Dear Mayor-elect Greg Ballard,
Congratulations on your recent victory. Your achievement has shown that we can accomplish anything when we have faith in God and faith in ourselves, even when others don’t.
I bet it’s nice to be able to laugh at all the folks who wrote you off as recently as just a few weeks ago. However, don’t let your head swell too much with pride, because that is indeed a sin (just joking).
Given that you received no help from big money interests and party insiders you have plenty of debt-free political capital, and I hope you spend it wisely. I’m just a humble messenger and recorder of the news, but I’d like to submit a quick wish list on behalf of our faith community:
Wish 4 – Become a partner with our faith leaders.
Our outgoing mayor, Bart Peterson, realized the importance of establishing a working relationship with the city’s faith leaders. Not because the mayor owes them a favor like the godfather, but because consulting them can help make the job more manageable.
After all, most pastors, imams, rabbis and directors of faith-based organizations are very close to the people and are in tune with problems in their neighborhoods. Inviting them to monthly or bi-weekly discussions is one of the most efficient ways to develop and coordinate solutions, and stay current with what’s really going on in the city.
Citing concerns about the traditional separation of church and state, some officials are hesitant to have active engagement with faith leaders. However, there are numerous ways to develop partnerships without crossing that line, and supporting community service projects or joining ministers in their marches and rallies against violence are just a couple of ideas. Hopefully you will incorporate the wisdom and insight of our faith leaders as you charter a new course for this city.
Wish 3 – Visit our churches, mosques, synagogues and temples during a time besides election season.
People of faith are delighted when government officials visit our houses of worship. However, please remember that we weren’t born yesterday and most of us have our eyes open to how the political game is played. So if our pastor, imam or rabbi has had no contact with you and you suddenly drop by our place during a campaign, it will be plainly obvious that you’re canvassing for votes, not trying to build a community service relationship.
If your administration is serious about tackling the serious challenges facing our city then year-round engagement with faith-based institutions is highly recommended. I encourage you to pick at least one church to visit each month, during a service or one of their neighborhood outreach events.
Wish 2 – Strengthen the Office of Faith Based Institutions
Over the last several years government at the federal, state and local levels have established offices to coordinate communication between elected officials and faith-based institutions.
These offices have been run mostly by capable individuals who mean well, but they still haven’t met their full potential. Locally, the office of the mayor’s Faith-Based Coordinator (FBC) is not as well known as other departments such as Indy Parks, Public Safety or Public Works, which is a shame in a city where there’s a church on virtually every block.
The FBC office needs to become more visible with a strong media campaign that informs citizens about what it does and intends to accomplish. Faith-based institutions should be informed frequently about grants and other assistance they can receive for projects that help the homeless, youth, victims of domestic violence, drug addicts and ex-convicts trying to become productive citizens.
The director should create a complete directory of local faith organizations so that the mayor can not only stay in contact with them, but also immediately refer individuals in need to them.
Wish 1 – Never turn your back on God
During the election you said virtually nothing about whether you have a particular faith, which is OK since it’s none of our business. However, I hope you keep God first because he allowed you to be in such an awesome position to serve our city.
Some of the wisest and most successful leaders in history have been men and women who aren’t too proud to get on their knees and ask the Lord for guidance.
Please forward this information with City-County Council President Bob Cockrum and the new leadership of the council, they can benefit from it as well.
Thanks, good luck and say hi to Winnie and the kids for me.
In God’s service,
Brandon A. Perry
