Larry James' Urban Daily

Sittin' at the "welcome table"

2009-11-08T11:00:00.001-06:00

Here's a new look at the old, oft forgotten faith that works itself out in the real world with high- powered impact.

We're gonna sit at the welcome table.

We're gonna sit at the welcome table one of these days.

Hallelujah!. . .

All God's children around that table. . .

No more fightin' or grabbin' at that table. . .

I'm gonna walk the streets of glory. . .

I'm gonna get my civil rights. . .

We're goanna sit at the table one of these days.

Out my front door. . .

2009-11-08T05:47:00.001-06:00

The photos below aren't so clear--taken with my phone from across the street and from an upstairs window. The first shot doesn't capture very well the long line of men, women and children extending down the sidewalk to the left from our front door all the way to the corner, but they are there.

I wanted to capture the scene and the moment without being obvious or intrusive on our friends and neighbors.

Over 100 folks waiting outside our door when I arrived for work at about 8:00 a.m. on Friday.

This is reality outside my door most every day.

So far in 2009, over 1.5MM pounds of high-quality, mostly nutritious food products distributed to the community in an attempt to provide a helpful supplement to household resources, mostly on the decline.

Much to do.

Much to consider.

Arguments about responses of people of faith pretty well evaporate for me when I see scenes like this one.

Brick City

2009-11-06T06:00:00.002-06:00

Have you checked out "Brick City"?

Cory Booker, Mayor of Newark, provides new leadership for all interested in total urban renewal and community redevelopment.

For a taste of the Sundance Channel series have a look:

Churches and support of urban development

2009-11-05T06:00:00.002-06:00

At Central Dallas Ministries, as our revenue and budgets have grown, the percentage of income provided directly from churches has been on a steady decline for many years. The decline concerns me. I suppose my concern is rooted in how I understand the basic values of faith and the priorities of the faith community.

More recently, we've noted a real decline in funding provided, not only as a percentage measured against our budget, but in tems of real dollars sent our way.

Our assumption regarding the more recent trend has been that the economic downturn has affected congregations in a negative manner.

Then, I read a report from the Philanthropy News Digest.

Here's a taste of the article:

Most Congregations Saw Contributions Increase or Hold Steady in First Half of 2009, Report Finds

During the first half of 2009, and despite the deepening recession, more than two-thirds of congregations in the United States saw their fundraising results increase or remain the same on a year-over-year basis, a new report from the Alban Institute and the Lake Institute on Faith & Giving at the Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University finds.

Based on a survey of more than 1,500 congregations — most of which are members of the Alban Institute — the 2009 Congregational Economic Impact Study (53 pages, PDF) found that nearly 37 percent of respondents reported a year-over-year increase in fundraising revenues over the period, 34 percent said their revenues were flat, and nearly 30 percent experienced a decline in revenues. Last year, about 22 percent of congregations reported a decline in revenues over the previous year.

In response, a third of respondents said they had cut their budgets in 2009. . . .

To read the entire report click here.

So, what do you think? Why aren't congregations more involved in urban development and renewal efforts?
Posted on www.UrbanDaily.org

Today's Dallas Morning News: Justice Revival Dallas

2009-11-04T20:05:00.000-06:00

Click here for to read Norma Adams-Wade's report on the Justice Revival Dallas!
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Preview Dallas Justice Revival

2009-11-04T06:00:00.000-06:00

Join us each night, November 10-12, 2009 at Dallas Market Hall for the Dallas Justice Revival!
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Time for a new ecumenical action?

2009-11-03T06:00:00.001-06:00
In the late 1940s here in Dallas, an ecumenical impulse paved the way for the formation in 1950 of a collection of churches representing a number of different denominations. Originally formed as the Dallas Council of Churches, the group gathered at East Dallas Christian Church to launch its important work. Eventually known as the Greater Dallas Community of Churches (GDCC), the ecumenical association spoke to some of the community's most pressing social, cultural, political and religious issues and concerns.

Chief among the early concerns facing and addressed by GDCC were matters of race and civil rights. Much of the discussion and progressive work accomplished relative to race relations and civil rights in Dallas throughout the 1950s, 60s and 70s took place among and was orchestrated by the group.

