One of the key components of Family Therapy is the notion that some families become centers of dysfunction and multiply themselves chaotically for generations. True, some members of the family may rise above the fray and develop into steady, successful members of society. For the most part members are swallowed up in dysfunction and a downward spiral.
The downward spirals are often the result of shocks and trauma that are not effectively healed. We call it Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome (PTSD) and it has been happening throughout history. It is the reason the New Testament says so much about healing of body, soul and spirit.
This same kind of thing can and often does happen in groups and even societies. Germany in the last century developed such a deep sickness. It ended in a war that destroyed the lives of some 50 million people and ravaged the cultures, infrastructures and relationships of numerous countries. Germany suffered a terrible loss of men and materials in WWI. Not only that but they were severely punished for its aggressions by the victors. These shocks grew into bitter relationships and unconcsious aggression against their former enemies that unleashed Hitler on the world.
In my trips to Russia I see how dysfunctional and traumatic events travel through multiple generations to result in a chaotic society of sickness and brutality. This is what happened to the Roman Empire. Scholars say it rotted from within and one has to wonder if this is what is happening to the USA. Media is similar to the Roman Games in publicizing gross behavior and famous people are killing themselves off to the cheers and jeers of the public.
What can we do?
1. Keep ourselves unstained from the world. This advice from the Bible is still relevant. We cannot spread health is we are swimming in sewage.
2. Keep our families healthy. The family is our best foundation to a strong future. We cannot change the social order at the largest level but we can do more at home to speak the truth in love.
3. Develop strong and healthy Christian communities. Over the past 30 years we have seen many pastors and priests who have violated the laws of God, their own commitments to Christ and spiritual calls as well as the laws of man to steal, lie and violate others sexually and emotionally. Such ungodly behavior has a traumatic effect on us all and destroys confidence in God and His truth.
4. Make you church into healing growth community. Jesus Christ and His people are the only hope of the world. But far too often the church has not actively been involved in "Healing the broken hearted and setting the captives free." Until a much higher percentage of churches preach, teach and actively minister healing the trauma promoted by world's sicknesses including wars, media, pornography, divorce and rampant crime.
4. Allow our light to shine in the community. People are very interested in Jesus but many have little confidence in the church. Their perceptions are their truth so share the love and practical helps of Jesus not your organization. Servant Evangelism is one of the best ways to light a candle in the darkness.
5. Pray.
If you want to learn how to turn the tide of chaos into a river of hope call us at Life Way Ministries
Thursday, March 08, 2007
Wednesday, March 07, 2007
Leaders and Tough Love
A recent post from an online discussion group recently included some insights from Rev. Bob Vincent of Louisiana, a man whom I respect a great deal. He is smart, wise and open to learn. He noted that because of going through a Doctor of Ministry program at Reformed Seminary in Jackson, MS, Bob was learning more about himself and his weaknesses as a Pastor/Leader. His sermon file can be found at http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=340716125
Here is my response to Bob.
Thanks for your personal insights and the humility to admit past failures. I have been a church consultant for many years with a doctoral minor in Organizational Development. I also consult/coach business leaders.
My son is an international consultant and we were discussing the major issues we see in organizations with a Christian focus or strictly bottom line financial focus. I asked Timothy this question: “After five years of consulting around the USA and England what do you see as the top five problems?”
Tim replied, “I can sum it up in one sentence. ‘Nobody wants to give or receive feedback or accountability.’ This means that problems are not raised and failures are not fixed so the same problems go on and on for generations.”
As a Church Doctor I, like timothy, also see so much “Co-Dependency” and “People Pleasing” among leaders or the opposite, harshness, that no one actually grows as a follower or as a leader. I think this is the main reason so much of church life is talk not walk and the primary source of honor comes from theory/theology not practice. This is also true in professional counseling, management, politics, etc. What we say is more important than what we do. This is why many of us are bold as lions when we talk but meek as little lambs or mean as snakes in person.
