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A 'Big Tent' in Dallas

by Catherine Cuellar 11-11-2009 | 8:30pm
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091110-0034-justice-revivalFor those who came to the Justice Revival's free opening night program (featuring former United Methodist District Superintendent and Texas State House Rep. Dr. Zan Holmes and Latin Grammy-winning gospel musician Jaci Velasquez) the spirit of a "Big Tent" was certainly felt, with mainline Protestants, Catholics, Evangelicals, Spanish-speaking congregations and non-denominational mega-churches uniting from south Dallas (predominantly non-white and low-income), Highland Park (one of the Lone Star State's wealthiest towns), the downtown core, and suburbs to worship side-by-side.

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Leaders chose to steer clear of the most politically charged and potentially divisive issues like abortion and immigration, instead rallying all around a two-plank platform: housing and education. The goals -- while revolutionary since they've never before been stated by Dallas's Christian leaders -- seem reasonably modest and attainable: 700 units of permanent supportive affordable housing for the chronically homeless and working poor (a critical need which already has the support of Dallas's City Council and Mayor Tom Leppert, who also addressed Tuesday's crowd) and supportive partnerships with 25 Dallas-area public schools.

Dr. Holmes' prescription to cure Dallas's ills included an additional topic that wasn't on the Justice Revival agenda -- health care. In his rousing sermon, Holmes' diagnosis began with the need to "name our disease, ... name our failure to come together" head-on, saying naming is a first step "on the way to overcoming it." Acknowledging the legacy of two interfaith organizations no longer in existence, Greater Dallas Community of Churches and Dallas Together, Holmes called for a "fresh encounter with Jesus," connecting historical faith-based support for the 20th-century Civil Rights movement with the Justice Revival call for 21st-century Christian activism and advocacy.

Though chairs occupied by registered attendees were flanked by many empty seats, and an altar call drew about two dozen people to the stage, the pastor of one of the city's largest churches, Dr. Frederick D. Haynes III charged those departing to send e-mails and post on Facebook pages in hopes of getting more people to attend the next two nights.

None in attendance could ignore the clarion call for Christian sisters and brothers to change our city of Dallas by first examining our faith and closing a divide between our beliefs and our actions. Holmes described the disconnect between charity and justice as treating symptoms rather than finding a cure. Whether or not Christ-followers in Dallas have hearts open to following the doctor's orders remains to be seen.

portrait-catherine-cuellarDallas native Catherine Cuellar is a multimedia journalist and community activist. Find her at CatherineCuellar.com.

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by: letjusticerolldown

11-11-2009 @ 7:09pm

Everyone united. All 883.

I have no problem with 883. Jesus seemed to have difficulty with 12.

But think clarity of reporting is always good. It keeps us dealing in reality--the fulfillment of our callings here and now. The vast majority of persons from participating congregations/organizations did not turn out. Pray. Pray. Pray.

by: letjusticerolldown

11-11-2009 @ 7:09pm

Everyone united. All 883.

I have no problem with 883. Jesus seemed to have difficulty with 12.

But think clarity of reporting is always good. It keeps us dealing in reality--the fulfillment of our callings here and now. The vast majority of persons from participating congregations/organizations did not turn out. Pray. Pray. Pray.

by: MacArthur4

11-12-2009 @ 4:48am

Good book I read is Blinded By Might. Why the religious right can't Save America.

It may be beneficial in reading it . Criticism always comes better better and is more insightful when shown in the love of Christ . I believe this book has that. Perhaps we can disagree on the slant it offers , but not the Love involved .

The crowd of 800 here or in the case of the religious right being in the hundreds of thosands I guess is really not the point . The numbers are insignificant. Its what the political association of Christ with people , political movements that have little to do with the Kingdom Of God , eternity is the point. The political views of the reps attending , the Cessionsist views of those involved will bring what to the church ?

Steering away from Immigration and abortion ? Concentrating on education and housing ? This compared to say unifying Christians based on their Love for God and His creation and honoring is commitment and desire for our families to be allowed to nourish the needs of our children , so keep your political views on education funding , vouchers, and government policies out of it ? The right can say the exact same thing , funny abortion is an issue that one side finds divisive . To who ? Not the Big Tent of the church in America. The Big Tent of Progressives find education and housing not divisive . Stopping educational choices for people , government examples of housing like In Detroti and the large cities of this country show a progressive list of failures done to those in poverty. Despite money and billions on housing , youth in cities have better chances at criminal sentences then diplomas .

