A People of Praise community barbecue in Shreveport, Louisiana.Click here to see our response to the most recent press attention we have been receiving.
By Sean Connolly
Ms. Dorothy Anderson is an African American woman in her mid-seventies and a long-time resident of Shreveport, Louisiana. Recently, she found herself deeply moved at a neighborhood barbecue hosted by the People of Praise community.
“In almost all of his speeches, Martin Luther King spoke about blacks and whites living together in unity,” Ms. Anderson said. “I didn’t think I’d live long enough to see it, but I saw it last Thursday night at the barbecue.”
Her words resonated, particularly since residents of her neighborhood had long suffered under the scourge of racism, and Dr. King himself had spoken twice at the Galilee Baptist Church just a few blocks away.
For the People of Praise, Ms. Anderson’s words strike an even deeper chord.
Recently, our community was subject to scrutiny in the mainstream press, to reports that contained both inaccuracies and misunderstandings.
We want to respond and explain who we are, but in doing so we would not want our own words to fall short of the high standard Jesus sets forth in the Sermon on the Mount. We forgive those who have wronged us and we pray for them.
We also take the long view. Testimonies like Ms. Anderson’s matter more to us and resonate far more deeply than even positive reports in the media. We know from Scripture that on the day when Christ is all in all stories like Ms. Anderson’s will weigh heavily on the scales.
Who are the People of Praise?
We are an ecumenical, charismatic, covenant community. Our model and inspiration is the first Christian community, a small band of disciples who “were of one heart and soul” and “held all things in common.” (Acts 4:33, 2:44). We can be difficult for the public and the press to understand. In truth, we are a community that defies categories.
Take our ecumenism. A majority of People of Praise members are Catholic, and yet the People of Praise is not a Catholic group. We aim to be a witness to the unity Jesus desires for all his followers. Our membership includes not only Catholics but Lutherans, Anglicans, Methodists, Pentecostals and nondenominational Christians. What we share is a common baptism, a commitment to love one another and our teachings, which we hold in common.
Defying categories is not necessarily a disadvantage. Our members include teachers, carpenters and cooks, security guards and judges, laity and ordained clergy, singles and married couples. We are a community for the rich and we are a community for the poor. We strive to be one of those rare places in 21st-century life where men and women with a wide variety of political and religious views can live together in harmony.
A Broad Outreach
In recent years, the People of Praise is perhaps best known as the founder of Trinity Schools, three junior high/high schools, which between them have won eight Blue Ribbon awards from the U.S. Department of Education. For more than 35 years our schools have had a reputation for encouraging students to ask questions, engage in spirited dialogue and draw their own reasoned conclusions. “I know of no better school in these United States,” the late political philosopher Russell Kirk said of our flagship school in South Bend, IN.
Then there is our missionary work. Over the past 15 years the People of Praise has sent more than 100 people to live in some of America’s forgotten corners—places like Ms. Anderson’s Shreveport neighborhood, where the per capita income is under $14,000. There, we and our neighbors have built and renovated homes, run summer camps for thousands and started an elementary school for our neighborhood, Praise Academy at Lakeside.
In Evansville, IN, a group of People of Praise missionaries moved into two houses at a notorious intersection, a place locals called “the devil’s corner” because of all the fights and drug deals. We didn’t arrive with any program or magic formula, but hoped to encounter neighbors in a spirit of Christian friendship. Even so, our neighbors have told us that crime has dropped off significantly because of the community we and they are building. “Every night there would be something bad going on and the police would have to park and just watch everybody,” one long-time Evansville resident said. “It’s just remarkable how things have changed.”
On another front, our community life provides a natural support for marriages and families, and this has led us to develop Marriage in Christ, a five-week course that equips couples to pray together and build crucial habits of conversation. More than 1,000 couples have completed the program.
Our Roots
The People of Praise has some of its roots in the Pentecostal revival that grew from a group of poor African Americans in Los Angeles, beginning in 1906. Those humble believers experienced a tremendous outpouring of the Holy Spirit and a renewal of spiritual gifts like speaking in tongues. They were ridiculed in the press, called “fanatics” and mocked for their lively worship. But the revival went on to inspire half a billion people, including millions of Roman Catholics.
The People of Praise also has roots in the Cursillo, an evangelistic movement founded in Spain by Catholic laymen in the 1940s, which spread to Mexico and the United States, influencing some of our founding members. In 1971, after nearly seven years spent praying and studying the Bible and the teachings of the Church Fathers, 29 people made a covenant commitment to put their lives and their futures in common. The People of Praise was born.
