‘WHAT HAPPENED TO THE CHURCH ?’

From creativity and innovation to caution and fear

“What happened to the church?“

That was the question a Duke Business School professor, Greg Dees, asked the former dean of the Duke Divinity School, Greg Jones, one day.

“What do you mean?” Jones replied.

Dees: “The church used to be the source of much of the innovation and entrepreneurial work in the world. But, sometime in the 1970s, the church seems to have stopped trying to be creative and innovative with regard to healthcare, education and poverty. You gave that role up and lost your imagination. You abdicated creative imagination to corporate interests and other non-profits. Now, the church is seen as the yellow light and red light people. Rather than being people who imagine and improvise and encourage progress, the church appears to decelerate progress.”

Dees’ metaphor of traffic lights is suggestive. Being a yellow-light church implies caution as an operating motif. It pays close attention to all the threats and dangers around it the way a driver does when the light is yellow. A red-light church internalizes those fears and hunkers down for survival. It loses its imagination for its role in society.

Yellow light and red light churches are more internally than externally focused. And if they turn outward, it is mostly for the purpose of trying to appeal to outsiders to come and save them.

Churches are under stress these days. Stores and sports no longer defer to our Sunday schedule. Politicians no longer look to us for guidance. Belief is no longer a starting point for intellectual pursuit; the very plausibility of believing is questioned.

Churches with green-light mentality once founded hospitals, schools and benevolent institutions. They didn’t seek to dominate the public sphere so much as serve it.

One sterling example was the late, great pastor of the First Baptist Church of Dallas, George W. Truett. In 1903, at a time when health care was segregated and available mainly to the wealthy, he issued this challenge: “Is it not now time to build a great humanitarian hospital, one to which men of all creeds and those of none may come with equal confidence?”

Baylor Hospital exists today to serve everyone because of that moral and social vision that emanated from the church; likewise, Presbyterian and Methodist hospitals, SMU, the University of Dallas, Dallas Baptist University, to name just a few. Catholic Charities, the Wilkinson Center, Jewish Family Services and a slew of other religiously-inspired organizations to aid the poor were birthed by churches and synagogues.

Just because we have lost social clout doesn’t mean we have lost our mission. We still have enormous power to do good, and should. Recent examples of social entrepreneurism include the remarkable CitySquare organization that addresses poverty and opportunity. Healing Hands Clinic provides medical and dental services for the uninsured and underinsured. Gateway of Grace tends to refugee resettlement. The Stewpot feeds the homeless.

The need is ever present. And the church knows what to do.

Another great preacher, Fred Craddock, died recently. In one of his last interviews, he was asked if he worried that the church in America was dying. No, he said, because the church is founded on a story of dying and rising again. He was more concerned about what we were dying for.

Green-light churches die to self in order to live for others.

Athletics

Lake Highlands High School named a new head football coach and athletic coordinator last month. Lonnie Jordan previously was head coach at 3A Lone Oak High School. Before that, he was Lake Highlands’ offensive coordinator and JV head coach under Scott Smith. Jordan still lives in Lone Oak with his wife, Laura, and their three children, but they are looking for a house in our neighborhood. Jordan says the head coaching job is “a dream come true.”

Two Lake Highlands High School athletes, Elizabeth Hurt and Madison Monzingo, were named academic all-Americans by the National Interscholastic Swimming Coaches Association. Several Lake Highlands High School soccer players made the all-district team. Mallory Hale, Mackenzie Jones and Savannah Breedlove earned spots on the first team, and Erin Moudy, Ellie Ratliff, Caroline Leal and Arianna Barrett made the second team. Coach Don Tatum was named District 10-6A coach of the year. On the men’s side, Aaron Volkert earned first team honors, while Brennan Addison and Juan Vargas made the second team. Ceu Sang and Darian Ernst earned honorable mention.

