Not so fast

Is Gov. Rick Perry's view on homosexuality evolving?

As part of a month-long celebration of its new $130 million campus, First Baptist Dallas hosted Gov. Rick Perry on Sunday, April 7. Perry never mentioned specific issues in his 6-minute speech, but many are taking his comments on non-judgmental love and directing them toward gay marriage.

After listening to Perry's remarks carefully, the characterization that our governor is coming around to the idea of gay marriage sounds like quite a leap. Perry toed the line of love and acceptance while still carving out a space for righteous condemnation.

Gov. Perry in his own words:

I'm mindful that I'm a depraved sinner in need of grace, and who amongst us is not?

I do believe it is right under the purview of scripture for the church to judge certain behavior as sin but that is totally different than judging fellow sinners.

We cannot condemn certain lifestyles while turning a blind eye to sins that in God's eye are just as grievous. We must love all, welcome all and be a model of Christ to all.

Pop culture be what it may, God's truth never changes.

Many people have latched onto Perry's statement about not condemning "certain lifestyles" as being supportive of gay and lesbian sexual orientation. However, it is worth noting that Perry equates these unnamed lifestyles to grievous sins.

Nevertheless, the accepting tenor of Perry's speech seemed to put the congregation of First Baptist Dallas on edge. After all, First Baptist Dallas was catapulted into the national spotlight in 2008 when Pastor Robert Jeffress proclaimed "Gay is not OK" in a sermon series.

There was little applause or reaction of any kind during Perry's remarks. After bombastically exclaiming that "God's grace is greater than any sin," Perry had to goad the audience to say "Amen," to which they sheepishly obliged.

Once Perry finished speaking and it was clear he had no contrarian agenda, it was all back-slapping and standing ovations. Check out the full video from WFAA.

Gov. Rick Perry spoke at First Baptist Dallas on April 7.

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Politics News

Dallas narrows down field for new city manager to 4 candidates

Photo by R K on Unsplash

This is an Dallasite's sign to launch that small business they've been dreaming of.

After six months without a city manager, the city of Dallas has narrowed down the field of replacements to four semifinalists including one serving as current interim city manager, plus candidates from Fort Worth, Michigan, and Georgia.

Dallas has been without a city manager since May, when previous city manager T.C. Broadnax left to take a job with the city of Austin. Since that time, Broadnax's former chief of staff Kimberly Bizor Tolbert has served as interim city manager.

The city retained Baker Tilly, a consulting firm, to recruit and compile candidates. (Baker Tilly famously erred in the brochure it created for the position by featuring a photo of the Houston skyline instead of Dallas; they've since replaced it with Dallas.)

A spokesperson for Baker Tilly did not respond to inquiries but according to D Magazine, an email listing the candidates has been sent to the Dallas City Council.

The semifinalists include:

Kimberly Bizor Tolbert, Dallas’ current interim city manager
William Johnson, an assistant city manager in Fort Worth
Mark Washington, the city manager of Grand Rapids, Michigan
Zachary Williams, a county chief operating officer in Georgia

All have more than 25 years' of public administration experience and have worked in similar capacities in their respective cities.

Before working in Fort Worth, Johnson was Baltimore’s transportation director and Atlanta’s deputy chief operating officer and public works commissioner.

Washington worked in Fort Worth and Austin before becoming Grand Rapids’ city manager.

Williams has mostly worked in Georgia at the county level, including serving as county manager in Fulton County and chief operating officer in DeKalb County.

Tolbert began working for the city in 1998, first as the city manager’s assistant and later in the aviation department. Broadnax hired her as his chief of staff in 2017.

Unlike the Mayor and the Dallas City Council, the city manager position in Dallas is not elected but is instead appointed by the city council, and is tasked with executing policies, overseeing the annual budget, and managing staff at city hall.

The council’s Ad Hoc Committee will choose finalists, introduce them to the public, and make an offer in early 2025.

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