At CHPC I had the responsibility of confronting several lay leaders whose Fruit of the Spirit in interpersonal skills were sub par but who were revered for their biblical knowledge. When I required them to take classes in listening, pastoral care, conflict management, etc they left us for greener pastures. I thankfully gave them the Rabbi’s Blessing from Fiddler on the Roof.
Man: “Rabbi, do you have a blessing for the Tsar?”
Rabbi” “Let’s see. Hmm. Oh, yes. May the Lord bless and keep-------the Tsar far, far away from Annetevka.”
If we fear losing a person because of truth telling we shall lose our souls as leaders.
Shalom,
Gary Sweeten
Here is my response to Bob.
Thanks for your personal insights and the humility to admit past failures. I have been a church consultant for many years with a doctoral minor in Organizational Development. I also consult/coach business leaders.
My son is an international consultant and we were discussing the major issues we see in organizations with a Christian focus or strictly bottom line financial focus. I asked Timothy this question: “After five years of consulting around the USA and England what do you see as the top five problems?”
Tim replied, “I can sum it up in one sentence. ‘Nobody wants to give or receive feedback or accountability.’ This means that problems are not raised and failures are not fixed so the same problems go on and on for generations.”
As a Church Doctor I, like timothy, also see so much “Co-Dependency” and “People Pleasing” among leaders or the opposite, harshness, that no one actually grows as a follower or as a leader. I think this is the main reason so much of church life is talk not walk and the primary source of honor comes from theory/theology not practice. This is also true in professional counseling, management, politics, etc. What we say is more important than what we do. This is why many of us are bold as lions when we talk but meek as little lambs or mean as snakes in person.
At CHPC I had the responsibility of confronting several lay leaders whose Fruit of the Spirit in interpersonal skills were sub par but who were revered for their biblical knowledge. When I required them to take classes in listening, pastoral care, conflict management, etc they left us for greener pastures. I thankfully gave them the Rabbi’s Blessing from Fiddler on the Roof.
Man: “Rabbi, do you have a blessing for the Tsar?”
Rabbi” “Let’s see. Hmm. Oh, yes. May the Lord bless and keep-------the Tsar far, far away from Annetevka.”
If we fear losing a person because of truth telling we shall lose our souls as leaders.
Shalom,
Gary Sweeten
Tuesday, March 06, 2007
What is Going On?
I received a short note from Galina. It was just a few words and she was very sad. After reading it I am also sad and mad as well. It is a helpless feeling really and has turned into anger that has new expectation that we can actually get something done. So, hang on. I might need you help.
For the second time in a row Galina Chentsova, M.D., PH.D. Psychiatrist and well known therapist and educator from Moscow was rejected for a Tourist Visa by the United States Embassy. Galina was a bit more upbeat than last year just because the person with whom she spoke was not a nasty as the one who rejected her last year for, "Being too close to Americans" and "having too much religious activity."
Has the United States under the leadership of George Bush turned things into such a Topsy Turvey situation that millions of the illiterate and unemployed can walk across the border illegally but a well educated, well employed, sponsored legal alien cannot get in? The answer seems to be a resounding, "YES!" Should we just have her fly to Mexico and then walk across the border?
Of course we shall not do that but the INS seems to have gone completely crazy. Pray for me as I contact my Congress Woman in Washington, D.C. How can we in America prosper when we keep out the best and the brightest?
This does not kill our desire to support her work in Russia but it keeps us from hearing from her and developing better ways to support Christians in Russia. We will keep trying.
For the second time in a row Galina Chentsova, M.D., PH.D. Psychiatrist and well known therapist and educator from Moscow was rejected for a Tourist Visa by the United States Embassy. Galina was a bit more upbeat than last year just because the person with whom she spoke was not a nasty as the one who rejected her last year for, "Being too close to Americans" and "having too much religious activity."