But I would submit to you , that the ideas persented may indeed have the backing of you and I at this forum , but the way they are presented , by the people and use of God Almighty as their Speaker of the House is the problem .

;0) Not sure your accepting this , hopefully so. But the problem is not the numbers . Yes unifying the church is . The folks here seemed liked they are hoping the church get involved in their political motives . Pray pray pray is not something I believe is something that we should be praying for as far as political dominance , especially when either political party appears to be nothing more then groups designed to fulfill earthly needs and wants. Need Christians involved , not neccessarily supporting your political viewsor mine though .

by: MacArthur4

11-12-2009 @ 4:48am

Good book I read is Blinded By Might. Why the religious right can't Save America.

It may be beneficial in reading it . Criticism always comes better better and is more insightful when shown in the love of Christ . I believe this book has that. Perhaps we can disagree on the slant it offers , but not the Love involved .

The crowd of 800 here or in the case of the religious right being in the hundreds of thosands I guess is really not the point . The numbers are insignificant. Its what the political association of Christ with people , political movements that have little to do with the Kingdom Of God , eternity is the point. The political views of the reps attending , the Cessionsist views of those involved will bring what to the church ?

Steering away from Immigration and abortion ? Concentrating on education and housing ? This compared to say unifying Christians based on their Love for God and His creation and honoring is commitment and desire for our families to be allowed to nourish the needs of our children , so keep your political views on education funding , vouchers, and government policies out of it ? The right can say the exact same thing , funny abortion is an issue that one side finds divisive . To who ? Not the Big Tent of the church in America. The Big Tent of Progressives find education and housing not divisive . Stopping educational choices for people , government examples of housing like In Detroti and the large cities of this country show a progressive list of failures done to those in poverty. Despite money and billions on housing , youth in cities have better chances at criminal sentences then diplomas .

But I would submit to you , that the ideas persented may indeed have the backing of you and I at this forum , but the way they are presented , by the people and use of God Almighty as their Speaker of the House is the problem .

;0) Not sure your accepting this , hopefully so. But the problem is not the numbers . Yes unifying the church is . The folks here seemed liked they are hoping the church get involved in their political motives . Pray pray pray is not something I believe is something that we should be praying for as far as political dominance , especially when either political party appears to be nothing more then groups designed to fulfill earthly needs and wants. Need Christians involved , not neccessarily supporting your political viewsor mine though .

by: BlueDeacon

11-12-2009 @ 2:53pm

I've read the book you referred to. The problem with the "religious right" was that it was focused upon its own power and authority, wrongly believing that it would be easier to do ministry with if it had it. Rather, ministry establishes authority. That's not what's being done here.

by: BlueDeacon

11-12-2009 @ 2:53pm

I've read the book you referred to. The problem with the "religious right" was that it was focused upon its own power and authority, wrongly believing that it would be easier to do ministry with if it had it. Rather, ministry establishes authority. That's not what's being done here.

by: BlueDeacon

11-12-2009 @ 4:53pm

I've read the book you referred to. The problem with the "religious right" was that it was focused upon its own power and authority, wrongly believing that it would be easier to do ministry with if it had it. Rather, ministry establishes authority. That's not what's being done here.

by: BlueDeacon

11-12-2009 @ 4:53pm

I've read the book you referred to. The problem with the "religious right" was that it was focused upon its own power and authority, wrongly believing that it would be easier to do ministry with if it had it. Rather, ministry establishes authority. That's not what's being done here.

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by: letjusticerolldown

11-11-2009 @ 7:09pm

Everyone united. All 883.

I have no problem with 883. Jesus seemed to have difficulty with 12.

But think clarity of reporting is always good. It keeps us dealing in reality--the fulfillment of our callings here and now. The vast majority of persons from participating congregations/organizations did not turn out. Pray. Pray. Pray.

by: letjusticerolldown

11-11-2009 @ 7:09pm

Everyone united. All 883.

I have no problem with 883. Jesus seemed to have difficulty with 12.

But think clarity of reporting is always good. It keeps us dealing in reality--the fulfillment of our callings here and now. The vast majority of persons from participating congregations/organizations did not turn out. Pray. Pray. Pray.

by: MacArthur4

11-12-2009 @ 4:48am

Good book I read is Blinded By Might. Why the religious right can't Save America.

It may be beneficial in reading it . Criticism always comes better better and is more insightful when shown in the love of Christ . I believe this book has that. Perhaps we can disagree on the slant it offers , but not the Love involved .