Much more could be reported concerning the history of GDCC. Ecumenical dialogue and understanding, interfaith understanding, children's issues, education, community health and wellness, peace and justice work, livable wage and the economy--these and other important matters concerned and occupied the time and attention of GDCC.

At one point the organization boasted a membership of over 300 congregations.

By the late 1990s, GDCC moved into the last phase of its organizational life. A number of reasons stood behind the dissolution of the group in 2005. But, we can hold that discussion for another time, possibly by some other blogger.

I bring this up simply to say, Dallas needs a new ecumenical expression today.

That said, I'd hasten to add that our very different times call for a much different response on the ecumenical front.

What's needed to day, in my view at least, is not so much think tank, focus group or endless conversation. Rather, what Dallas needs from Christians of all varieties and traditions is faith-formed action.

Dallas needs a new, energetic, ecumenical action.

To be successful, action must define, energize and direct any new, organized, sustainable ecumenical movement.

I think the upcoming Dallas area Justice Revival (November 10-12, 2009 at Dallas Market Hall) offers Dallas the platform necessary for organizing a completely new ecumenical presence, an interdenominational movement defined by determined, continuing action.

The Justice Revival brings to Dallas a call to action on behalf of area public schools and in support of new housing policies and development for our chronically homeless neighbors. Combining a robust ecumenism with insistence on continued action, the Dallas Justice Revival (click for great commentary) could launch a new, relevant, organized movement of unity and purpose among Christians of all sorts.

That's the intention.

That's the hope.

Look for me at the Justice Revival. I'll be looking for you!
Posted on www.UrbanDaily.org

Green is now!

2009-11-02T06:00:00.002-06:00

The New York Times published an extremely interesting story about non-profit organizations and the arriving "green" economy. In many ways, non-profits are leading the charge with groundbreaking moves.

Here's a taste of the story:

Nonprofit Groups Spin Off Green Ventures
by Sally Ryan
October 28, 2009

Sweet Beginnings, a line of urban honey and natural body care products, is part of a growing trend among small businesses: for-profit ventures spun off by nonprofit groups that teach skills for green jobs. Mario Casasnovas was on the green roof of the Bronx County Building a couple of weeks ago, remembering the flowers there in the summer and offering some tips about handling the sedum that is the main plant on the roof.

“The roots from the clover,” a weed, “tend to wrap around the roots of a sedum,” he said, nine floors above the Grand Concourse, near Yankee Stadium. “You’ve got to be careful not to pull out the sedum with the clover.”

Mr. Casasnovas, an employee of SmartRoofs L.L.C., was doing routine maintenance on the vegetative roof, which his company installed in June 2003. The company, based in the Bronx, is one of the few green roofers in the New York metropolitan area. But what makes SmartRoofs even more unusual is that it is part of a tiny but growing trend among small businesses: for-profit ventures spun off by nonprofit groups that teach the job skills necessary to join the nascent green economy.

SmartRoofs was developed by the nonprofit group Sustainable South Bronx, which also runs the Bronx Environmental Stewardship Training, one of the country’s first efforts to train people for green-collar jobs. The program now trains more than 60 low-income workers each year, using funds from a variety of sources, mostly outside government.

Only a handful of these small businesses exist across the country. “These social enterprises are early adopters of green industry,” Phaedra Ellis-Lamkins, chief executive of Green for All, a national organization working to create green economic opportunities in disadvantaged communities, said via e-mail. “These ventures are paving the way for mainstream business to integrate the concept of green jobs into everyday practices.”

Read the entire report by clicking here.

Reactions?
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Posted on www.UrbanDaily.org

2009-11-01T06:00:00.003-06:00

"Act only according to that maxim whereby you can at the same time will that it should become a universal law."

Immanuel Kant
Grounding for the Metaphysics of Morals (1785)
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A Night to Remember and CDM

2009-10-31T18:04:00.001-05:00
We love to be in the Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center every year for A Night to Remember!

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A Night to Remember 2010???