Has the United States under the leadership of George Bush turned things into such a Topsy Turvey situation that millions of the illiterate and unemployed can walk across the border illegally but a well educated, well employed, sponsored legal alien cannot get in? The answer seems to be a resounding, "YES!" Should we just have her fly to Mexico and then walk across the border?
Of course we shall not do that but the INS seems to have gone completely crazy. Pray for me as I contact my Congress Woman in Washington, D.C. How can we in America prosper when we keep out the best and the brightest?
This does not kill our desire to support her work in Russia but it keeps us from hearing from her and developing better ways to support Christians in Russia. We will keep trying.
Saturday, March 03, 2007
Healthy Growing Churches
I am the church; you are the church; we are the church together.
I am the church; you are the church; we are the church forever.
I am the church; you are the church; we are the church when we're gathered.
I am the church; you are the church. we are the church when we're scattered.
The other day I heard a Minister respond to a question about the location of his church in the following manner. "My church is wherever my people are at any time of the day or night."
I don't read much from scholars and theologians that convinces me that they know much about the real Christian life or the real life of a church. What I read sounds so sterile and neat. They envision nice Christian people living perfectly straight lives because they have their Bible knowledge all squared away and their theology untainted by works or New Age Mysticism.
That certainly is not the Christianity that I see on a daily basis. The Christianity that I interact with is pretty messy. It is a mess that only Jesus can get straightened out. People are facing problems, pains and possibilities large and small. People get sick, fall down the stairs and some even die as a result like one of the members of Fellowship Church did this week.
We had planned to have the second of our series in training folks to be healthier and develop healthier churches and Gary Stringer's congregation was a strong central force in our strategy. But the plan went awry when one of their senior pillars and a beloved friend fell and was killed. The event went on but we all missed Gary's people and were a bit in grief and shock that they could not make it. They were too busy already showing the love, mercy and grace of God to their people.
Local congregations do a lot of good. People are loved and many come to eternal life in Jesus. But even if they do not confess and repent the church is there with kindness, food, money, nurture and support with no strings attached.
One scholar suggests that local churches provide over 1/2 of all the social glue that holds our republic together. Just imagine that! We so often think that our poor, struggling little congregations are pretty weak in those areas. However, researchers in Sociology suggest that if they suddenly withdrew the daily efforts of care and kindness the fabric of our nation would cease to hold us together.
I wish the theologians would show as much concern about the real engine of spiritual health, the local church, as they seem to show over the Discovery Channel's hostile and dramatic program about the bogus tomb of Jesus. Over 90% of all persons who come to faith in Christ do so as a result of family and friends. The local congregation's health is much more important to the future of the church than The Discovery Channel.
I am reading a book by Nobel Prize recipient , Mohamed Yunas who stopped writing and teaching advanced theories about economics because they were unrelated to the real life of starving farmers and exhausted women. He left his lofty office on a hill overlooking the fields and farms of the people to actually be with those people.
He got his hands and feet dirty and discovered exactly what it took to make specific and practical changes that stopped famine and opened up doors for the desperately poor. He started a Bank just for the poor and began giving Micro Loans to them.
Until we release all the church members to know and do the work of the church in the power of the Holy Spirit we will face cycles of spiritual famine in the land. Until every member of the church knows himself/herself and how to minister in love, truth and grace the church will be running on one or two cylinders.
Even now Christians are have a tremendous impact on the world but we could triple and quadruple that impact with just a few practical lessons in ministry skills. I think the Lord is saying, "Let my people GROW and GO!"
I am the church; you are the church; we are the church forever.
I am the church; you are the church; we are the church when we're gathered.
I am the church; you are the church. we are the church when we're scattered.
The other day I heard a Minister respond to a question about the location of his church in the following manner. "My church is wherever my people are at any time of the day or night."
I don't read much from scholars and theologians that convinces me that they know much about the real Christian life or the real life of a church. What I read sounds so sterile and neat. They envision nice Christian people living perfectly straight lives because they have their Bible knowledge all squared away and their theology untainted by works or New Age Mysticism.