The crowd of 800 here or in the case of the religious right being in the hundreds of thosands I guess is really not the point . The numbers are insignificant. Its what the political association of Christ with people , political movements that have little to do with the Kingdom Of God , eternity is the point. The political views of the reps attending , the Cessionsist views of those involved will bring what to the church ?

Steering away from Immigration and abortion ? Concentrating on education and housing ? This compared to say unifying Christians based on their Love for God and His creation and honoring is commitment and desire for our families to be allowed to nourish the needs of our children , so keep your political views on education funding , vouchers, and government policies out of it ? The right can say the exact same thing , funny abortion is an issue that one side finds divisive . To who ? Not the Big Tent of the church in America. The Big Tent of Progressives find education and housing not divisive . Stopping educational choices for people , government examples of housing like In Detroti and the large cities of this country show a progressive list of failures done to those in poverty. Despite money and billions on housing , youth in cities have better chances at criminal sentences then diplomas .

But I would submit to you , that the ideas persented may indeed have the backing of you and I at this forum , but the way they are presented , by the people and use of God Almighty as their Speaker of the House is the problem .

;0) Not sure your accepting this , hopefully so. But the problem is not the numbers . Yes unifying the church is . The folks here seemed liked they are hoping the church get involved in their political motives . Pray pray pray is not something I believe is something that we should be praying for as far as political dominance , especially when either political party appears to be nothing more then groups designed to fulfill earthly needs and wants. Need Christians involved , not neccessarily supporting your political viewsor mine though .

by: MacArthur4

11-12-2009 @ 4:48am

Good book I read is Blinded By Might. Why the religious right can't Save America.

It may be beneficial in reading it . Criticism always comes better better and is more insightful when shown in the love of Christ . I believe this book has that. Perhaps we can disagree on the slant it offers , but not the Love involved .

The crowd of 800 here or in the case of the religious right being in the hundreds of thosands I guess is really not the point . The numbers are insignificant. Its what the political association of Christ with people , political movements that have little to do with the Kingdom Of God , eternity is the point. The political views of the reps attending , the Cessionsist views of those involved will bring what to the church ?

Steering away from Immigration and abortion ? Concentrating on education and housing ? This compared to say unifying Christians based on their Love for God and His creation and honoring is commitment and desire for our families to be allowed to nourish the needs of our children , so keep your political views on education funding , vouchers, and government policies out of it ? The right can say the exact same thing , funny abortion is an issue that one side finds divisive . To who ? Not the Big Tent of the church in America. The Big Tent of Progressives find education and housing not divisive . Stopping educational choices for people , government examples of housing like In Detroti and the large cities of this country show a progressive list of failures done to those in poverty. Despite money and billions on housing , youth in cities have better chances at criminal sentences then diplomas .

But I would submit to you , that the ideas persented may indeed have the backing of you and I at this forum , but the way they are presented , by the people and use of God Almighty as their Speaker of the House is the problem .

;0) Not sure your accepting this , hopefully so. But the problem is not the numbers . Yes unifying the church is . The folks here seemed liked they are hoping the church get involved in their political motives . Pray pray pray is not something I believe is something that we should be praying for as far as political dominance , especially when either political party appears to be nothing more then groups designed to fulfill earthly needs and wants. Need Christians involved , not neccessarily supporting your political viewsor mine though .

by: BlueDeacon

11-12-2009 @ 2:53pm

I've read the book you referred to. The problem with the "religious right" was that it was focused upon its own power and authority, wrongly believing that it would be easier to do ministry with if it had it. Rather, ministry establishes authority. That's not what's being done here.

by: BlueDeacon

11-12-2009 @ 2:53pm

I've read the book you referred to. The problem with the "religious right" was that it was focused upon its own power and authority, wrongly believing that it would be easier to do ministry with if it had it. Rather, ministry establishes authority. That's not what's being done here.

by: BlueDeacon

11-12-2009 @ 4:53pm

I've read the book you referred to. The problem with the "religious right" was that it was focused upon its own power and authority, wrongly believing that it would be easier to do ministry with if it had it. Rather, ministry establishes authority. That's not what's being done here.

by: BlueDeacon

11-12-2009 @ 4:53pm

I've read the book you referred to. The problem with the "religious right" was that it was focused upon its own power and authority, wrongly believing that it would be easier to do ministry with if it had it. Rather, ministry establishes authority. That's not what's being done here.