What do you think about when you speak life and study death no more?
This is the question that sent Gary Gunderson on a journey toward life. In 2004 Gary shared the platform at an academic meeting on disparities held in Milwaukee with David Williams, a preeminent sociologist. Williams described the evils of racial disparities so completely that Gary found himself and the room had become filled with an atmosphere of death. Having been struck by the, "glacial weight of racism across the generations," Gary realized that if death defines our efforts, then it will win every time. He junked his speech and started out his journey into life by approaching the podium that evening humming a spiritual toon, 'I'm not going to study death no more…"
Once our imagination turns from death it becomes aparent that death isn't the only thing going on out there. The Leading Causes of Life focuses in on five powerful concepts, namely: connection, coherence, agency, blessing and hope. To write the book, Gary partnered with Larry Pray, a widely traveled speaker who tested out the concepts he and Gary were writing about by taking drafts out to community members in places like Big Timber, Montana. Larry felt strongly that their work would only be accurate and useful if it rang true to people who surrounded themselves with life, wilderness, challenges, and the miracles that come with them.
The Leading Causes of Life Assessment was born out of the book project, as a way for people to start thinking and talking about life. It is designed to illuminate your relationship with the themes of connection, coherence, agency, blessing and hope as the beginning of a conversation among friends, colleagues, congregations.
Webinar Series: Leading Causes of Life Based on the recent book by Gary Gunderson and Larry Pray, Leading Causes of Life, a series of free Webinars is being offered by Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare to equip viewers with a language for life - five ways to identify life in ourselves and our communities. The Webinars will premier on April 24, 2007. The five leading causes apply to everyone, particularly caregivers and those working in churches and hospitals. If you have ever cared for others; looked for meaning; stepped out in faith; found hope when life looked hopeless; or been changed by a blessing, you will appreciate this Webinar. Click here to learn more or to view the webinars!
