The Chicago area news is buzzing about a radical idea proposed by Reverend James Meeks from Salem Baptist Church.  Rev. Meeks, who spoke in the past at our Leadership Summit, leads the largest church on the south side of Chicago.  Because of the myriad of challenges faced by many under-resourced people in his community, Rev. Meeks also serves as a State Senator, trying to bring justice through the legal systems.  In the state of Illinois, each school district spends money per student based on property taxes.  Obviously the result is that wealthier districts with expensive homes - such as the New Trier High School district - have significantly more dollars to distribute to each student.  The New Trier annual expenditure is $17,000 per student compared to about $10,000 in the Chicago schools.

So Rev. Meeks is challenging the students from the city of Chicago to board buses on the first day of school and head out to New Trier (on the North Shore in Wilmette) to try to register for school there.  Now this concept has its critics, including those who say that while Rev. Meeks' goals for justice are on track, asking students to miss the first day of school in their own community will not only get them off to a poor start, but could also jeopardize funding for those schools that is based on attendance.

I am not going to debate whether or not this is the right plan - though I fully support the goal of creating equity in our educational systems.  But I think Rev. Meeks deserves credit for an out-of-the-box idea that has captivated the imaginations and stirred up the passions of people to talk about the issue.  Every news broadcast for days has been exploring the issue.  People who were not even aware of the disparity are hearing about it.  And that is a good thing.

I believe our God has powerful ideas for all leaders who will listen and who have the courage to look a little outrageous in our methods. Way to go, Rev. Meeks.  I find myself much more engaged, as a wealthy suburbanite whose kids attend fantastic schools, in this issue of justice.  I admire your leadership and your creativity and your guts...

We gathered outside the chapel patio on a gorgeous August night, releasing our helium balloons to the sky and proclaiming, "We love you, Donna!"  That was the fitting conclusion to the remarkable funeral I attended last Thursday honoring the life of Donna Lagerquist. read more