That certainly is not the Christianity that I see on a daily basis. The Christianity that I interact with is pretty messy. It is a mess that only Jesus can get straightened out. People are facing problems, pains and possibilities large and small. People get sick, fall down the stairs and some even die as a result like one of the members of Fellowship Church did this week.
We had planned to have the second of our series in training folks to be healthier and develop healthier churches and Gary Stringer's congregation was a strong central force in our strategy. But the plan went awry when one of their senior pillars and a beloved friend fell and was killed. The event went on but we all missed Gary's people and were a bit in grief and shock that they could not make it. They were too busy already showing the love, mercy and grace of God to their people.
Local congregations do a lot of good. People are loved and many come to eternal life in Jesus. But even if they do not confess and repent the church is there with kindness, food, money, nurture and support with no strings attached.
One scholar suggests that local churches provide over 1/2 of all the social glue that holds our republic together. Just imagine that! We so often think that our poor, struggling little congregations are pretty weak in those areas. However, researchers in Sociology suggest that if they suddenly withdrew the daily efforts of care and kindness the fabric of our nation would cease to hold us together.
I wish the theologians would show as much concern about the real engine of spiritual health, the local church, as they seem to show over the Discovery Channel's hostile and dramatic program about the bogus tomb of Jesus. Over 90% of all persons who come to faith in Christ do so as a result of family and friends. The local congregation's health is much more important to the future of the church than The Discovery Channel.
I am reading a book by Nobel Prize recipient , Mohamed Yunas who stopped writing and teaching advanced theories about economics because they were unrelated to the real life of starving farmers and exhausted women. He left his lofty office on a hill overlooking the fields and farms of the people to actually be with those people.
He got his hands and feet dirty and discovered exactly what it took to make specific and practical changes that stopped famine and opened up doors for the desperately poor. He started a Bank just for the poor and began giving Micro Loans to them.
Until we release all the church members to know and do the work of the church in the power of the Holy Spirit we will face cycles of spiritual famine in the land. Until every member of the church knows himself/herself and how to minister in love, truth and grace the church will be running on one or two cylinders.
Even now Christians are have a tremendous impact on the world but we could triple and quadruple that impact with just a few practical lessons in ministry skills. I think the Lord is saying, "Let my people GROW and GO!"
Friday, March 02, 2007
You Want to be Healthy and Happy?
I was reviewing research on religion and health early this morning and a couple of patterns emerged. If you want to be healthy and happy just do a couple of things. It is not money or sex that counts but marriage and faith. In fact, marriage and faith are positively correlated with good sex and more money so it is the reverse of what we so often hear from Hollywood.
Wealth is not guaranteed if we go to church but incomes, savings and all that accompany them are much more likely when we take our kids to church not send them. This is especially true for folks from lower Socio-economic backgrounds who are much more financially assisted by faith than the rich.
Not only is going to church make going to heaven more likely it also makes going from better homes, to better restaurants in better cars more likely. Friendships are better, sex is better and healthy bodies are better so what is there to lose? (Maybe being my own god or goddess.)
Just look at the pitifully inept Hollywood crowd for lessons in what not to do. Marry rarely or often, sex with many and anonymously and wealth beyond all need to see what misery looks like. Obviously that kind of sex is bad, the money is worthless and addictive substances rampant. When we try to replace God with things and acts of passion nobody is satisfied.
However, when we choose God we choose life abundant. God said, "I have set before you death or life. Choose life!"
- Get married to one person and stay married and stay active in your marriage and you will be healthier, wealthier and wiser.
- Go to church and stay active in the church and you will be healthier, wealthier and wiser.
Wealth is not guaranteed if we go to church but incomes, savings and all that accompany them are much more likely when we take our kids to church not send them. This is especially true for folks from lower Socio-economic backgrounds who are much more financially assisted by faith than the rich.
