Take a Deep Breath

Family North Carolina Magazine—July/August 2007

By Traci Griggs

Who among us can’t quickly recall that feeling: heart pounding, stomach churning, perhaps a surprising catch in the voice? It’s the feeling that many of us have when we get ready to do something new, and perhaps, a little scary. Some of the best advice ever given in this situation is simple enough: Take a deep breath and carry on. Every step taken in this manner builds a strength and courage that enables us to take larger steps. And as we take these risks, others are strengthened as well. Evangelist Billy Graham once said, “Courage is contagious. When a brave man takes a stand, the spines of others are stiffened.”

So it is for those who have taken a deep breath and stepped out of their comfort zones to try to affect change on issues that matter to them. We hope that by recounting the stories of several of the individuals who have taken a stand during the 2007 session of the General Assembly, you will find your “spine stiffened” and you will catch the courage to take a stand on policies that are important to you.

CINDY’S STORY
Cindy is an abstinence presenter. She spends most school days trying to correct all the misconceptions that middle school and high school students have about sex and saving sex for marriage. So when House Bill 879—Modify School Health Education Program, was brought up in a House committee, Cindy was ready to act. This bill would substitute the teaching of abstinence until marriage in North Carolina public schools with contraceptive-based comprehensive sexuality education.

“I visited Representatives in their offices, contacted them via email and phone and requested an opportunity to offer testimony against the bill. I attended every meeting where it looked like the bill was coming up for a vote and prepared a message defending the abstinence message. I devoted a tremendous amount of time, effort and prayer into trying to defeat this bill.”

After visiting a few representatives in their legislative offices one afternoon, Cindy was amazed that she clearly had an impact on the lawmakers with whom she spoke. “I collaborated with our colleagues at NC Family Policy Council and they were receptive to explaining each step of the process. I have never done anything like this before and approached it with great reluctance. It surprised me how regular people such as myself can have a voice. The legislative building is not just for politicians and lobbyists. We as Christians need to be walking the halls, meeting our representatives and taking an active role whenever we see an issue that speaks to our heart and family.”

RON’S STORY
Dr. Ron Baity is senior pastor of Berean Baptist Church in Winston-Salem. One of the issues that strikes at his heart is the North Carolina State Marriage Amendment, which has languished in legislative committees for years. He decided that he wanted to make a statement to lawmakers about the magnitude of support that the amendment has across the state. “I worked for literally months motivating people to get involved in the North Carolina Marriage Amendment. In March of this year we had thousands to show up in Raleigh on behalf of the Marriage Amendment.”

Many observers say they have never seen more people on the mall outside the Legislative Building. “We are bringing together a ‘grass roots movement’ uniting churches together throughout our State to stand up for our Judeo-Christian Values.”

GREG’S STORY
Greg Barefoot is president for the Council on Christian Life and Public Affairs for the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina. He says it’s past time that North Carolina Baptists spoke up on policy issues. “We have a council now that has decided that we’re not just going to educate our churches on issues that we consider important—we’re not just going to educate them but we’re going be a voice for the Convention also.

We have 1.6 million members in the North Carolina Baptist State Convention and we feel like there should be a voice somewhere to speak out especially on immoral issues that are going on right now in our state.”

Greg, who also serves as senior pastor of Stony Point Baptist Church in Statesville, says he logs onto the General Assembly website (www.ncleg.net) every day that the legislature is in session. He does research on his local representatives so he can find out how to approach them on different issues. He writes letters and makes phone calls and, occasionally, asks the Council to take an official stand on an issue.

One concept that prompts quick agreement among all of these people, is that everyday individuals are not exempt from the policy-making process—in fact, they believe it is vital that good people work to influence public policy. Ron Baity puts it this way, “I often wonder what my children or grandchildren will experience because of the inactivity of this present generation. I approach those in leadership realizing that their voice and vote will effect the future of this country and especially my family. Therefore I want them to “get it right” pertaining to the issues facing our nation. That thought motivates me to be persistent in attempting to move them toward correct policy making.”

For more tips on communicating with your legislators and other policymakers, go to our website, http://ncfamily.org.

Traci Griggs is director of communications for the North Carolina Family Policy Council.

Copyright © 2007. North Carolina Family Policy Council. All rights reserved.