Two of our founding members, Kevin and Dorothy Ranaghan, played a pivotal role spreading the Pentecostal revival among Catholics, where it became known as “charismatic renewal.” The People of Praise ran many large conferences, including the 1977 conference in Kansas City’s Arrowhead stadium that was perhaps the largest ecumenical gathering in modern times. Cardinal Leo Suenens, one of the Second Vatican Council’s leading voices, spoke to the crowd of 50,000, as did Bishop Ithiel Clemmons of the Church of God in Christ. This grassroots ecumenism has continued under Pope Francis, who last year invited all charismatics to Rome, where he joined them in prayer and song to celebrate with Catholics, Protestants and Pentecostals, the 50th anniversary of the charismatic renewal in the Catholic Church.
Another Francis, the late Cardinal Francis George of Chicago, helped the Brotherhood of the People of Praise, a group of men who live lives of dedicated celibacy, to obtain official status as a private association of the faithful. For years some of the men in the Brotherhood had felt a call to become Catholic priests, creating a complicated situation, given that some of their brothers might be Lutheran or Pentecostal. Cardinal George championed their cause. “In my acquaintance with the People of Praise,” the cardinal wrote, “I have found men and women dedicated to God and eager to seek and do His divine will. They are shaped by love of Holy Scripture, prayer and community; and the Church’s mission is richer for their presence.”
Lay Leadership
After a long period of prayer and discernment, many People of Praise members choose to make a lifelong commitment called a covenant. The covenant of the People of Praise is a promise of love and service to fellow community members and to God. This covenant is not an oath or a vow. We have understood that God can always call a person to another way of life, in which case he or she would be released from the covenant.
People of Praise members agree to accept practical advice and spiritual direction from other qualified community members, a practice which has puzzled some observers since the vast majority of our members are not ordained clergy. Pope Francis himself addressed this issue in 2015, stating, “Spiritual direction is not an exclusive charism of the presbyters: it is a charism of the laity!” He cited a long tradition of lay spiritual direction going back to the early monastic era. In keeping with this tradition, the People of Praise uses the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius as a basis for counsel and discernment. Two of our members recently published a book on the Spiritual Exercises called Burning with Love for God.
Freedom of conscience is a key to our diversity. People of Praise members are always free to follow their consciences, as formed by the light of reason, experience and the teachings of their churches.
We may not always be easy to understand, but that’s OK with us. We would never want to trade our birthright for positive attention or compromise the very qualities which are our only God-given advantage. Imperfect words will eventually fade, but we remain happy and proud to be the category-defying community God has called us to be, his People of Praise.
Sean Connolly (@sconnoll) is the communications director for the People of Praise community.
Photo courtesy of Andy Bowar.
Responses
Tuc ky Argus says:
November 8th, 2017 at 10:26 PM
As a grateful and humble member of People of Praise for over 35 y ears, this was so encouraging and a great read just before a restful night's sleep! Glory!!
Louis Grams says:
November 9th, 2017 at 1:26 AM
Thanks so much for the excellent description of our life, Sean. The Times article and some of the responses to it have sparked a lot of conversation among many of my friends. They have all been good and this blog entry will be a great help in carrying on the dialogues.
Pete Hammer says:
November 9th, 2017 at 7:31 AM
Born and raised in the People of Praise I cannot imagine trading my life and my formation for any other source. Now living married life, raising children, deepening friendships with my older brothers and sisters in Christ, and watching my peers begin to taken interest and wonder at the work of the Holy Spirit - I can only say that I am eternally grateful to be a part of this complex life we live! Thank you for responding so well, taking the opportunity to understand how we might look from the outside, and pressing on to explain how we understand ourselves from within our community.
Lyndsay Sullivan says:
November 9th, 2017 at 9:47 AM
As someone who came to know a community of People of Praise as an adult, I can wholeheartedly agree with this article. I was confused by the community at first, but there is an attraction that keeps me still thinking about the community today even years after I have left the area. The People of Praise left a huge impact on my life and the way I see things today.
Franics Potts says:
November 9th, 2017 at 2:08 PM
Phil Monaco, Principle Branch Coordinator forwarded this excellent article from Sean to all the branch members in Corvallis and I am grateful for how Sean identified our community life and outreach. We are Called to be a People of Praise and therefore what the Father has set into existence will be what it is - living a vision of greatness for the world to see.
Thank you again Sean, a great job!.
Ted Vernon says:
November 9th, 2017 at 7:47 PM
You have well and clearly described who and what we are in response to outside criticism. Your words speak to those who don't know us. They are also valuable to me, a member of People of Praise for 40 years. Thank you!
Ed Mertz says:
November 10th, 2017 at 11:16 AM
Nice job, Sean. I didn't make it through many paragraphs before tears of gratitude complicated further reading. What the Lord has done among us is extraordinary.
Virginia Kadera says:
November 10th, 2017 at 12:32 PM
Sean, you have stated so clearly the way of life we live. Thank you.
James D Kadera says:
November 10th, 2017 at 12:41 PM
Sean,
What a great description of our life together. This is a valuable tool for me. Well done.
