By KRISTY WHITE

I am content to live among the crazy!

On Sunday, Cindy Howard, of St Mary’s Episcopal Church had this English teacher’s ears perked up as she started her sermon by introducing Harriet Beecher Stowe, author of Uncle Tom’s Cabin, and her fictional account of slave brutality and injustice. Mother Cindy also introduced the congregation to Bishop Michael Curry who has called Harriet Beecher Stowe a “crazy Christian.” Crazy enough to “believe that Jesus means changing the world from the nightmare it often is into the dream that God intends.”

On the same Sunday, Southside Baptist Church, First Baptist Church, First Baptist Church Whatley Street, and Bethany Baptist Church joined together for a combined Sunday service (they rotate among the church locations). I bet after their refreshments when the cars were waiting in line to exit back on to the main road, passersby probably shook their heads and said “crazy Christians.”

On Saturday prior, Chuck and I had the privilege of attending the beautiful ceremony of Hillary Hall and Tyler Dent, at Westview Baptist Church in Opp; I was surprised by the marital vows that ended with Brother Gary Miller (aka another crazy Christian) calling on Tyler Dent to be the spiritual leader of the family. He echoes a movement recently to strengthen men in our society to put them back as the spiritual leaders in our homes, our churches, and our nation.

Why even First United Methodist Church, First Presbyterian Church, and St. Mary’s Episcopal Church join together to host vacation bible school and other joint events like community breakfasts. Perhaps to outsiders, we could all be labeled “crazy Christians!”

According to Bishop Curry, “Our calling is to be different. “ We must “love when it is easier to hate.” We must “speak when it is easier to be silent,” we must “stand when others sit down,” and “we must give without counting the cost.” Thanks Mother Cindy, Bishop Curry, and Brother Miller for reminding us this entire world needs more crazy Christians.