There was a point in time where men and women of faith were held in high esteem.  Unfortunately, that day is beginning to vanish.  I have heard it referenced that less than 2% of the citizens of Seattle consider themselves Christian, and the West Coast of the United States is increasingly isolated from the rest of the nation.  We worry about the Hollywood elites understanding the average citizen.  I worry about the average Californian to whom faith is a foreign concept.  We want to send a missionary oversees to China, yet almost all dialects of Chinese are found in Los Angles.  We have more immigrants in our country than the entire population of Canada. 

There has to be something in our faith that makes the non-believer understand that the spiritual life allows for a more rewarding life in general.  We cannot allow our faith to be mired in intellectual superficiality or artistic mediocrity.  Dick Staub, an award winning broadcaster, writer, and speaker, believes that people of faith can rise from the grave of cultural obscurity to artistically and intellectually enrich our culture.  I never thought of my contributions as anemic or indistinct, but I sadly confess we no longer hear Christians described as an intellectual force in modern culture.

We are slightly spoiled in Cleveland because we have Lee University in which to help foster our community.  Perhaps that is why we do not feel that we are adrift spiritually, politically or culturally.  But Cleveland is an anomaly in society.  The bright rays of the sunshine which shine here can shine elsewhere and often do.  Every Lee University student who comes into our town brings some hope with them, but they also take a piece of Cleveland with them on their journey in life.  As a native Bradley County resident I want Lee University students to take a part of my community with them as they impact the world.

I rarely get an opportunity to praise Paul Conn, but he has made a huge global impact by virtue of extending his arm at Lee University.  He does not get the community recognition he deserves, but he does not solicit such recognition.  Lee University has filled a large void in our community that could never be filled if the university was not here.  It is important to separate the

man from the institution, but it is also important to respect the contributions made by this man for this institution, and subsequent contributions of this great institution to the community.  I am very proud to be a Lee University graduate. I am also proud that my daughter Jennifer is following the family tradition begun by her great grandmother Julia O'Bannon and countless other relatives. 

The intellectual, like the political is too often "polarizing, demonizing, and dehumanizing."  Leaving God's transforming presence and full imprint in society will begin by touching all facets of the spiritual on earth including: intellectual, moral, relational and creative.  These areas will be perfected in an eternal setting, but must be embraced on earth and Christians can lead the way.  So where does this column go next?  I leave it to you the reader to decide.

--J. C. Bowman is a public policy analyst who resides in Cleveland, TN..
He can be reached by email at: flapolicy@hotmail.com. 

Visit his website at: www.policyexperts.net
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