Innovative Leadership Experience: Rev., Dr. Barry Black

Barry Black has an alliterated name, and that just makes it cool to say. Go ahead feel the B's roll of your lips. I'll wait...

I got to enter the Capitol building twice in one day and by different entrances. In the morning we entered via the underground tunnel that connects the Senate building to the Capitol. That was a cool experience in itself as I got to ride on the little trains that haul Senators back and forth. (Senator McCain passed in another train going the opposite way.) Then in the afternoon we entered through a side entrance reserved for those with official appointments. We were directed upstairs and into a hallway that led into the office of the Chaplain of the Senate. It is a small office, just Dr. Black and a few assistants.

Dr. Black began the meeting by giving us some history. There is an attempt regularly to have his position deemed unconstitutional because of the establishment clause, a clause in the Constitution that forbids the state from establishing a religion. However, since the Chaplain of the Senate was selected three days before that clause was added to the Constitution the Supreme Court has upheld the framers choice to include the Chaplaincy.

Because of his position he now ministers to about 7000 people: Senators, spouses, children, staffers and their families. That's a lot or one man, but it is evident from our conversation that Barry Black is up to the challenge. More telling is the fact that multiple times throughout the trip we would mention his name and always got a warm recommendation of the work he's doing there on Capitol Hill.

He is a big time believer in Christian education. He has a deeper sense of it than most. He was raised in housing projects in Baltimore City. It was the love of his mother and the godly influences he received through Christian education that brought him from "The Hood To The Hill" (the title of his book).

This is the essence of his biblical encouragement to us:

• If you're going to change the future of your nation have integrity like Joseph.
• If you're going to change the future of your nation do your duty like Miriam.
• If you're going to change the future of your nation seek God's wisdom like Solomon.
• If you're going to change the future of your nation have devotion like Daniel.

It was an inspiring meeting to say the least. This was a man who has lived the principles he passed on, and is a blessing to our nation though not elected to political office.

--Ben