Greater Dallas Movement Day: Next Steps

About 10 days ago I had the privilege to participate in the launch of Greater Dallas Movement Day, a gathering of over 1,400 leaders from the Christian faith community representing business, government, social services, education, and congregational contexts. We experienced a major victory in the gathering of this group to make new friendships, to learn about each other, and to consider how we might work together to improve our city.

We tackled a number of issues and met by affinity groups to discuss what might be done to make a tangible difference in our city over the next five years. Dr. Mac Pier, Founder and CEO of The New York City Leadership Center guided city leaders to envision, develop, and launch this day. We had outstanding leaders and speakers challenge and inspire the assembly such as Dr. Tim Keller of Redeemer Presbyterian Church of New York and the Rev. Bryan Carter of Concord Church in Dallas. Marv Knox of the Baptist Standard captured the essence of the day in this article published by the Baptist Standard. Leaders such as Mayor Mike Rawlings, Dr. Jim Denison of the Denison Forum, Rebecca Walls of UNITE, Dr. Jeff Warren of Park Cities Baptist Church, and Froswa’ Booker-Drew of World Vision, and many others collaborated to make this an outstanding day for Dallas.

These are my observations from this excellent day:

First, the event was not only a day. It was the launch of a five-year effort to transform the city of Dallas. Groups are already forming that will continue the effort to address the care of vulnerable children, changing culture for the Kingdom of God, human trafficking, hunger solutions, family and financial stability, multi-cultural issues, marketplace issues, church-school partnerships, neighborhood revitalization, mobilizing high school students, and building reintegration strategies for those formerly incarcerated.

Second, we will meet again next year to report on our progress. The date has already been set for January 22, 2015. Mark your calendar and get ready for our second meeting.

Third, we can really change the future of Dallas if we focus on who we are, what we have to offer, how we might work together, and if we dare get engaged in our city. We no longer desire to live against the city only complaining rather than helping; we no longer wish to live above the city in privatized lives pretending there are no problems; nor do we wish to merely live in the city without engaging our neighbors; rather, Movement Day was an effort to help us live for the city, providing real solutions to real problems, helping the Kingdom to come near.

If you missed this opportunity to participate and you are in Dallas, contact us to hear about ways you can make a difference.
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