This is Part 2 of a post that will span a few weeks. How do we make a difference in the world? How do we participate in the political process? What does that question have to do with Foolish Church? Stay tuned as we consider these questions. What I needed to know about becoming an advocate for people beyond my immediate family, I began to learn from my friend Bill Mefford. He taught me the core truth behind the best, most important, most effective, least destructive advocacy: it is rooted in relationship. Always, always, always. Sometimes there’s a disconnect. It’s not unusual … [Read more...] about Becoming an Advocate, Changing the World: Rooted in Relationship (Part 2)
love
Becoming an Advocate, Changing the World: It Starts Personal (Part 1)
This is Part 1 of a post that will span a few weeks. It feels timely, with the start of the Iowa’s legislative session this week. How do we participate in the political process? What does that question have to do with Foolish Church? Stay tuned as we consider these questions. Have you noticed? The people who spend the most energy getting things fixed in the world are the people who are most directly affected by what was wrong. One part of me thinks this is as it should be; those most directly affected should shape the fix. The other part thinks if we love—really love—our … [Read more...] about Becoming an Advocate, Changing the World: It Starts Personal (Part 1)
The People I’ve Killed: never read the comments (Part 2 of 3)
This is Part Two of a three-part series that will wrap up next week. Look back at Part One for how Parker Palmer said we "kill" people. Stay tuned as we continue this conversation about the people we’ve all killed lately, and how we might stop. The anonymity that allows us to “kill others off,” as Parker Palmer puts it, is never more evident than in the comments posted on the web. It happens on news reports about strangers, and even on each other’s social media sites, within much smaller degrees of separation. With my work at the prison, I read a lot of news … [Read more...] about The People I’ve Killed: never read the comments (Part 2 of 3)
The People I’ve Killed (Part 1 of 3)
This week’s post is Part One of a three-part series that will continue over the coming weeks. Stay tuned as we continue this conversation about the people we've killed lately. If that imagined mini-trial at the pearly gates is real, mine will surely include the following exchange: Saint Peter (well into the interrogation): And did you love your neighbor as yourself?Lee: Yes. I tried, anyway.SP: Your permanent record says you spent a lot of time with those women in prison.L: Yes, by the grace of God, I loved them a lot.SP: You did pretty well with your … [Read more...] about The People I’ve Killed (Part 1 of 3)