This weekend’s ZOE Conference might have been the best ever. The missional focus is exactly what the Spirit is doing in the larger Christian world (both domestically and globally).
One of the great joys and privileges of the last two years, has been working with the leaders and visionaries of ZOE. It is, without question, one of the best things we do in our little corner of the world—the Churches of Christ. In teaching at ZOE, I’ve shared wonderful conversations full of wisdom, pain, testimony, and insight.
I leave such weekends feeling pretty confident that a portion of Churches of Christ are positioned to do ministry in the coming religious climate. By “portion” I don’t necessarily mean the churches that would be a part of ZOE events. For some of the most missional (working with the poor, etc.) churches I know are, from my denomination’s perspective, conservative.
If you’ve never gone, they are having events this upcoming year in Searcy, Dallas, Fresno, Malibu, Tulsa, and Nashville.
On another note. Along with a group of pastors and Rochester College administrators, I was a part of a dialog session with one of Michigan’s Congressman this morning. The forum was an informal but spirited discussion about the issues that churches are passionate about.
Several good questions were raised and several statements were made ranging from Michigan's economy to the War in Iraq.
My question went something like this.
It is hard for some of us not to be cynical about the way in which America prioritizes involvement in other nations of the world. For instance, some have suggested that if oil was discovered in Northern Uganda (Gulu) or Darfur, the United States might suddenly being interested in the genocide that’s been plaguing this region for several years. How does government prioritize its involvement in humanitarian issues (which Iraq was advertised to be in the beginning)?
If you could, in-person, ask your Congressman one question; if you could make one statement to your Congressman—what would it be? And no, you can't ask if he/she has special powers to help the Lions prevent another debacle.
15 comments:
Why, when the state was in shutdown mode, did the state choose to cut off funding from schools? Are there no other things that we could stand to live without than education?
Emily,
Great question to get the ball rolling.
I'm in Oklahoma and I would ask this:
The current state test for children in public school are set up where all children, no matter if they have a disability or not, must take the same test. The schools are then penalized by the NCLB act because the "special ed" students can't perform on the same academic level.Therefore saying it is the fault of the special students.
As a mother of an Autistic child, I want to know why the test for a child with an IQ of 150 is the same test required for a child with an IQ below 70 which is considered MR.
These test are designed for schools to fail. They produce low achievement scores and schools, teachers, and faculty are penalized for something that is out of their control.
Not all children function on the same level and should not be required to take the test on the same level.
By the standards of the NCLB act, the special ed children will be left behind, everytime and schools will remain on the need to improve list. Want better results, change the standards.
(By the way...great class at the Zoe conference this weekend)
Brenda:
The policy you described is crazy. Now I'm wondering what the standards are in Michigan.
Have you been able to get a dialog going with other concerned parents and/or local government officials?
Thanks for being my class--there were several comments that challenged me as well.
Josh~ You are so right...Crazy is what it is. When I contacted the superintendent on this the answer I received was "this is up to the state legislature, not the school board"
Yes, other parents are upset as well but we've been told this is how it has always been and will remain. The number of what they call 'normal' students (those not in special ed) outweigh the number of 'special' students so the test and the way it is administered will remain the same.
The NCLB act made provisions for special children but it is a very grey area. Schools get more funding here if they fail on these test. Title money is given to those that 'under-achieve' not 'over-achieve'. The process just doesn't make sense. It was seriously take an act of congress to get this changed. I may spend my whole life fighting for my child and may never win this battle with the schools. What really matters is that my son is successful in everything he does. If he fails the test, and he tried his best, I don't care what the score is. I know he did his best. Wish I could say the same for the person that made the law.
I would ask, and haved asked, why is so much obvious and known corruption allowed to continue in "the system"? I am referring to the social systems but i am sure it could be applied more broadly than just that.
Brenda- i'm sorry that is happening to you. please keep talking and advocating to them. things can change. i wish i could be there and help. i don't even know you and i am mad for you. my prayers are with your fight for your child.
Emily- unless i am misunderstanding your question i am pretty sure it is because everything they were going to keep running was for the life and safety of society. (hospitals, prisons, social services, etc.) not saying it is a good answer to shut down school money... i'm just saying what i was told. hope you are good! see you at the next africa meeting?? love!
Brenda: more proof that the 'powers that be' do some of their best work under the guise of institutional aide.
Jenny: Ahhh...yes, good point. What specifically are you referencing when you say "corruption in social services"?
Just curious.
Great being with you at Zoe.
Question--"Do you believe in the principles behind the statement from Article 25 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights--'Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and of his family including food, clothing, housing and medical care and necessary social services.' If so, will you fight for a raise in minimum wage so that the people that the system sets up for failure will have a chance to have a decent income in order to provide for their families?"
Is that a loaded question or what?
-Josh Ross
Josh (Ross)
That's a great question to ask. Something tells me you've asked that before.
Had you asked that Monday, I don't know if the response would've been "well, the pie, you see is only so big and we can't..." OR..."we're going to lower taxes so that people can put more of their own money into health care, etc."
I don't the answer but I like your question.
Houston (where you are) and Detroit (where I am) are interesting places to think about what the implications might be for the question you've put fourth.
"I don't the answer but I like your question," should have read "I don't know the answer but I like your question."
My bad
hey josh-
there are alot of things i consider "corrupt" about the system. it is hard for me to put out examples but two things that bother me:
1. People who need/deserve/would do anything for the help get overlooked and given the run-around. People who know how to work the system never have to work toward anything. This is a known fact to most anyone working in social services.
2. Money constantly is overlooked. A while back there was an amount of a few million dollars that a certain state department could not account for and it was not investigated. They were simply asked to give account for it and when they said they didn't have account for it- they were given more money.
And really in general- the people that I have met in certain state agencies have been incredibly unhelpful but then only too glad to proclaim to the state and media what an asset they are to the community. The most helpful I have seen them be is every couple months to empty their voicemail boxes so that you can leave them a message they will never return. It is just hard when you are trying to advocate for a family to keep your cool with "the system". obviously- i'm still working on it.
Other Josh- I love your question. I defintely agree about the raising of minimum wage. Our system sets people up for failure just like you said and then punishes them for it... i love your statement/question!!
Jenny:
Ok. Thanks for sharing. You have inside experience and get to see "behind the curtain"--I'm grateful to you for sharing.
I think I have a solution.
You should run for mayor or governor in ten years. Then you can overhaul the system!
I too am a fan of raising minimum wage. It's a big debate, but, in the end, it seems like the right thing to do.
Many of the working poor have to work two jobs to be able to support their family.
No mom should have to pick up a second job in order to feed her kids.
I would put my question down here, but I feel that people would scoff at the idea.
I am against raising the minimum wage. Spend the money to get a college education. In most cases, it does work out. Scholarships are plentiful for those with lower incomes.
David,
While I agree that college is the best way for one to ensure their future, leaving that as the final answer for the working poor class in America does not address the real issue.
If you are single mom with three kids and you make $8 an hour.
You can't afford babysitting, insurance, and extra necessities (like school clothes, med's, etc.)
It's easy to say "go to college"--who watches the kids. Now you have a mom working two jobs, going to college and never having a moment during the day...that's not healthy.
I'm not suggesting that raising minimum wage solves all the problems but I love hearing people of some privilege (of which I am as well) talk about people "pulling themselves up by their bootstraps"--there's zero compassion or attempt to understand the plight of the working poor.
I had a friend from Europe say to me when I was in high school, "IF you can't make it in America you can't make it anywhere." That's true.
But that does not mean it isn't hard for many to make a decent living in this country where the gap between rich and poor increases each passing year.
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