Over the past month, I have struggled to understand the meaning of the Occupy Wall Street protests in NYC, Boston, and in other cities around the globe. Maybe I am dense ... but, it just seems like a group of people ... are protesting ... because they feel entitled to something they didn't work hard for. Then, I got to thinking ... WHY hasn't this thing settled down yet and just gone away? Could there be more to this grouping of people?

According their website ... Occupy Wall Street is leaderless resistance movement with people of many colors, genders and political persuasions. The one thing we all have in common is that We Are The 99% that will no longer tolerate the greed and corruption of the 1%. We are using the revolutionary Arab Spring tactic to achieve our ends and encourage the use of nonviolence to maximize the safety of all participants.

The claim that they are the 99% puts emphasis on the 1%. Why are they so mad at the 1%? Is it just corruption & greed? Or, is it more? What should we expect from the 1%?

What should we expect from our leader(s)? Below is a good list from The Nolan Principles tied to an advisory board in the UK called The Committee on Standard in Public Life. Catch that? Public Life. Aren't Pastors "public" too?

Consider this list below ...

• Selflessness – Holders of public office should act solely in terms of the public interest. They should not do so in order to gain financial or other benefits for themselves, their family or their friends.
• Integrity – Holders of public office should not place themselves under any financial or other obligation to outside individuals or organizations that might seek to influence them in the performance of their official duties.
• Objectivity – In carrying out public business, including making public appointments, awarding contracts, or recommending individuals for rewards and benefits, holders of public office should make choices on merit.
• Accountability – Holders of public office are accountable for their decisions and actions to the public and must submit themselves to whatever scrutiny is appropriate to their office.
• Openness – Holders of public office should be as open as possible about all the decisions and actions they take.They should give reasons for their decisions and restrict information only when the wider public interest clearly demands.
• Honesty – Holders of public office have a duty to declare any private interests relating to their public duties and to take steps to resolve any conflicts arising in a way that protects the public interest.
• Leadership - Holders of public office should promote and support these principles by leadership and example.

What does this mean for you & your Church? How are you looking at the Occupy Wall Street protests? Do you look at YOU first? What's in YOU before you point to THEY? I'd love to hear your comments!

Bryan

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