Reflections LEAD: Jimmy Carter

I've been wanting to reflect more upon former President Jimmy Carter's presentation at the Leadership Conference for several days. I have to say that I don't get the anger and venom being spread around the blogosphere because of this. If you want to check out some of the "experts" who have opinions but did not hear the presentation you might be interested in checking out the conversation over at Monday Morning Insight. I'm sure there are other places as well, but that should be enough to get a feel for the discussion that is on going.
Personally I found Carter's interview inspiring and helpful. His level of honesty and openness was refreshing in a political environment that does everything it can to control the spin around issues as well as people. I have to say that I am more impressed with Carter as an international leader following his presidency than I was when he was running for re-election. I remember that as my first opportunity to vote in the presidential election and I have to say that I voted for Anderson.
Enough of this, let's get on to the insights and reflections.
To statement from Carter's presentation that stood out for me.

• "What human beings ought to do is what Jesus Christ did."
• "We can accommodate changing times by clinging to unchanging themes."

The first statement is a no brainier for folks who look to Jesus as the corner stone of their faith, in fact there are a lot of folks who don't consider themselves Christians that think that would be a good idea. For me it was just an affirmation of Carter's faith and integrity.
The second statement is one that takes a bit of a turn on what is often said in relation to reaching out to others in contemporary worship. The phrase is often along the lines of "the methods change but the message doesn't. " That approach assumes that we are in charge of choosing the methods that we will use in presenting the gospel. As well as assuming the methods we use we can also control the ways in which those methods impact the message. (For those who want to follow that line of questioning I would recommend Shane Hipps book.) So what would the church look look like if it settled upon some themes that are central to the Gospel and absolutely not let them go?
Themes like:

• Love your neighbor
• Forgive others
• Feed the poor
• Heal the sick
• Care for the widows and orphans

These might be a good place to start and it might keep us busy for awhile, busy enough to focus upon the things of most importance and not worry about so much of the other stuff that keeps us from doing the things that Jesus did.