Repeating History

Copyright 2012: singeronthesand

What has happened is that some people have infiltrated

our ranks, who beneath their pious skins are shameless scoundrels.

Puffs of smoke pushed by gusts of wind,

late autumn trees stripped clean of leaf and fruit;

Doubly dead, pulled up by the roots;

Wild ocean waves leaving nothing on the beach

but the foam of their shame;

Lost stars in outer space on their way to the black hole.

Jude 4,12b-13

Jude's letter to a group of Christians of the early church is filled with warnings regarding those who claimed to be Christians, yet practiced sexual immorality, making "... a religion of their own whims and lusts."  Unfortunately, the history of the church from then to now has been littered with the sexual sins of both leaders and congregants.

Yesterday, a visiting pastor here in Chesterfield County was arrested for soliciting sex from a juvenile female over the phone after worship services in February.  In March, the pastor of one of the oldest churches in the south was arrested for trying to arrange sex with a minor - a girl who he met online.  Both churches involved are shocked beyond measure, and many are trying to reserve judgment until all the facts are presented at trial.

Too often in the church, we lift the pastor up on a white pedestal, deeming them above sin or reproach, and expecting perfection of character and leadership.  This attitude does a tremendous disservice to both pastor and people, for every single person on this earth, regardless of power or position, is simply a fallible human being - no more and no less.   The pastor is as susceptible to temptation as I am, with far more pressure than I have to cope with.  When a preacher falls, we are shocked and horrified.  Deep down inside, we are also fearful - for if it can happen to them, it can certainly happen to us.

At the end of his letter, Jude turns us to the grace and strength of God, "...who can keep you on your feet, standing tall in His bright presence, fresh and celebrating..."  Say a prayer for your pastor today, and do everything in your power to strengthen and encourage them. 

Hospitality

Copyright 2012: singeronthesand

Dear Friend, when you extend hospitality to Christian

brothers and sisters, even when they are strangers,

you make faith visible.  In providing meals and a bed,

we become their companions in spreading the Truth.

Earlier I wrote something along this line to the church, 

but Diotrephes, who loves to be in charge, 

denigrates my counsel.  As if that weren't bad enough, 

he not only refuses hospitality to traveling Christians, 

but tries to stop others from welcoming them.  

Worse yet, instead of inviting them in, he throws them out.

Friend, don't go along with evil.  Model the good.

The person who does good does God's work.

3 John 5,8-9, 10b-11a [The Message]

It has been several years since I was a pastor's wife, serving for eight years in three different churches, but the memories are fresh enough for me to laugh out loud at John's descriptions in his third letter to his congregation.  How spot on his observations were, particularly in a smaller congregation.

In every grouping of people, there is always someone who instinctively senses a vacuum in central leadership and steps up to fill the space.  Sometimes that is a very good thing; often, it is not.  When a Little Lord Fauntleroy-type grabs the reins of power, they change the church into the image and likeness of themselves and surround themselves with like-minded individuals.

One such church I will never forget!  The ruling patriarch was the head elder, the wife was the head deaconness, the son's wife was the principal of the attached elementary school, the daughter ran the daycare in the basement, and her husband was the head of audio-visual.  Their friends and cronies were in most of the other positions of authority, and the church ran according to the whims of this tight-knit family clique.  Was it a friendly church?  Hmm...that's not really what I would call it.  Selective friendliness, perhaps.  Any visitor was assessed from the minute they walked in the door as to their suitability to join the ruling junta or be left on the sidelines as an outsider.  Welcoming strangers for the simple reason of Christian love would never have entered their minds.  When the pastor who arrived after our two years of ministry took steps to break up the leadership's power, the entire group - approximately thirty-five family and friends - left the church, forming their own non-denominational church.  The congregation they left has blossomed and grown.  The church they founded is exclusive and stagnant.  

John reminded his people that kindness is right, and exclusivity is simply wrong.  We must welcome people with open hearts, open arms, and a lack of political agenda.  Only then can we truly represent the Savior that we serve.

   

Youmanity Awards

Copyright 2012: singeronthesand

Permit me a reminder, friends, and this is not a new

commandment, but simply a repetition of our original

and basic charter: that we love each other.

Love means following His commandments, and His

unifying commandment is that you conduct your lives in love.

This is the first thing you heard, and nothing has changed.

2 John 5-6 

At Joliet Township High School in Illinois, kindness and compassion are important traits of character.  During the month of March, students distributed more than 800 Youmanity tokens to people in their lives, each recognizing an act of kindness to them or to someone else.  Each token has a serial number that can be registered on a website provided by Aviva Life Insurance Company, the sponsor of the program.  That means students can trace a token's path, as each recipient pays it forward with an act of kindness to someone else.  One token has traveled through multiple states with over 40 passes.

Kindness is an important goal of the Friends of Rachel Club at the high school.  The club carries on the legacy left by Rachel Scott, the first person killed in the Columbine High School tragedy in 1999.  Rachel's challenge promotes several goals:  look for the best in others, eliminate prejudice, choose positive influences, and start a chain reaction. Another goal proclaims, Kind words and actions equals huge results.

Putting others first rather than yourself is another important goal of the program.  The kids at Joliet West look for ways to be kind and helpful to each other at school, to their families at home, and to strangers on the street.  The kids have given Youmanity tokens to police officers, teachers, parents, neighbors, community members and each other.  Tracking where that token lands next is an exciting and important program - to see how the chain reaction of kindness continues.

In John's second letter to the churches, he again reminds the congregation of Christ's example of living their lives in love.  Kindness and compassion are born of love and respect for those around us.  I challenge you today to follow the example of the high school students in Joliet to find those who need a touch of God's love today.

[Facts of this story from the Joliet Herald News online]