http://kerussocharis.blogspot.com/
http://www.tiffanycroft.blogspot.com/
http://stopbaptistpredators.blogspot.com/
The above are links to blogs dealing with the topic of clergy sexual abuse Baptist Life. The first, is Wade Burleson's blog, which is covering the story of disgraced former SBC pastor Darrell Gilyard and his plea deal in a sexual abuse case. The others are the blogs of Tiffany Croft and Christa Brown, who were victims of clergy sexual abuse in their own churches as children and students. When they had the courage to report these acts, they were humiliated into forced "apologies" while their perpeptrators moved on to other churches, usually larger churches.
In the case of Darrell Gilyard, his sexual misconduct had a history of nearly 25 years. Only the late pastor E.K. Bailey dared to tell the truth about Gilyard's nature, and he was rediculed by other denominational officials for doing so.
The only way that clergy sexual abuse will end in any denomination, including Baptist life, is to tell the truth, stand for the innocent, and leave the results to God.
Matthew 18:5-10: "5 Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me. 6 "If any of you put a stumbling block before one of these little ones who believe in me, it would be better for you if a great millstone were fastened around your neck and you were drowned in the depth of the sea. 7 Woe to the world because of stumbling blocks! Occasions for stumbling are bound to come, but woe to the one by whom the stumbling block comes! 8 "If your hand or your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away; it is better for you to enter life maimed or lame than to have two hands or two feet and to be thrown into the eternal fire. 9 And if your eye causes you to stumble, tear it out and throw it away; it is better for you to enter life with one eye than to have two eyes and to be thrown into the hell of fire. 10 "Take care that you do not despise one of these little ones; for, I tell you, in heaven their angels continually see the face of my Father in heaven."
4 comments:
I know of a pastor in Arkansas who is charged with 40+ counts of sexual indecency with a child and has plead guilty. I never saw it in the news: we played it quiet.
I know of a pastor in Missouri who has recently been charged with sexual abuse. The church is standing behind him, berating the alleged victim (no ruling has been delivered so I will be considerate enough to use the correct legal terminology) and the pastor hasn't even stepped out of the pulpit while the trial is going on.
But we won't face it. We won't admit that we have a problem. And because we can't admit to our problem we harbor the sin in our midst and excuse it. And I don't know what degree to take this, but it is my experience that the sin we try to excuse is often the sin we struggle with. So if so many of our leaders and clergy are trying to cover up and explain away sexual misconduct, I have to wonder if there is more going on than a simple "good ol' boys" network.
Such a double standard, however. Disfellowship the gays. Disfellowship the women pastors. Disfellowship those who don't agree with us. Keep and defend the sexual predators!!
As a victim of sexual abuse (not at the hands of clergy, however) I cannot understand nor appreciate the inconsistency.
Chris,
I appreciate the transparency of your comments.
Too, I think that it is worthwhile to point out that it is not just an SBC or Catholic issue. It is across denominational lines and other venues of life as well.
The "keep it quiet" attitude is what is most disturbing as one who has not been a victim. To those who have, I cannot imagine the pain you, and others, must live with. God bless!
Tim,
Very true. This is a problem for all of us. Until we have the ability to determine who is "really saved" and who isn't, we will probably always have this problem.
But for me the problem is not that people are sinners. The much bigger issue is that we allow such sins to run unchecked and unchallenged. Where there is no accountability, there is always sin. Where there is accountability, sin may be confronted and stopped.
I'm glad to hear you say that the "keep it quiet" attitude is the most disturbing part to you. I think that is the most disturbing part for many victims, too. I have talked with a lot of people who were more hurt by the response they received when they talked about and tried to expose the abuse that they are by the abuse itself. That may not hold true across the board, but I'm sure I'm not the only one who feels that way.
Chris,
As you begin seminary, I hope that your experience as a victim, along with your passion for your vocation will provide you opportunities to create a safe and loving environment for children in whatever congregation you serve, as well as opportunity to make others aware of this cancer eating the body of Christ. God bless for your depth and compassion!
Post a Comment