Education

The Lake Highlands Women’s League awarded $90,000 in scholarships to 29 students. The scholarship recipients are: Mary Arrey, Kayla Banks, Brittany Beck, Derrick Boateng, Tennessee Bonner, Jean Dossou, Hannah Gray, Semien Hagos, Thalia Harnett, Susporiea Harris, Rahel Harrison, Fredrickia Jackson, Genice Johnson, Esther Kariuki, Alex Little, Allyson Livingston, Caroline Livingston, Diana Monyancha, Katie Norris, Claire Parry, Jeffrey Reyes, Adriana Rodriguez, Abighail Seghid, Tyler Squires, DeMarkus Taylor, Reed Thomas, Madison Wachel, Symone Watson and Dara Wemida.

Nonprofits

The Lake Highlands Women’s League also awarded $95,000 to neighborhood charities. The recipients were: Audelia Road Library, Gateway of Grace, Forest Green Library, Healing Hands Ministries, Kids-U, Lake Highlands Junior Women’s League, Lake Highlands North Recreation Center, Network of Community Ministries, The Warren Center, Aiken Elementary, Hamilton Park Pacesetter Academy, Lake Highlands Elementary, Merriman Park Elementary, Moss Haven Elementary, Northlake Elementary, Skyview Elementary, Stults Road Elementary, Thurgood Marshall Elementary, White Rock Elementary, Forest Meadow Junior High, Lake Highlands Junior High, Lake Highlands Freshman Center and Lake Highlands High School.

HAVE AN ITEM TO BE FEATURED?

Please submit news items and/or photos concerning neighborhood residents, activities, honors and volunteer opportunities to editor@advocatemag.com. Our deadline is the first of the month prior to the month of publication.

School board service

Richardson Independent School District board member Adam Meierhofer retired from the board’s service last month. “Adam’s tenure on the board has been marked by leadership,” Richardson Superintendant Kay Waggoner said. “His commitment and dedication are without question. He has supported our kids and our community and our staff and our recommendations and our initiatives 150 percent. He has given it his all plus some.” Pictured from left to right: Kim Quirk, Lanet Greenhaw, Kay Waggoner, Adam Meierhofer, Karen Ellis, Karen Holburn and Kim Caston.

SUBMIT YOUR PHOTO. Email a jpeg to editor@advocatemag.com.

CLASSES/TUTORING/ LESSONS

ART: Draw/Paint. Adults All Levels. Lake Highlands N. Rec. Ctr. Days: Mon & Wed. Students bring supplies. Nights: 1xt month workshop, supplies furnished. Jane Cross. 214-534-6829,

ARTISTIC GATHERINGS

Casa Linda Plaza. Art Classes & Drop In Pottery Painting For All Ages. 214-821-8383. Tues-Sat 10am-6pm

GUITAR OR PIANO Patient Teacher. Your Home. 12 Yrs Exp. Reasonable rates. UNT Music Grad. Larry 469-358-8784

MAKERS CONNECT Craft Classes & Workshops. Led by & for Local Makers. Check Schedule: makersconnect.org/classes

MATHNASIUM has a new Math Learning Center at 7324 Gaston mathnasium.com/dallaslakewood 214-328-MATH (6284)

Childcare

LOVING, CHRIST-CENTERED CARE SINCE 1982 Lake Highlands Christian Child Enrichment Center Ages 2 mo.-12 yrs. 9919 McCree. 214-348-1123.

Employment

FRATERNAL ORDER OF EAGLES 3108 Seeking Bar Staff. Apply In Person. @ 8500 Arturo Dr. 75228 TABC Cert Reqrd.

PET SITTERS, DOG WALKERS reply to http://www.pcpsi.com/join

Business Opportunities

EARN RESIDUAL INCOME learn how to earn income on Energy and Mobile Service. Call Jay 214-707-9379.

