Another One Bites the Dust(?)

Ted Haggard, an important evangelical leader in our country has been accused of drug use and homosexual activity. Click here to read more of the story: http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/nation/20061103-0639-haggard-sexallegations.html


Perhaps you’re disconnected enough from the Christian religious-political scene that this won’t even mean that much to you. You’re one of the lucky ones.

We don’t know all the details yet. Keep that in mind.

But it probably doesn’t matter, because it seems there’s enough smoke to make most of us think that there’s got to be a fire there somewhere. This isn’t the first time and it won’t be the last. I’m to the point now that I don’t think I could be shocked (surprised, yes but not shocked) by any revelation of any high profile Christian leader who has screwed up in a major way.

It got me to thinking though, that in this case at least, the leaders are taking swift, decisive and measured action to deal with it. It’s exactly how Paul tells Timothy and us to deal with spiritual leaders who sin in 1 Timothy 5.19-20 “Do not listen to complaints against an elder unless there are two or three witnesses to accuse him. Anyone (read elders and spiritual leaders) who sins should be rebuked in front of the whole church so that others will have a proper fear of God”

When it comes to spiritual leaders who screw up, we’re not to sweep it under the rug and keep it quiet. And yet that’s often what happens for all kinds of reasons. The one most often used is “to protect the flock”. We don’t want to hurt people or the church (usually that means we don’t want people who give money to the church to leave). And yet in our efforts to protect the church, we allow spiritual cancer and a virus in that often has devastating consequences for the long term health and future of the church.

I’ve told our leaders at Inland Valley Church that if they ever get involved in high handed sin we will not sweep it under the rug but will make sure everyone in our church knows who was involved and appropriate (not graphic) details will be shared.

What’s amazing is that when you deal with it like this, people often have a greater respect for the leadership. While the church always suffers during these episodes, sin is dealt with and the church can move on.

Ever just felt Blahh?

What does it feel like when you just don't feel anything?
Is there something I'm doing that's wrong?
Is it stress?
Am I over caffienated, under caffienated?
Do I watch too much TV - LOST Survivor, Dancing With the Stars (my wife tries to make me watch it with her)... 24 and American Idol haven't even started yet!!

One of the things I pray for during these kinds of seasons is for clarity and discernment - I ask God to show me if there's something there I should be paying attention to. And then I try to just sit and listen - sometimes I write in my journal to process impressions God may be giving me.

And the journey continues...