[Regarding the latest church leadership scandal... continued from Part 1]
This individual was the head of a political wing of the church and had been becoming very high profile. However in no way would I lump him in with the profiteering TV pastors we all are cynical of. I’ve seen his fruit of his earlier work and values and have walked around in the prayer center on the campus. After what I’m writing on this blog, I’m gonna be extra careful about degrading the profiteering TV pastors and “christian” tv. It’s easy to do, but from this point on I need to shut up and let God figure it out!
…So when later that evening [November 2] the founder of New Life church was in the crosshairs I did the following:
- Was in pretty intense prayer for him, and especially for his integrity to “shine like the noonday sun” according to Psalms
- Sent him an email saying that I appreciated his ministry, commitment to citywide unity, and to 24 hour prayer
- Mentioned something about if any of these allegations turned out to be true that I still believe in God’s purpose for him and will pray for restoration regardless
Turned out, enough of it is true. No noonday sunshine here… The double speak and damage control was awful to behold. I don’t think I would have done much better in his place though… anyone who has spent any time as a leader flirting with compromise I hope would be able to relate to this sentiment.
So anyhow, the reaction on the christian blogosphere is rough. People talking about it without any hint of brokenness or sorrow at what has been lost. People speaking with some apology, but no real compassion underneath in many cases.
One prominent Christian magazine had an article from a pastor who fell 20 years ago in a high-profile ministry to sexual sin. He claimed in his letter to grieve for the current man’s situation and family, but his tone was slightly bitter, and his stated compassions for those involved seemed hollow.
Another blog with a similar conciliatory ending also began with shock value, calling the man and other fallen pastors “screw ups out there”.
I want to make it clear that this sort of thing is not unexpected. I propose that if we want God to get any possible redemptive glory out of any of this, then we need to watch how we blog about this stuff. All of my above gripes are with a few “christian” perspective blogs. The secular community is capable of voicing the less edifying stuff! PrayerSpot proposes we admit the facts, refrain from speculations and from looking the other way, and just support the church.
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November 22, 2006 at 12:29 am
Sharla
Great thinking. I’m sorry you misunderstood my post and assumed I was speaking only of pastors. I think you are a screw up too. I sure am. Biblical termonology would call it, “for all have sinned.” Have we all not done the same in the lust of our hearts/minds/eyes. Ted Haggad’s is more noticable. Ours erodes just as much.
What you see as concern with my post, I consider important reflection. A man after God’s own heart, David. Screwed up infront of the whole kingdom with lust/affair/murder and had consequences because of that. So intense that it has been documented in the sacred Scriptures for all future humans to read. He, in spite of his screwed up-ness, had a life that intensly glorified God.
So, if someone who is “far from God” which many of my friends are, comes to my website and interacts with the Word of God that I connect through Bible Gateway and has been so far screwed up themselves, which they are, can not only see this as a conversation about a man who leads in the faith who has messed up……they can see hope for themselves, a severly screwed up soul. My goal is to speak hope…to speak life….and my title was strange enough to cause you to come read. And we don’t even know each other. If a shocking title can cause one to come in and continue to discover hope for their screwed up lives. Bring it on.
Also, you do not know my heart…….you do not know my intentions…..how is this conversation you are having criticising fellow believers helpful to your cause? You could have e-mailed me and had a heart to heart with me and discovered my intentions. My contact information is accessable to the world. Are you in fact doing what you have asked fellow believers not to do? Maybe, maybe not.
Either way, I’m glad your thinking….and I love the header. Beautifully creative.
Blessings! And, thanks for the pingback….anyway it comes……
: )
Shar
November 22, 2006 at 12:57 am
Sharla
: )
that sounded upset when I came back and read it, but I wasn’t upset when I wrote, just pleanty of coffee in my energized body. So, don’t interpret a harsh tone when you internalize the words. I always like a good conversation. And, your thoughts are valuable. And, I did wonder if my title would offend. I believe in what I wrote so I left it, but asked a sister in Christ to continually give me honest feedback if I’m too ……out there….. in my thinking…which I confess I am not above.
alrighty-
till the next conversation-
Shar
November 22, 2006 at 8:27 am
diana
Dear plogger….
I was totally with you while reading this post, till I came to the part where you criticised Sharla for a post you clearly didn’t bother reading. I think you owe her an apology. Go back to that post which you have linked to and read it, and read the post she wrote before that one which invited all christians to pray for Haggard and his family. I don’t think she said anything offensive by calling him a screw up, she’s darn right we all are. And in fact you have screwed up pretty badly right now by attacking your own side. Were you looking for a negative side to make a balanced story? Shar is the sweetest girl I know and look at how brightly and lovingly she answers this attack on her. She may not be upset but I am.
and in the end, I want to make it clear that this sort of thing is not unexpected. I propose that if we want God to get any possible redemptive glory out of any of this, then we need to watch how we blog about this stuff. All of my above gripes are with a few “christian” perspective blogs. The secular community is capable of voicing the less edifying stuff! PrayerSpot proposes we admit the facts, refrain from speculations and from looking the other way, and just support the church.
That goes for you, too, brother. Try staying on our side please.
God bless you,
Diana
PS – love you and your sunshine, Sharla
November 22, 2006 at 10:28 am
My Response (Part 3) « PrayerSpot
[...] Diana’s comment is correct because the point of this blog is to defy the contentious spirit to be found just about everywhere. I’m 0 for 2 on this one. This post was probably better suited for Christians Behaving Badly. [...]