Services For You

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CONFUSED? FRUSTRATED? Let A Seasoned Pro Be The Interface Between You & That Pesky Computer. Hardware & Software Installation, Troubleshooting, Training. $60/hr. 1 hr min. Dan 214-660-3733 or stykidan@sbcglobal.net

DISH NETWORK Get More For Less. Starting at $19.99/month (for 12 months) Plus Bundle And Save. (Fast Internet for $15 more/month) 1-800-615-4064

Services For You

FUNCTIONAL ART BY MD SOLIS

Metal & Wood Artworks for the home or office. 214-727-7957

MY OFFICE Offers Mailing, Copying, Shipping, Office & School Supplies. 9660 Audelia Rd. myofficelh.com 214-221-0011

Legal Services

A SIMPLE WILL. Name a Guardian for Children. Katherine Rose, Attorney 214-728-4044. Office Dallas Tx.

A WILL? THERE IS A WAY Estate/Probate matters. Free Consultation. 214-802-6768 MaryGlennAttorney.com

Professional Services

ACCOUNTING, TAXES Small Businesses & Individuals. Chris King, CPA 214-824-5313 www.chriskingcpa.com

BOOKKEEPING NEEDS? Need Help Organizing Finances? No Job Too Small or Big. Call C.A.S. Bookkeeping Services. Cindy 214-821-6903

FARMERS INSURANCE CALL JOSH JORDAN 214-364-8280. Auto, Home, Life Renters.

MIND, BODY & SPIRIT

PERSONAL FITNESS TRAINING To Suit Your Specific Training Needs. Terry 214-206-7823. terryrjacobs@outlook.com

UFC GYM WHITE ROCK Workout Blues? Train Different. Power/ endurance/results. 469-729-9900 ufcgym.com/WhiteRock

Pet Services

ADORABLE GROOMS PET SALON New Salon. Grooming, medicated/flea baths. 11111 N. Central Expy 972-629-9554

DEE’S DOGGIE DEN Daycare, Boarding, Grooming, Training. 6444 E. Mockingbird Ln. 214-823-1441 DeesDoggieDen.com

HOMEGROWN HOUNDS DOG DELI / BAKERY Healthy homemade dog food/treats. 100% goes to rescue. hghdogs.com

POOP SCOOP PROFESSIONALS Trust The Experts. 214-826-5009. germaine_free@yahoo.com

SKILLMAN ANIMAL CLINIC Is Your Friendly, Personal, Affordable Vet. 9661 Audelia Rd. #340. 214-341-6400

In-Home Professional Care

Customized to maintain your pet’s routine

In-Home Pet Visits & Daily Walks

“Best of Dallas” D Magazine

Serving the Dallas area since 1994 Bonded & Insured www.societypetsitter.com 214-821-3900

A standing ogre-vation

The Dallas Lutheran School performed “Shrek The Musical” in April. From left to right, Ed Schwieterman as Shrek, Will Clow as Lord Farquaad and Hannah Isett as Fiona. Photo by Matthew

BUY/SELL/TRADE

FOR SALE 2015 Dallas Cowboy Club Tickets - Section C132, Row 9, Seat 4-5. Parking Pass, Bond, Tickets Available. Call Steve 214-369-8389

TEXAS RANGERS AND DALLAS STARS front row seats. Share prime, front-row Texas Rangers and Dallas Stars tickets (available in sets of 10 games). Prices start at $105 per ticket (sets of 2 or 4 tickets per game available) Seats are behind the plate and next to the dugouts for the Rangers: seats are on the glass and on the Platinum Level for the Stars. Other great seats available starting at $60 per ticket. Entire season available except for opening game; participants randomly draw numbers prior to the season to determine a draft order fair for everyone. Call 214-560-4212 or rwamre@advocatemag.com

TOP CASH FOR CARS Any Car, Truck. Running or Not. Call for Instant Offer. 1-800-454-6951

CLUTTERBLASTERS.COM

Moving & DownSizing Sales, Storage Units. Organize/De-Clutter Donna 972-679-3100