J.R. Briggs

Why I called Terry Jones [and why I blame Shane Claiborne for doing it]

September 16, 2010

• Tweet

Today I did something I never thought in a million years I would actually do: I called Rev. Terry Jones in Florida.

Yeah, that Terry Jones. The mustachioed pastor who threatened to burn the Q’uran and caused the international media storm that ended (thankfully) without him actually burning the books.

And I blame Shane Claiborne for making me do it.

Last week, Shane wrote an article on the topic of applauding humility. It’s stuck with me the past several days. He wrote specifically about Terry Jones’ decision to back off from his original intent to burn the books. Here’s an excerpt from his article:

Humility is not easy. After all it shares the same root as “humiliation”. But the humility that allows us to say we are sorry and to change our mind or our actions is central to the Christian faith. The word “repentance” which has been badly abused and distorted means to “re-think” how we think and act (even in Spanish “pensar” means “to think”). It is about re-thinking what we know or what we do. Something healing happens when we say “sorry” or acknowledge wrongs and ask for forgiveness.

But none of us ever want to be wrong or to say we are sorry. And certainly pastors and politicians never admit their mistakes unless they get caught on tape. For this reason, just as the world was outraged when we heard of the decision of Terry Jones to burn the Quran, it is also worth celebrating his decision not to burn it.

After reading Shane’s words and thinking about it the past several days, I thought I’d pick up the phone – just like Shane did – and actually call Terry Jones. I wouldn’t have much to say – other than to thank him for his decision to back off and celebrate his humility and willingness to rethink the whole ordeal. Although I disagree with him and (like most of the world) breathed a collective sigh of relief upon hearing that he backed off from Saturday evening’s planned activities. Despite the sharp disagreements (even with how he has handled the events since Saturday) I still felt the need to call because, as Shane wrote, sometimes humility just needs to be acknowledged and appreciated.

I was a bit nervous when the phone began to ring. A woman greeted me kindly. My mind and heart were full of so many things in those first few seconds.

When I asked to speak to Terry Jones, said he was “unavailable at the moment” (no surprise there) but told me she would be glad to take a message.

“Hi, uh, my name is J.R. Briggs and, um, I’m a pastor in the Philadelphia area and just wanted to say thanks for the way that Terry Jones and your church backed away from the decision on Saturday.” I went on to share that when humility is displayed (especially in Christian leaders) it is the best way to lead, especially in the name of God. I shared how at times when I’ve admitted my mistakes and backed away from wrong decisions and confessed them to others that (most of the time) it’s been met with grace and forgiveness. “And so,” I said, “I just wanted Terry to know that I appreciate the act of humility.”

I asked if she would pass this message on to Terry Jones from a pastor in Philadelphia.

She obliged.

After I finished saying thank you, I was thinking the conversation was over. I anticipated a quick “thank you. I’ll make sure to pass that along to him. Goodbye.” But instead, the receptionist began sharing with me how this whole ordeal had been a unique experience. She shared for about ten minutes and then said, “Oh, I’m sorry… I didn’t mean to keep talking. It’s just that very few have asked about this with any sort of compassion or empathy.”

I asked her if there were many others who called after the Q’uran burning was called off. She said yes, but most of those who called were people angry that they did not end up burning the Q’uran and were upset that the church caved. But she said that there were very few people calling to say thanks. She told me she personally appreciated the call.

How often I criticize people when they make unwise decisions and then remain silent when they choose to rethink, confess and show humility.

Because people who publicly show humility just need to be acknowledged, thanked and celebrated from time to time.

Thank you, Terry.

And thank you, Shane.

Posted in: Uncategorized