The God Who makes the world and all that is in it, He, the Lord inherent of heaven and earth, is not dwelling in temples made by hands, neither is He attended by human hands, as if requiring anything, since He Himself gives to all life and breath and all.
Acts 17: 24-25, Concordant New Testament
This past week we learned of the downfall of yet another popular church pastor due to behavior unbecoming. Unfortunately, this is a troubling trend which we have seen far too often in Christian circles. There was a time when the church itself was seen as a safe place, a sanctuary for those who were in need or in trouble. Many a person resigned to their fate has entered a church expecting to find criticism only to be overcome by the kindness and love of God which has been shown by those within those walls. The church has built for itself a impressive reputation protecting those from societies rejects to the Jews persecuted by Hitlers Germany during the Second World War. There are countless stories of the bravery and compassion as preachers of old secreted slaves along the infamous underground railroad to freedom. Along with these exploits came the trust in the clergy from those which they served. When the chips were down, you could always go to a pastor for help. I've been in that pastors office myself more than a few times when I felt as if life was too difficult to handle. In those times of trouble, I was always able to find comfort in the company of a pastor that I knew. However, somewhere along the way the trust the world placed in the clergy began to fade away. I believe that beginning with the very first accusations of child abuse to come out of the Catholic church that those who had put their trust in the men and women who led the Lords congregations began to falter. Cracks were beginning to form in the walls of the sanctuary. People who had once valued the stability and safety of the church now began to question their own judgement. They also began to seek safety and sanctuary outside of the mainstream church as well. Many would ask the obvious question, was the church leadership truly full of those who would prey on the vulnerable? I would say no.
For we are aware that, if our terrestrial tabernacle house should be demolished, we have a building of God, a house not made by hands, eonian in the heavens.
2 Corinthians 5: 1, Concordant New Testament
The obvious assumption of those who have seen pastor after pastor fall from grace might be that the entire church clergy is infected with a virus. I would say, yes AND no. I have been in the company of more than enough pastors in my time to understand that not all preachers are bad people. However, all pastors are indeed capable of being tempted and falling for the lies of the accuser. I have been blessed with the friendship of a man who spent over thirty years preaching from the pulpit. I have had the opportunity that many outside the church ever get, a view of the inner workings of the mainstream church. I recall a story of a pastor being asked to visit the home of a female congregation member and being told that he, in no way, would ever embark on such a visit without his wife by his side. There was simply too much that could go sideways were he to visit the woman alone. As I said, pastors are not immune from the temptations of the accuser. So is all of the negative attention the church has received in the wake of all of these accusations of bad behavior deserved? Absolutely. Is that trust which people for years have placed in the church misplaced? Yes, and I'll tell you why. Any pastor worth his salt will tell you that he SERVES his congregation and community. A man seeking to be a pastor does not pursue his career path in hopes of striking it rich, for meager earnings are the earmark of a good pastor. You more than likely will not see advertisements seeking pastors in your local employment department. To be a pastor, one must feel as if they are being led to do so. Likewise, a good pastor will always proclaim from the pulpit that the faith and trust of the congregation remains with God and not man. This is where we have fallen. When we place our trust in men, we will soon see the error of our ways. However, when our faith and trust is in the Lord, He will guide us through whatever we are facing. He is our safe place.
~Scott~
No comments:
Post a Comment