May 21 2008
Does it really serve em’ right?
I don’t normally link to other blog stories unless it really grabs me. Well yesterday one did. I found this blog on MMI and was moved by Brad Johnson’s story. (not the Brad Johnson who was my intern)
He was a pastor for many years and he wrote had about a moral failure that cost him his marriage and his church. Fortunately it did not destroy his faith. He wrote an open apology to his former church here. But I had to find out what happened to him. Because I know that if I don’t put the proper systems in place and stay close to God–this could be me.
But I also have been broken of pointing fingers to those who do fall. It all started in high school when my best friend had a child out of wedlock. It continues this week when a good friend has made some seriously terrible choices. But, what do we as “THE CHURCH” do when a fellow believer or minister fails? How are we to respond?
Brad wrote a post a back on April 2, called, “serves em right.” In this post he describes how the “CHURCH” (collective group) treated him after his moral failure. He said some individual Christians reached out to him but the “CHURCH” did not. Look at some of these quotes from Brad:
As I write about the ‘Church,’ I write about the groupcollected. I write about an organized body, a gathering, a mob, a conspicuous unity of believers congregated, moving in a unified direction. I speak of leaders and those who aspire to be-those who are positioned to ’speak on behalf of…” No individual Christian is being singled out.
Also, I acknowledge that those in the church, just like me, are sinful, falling down types. So…it is with understanding and distinction that I ponder….(not conclusions….just observations. The response from the ‘gathered’ group has been deafening silence or worse, a ’serves him right’ attitude manifested by words and actions.
Well, guess what? It does serve me right. It is certainly what I deserve. Serves me right. Where I get confused is the definition of grace, where we offer to another what they DON’T deserve. That has not been offered by the ‘Church.’
No collected group of ‘Christ’s Followers’ have offered to share coffee, or inquire about my well-being, or drop by for a visit, or invite me to a ‘fellowship’ (oh, how I coul write on that word…what a load of ….poo).
No collected group of ‘Christ’s Follwers’ have sought to lift a burden, extend a hand, or walk with me a mile.
Not one pastor (teachers of the ‘Church’) from Ventura County has called me to ask about me, or express care–let alone just pray for me over the phone; not one….in a year. (with the exception of the pastor of the church where I now attend)
Not one Women’s Bible Study group called Heidi, inquired about her well-being, offered care. What do you ladies study?
Grace is giving what is NOT deserved. And that is what has been missing from the church.
As I read these quotes my heart sank. How many times have I been guilty of showing no grace. Maybe not by ugly words or looks but by what I didn’t do! Maybe by my inaction I showed no grace! When I read the Bible I see that it says we have “ALL” sinned–that includes me! I must remember that there are more sinners in church then there are saints! Unfortunately, the church is known too often for shooting our wounded!
Years ago I said it serves em’ right to a former pastor who was caught in adultery. I was a jr. high school student in a large church in Tuscaloosa, AL. My pastor was exposed for carrying on an affair with women in the church. He left to go become a professor in another state and then later died from cancer. His family moved back to Tuscaloosa to be near family. Being the sensitive person I am - I made a comment in class that my former pastor “got what he deserved!” the only problem was, his daughter heard what I said and I crushed her. I will always remember how awful I acted. I showed no grace! Shame on me.
We as the “CHURCH” talk a lot about “Amazing Grace” but it seems our grace applies mainly to those who need to accept Christ than it does to those who are in the church. There are hurting people in our churches and yes, in the pulpits! Does it excuse sin? NO! But we aren’t excused from loving and restoring those who desperately need a call, card, a smile, a hug and unconditional love and grace.
What do you think?
