Contributed commentary by the Rev. Dr. Gregory Glover, pastor of First Presbyterian Church, as part of the essay series “The Road to 250: Community Spirit in Action,” celebrating the history of unity in Clarksville ahead of America’s 250th anniversary.
These values included an emphasis on education (literacy for the purpose of reading the Bible), ethics (based on the Ten Commandments), civics (laying aside religious differences for the common good), history (as the context for Providence), hard work and economic prosperity (as signs of obedience and blessing), freedom and the liberation of the oppressed, and simple gratitude (with days of remembrance and thanksgiving).
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These values have consistently shaped our community for the better. From the 1780s – when churches appear for the first time in our local historical records – these values have created strong schools, civic pride and broad community support for food kitchens and the other indispensable charitable ministries that provide aid to those members of our community who live in poverty or on the edge.
Churches were not and are not perfect. As human institutions they have sometimes (often?) failed. For too long, white churches defended the enslavement of Black siblings; still today the racial segregation of our churches is a blot in need of removal. Nevertheless, much that we love and value about our community is the direct result of our investment in strong churches.
During the first quarter of the 21st century, public support for religious institutions has waned, not just in our local community but across America. It remains to be seen what effect this will have on our civil and religious values, especially our love of liberty and freedom.
Our semiquincentennial invites us to give thanks for those blessings of liberty to which we are sometimes oblivious and to reflect with our churches on how Providence would have us respond to the tired, the poor, and the huddled masses of our own day, who yearn to be free. Let us hope that the strong values historically embodied by our churches will remain our guiding light for the next 250 years.
The Rev. Dr. Gregory Glover
ROAD TO 250 SERIES:
- Celebration of nation’s 250th kicked off with visit from John Adams, Mercy Otis Warren | PHOTOS
- Sons of American Revolution stands behind creation of strong, unified country | COMMENTARY
- Daughters of American Revolution keeps spirit of independence alive | COMMENTARY
- Clarksville’s NAACP voice of conscience in an American community | COMMENTARY
- The Austin Peay belt: Generations across region part of APSU family | COMMENTARY
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