers, my plate is filled with much food for thought.  One of the presentations that I really appreciated was delivered by Dr. John Wimmer, who directs the Religion Program Division of the Lilly Endowment.  As you may know, the Lilly Endowment supports one of the largest foundations in the United States and is rare among foundations of similar size and scope in that it includes support of religion among its top priorities.

 

John asked us to consider whether our grant making was based primarily on a desire to do charitable work or to engage in philanthropy.  He defined charity as the unaccompanied, unconditional transfer of money to assist someone in need and philanthropy as a strategic approach to giving that seeks long-term solutions and tries to create opportunities for self-help.  The definitions bring to mind the wise saying, “Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day.  Teach a man to fish and he will eat for a lifetime.”

While the quick response from the grant makers in the room was that we see work as philanthropic, the discussion that followed was very helpful.  The need for charitable grants is great so that resources can be invested in efforts to provide relief when disasters and emergencies strike and where immediate response is needed to provide for basic things like food, shelter and clothing.  Extremely important, as well, is the challenging work of philanthropic investment, which attempts to identify and address the underlying root causes of human need and provide support for long-term change.  Such investments require time and financial resources to “move the needle” as well as cooperation and collaboration among grant makers and other organizations.

 

Thank God for organizations such as Lutheran Disaster Response and Lutheran Church Charities who respond so quickly and so well when disaster strikes.  And thank God for the work of the foundations and other grant makers such as the Siebert Lutheran Foundation, the Lutheran Foundation of St. Louis and the Lutheran Foundation, Ft. Wayne, Indiana, who support efforts to address root causes of human care issues.  There is a place for both charity- and philanthropic-minded generosity from organizations and individuals as we are moved by God’s love to care for others.  The prophet Micah affirms this in his call for God’s people to do both justice and love mercy (Micah 6:8).

 

Of course, I am also thankful for Wheat Ridge Ministries’ unique place in this important work as a seeder of new health and human care ventures.  What a blessing it is to be supported by the gifts of people who are both charitably- and philanthropically-motivated and to invest these gifts in new ministries so that increasing numbers of people can experience the healing touch of Christ!

I Read in the News Today ...

In last month’s “Rick’s Reflections,” I commented on the epidemic of violence in our country – gun violence, in particular. Shortly after making those comments, I came upon an interesting Associated Press article. The headline reads “Doctors Target Gun Violence as a Social Disease.”

The doctors in the story propose that gun violence be considered a social disease and therefore a public health issue. This makes sense to me. What if we addressed the issue of gun violence with the urgency and priority that we would if there was an outbreak of some new deadly virus that was spreading rapidly? To be sure, such an event would mobilize researchers and public health officials. Public awareness campaigns would gear up rapidly to educate people about the virus, the conditions in which it spreads, and how to avoid contact with the virus. Money would be no object as government and health institutions rushed to find a cure. I realize this is not an “apples to apples” comparison, but it makes me wonder why this issue does not take on more urgency, even as thousands of people are killed each year in the United States by gun violence. Thank God for congregations who are taking this issue seriously, including those mentioned in last month’s reflections whose new ministries to prevent violence in their communities have been seeded by Wheat Ridge Ministries.

I also found another recent headline interesting, especially in light of our continuing efforts to assist congregations and other faith-based organizations that are developing new programs that bring health and healing to others. The headline read, “Now the Presidential Race is about Nonprofit Issues.” This appeared in the online edition of the Chronicle of Philanthropy. The author of the article, Mark Rosenman, makes the case that the non-profit sector will be deeply impacted by the results of the upcoming elections, especially as the results influence federal and state budgets. His fear is that funding to provide services to people in need, including children, the frail elderly and those challenged by disabilities, is more at-risk than ever as government officials face difficult choices about where to downsize federal and state budgets and as those advocating for human services struggle to match the influence of advocates for other parts of the budget. He predicts that non-profit organizations will be expected to bear a greater and greater share of the responsibility to fill the service gap.

I suppose it’s natural to assume that the non-profit sector will be able to step it up, as it always has, to provide even more. However, since many non-profit organizations, including most of our Lutheran social service agencies, are able to provide services because they receive government contracts and grants, it’s hard to imagine where they will receive the needed funding if those funds decrease. Add to the equation that fundraising in the human service and religious segments of the not-for-profit sector are recovering slower than other sectors. Last, but not least, leaders of congregations and other faith-based non-profits already seem to have their hands full as more people are in need of the services they offer and as they struggle with capacity issues related to increasing regulations and accountability. To be sure, our elected officials need our prayers as they are faced with extremely difficult decisions related to budget priorities. Hopefully, the current political races will provide an opportunity for meaningful debate and conversation about our priorities as a nation.

May God be with us as we respond to His grace and mercy by sharing the healing touch of Christ through our discernment of political issues, our efforts to save lives, to give voice to the disenfranchised, and to care for all those in need of healing of body, mind and spirit.

Be Inspired – Make an Impact!

Senseless Violence – Endless Hope

As I write this, I’m still trying to comprehend the recent terrifying news out of Aurora, Colorado, about the gunman who killed 12 people and wounded another 58 in a movie theatre. What is it that compels a person to cause such harm to innocent people? Is this person beyond our care and compassion based on the terrible acts committed? What must it have been like to be sitting in a darkened theatre when this man started shooting? How much harm has been done through this act to the community that still grieves the terrible loss of young lives from the Columbine massacre that happened just a few miles away?

