Christian Civility » Authors

Bret Lott to Introduce Bonhoeffer Author

Mitch — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 20:18:27 +0000

Bret Lott, the prize-winning novelist will introduce Eric Metaxas at both sessions of the Hamrick Lectureship. Eric Metaxas is the featured speaker at First Baptist Church of Charleston at 5p.m. on Sunday, January 15 and Monday morning January 16, at 10a.m. Both of his lectures followed by questions and answers will center on Dietrich Bonhoeffer. The program will be in the church sanctuary and the public is encouraged to attend. There is no admission fee. Parking is at 48 Meeting Street across from the Richard Russell House. The author’s books will be available for purchase.

“As Adolf Hitler and the Nazis seduced a nation, bullied a continent and attempted to exterminate the Jews of Europe, a small number of dissidents and saboteurs worked to dismantle the Third Reich from the inside. One of these was Dietrich Bonhoeffer—a pastor and author. Eric Metaxas implores us to remember, “A man determined to do the will of God radically, courageously and joyfully – even to the point of death.”

Metaxas is the author of two New York Times bestselling biographies, Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy and Amazing Grace: William Wilberforce and the Heroic Campaign to End Slavery. This book became a movie. Bonhoeffer has been named as the best Christian book of the year by the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association. Metaxas received the Canterbury Medal, the Becket Fund’s highest honor in recognition of courage in defense of religious liberty.

The lectures celebrate the life and work of the late Dr. John A. Hamrick long time pastor of First Baptist Church and the founding president of what is now Charleston Southern University. Special music will be presented by David Templeton, minister of music and worship and Beverly Bradley, organist. The author’s books will be available for purchase and signing.

Bonhoeffer Author Metaxas at First Baptist Charleston Eric Metaxas is the featured speaker for the John...
Bonhoeffer Author Metaxas at Hamrick Lectures FBC Eric Metaxas implores us to remember, “A man determined to...

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This Resolution Can Reduce Your Stress Next Year

Mitch — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 16:20:45 +0000

from www.ethicsdaily.com
Posted: Thursday, December 29, 2011 6:43 am

Bitterness is a terrible taskmaster. It will ruin your life and suck all the goodness you receive into a dark hole, Carnell writes.

Many people regard New Year’s resolutions with the same disdain they attribute to the fruitcake. I am a proponent of both.

For several years now, I have made the same New Year’s resolution, and I ask God to help me to keep it: I will take no bitterness into the new year.

Whatever has happened during the past 12 months that tends to sour my disposition, cause me pain and create separation, I resolve to let go. Whatever offenses I have suffered will not be dragged into the new year.

Forgiveness is not as easy as it might sound. Partly it requires developing a thicker skin and realizing that I take far too many things personally. I need to lighten up.

This is one of the concepts my friend, Monty Knight, discusses in his book “Balanced Living: Don’t Let Your Strengths Become Your Weakness.”

Continuing with Monty’s philosophy, I don’t have to go to every fight to which I am invited. That is a major concept: Let it go.

Tom Newboult, a minister of religious education, once told me that sin is giving more importance to the moment than it is worth. In other words, don’t dwell in the negative. I think Tom hit the nail on the head.

Turning a negative into a positive is another methodology for dealing with difficult situations.

Since I administered a not-for-profit agency for most of my career, I would often be attacked with, “Well, Mitch, you are just an idealist.”

My reply became, “Thank you. I hope so.”

The main thing Christians must remember about forgiveness is that we are able to forgive because we have been forgiven.

Susan Sparks in “Laugh Your Way to Grace” suggests that we rediscover the power of humor. She maintains that we take ourselves far too seriously. We need to repackage some of the comments that cause us pain.

Bitterness is a terrible taskmaster. It will ruin your life and suck all the goodness you receive into a dark hole.

I recommend a proactive approach. Go on an active campaign to make those around you glad that you are there. Build them up by helping them feel good about themselves. Say something nice. Compliment him or her in a genuine way. Call the person by name. Offer a specific compliment about a real accomplishment.

On the other hand, when you receive a compliment, acknowledge it graciously with a simple “thank you.”

In my book, “Christian Civility in an Uncivil World,” I discuss the power of words, but I am by no means the first to come to that conclusion.

The psalmist said, “Let the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable unto thee, oh God, my strength and my redeemer.”

Arthur Caliandro gets right to the heart of the matter with a three-word solution. “Life is now.” That statement is stunning in its simplicity. Live in the present. Don’t drag past hurts into today.

I was part of a vivid demonstration of this principle. We were planning one of the annual John Hamrick Lectures while Hamrick was still living. A potential speaker was being considered. I called the speaker to extend an invitation.

He told me that because he and Hamrick had been involved on opposite sides of a controversy, he would only come if Hamrick approved. When I told Hamrick of my conversation, he didn’t hesitate. “That was then. This is now.” Wow.