Not only is going to church make going to heaven more likely it also makes going from better homes, to better restaurants in better cars more likely. Friendships are better, sex is better and healthy bodies are better so what is there to lose? (Maybe being my own god or goddess.)
Just look at the pitifully inept Hollywood crowd for lessons in what not to do. Marry rarely or often, sex with many and anonymously and wealth beyond all need to see what misery looks like. Obviously that kind of sex is bad, the money is worthless and addictive substances rampant. When we try to replace God with things and acts of passion nobody is satisfied.
However, when we choose God we choose life abundant. God said, "I have set before you death or life. Choose life!"
Thursday, March 01, 2007
New Family Class at the Vineyard
Those of you from Greater Cincinnati who read my blog are invited with your friends and family members to attend a four week class I will be doing at the Vineyard Community Church in Springdale, Tri-County. When we set up the Life Way In Patient Psychiatric/Addictions Program at Emerson North Hospital in 1989 and I designed it to have a number of unique aspects. One of the most unique aspects was its emphasis on healing the whole family.
First, we taught the Patients how to minister to themselves and others. Why would we do such a thing, especially when it was rarely if ever done before. I designed it that way because I had both research and experience on my side. Research shows us that classes in Listening, Conflict Management, Renewed Thinking and Family Healing are more life producing than individual or group therapy.
Second, I had been teaching these classes at College Hill Presbyterian Church for 14 years and I saw first hand how they helped individuals and families grow in faith, hope and love. The very best thing we did at CHPC was "Equip the people to minister to each other." EPH 4:11 ff
Third, I knew that the people who had the most influence on hospitalized patients are the other patients. Next are the nurses and third are the counselors. Dead last are the physicians. If patients are influential we need to make sure their influence is POSITIVE not negative.
The rest was a slam dunk. All we needed to do was design a daily program that released the talents and gifts and prayers of everyone, doctors, counselors, nurses and patients. We also developed a unique program to involve the patent's extended family members.
Three times each week we told the patients to invite anyone they considered to be a friend, family member, pastor, good neighbor, small group member or priest to attend the Family Healing Groups. We had a ball for the entire family learned what it meant to be healthy and act healthy. We taught about family life that was functional and that which was dysfunctional. We role played, laughed,cried, did genograms, family maps and family dramas.
This time I have stories from Scandinavia, Russia, Singapore, Taiwan, Hong Kong, etc. You will learn how the Communist Revolution left so many families devastated but how God is setting them free. And, you will understand how to apply these lessons to your own life and "BE FREE IN YOUR FAMILY TREE"
On the four Wednesday nights in March I will do a similar thing at the Vineyard. Come if you want to be free from your generational dysfunctional family tree. The class is in the gymnasium from 7:00-8:30 but it will cost you no money but lots of dysfunctional behavior. You have nothing to lose but your chains! (Call the Vineyard for more information)
Would you like to learn to do family dynamics maps of your family tree?
Are you aware how your past affects the present and future?
Are you ready to learn how to leave your family system and still honor them?
Do you wish you knew how to love your family without spoiling them and discipline them without being harsh?
Do you see how your grandparents are influencing your relationships?
Would you like to be more effective in ministry?
Do you want to be set free from past generational issues?
How would it feel to have less stress and more peace?
Join in to have fun, be challenged and learn among others who are as confused as you.
Come early because the seats will go fast and you will want a front row view
First, we taught the Patients how to minister to themselves and others. Why would we do such a thing, especially when it was rarely if ever done before. I designed it that way because I had both research and experience on my side. Research shows us that classes in Listening, Conflict Management, Renewed Thinking and Family Healing are more life producing than individual or group therapy.
Second, I had been teaching these classes at College Hill Presbyterian Church for 14 years and I saw first hand how they helped individuals and families grow in faith, hope and love. The very best thing we did at CHPC was "Equip the people to minister to each other." EPH 4:11 ff
Third, I knew that the people who had the most influence on hospitalized patients are the other patients. Next are the nurses and third are the counselors. Dead last are the physicians. If patients are influential we need to make sure their influence is POSITIVE not negative.