Unfortunately, the loss of life by violence is not limited to crazed gunmen. In Chicago, so far this year, over 300 people have been killed through gang-related violence. And, of course, domestic violence continues to impact the lives of so many, especially women and children. We don’t need to look to places like Syria and Afghanistan to see or experience the horrible results of violence; it is abundantly evident every day here in the United States.

Listening to interviews with people after tragedies, I’m totally puzzled by the logic of those who advocate for violent measures to stop violence. Several people who called into a radio talk show in Chicago the day after the shootings suggested that if only Colorado had a less restrictive concealed weapons law, more people in the theatre would have had guns and the man who started the shooting could have been stopped by a bullet. How would gun crossfire in a crowded theatre have decreased the loss of life and injury? In Chicago, a letter to the editor of one of the major newspapers proposed that the city hire military vets, arm them, and put them on the streets of Chicago with orders to shoot on sight any gang members they see.

I don’t mean to make light of these reactions. We are afraid of the violence we experience and see around us. We see it amplified by the media, glorified in movies, and we end up petrified as we live our lives. These situations bring us face to face with the reality of how fragile life can be.

Of course, God’s vision for our world and our lives is most certainly not this. Fortunately, God’s message of life – health and hope made possible in Christ – is proclaimed and inspires people to share the Good News in word and deed and make an impact by serving others. So, as I try to comprehend the reality of violence in our world, I’m also filled with hope as I see the church in action through people addressing issues to prevent violence so that the norm becomes love, honor and care for their neighbors as unique members of God’s creation. The Wheat Ridge community is regularly blessed by the opportunity to help seed some of these efforts. Among those that come to mind today are …

• The McClintock Partnership in Charlotte, North Carolina, that engages large numbers of volunteers from Christ Lutheran Church to serve at-risk students and their parents in an under-resourced public middle school;

• The Initiative Against Bullying and Violence at Concordia Lutheran Church in Chicago;

• The HOPE Schools and St. Marcus Lutheran School, where inspired teachers transform lives and bring hope to children and teens in inner-city Milwaukee through high-quality education;

• The S.H.A.P.E. Center in Detroit, established by Immanuel Lutheran Church, to provide wellness programs for inner city youth;

• The Pailalen Parental Training to Prevent Violence Program developed by Lutheran Child and Family Service of Michigan to help parents learn skills that can prevent violence by their children against self, family and others;

• The Domestic Violence Survivor’s Project, led by King of Kings Lutheran Church in Milwaukie, Oregon;

• The Living Room at Redeemer Center for Life in Minneapolis, that provides a safe place for individuals, youth and families in an underserved community to gather and to receive assistance.

Please join me in praying for leaders of these efforts and those they serve even as we ask the Lord to help us all be more effective as individuals and as the church to end the scourge of violence in our homes and communities.

“I came that you might have life, and have it to the full.”

John 10:10

How Time Flies ... For Some

A recurring theme in the conversations I have with friends and colleagues is how quickly time seems to fly by. Summer is here already. For those of us who live in climates with significant seasonal change, summer is a time when we wish the clock might slow down so that we can enjoy the warmth and longer daylight hours. But, only yesterday we were gathering for Thanksgiving dinner. Or so it seems. We look at events six months or a year forward on our calendars, knowing that they will be here before we know it.

I sometimes forget that the sense of time passing quickly is a result of being blessed with a sense of purpose, meaningful work and many, many options for how I invest my time each day. I also tend to forget that, for many people in the world, the problem is not that time moves too quickly; it’s that it moves too slowly. I recently heard an interview on public radio with a young woman who grew up the child of very poor parents in a developing country. When she was six years old, her parents sold her to a wealthy family, where she worked as a servant. During the interview, she described her early morning to late at night routine of chores … the same routine every day. No time for school, play or relaxing on Sunday. I imagine she must have felt like time stood still – nothing to look forward to and no hope for a change in routine.

There are countless others for whom days must not pass quickly enough. People in prison waiting for the day of their release; the person suffering from an illness or recovering from an accident who must endure weeks or months of lying in a hospital bed; the frail elderly person who spends her day in a nursing home; young people in our cities who can’t find safe places to learn and have fun during the summer months; the underemployed person whose work brings no joy, or the unemployed person waiting for the phone to ring with the offer of a job. 

The desire to serve people in these circumstances and help them experience hope and healing is the reason inspired leaders come to Wheat Ridge Ministries for assistance as they envision and develop new human care ventures. It is a great privilege for us to engage in the seeding process with our friends and donors, so that young mothers in Ghana, cancer patients throughout the United States, ex-offenders in Nebraska, grandchildren of Alzheimer's victims in Wisconsin, homeless people in Florida, students in inner city Milwaukee and many, many others who are served by creative new ministries can experience the healing touch of Christ.

Thank God for the gift of life and the time we are given on this earth to share God’s love with others. Whether time seems to be moving quickly or slowly for you today, may Christ’s loving presence be apparent along the way!