There's a news report of a lady in Florida who is a divorced Christian involved in a sexual relationship with a man, her boyfriend. She was part of a church, Grace Community Church near Jacksonville, and had a spiritual "mentor" at the church. She confessed to the sexual relationship to this mentor who, in turn, told not only the pastor and elders and later other women in the church. The lady, the topic of this thread, was unable to end the relationship with the man after many failed attempts. So the women that had been told of this information confronted the "accused" in private. Thus far, everything is going, I think, according to the Biblical standard of correction.
The lady, unrepentant and HIGHLY offended, was, with good reason, very hurt. Her personal business spoken in confidence was now semi-public knowledge. Now she no longer tried, but refused to end the relationship with the man and was further admonished verbally. (Apparently one of the female congregants had even waited OVERNIGHT at the lady's house and reported that the lady never came home that night: implying she spent the night with her boyfriend.) She ultimately left the church, as was the right thing to do. Her children, I think 18 and 21 yrs. old continue to attend the church.
Here's the topic of this discussion: even after she left the church, the board of elders and the pastor sent a typed letter to the lady stating that if she did not end the relationship with the man they would, in accordance to the Bible, "TELL THE CHURCH" of her indiscretions. The lady was extremely offended, yet still unrepentant and/or unwilling and/or unable to leave the man, reminded the pastor (Pastor Christmas...by the way...that's his real name) she was no longer a member of that church. Still, according to the pastor, if she did continue the relationship with this man then on January 4, 2009 the news would be told to the church congregation publicly.
Offended and hurt, the lady did the only reasonable thing ... conducted an interview with the media stating her disagreement with the church making her "situation" public. In the interview she stated she was concerned about her children finding out, and thought it was wrong for the church to air her private life publicly to a church she didn't even attend. So she, in order to expose the churches supposed error, ... conducted an interview with the media. She felt her life was her personal life and was a private matter so she ... conducted an interview with the media. She ... conducted an interview with the media. Really ... THE MEDIA?! HEL-L-O-O-O?!
... thoughts?
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Wow. All judgement and no love. I think the "mentor" really messed this one up by telling so many people and betraying the woman's trust. She clearly was asking for help to overcome this sin in her life. So instead of helping, it sounds like they all kicked her while she was down. I understand the concept of "church disciplne", but this woman had already confessed to her wrongdoing and was looking for help. The pastor is insane for threatening to air the woman's dirty laundry (whether she still attends the church or not). I have no doubt the pastor has sins in his life, but I suspect he feels his sins are "less serious" than hers; therefore no need to expose them to the entire church.
ReplyDeleteGoing to the media was certainly questionable on her part. I guess she figured she'd get them before they get her, since it sounds like they were definitely going to expose her sin to the church. Judgemental Christians give Jesus a bad name, and telling the media about the church's actions certainly doesn't elevate Jesus in our culture.
It's a sad story all the way around, I feel.
Thanks for the comment J! Good to see you again! Definitely a sad story all around.
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