For some time, Marie had planned on asking Dr. Ray Leininger to play a key part in the process of Restorative Justice and the Trinity Contract -- primarily because he has played such a major role in the devastating events that lead to Marie's disability and the subsequent abuse.
But, the question was: Can he handle the demands of the assignment?
This morning, as we were listening to his guest sermon at the First Baptist Church of Bolivar, Missouri, Marie asked us to evaluate THREE criteria:
1. Can Dr. Leininger handle the physical demands of the task?
Some difficult but necessary background information:Therefore, the question stands:
In November 2007, Marie initiated contact through the First Baptist Church of Bolivar with the intention of requesting that a church member and Sunday School teacher, Dr. James Sells, accept the challenge of undertaking the task of Restorative Justice in this situation.
[Dr. James Sells was the retired president and CEO of Southwest Baptist University and a consultant for the Missouri Baptist Convention. Like Dr. Leininger, he was deeply embroiled in this controversy.]
Even after sending the initial "demand letter" to First Baptist Church of Bolivar, Marie hesitated in making the secondary request for Dr. Sells' personal intervention, fearing that the project would be too much for him.
Marie's trepidation was well-founded: Within two weeks after the initial contact, Dr. Sells died of a sudden heart attack.
Even though Marie did not directly contact Dr. Sells, the experience of his shocking passing was profoundly grievous to us, especially Marie.
We wish avoid any similar experience during this restorative process.
1. Can Dr. Leininger handle the physical demands of the task?
Our response was unanimous: YES.
THE VERDICT:
He's strong as a horse ... and still blustering like a bear. To echo a recent slogan: YES HE CAN!
2. Would Dr. Leininger be able to deal responsibly with the labyrinth of sociopolitical, legal, and religious factions, agendas, and infrastructure involved in this situation?
Dr. Leininger's topic was "intercultural worship," which he handled reasonably well, with obvious and admitted signs of growth in comprehension and wisdom.
Our Assessment: Still a slight hint of misogynist snarl ... but, generally, he showed considerable depth of insight and cultural understanding.
THE VERDICT:
Again, no guarantees,
but if he chooses to do so,
he is certainly able: YES HE CAN!
Again, no guarantees,
but if he chooses to do so,
he is certainly able: YES HE CAN!
3. Has Dr. Ray Leininger progressed and matured enough emotionally, spiritually, socially, culturally, and intellectually to handle this assignment -- without incurring more harm (or worse consequences)
to himself and others?
This was more complicated: Initially, there was agitation, discomfort, flat-out disbelief and dissent, which was wholeheartedly punctuated and documented by renditions of past events (here).
Eventually, we came to a consensus ...This is as it should be.
THE VERDICT:
THUMBS UP!
DR. RAY LEININGER, YOU'RE THE DUDE!
You can handle this assignment ... and triumph.
THUMBS UP!
DR. RAY LEININGER, YOU'RE THE DUDE!
You can handle this assignment ... and triumph.
MARIE WILL BE CONTACTING YOU THIS WEEK --
before the Missouri Baptist Convention Meeting
and the "Trinity Convergence"
on December 8 and 9.
before the Missouri Baptist Convention Meeting
and the "Trinity Convergence"
on December 8 and 9.
Complete details will be posted tonight and throughout this week.