I make no claim that getting rid of bitterness is an easy task. You and I have experienced great hurts. Unfortunately we have also inflicted great hurts.

I know that I am in the process of becoming and that God is not finished with me. Practicing my resolution of taking no bitterness into the new year has helped me live a more productive, less stressful life.

I believe you will experience the same happy results if you give it a try.

MitchCarnell is a consultant specializing in interpersonal and organizational communication. He is the editor of “Christian Civility in an Uncivil World.” He and his wife are active lay members of First Baptist Church of Charleston, S.C. Mitch blogs at MitchCarnell.com.

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Why It Is Important To Say Something Nice To Others

Mitch — Wed, 01 Jun 2011 12:30:02 +0000

http://www.ethicsdaily.com/section/ethicsdaily-coms-latest-articles. This is a link to the article on Ethics Daily. You can read my other contributions to that web site by entering my name in the “search block” at the top of the page.

The Real Culprits Responsible for Society’s Harsh Language It is not the other person who is responsible for...

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The Real Culprits for Society’s Harsh Rhetoric

Mitch — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 19:57:10 +0000

The Real Culprits for Society’s Harsh RhetoricBy: Mitch Carnell
Posted: Wednesday, March 30, 2011 6:33 am
Section: EthicsDaily.com’s Latest Articles

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The cashier and I were concluding our discussion about the “Say Something Nice” button I was wearing when I handed one to the man who had just walked up.”Fat chance,” he said looking at the button. “Those guys in Washington set a bad example.”

Back at home, I clicked on the national news in time to hear Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) say, “I like the president personally. He is a deliberate man and that is what we need at this time.” He then said he felt the president should act more boldly in Libya, but he expressed his differences with the president in very civil terms.

Most of us would prefer to believe it’s those other guys – Congress, the far right, the far left, the lunatic fringe, the Tea Party – who are responsible for the angry rhetoric that fills the airwaves. The truth is that the professional merchants of hate and disrespect can only exist where there is a market for their product. Our silence in the face of outrageous disrespect gives permission for their rants.

Over and over again, those of us who promote a more civil discourse are accused of trying to stifle debate or, worse, represent a particular political faction. The truth is that we are promoting the behavior represented by Graham’s example. Of course, Graham has paid a price for his bipartisan efforts. He has been censored by several Republican groups at home for trying to get along with the opposition.

Our democracy depends on lively, informed, healthy political debate. No American wants a society where nothing is challenged and everything goes. Debate is the life’s blood of our way of life. If you have a better idea, put it on the table and let’s see if it can stand up to rigorous scrutiny.

It is not the other group or the other person who is responsible for gutter language in our national debate, or for the shameless and often baseless attacks on individuals. It is any of us who engage in such tactics or fail to challenge them when and where we encounter them.

Years ago my father told me a wonderful story. At a meeting, the featured male speaker looked over the crowd and said, “Since I see that there are no women present, I have a great story to tell you.” At this point a man seated near the back of the room rose to his feet and responded, “No, there are no ladies present, but there are lots of very fine gentlemen here.” The speaker got the message.

Such a reaction requires courage on our part. When I was a relatively new member at First Baptist Church of Charleston, S.C., years ago, the minister of education asked me to discuss censorship during an educational program. My remarks were later published in the church newsletter.

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I said then and I believe today, “There is nothing that a Christian should not be allowed to read, but much that he or she should choose not to read.” Today I would add “or listen to.” Our abilities to hear and to speak are gifts from God. They are sacred trusts. We are to use them for the betterment of our fellow human beings, not to destroy them. As it says in Ephesians 4:12, “Let no evil talk come out of your mouths, but only what is useful for building up, as there is need, so that your words may give grace to those who hear.”

Sally Dyck, Methodist bishop of Minnesota, has done much work on “holy conferencing.” One premise: Get the other person’s agreement that we have understood what he or she said before we add to the discussion. It may slow the discussion, but it will also ensure that our remarks stay on target.

In “Balanced Living: Don’t Let Your Strengths Become Your Weaknesses,” author Monty Knight, a pastoral counselor, states, “We do not have to go to every fight to which we are invited.” My late wife stated it in her own fashion when she admonished me, “Don’t feed the tigers.” In other words, don’t take the bait.

Our words have consequences. As followers of Christ, we have an added responsibility to make certain that our words or our communicative behaviors are consistent with building up the kingdom.

Mitch Carnell is a communication consultant who works with all types of organizations, including churches. He is the editor of “Christian Civility in an Uncivil World.” He is a member of First Baptist Church of Charleston, S.C., and blogs at www.mitchcarnell.com.

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The Real Culprits Responsible for Society’s Harsh Language

Mitch — Wed, 30 Mar 2011 14:38:38 +0000

I have a new article in the March 30 issue of www.ethicsdaily.com. Check it out.

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