Running Humbly With Our God

by Garrett Putman

There was no better way to kick off this year’s Mission Theme than by celebrating Al Buehler, a fellow Duke Memorial member, whose life has truly been an example of doing justice, loving kindness, and walking humbly with God.

On Tuesday, January 29^th, 75 people packed Whitford Hall for dinner and a screening of Starting at the Finish Line: The Coach Buehler Story, a remarkable feature documentary and companion book from Duke University graduate Amy Unell that chronicles Coach’s legendary career as a track & field coach, teacher, leader, and mentor who has impacted the lives of thousands of athletes and non-athletes over the years – including Olympic icons like Carl Lewis & Jackie Joyner-Kersee, Duke greats like Grant Hill, Shane Battier, & Coach K, and many, many more who never owned a pair of track shoes.

Coach’s story is one of tremendous personal achievement and professional success. His teams earned countless championships, scores of his athletes won individual titles and set national and world records, and he personally coached and managed multiple U.S Olympic teams over his 55-year coaching career. What makes Al Buehler, the man, so special, however, is the way that he has lived his life as a courageous advocate for fairness, equality, and justice for all. Coach is rightly considered to be a pioneer in both the desegregation movement and Title IX, the law enacted to ensure equal opportunities for women, and the film documents how his leadership and commitment helped propel Durham, Duke, and the entire sports world forward.

The film is also an honest and real testament to Al Buehler as husband, father, and man of faith. His love and marriage to Delaina (which he calls the “best decision that I ever made”) is beautifully captured on screen and serves as a great example for how a happy and healthy relationship can thrive over the years. Duke Memorial – and our beloved tower bells – are also featured prominently and we’re able to witness the long climb that Coach and all the other bell ringers in our church’s history have taken to help us celebrate and worship God on Sunday mornings.

The title of both the film and book hearkens back to a philosophy that is deeply rooted in the way that Coach has lived his life: “I’ve been thinking about finish lines for my entire life. I believe finish lines are something to prepare for; and, in my world, they should be a place not of endings, but of beginnings. In my view of life, the finish line is the starting point….for dreams, for opening long-closed door, for challenges…for changes. Starting at the finish line also means carrying your principles and values forward beyond the finish line of any race or goal and into how you live your life.”

On behalf of a grateful congregation, thank you, Coach, for the faithful and humble ways that you have lived your life and for showing us all that when we live like we belong to God, we truly can change the world.

-         
                                                                                                 - Garrett Putman 
    (Short personal note: I have known Coach for most of my life. While other boys grew up playing Little League Baseball, I participated in track & field meets all over Durham, and eventually went on to run track in college at Wake Forest. Although I was never one of his Blue Devils, Coach always took the time to check in on me and encourage me to keep getting better. One of my favorite things about worshiping at Duke Memorial is sitting just a few pews in front of Coach and getting a chance to shake his hand and see him give me a thumbs-up each week.)         

For more information on “Starting at the Finish Line – the Coach Buehler Story”, please visit http://www.coachbuehler.com/  

The documentary film is now available for download at:

-       Netflix: http://movies.netflix.com/WiMovie/Starting_at_the_Finish_Line_The_Coach_Buehler_Story/70249216?locale=en-US

-       iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/movie/starting-at-finish-line-coach/id543778691

You can find the companion book at:

-       The Regulator Book Shop: http://www.regulatorbookshop.com/book/9780399537561

-       Duke’s Gothic Bookstore: http://www.gothicbookshop.com/book/9780399537561

-       Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Starting-Finish-Line-Buehlers-Timeless/dp/0399537562/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1359600888&sr=8-1&keywords=starting+at+the+finish+line

The 2013 Mission Theme

Welcome to the Duke Memorial Mission blog! Our mission theme this year is based on Micah 6:8: "What does the Lord require of you, but to do justice, love kindness, and to walk humbly with your god?" Here is a bit about why we chose this mission theme and what you can expect this year.

As Christians we often ask, “What does the Lord require of us?” The question can solicit a variety of responses. For some, it can prompt an enthusiastic readiness to do the right thing. Others brace themselves for a burdensome laundry list of requirements. But God wants something different than following a list of things to do. God wants us to walk alongside him as he carries out his mission in this world.

When the prophet Micah poses this question, he shows how God’s requirements are profound, yet simple. They are a high calling, yet they are accessible to all. They require us to give our lives, yet they are life-giving. They do not overwhelm us, yet they certainly do not bore us. They tell us to do something, yet they are grounded in what God is doing.

In the previous verses, the prophet ponders a response to the question that’s similar to what is often our own – he makes it more complicated than it needs to be. In verses 6-7, he contemplates, “With what shall I come before the Lord, and bow myself before God on high? Shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves a year old? Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousands of rivers of oil? Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?” Then, in a moment of clarity, Micah remembers that he already has the answer. The answer is this: Let your whole life belong to God. Let your actions (do justice), your heart (love kindness), and your daily life (walk humbly) be surrendered to what God is doing. Mission is not a one-time, sensational event; it’s an ever-deepening journey of joining God in God’s purposes in this world.

 Our mission theme this year is based on Micah 6:8 to remind us that mission is for everyone. God calls everyone to do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with God. So if you haven’t been involved in mission, discover God’s mission by taking the first step. Visit our website to see the many ways to get involved. And whether you’re new to mission or a long-time journeyer, seek to grow this year. Visit our GROW page to see how you might grow in your mission this year. We hope this blog will be a place for growth where you can read, write, and dialogue about the who, what, and why of mission. It will feature upcoming events, reflections, and people who are involved in mission. We also want you to share two things with us on our SHARE page: If you are involved in mission outside of Duke Memorial, share your story. If you have a passion for something and no outlet to get involved, share your vision!

It's a gift to be on this journey together. Let's see what God has in store for us this year!