The Charlois Manifesto

It is a cool spring evening, the moon partially obscured by a light cloud cover. The windows at the church across the street emitting a kaleidoscope of colors as they glow from the light from within. Just an hour before I left these halls, completing my report to the committee. All that was left was for them to rubber stamp my continued role as pastor. One by one the cars left as the last of the members headed home. Now it is a waiting game for the call to arrive. I don’t know why I’m anxious, this shouldn’t be any different than the last four times we went through this process. This one seemed to go quite a bit longer than expected. Wait for the call. Everything is going to be fine. Pastor Yancy, this is Margie. I wanted to call and give our report to you. We have decided to ask for a change in Pastoral Leadership. I’m sorry, but the decision was unanimous. I’ll be sending the letter to the District Superintendent tomorrow. Have a good night. I didn’t know it then, but my life was about to change. ************************************************* September 1st, 2021, a little over six and a half tumultuous years since that fateful evening and I’m typing the manuscript for my first book. The first three years was a freefall through what Saint John of the Cross would call “A dark night of the soul.” It was a period of confusion and uncertainty, where everything I had believed came into question. The rebel within me, suppressed most of my life, came out with a vengeance. But that was not nearly as hard as what was to come. April 1st, 2018, began the journey through the Valley of the shadow of death. Six psychiatric hospitalizations, three medical hospitalizations, and homelessness, were all brought on by periods of psychosis, depression, and amnesia. Then finally, on November 12th of that year I was placed in Owingsville Manor, an assisted care facility in East Central Kentucky. The journey to wholeness began. Recovery is slow and mine has been no different. But everything was in place for that recovery to take place. With the Manor taking care of my basic life needs, my family Doctor handling my basic health care, and Pathways Counseling services caring for my psychiatric concerns, recovery was almost certain. The biggest aid in my recovery was the introspection that I began as part of my mental health therapy. Questions about my beliefs and values, discussion about who I wanted to be, and finally, where did I see it all heading? Part of the answer to that last question is in your hands. ************************************************** I was speaking with my Pastor/Mentor/Friend/accountability partner Gordon Jones last night and we spoke of my book. That is not entirely accurate because it is not my book. Rather it is a compendium of thoughts and ideas that has spanned millenia Robert M. Hutchins, editor of Encyclopaedia Britannica, wrote an essay titled, "The Great Conversation." In this essay he speaks of an ongoing dialog between the great thinkers of Western Civilization. It is in that vein that this book is being written. I in no way am comparing myself to the great thinkers of history but I am attempting to gather the thoughts and words of those who are great. As I piece these together, adding my own effete words, I hope to continue this "Great Conversation." The theme, is an attempt at formulating “a practical philosophy for living an abundant life.” It is by gathering these items that I wish to make my case. Thesis; there are principles that we live by and roles we fill, if done for the right purpose, the betterment of mankind, will lead to an abundant life for all. This idea is not new, mankind has been wrestling with this idea since the beginning of time. I believe we have a possible answer here and now as we examine the writings of the past and present. I am gaining so much by exploring this subject and it is my hope and prayer that others will benefit from it as well. I wish to thank all those who have made this book possible. Not only the great minds of history but also those who helped in other ways. Jamie Robinson, and Gordon Jones; my review team. It has been through their critique and suggestions that this is the quality I sought. My support team: Dinah Adamson, Tina Dorn, Tawnya Smith, Jamie Robinson, and Gordon Jones; they supported me for the whole of the journey. Terry Behymer, Jean Johnson, Dinah Adamson, and Gordon Jones; for contributing financially during the process. For technological support I need to recognize Reset Business Consulting and its founder, Maria Daniels. Then there are the countless others who have given encouraging words. No man works alone but is surrounded by an audience of well-wishers. Thank you one and all. ************************************************** This book is dedicated to all those persons that wish to improve themselves and through that growth attain the abundant riches the Kingdom of God offers. May this work aid you in your journey. INTRODUCTION “Two roads diverged in a yellow wood, …”. This opening line from Robert Frost’s poem “The Road Not Taken,” serves as an appropriate beginning to this manifesto because we too stand at the gateway of two divergent roads. There is one, the one the authors believe we are currently on, where we are making tremendous progress in a plethora of areas. It would be hard to say that this path is wrong or bad if by itself considered. However, there is a cost to such progress. How does progress for progress’s sake impact humanity? We are seeing a drifting away for people’s consideration of those around us, far and wide and especially up close and personal. The second path, the one which this manifesto hopes to instill in society is more about recapturing personal responsibility and community wholeness. Where putting others first for the sake of the greater community is foremost. The difference for us will be in the decision we too make; do we take the path travelled by most of society today? Or do we take the one less travelled?