2009-10-31T07:00:00.000-05:00
Next year, maybe? What do ya think?

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Gotta love this!

2009-10-31T05:30:00.000-05:00

If you live in and love my world, you gotta love this!
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10,000 hours

2009-10-30T11:19:00.000-05:00
Take a look at this!

Randy Mayeux, Steve Martin and Malcolm Gladwell--great company!
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Half the Sky

2009-10-30T06:00:00.003-05:00
A book we all should consider reading. . .and acting upon in our various corners of the world.

Posted on www.UrbanDaily.org

Conservative, Evangelical Christians on Immigration Reform

2009-10-29T06:00:00.002-05:00
On Oct. 8 the National Association of Evangelicals (NAE) voted without dissent in support of cmpre-hensive, national immigration reform. NAE president Leith Anderson rallied and solidified the troops to see this position paper and value statement adopted after a couple of years of intensive study.

The U. S. Congress would do well to read the document.

Here's a taste for your consideraiton:

Immigration 2009

The significant increase in immigration and the growing stridency of the national debate on immigration compel the National Association of Evangelicals to speak boldly and biblically to this challenging topic. The complexity of immigration issues provides an opportunity to mine Scripture for guidance. A biblically informed position provides a strong platform for the NAE to make a contribution in the public square that will be explicitly Christian. Out of commitment to Scripture and knowledge of national immigration realities comes a distinct call to action.

Biblical Foundations

Discussion of immigration and government immigration policy must begin with the truth that every human being is made in the image of God (Genesis 1:26-28). Immigrants are made in the image of God and have supreme value with the potential to contribute greatly to society. Jesus exemplifies respect toward others who are different in his treatment of the Samaritans (Luke 10:30-37; John 4:1-42).

The Bible contains many accounts of God’s people who were forced to migrate due to hunger, war, or personal circumstances. Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and the families of his sons turned to Egypt in search of food. Joseph, Naomi, Ruth, Daniel and his friends, Ezekiel, Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther all lived in foreign lands. In the New Testament, Joseph and Mary fled with Jesus to escape Herod’s anger and became refugees in Egypt. Peter referred to the recipients of his first letter as “aliens” and “strangers,” perhaps suggesting that they were exiles within the Roman Empire. These examples from the Old and New Testaments reveal God’s hand in the movement of people and are illustrations of faith in God in difficult circumstances.

Migration was common in the ancient world. Outsiders were particularly vulnerable. They stood outside the kinship system that regulated the inheritance of property. They did not have extended family to care for them in case of need. The Law recognized their helplessness and stipulated measures that served as a safety net. The motivations behind this generous spirit were that the people of God were not to forget that they had been strangers in Egypt (Exodus 22:21; Leviticus 19:33-34) and that God loved the foreigner (Deuteronomy 10:18-19). The New Testament adds that all believers are spiritual sojourners on earth (Phil. 3:20; 1 Peter 2:11). Christians should show compassion and hospitality to outsiders (Rom. 12:13; Heb. 13:2).

The Bible does not offer a blueprint for modern legislation, but it can serve as a moral compass and shape the attitudes of those who believe in God. An appreciation of the pervasiveness of migration in the Bible must temper the tendency to limit discussions on immigration to Romans 13 and a simplistic defense of “the rule of law.” God has established the nations (Deut. 32:8; Acts 17:26), and their laws should be respected. Never-theless, policies must be evaluated to reflect that immigrants are made in the image of God and demonstrate biblical grace to the foreigner.

To read the entire statement click here.

Reactions?
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An observation. . .

2009-10-28T22:11:00.000-05:00

Jesus never told or asked rich people how they intended to "convert" the poor.

Rather, he offered invitations like, "Give all you have to the poor and come and follow me."

Maybe our ministry is really to and for the well-to-do--a ministry of giving it all away.

What do you think?
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Immigration: An Interactive "Explorer" Resource

2009-10-28T06:00:00.000-05:00
The New York Times offers a very interesting interactive "immigration explorer" that allows users to target the entire nation, county by county to understand immigration patterns in the US since 1880.

To view the map and explore for yourself, click here.