Jim Kadera
Dick Safranski says:
November 10th, 2017 at 3:50 PM
After being surrounded by People of Praise families for close to 10 years I realized that this family of people who love serving The Lord in community is where I belong. I have not yet made the covenant, but hope to as soon as I can. Everyone, everywhere should live by the People of Praise teachings and we would have a beautiful world!
Tom M Caneff says:
November 11th, 2017 at 12:26 PM
A marvelous job, Sean, a truly marvelous job. You prayed, took the time and effort and many have been and will be blessed by reading this. Even detractors will be brought to a clearer understanding of our life in Christ. God is so good. To Him be the Glory!
Peter Walters says:
November 11th, 2017 at 5:18 PM
Sean
Thank you for your thoughtful description of the life I have experienced for over 40 years in Muncie, IN.
Much to be thankful for this Thanksgiving Day!
Helen Morris says:
November 14th, 2017 at 8:31 PM
I hated to read about someone making bad comments about the people of Praise. I know a lot of them, from attending our Church, First Av Pres. They are the most wonderful people on the face of this earth. They are so dedicated and do so much good. No one and I mean no one in my direct of hearing better say one negative word about them, they will get a tongue lashing good. They are doing so much good with the neighborhood, with their garden thier teachings and their love for mankind. Keep on what you are doing and show the world there is them. Keep on dear and kind people and show the world there is another side.
Mike Hass says:
November 14th, 2017 at 9:14 PM
"We would never want to compromise the very qualities which are our only God-given advantage." Well said and worth repeating. Thank You Sean.
Ron Gouveia says:
November 15th, 2017 at 2:38 PM
Thanks Sean for such a wonderful explanation of who we are and who we continue to strive to be.
Mary Lou Werle-Norman says:
November 15th, 2017 at 10:13 PM
When I was a teenager, my family moved to the inner city to serve God by striving to build a Christian community. By the grace of God, we did achieve His goals, on a small & local basis. Most of us have moved away & followed other vocations or lifestyles by now. But it is with a great sense of achievement when I visit or read how People of Praise reaches out to the hearts, souls and bodies that need to hear & see God's love. I know some of the challenges that you face. I know of the promises that God gave to us. I see the fulfillment of those promises within your communities. May God continue to guide you and bless you, May Jesus walk with you in darkness and light, May the Holy Spirit fill you and protect you.
Omar Montemayorr says:
December 18th, 2017 at 2:42 PM
My wife and I were part of the People of Praise when our community was underway for six years. That was close to forty years ago. Though our community never became a member of the People of Praise; it was for us some of the most beautiful moments of living the Gospel with other sisters and brothers. I will always cherish the memory of those years. May G-d continue to bless the efforts of this blessed community!
Gary Sweeten says:
July 2nd, 2018 at 12:48 PM
I knew of the group maybe before they had this name but during the Movement. A wonderful movement filled with love and compassion.
Mike Rosener says:
July 5th, 2018 at 4:12 PM
My wife Chris and I were attracted to the Lord in January 1972. We were then invited to attend a prayer meeting in the basement of a Catholic Church in South Minneapolis. I had recently been attending Nursing School and my wife Chris had resently graduated from the same school and was working at St. Mary's hospital in Minneapolis. We were search for more than just a parrish commitment to God as Catholics. I was mentored by Non denominational older men and was invited to come and see where men and women of all ages and Christian denominations prayed and worshiped together as one. We came and felt the presance of God in worship.
That group became a Community of people who many are still in the community today. People of Praise is who we are today and we just love on all people. That love is still flowing and transforming the world one person at a time.
Pete Hammer says:
July 6th, 2018 at 11:56 AM
Thank you Lord for the attention you are putting on us as a community. It might not all be easy to bear, but you are with us. Help us to stand the test of public scrutiny. Help us to draw others to yourself, and draw them to the abundant life you have given us, as a result of this new attention we are receiving. Let us also be purified as we rise to the occasion, surrendering our imperfections to you, and humbly allowing this attention to spur on any needed growth you would like to see among us. May we become an even better, more vibrant community of people, united for your glory, as a result of our participation in public life and the cultural and societal atmosphere where you have called us to live and move and have our being as the People of Praise.
Doug Dunlap says:
July 7th, 2018 at 5:56 PM
I participated in Cursillo for years in the mid-late 70s. I worked as a cook and speaker subsequent to my initial experience. It was a wonderful spiritual experience and I only recently heard about People of Praise. I live in California, but see no affiliations here. I would very much like to get back to that spiritual feeling of Jesus Christ, can you direct me? I am still a semi-active Catholic.
Bridget Phillips says:
July 11th, 2018 at 9:42 AM
God bless y’all & your work.
Marcia DeWitt says:
July 11th, 2018 at 3:35 PM
What a wonderful article – great explanation of ecumenical Christian community which I am a proud member of a similar group to People of Praise, The Work of Christ community Lansing, Michigan. We could be are kissing cousins. We are blessed to know many of your members and many branches. May God continue to bless you brothers and sisters and all your work for the Lord.
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