Style and Substance

Here's a post from Chuck:

A review of author Doug Hicks’ lectures about his recent books, “Money Enough” and “With God on All Sides”.

Doug Hicks’ presented three separate talks in two days on March 21 and 22. What impressed his audiences was not only the content of his chosen subjects but the way he “handled” those topics.

On Sunday, speaking at Bath Church, he addressed the hot issue of our personal and collective priorities when it comes to our resources, including money. Those who expected an “in your face” lecture on how wasteful and misdirected we are both publicly and personally, were surprised at how the truth can be told without rancor.

Those of us who had already read his “Money Enough” knew that Doug’s views on the economy, environment, and our spiritual well being ring true and are challenging. Listeners to the author talk about these lively subjects could hardly believe it could also be, of all things, entertaining.

Doug is no Ralph Nader in the pulpit. Sarcasm is not his style. I call it, “Indianapolis Culture.” Hicks is from that part of the country where people are taught to be civil even when dealing with emotion laden matters.

The ability to hit the mark without jabbing a finger in your face is a rare gift today. To audiences used to brash “coastal culture (New York City)” delivery from the lectern it is refreshing to see how effective a Midwestern, low key style can be.

How to be self effacing and actually funny while dealing with hard facts and harsh reality is a rare gift. This talent was again revealed with an entirely different audience at the University of Akron. Hicks spoke on the need for interaction and linkages between faith traditions and cultures to over 60 scholars students and individuals with strong religious and non-religious convictions. Once again, he won converts to his broad views of going beyond tolerance to understanding between diverse adherents. His delivery was winsome even to devout secularists in the room who probably would just as soon permanently dismiss all mention of religion.

And then in the evening of the same day, another unique assembly, this time with over 120 representatives of almost every faith group in NE Ohio gathered to hear Dr Hicks. His examples for overcoming the clashing of devout and diverse religious adherents were delivered with grace and wit.

The one staple challenge included in each of his talks was the request that if anyone had to leave in the midst of his speech, “Please do not depart quietly. Just yell out, This is RIDICULOUS, as you leave.”

I suspect that such a scene intentionally provided a well planned contrast to Hicks’ laid back, Indianapolis style.

Douglas Hicks is Professor of Leadership Studies and Religion at the University of Richmond Virginia an ordained Presbyterian minister and an author of several books on ethics and pluralism.