The rest was a slam dunk. All we needed to do was design a daily program that released the talents and gifts and prayers of everyone, doctors, counselors, nurses and patients. We also developed a unique program to involve the patent's extended family members.
Three times each week we told the patients to invite anyone they considered to be a friend, family member, pastor, good neighbor, small group member or priest to attend the Family Healing Groups. We had a ball for the entire family learned what it meant to be healthy and act healthy. We taught about family life that was functional and that which was dysfunctional. We role played, laughed,cried, did genograms, family maps and family dramas.
This time I have stories from Scandinavia, Russia, Singapore, Taiwan, Hong Kong, etc. You will learn how the Communist Revolution left so many families devastated but how God is setting them free. And, you will understand how to apply these lessons to your own life and "BE FREE IN YOUR FAMILY TREE"
On the four Wednesday nights in March I will do a similar thing at the Vineyard. Come if you want to be free from your generational dysfunctional family tree. The class is in the gymnasium from 7:00-8:30 but it will cost you no money but lots of dysfunctional behavior. You have nothing to lose but your chains! (Call the Vineyard for more information)
Would you like to learn to do family dynamics maps of your family tree?
Are you aware how your past affects the present and future?
Are you ready to learn how to leave your family system and still honor them?
Do you wish you knew how to love your family without spoiling them and discipline them without being harsh?
Do you see how your grandparents are influencing your relationships?
Would you like to be more effective in ministry?
Do you want to be set free from past generational issues?
How would it feel to have less stress and more peace?
Join in to have fun, be challenged and learn among others who are as confused as you.
Come early because the seats will go fast and you will want a front row view
Serve Creation
I strongly believe in serving creation. First, because the Lord God created it and us and He commanded us to care for the things He made.
Second, I have had the displeasure of being in places where filth, pollution and chaos reigned and I found those places hostile to both life and pleasure.
I have been to many farms and know that horses, cattle and pigs leave piles and piles of garbage behind them. Actually, automobiles are much cleaner than horses and buggies for flies, varmints and vermin pollute anyplace where there are animals. It is a false myth that nature is naturally clean and free of diseases. Ever since Genesis 3 we have known that "Thorns and thistles infest the ground" and that included microbes and disease causing bacteria.
Third, it is wise to plant trees and other greens because they provide beauty and shade as well as oxygen. I do love green spaces and green places.
However, I resist so many of the hyper anxious and hyper hysterical claims of the Greenies who swear that the earth will dry up in a few years if we do not stop using energy. Far too often the prophets of eco-disasters are using their claims to sell books, films and garner fame and fortune. It has recently come to light that former Vice President Al Gore, who won the Oscar for his film An Inconvenient Truth about a looming eco-disaster, is making millions from selling stocks in a company he founded that deals exclusively in alternative fuels.
It is an inconvenient truth that Mr. Gore's eco-friendly hype and the Oscar he won for it have been a big conflict of interest. Take a look at the following article from the Wall Street Journal.
Tennessee blogger Bill Hobbs picks up the story of Al Gore's voracious household energy use, which we noted Tuesday:
The Tennessean reported that Gore buys "carbon offsets" to compensate for his home's use of energy from carbon-based fuels. As Wikipedia explains, a carbon offset "is a service that tries to reduce the net carbon emissions of individuals or organizations indirectly, through proxies who reduce their emissions and/or increase their absorption of greenhouse gases." . . .
But how Gore buys his "carbon offsets," as revealed by The Tennessean raises serious questions. According to the newspaper's report, Gore buys his carbon offsets through
Generation Investment Management:
Gore helped found Generation Investment Management, through which he and others pay for offsets. The firm invests the money in solar, wind and other projects that reduce energy consumption around the globe . . .