Posted on www.UrbanDaily.org

You and/or your group can furnish a home for a homeless person

2009-10-27T06:00:00.002-05:00

People frequently ask me, "Larry, what can I/we do to help a homeless person?"

Or, "What can I/we do to make a real difference in the life of a 'poor' person?"

Often, folks are looking for up close and personal moments, times that are very difficult to "arrange" without the loss of dignity or authenticity.

Almost universally, though, those who ask about what they can do, really mean it.

People want to do something. They seek tangible involvement. They want to look back and be able to say, at a minimum, "I did it!"

Defining the "it" is the challenge!

Well, here is something you, your family (possibly as part of an alternative Christmas giving approach), your business, your civic club, your Sunday School or Sabbath School class, your fraternity or sorority can actually do: furnish one of the apartments set aside at CityWalk @Akard, our new building located at 511 N. Akard in Downtown Dallas.

Above you'll see a visual of the furniture for a typical studio apartment floor plan. In addition, with my plan you'll also be furnishing the basics for cooking, cleaning and just living in a new place.

The cost to completely outfit a unit with everything a person will need to set up housekeeping?

$3,700.00.

Interested in putting your name on a unit?

Email me at ljames@CentralDallasMinistries.org.
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Prison and fathers

2009-10-26T06:00:00.000-05:00
Working in inner city Dallas has made me very aware of the impact of prisons on neighborhoods and families. We spend far too much on locking people up, when we should be directing our resources at preparing people for life.

My good friend, Rev. George King sent me this clip created out of the experience of one young man.

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Dallas police ticketed 39 drivers in 3 years for not speaking English | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News | Latest News

2009-10-24T12:48:00.002-05:00
Dallas police ticketed 39 drivers in 3 years for not speaking English | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News | Latest News

Posted using ShareThis

Two other very troubling reports in our paper this morning. . .

1 of 6 Americans classified as "living in poverty"

a new homeless doll now available for children at Christmas this year

More later. . .
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RBI

2009-10-24T06:00:00.001-05:00

Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities (RBI) has been at it for twenty years.

My experience in coaching inner city youth a few years back taught me that baseball serves as a great tool for building community and cooperation across a number of traditional and useless barriers.

Check out the RBI story here.
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CDM lands award for "digital connections" training for youth

2009-10-23T06:00:00.001-05:00

Janet Morrison, Director of Education Outreach at Central Dallas Ministries, decided to write a grant to establish a "digital connectors" group in the Roseland Homes community to benefit teens involved in our educational efforts.

Well, guess what? Her grant was judged a winner and CDM received funding to provide this amazing training to our teens!

Wireless carrier companies donated $1 million to train 360 urban youth in the latest wireless and digital technologies.

Learn more about the concept here. Once at the site, scroll down the column on the left to "One Economy Wireless" to view the interview about the program and the awards.

Way to go, Janet!
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COMMUNITY HUNGER DAY: Early Evening Update

2009-10-22T19:12:00.000-05:00

My team is 39% of the way to our goal of $5,000!

See posts from earlier today.

Click in here to help us reach our goal.

I believe the crowd from now until midnight can get us over the finish line!

Every dollar you give buys groceries for those in need.

Please pass our appeal along to 10 friends before you leave your computer.
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COMMUNITY HUNGER DAY: Mid-afternoon Update. . .

2009-10-22T14:50:00.000-05:00

My team is now at 38% of goal!

Join us here!

Your gift will move the needle away from "hunger."
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COMMUNITY HUNGER DAY: Mid-Day Update. . .

2009-10-22T11:06:00.000-05:00

My team is 36% of the way toward our goal of $5,000!

Every cent raised will go to the purchase of high-quality grocery products for very low-income families who need a hand up.

So far this year, CDM has distributed over 1,200,000 pounds of groceries, a number equal to twice as much as we conveyed to the community during all of 2008!

So far this year, CDM has met with over 5,000 new families as compared to this time last year. That is 5,000 new and unduplicated families who've come to us seeking assistance.

We need your help today.

Click here to make a donation to our team's fund!
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