Gore is chairman of the firm and, presumably, draws an income or will make money as its investments prosper. In other words, he "buys" his "carbon offsets" from himself, through a transaction designed to boost his own investments and return a profit to himself. To be blunt, Gore doesn't buy "carbon offsets" through Generation Investment Management--he buys stocks.
Meanwhile, Gore runs around the country and the world trumpeting "climate crisis" and blaming man's use of carbon-based energy--burning thousands of gallons of jet fuel as he goes. His efforts have served to put climate change at the top of the national and even global agenda, driving up the value of the stocks and companies viewed as "green" or environmentally friendly. Companies like those his investment management firm invest his own and other peoples' [sic] money in. (You can see a list of Generation Investment Management's holdings here, courtesy of the U.S. Securities & Exchange Commission.)
As the Church Lady says, "How Convenient!" I do not know the heart of Al Gore nor can I read whether his fervor for "carbon offsets" are real or not. However, since the campaign is so closely linked to hie for profit company it appears that the two are connected.
Second, I have had the displeasure of being in places where filth, pollution and chaos reigned and I found those places hostile to both life and pleasure.
I have been to many farms and know that horses, cattle and pigs leave piles and piles of garbage behind them. Actually, automobiles are much cleaner than horses and buggies for flies, varmints and vermin pollute anyplace where there are animals. It is a false myth that nature is naturally clean and free of diseases. Ever since Genesis 3 we have known that "Thorns and thistles infest the ground" and that included microbes and disease causing bacteria.
Third, it is wise to plant trees and other greens because they provide beauty and shade as well as oxygen. I do love green spaces and green places.
However, I resist so many of the hyper anxious and hyper hysterical claims of the Greenies who swear that the earth will dry up in a few years if we do not stop using energy. Far too often the prophets of eco-disasters are using their claims to sell books, films and garner fame and fortune. It has recently come to light that former Vice President Al Gore, who won the Oscar for his film An Inconvenient Truth about a looming eco-disaster, is making millions from selling stocks in a company he founded that deals exclusively in alternative fuels.
It is an inconvenient truth that Mr. Gore's eco-friendly hype and the Oscar he won for it have been a big conflict of interest. Take a look at the following article from the Wall Street Journal.
Tennessee blogger Bill Hobbs picks up the story of Al Gore's voracious household energy use, which we noted Tuesday:
The Tennessean reported that Gore buys "carbon offsets" to compensate for his home's use of energy from carbon-based fuels. As Wikipedia explains, a carbon offset "is a service that tries to reduce the net carbon emissions of individuals or organizations indirectly, through proxies who reduce their emissions and/or increase their absorption of greenhouse gases." . . .
But how Gore buys his "carbon offsets," as revealed by The Tennessean raises serious questions. According to the newspaper's report, Gore buys his carbon offsets through
Generation Investment Management:
Gore helped found Generation Investment Management, through which he and others pay for offsets. The firm invests the money in solar, wind and other projects that reduce energy consumption around the globe . . .
Gore is chairman of the firm and, presumably, draws an income or will make money as its investments prosper. In other words, he "buys" his "carbon offsets" from himself, through a transaction designed to boost his own investments and return a profit to himself. To be blunt, Gore doesn't buy "carbon offsets" through Generation Investment Management--he buys stocks.
Meanwhile, Gore runs around the country and the world trumpeting "climate crisis" and blaming man's use of carbon-based energy--burning thousands of gallons of jet fuel as he goes. His efforts have served to put climate change at the top of the national and even global agenda, driving up the value of the stocks and companies viewed as "green" or environmentally friendly. Companies like those his investment management firm invest his own and other peoples' [sic] money in. (You can see a list of Generation Investment Management's holdings here, courtesy of the U.S. Securities & Exchange Commission.)
As the Church Lady says, "How Convenient!" I do not know the heart of Al Gore nor can I read whether his fervor for "carbon offsets" are real or not. However, since the campaign is so closely linked to hie for profit company it appears that the two are connected.
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