A church finally does the right thing!

Anyone knows there is not one perfect church in this world. I would think God would bless that church for not covering up its problem and being real with people.

 

Wow...so the truth comes out..we're over here thinking that people try to cover it up..when it fact..its the INSURANCE companies and lawyers that are behind all this!..okay..no but seriously..i never ever EVER thought an insurance company and church "attorney" could be responsible for these things...

 

I'm curious; why did you post a story about a presbyterian church in the IFB section?

 

Germane in what regard? That other churches besides some specific IFB churches also have this problem?

 

It's an example of how that a church did everything right legally, but failed to do what was right as spiritual caregivers. I'd say that was germane to a discussion on any forum.

 

I see a different side to the story. It took years for the church leaders to do the right thing. Church hierarchy is naturally geared toward self-preservation of power & position. If our churches were already structured & operating in a Biblical manner, there would be automatic accountability for the criminal "ministers" & restorative grace given to their victims as a natural course of the church. But our churches are leader-centered, not grace-centered. Why is the first reaction of believers to protect their leaders against any accusations instead of thoughtfully investigating the charges? Because we are taught they are the "anointed" "men of God", which comes with other unScriptural connotations. This is a kingdom issue, not just an IFB or Presbyterian issue.

 

It's absolutely a correct discussion on any forum, with regard to ALL of our churches (IFB, Southern, Landmark, American, Primitive, GARBC, Freewill, as well as Catholic, Mormon, Nazarene, etc., etc.); the reason I asked Mexdef about his use of this forum to bring it up is because of his past exhibited bias towards IFB churches. Couple that past behavior with this post, and I perceived that he was singling out IFB churches. (edited to add: Whether that's a correct perception or not would have depended on his response)

I'm happy to discuss the relevancy towards ALL of our churches.

 

Not sure if you read the story, but the church did contact the authorities when they found out about it. They did cooperate with all that they were supposed to do concerning the law. What they were asking forgiveness for was the lack of spiritual care.

 

"Let me speak for a moment to our survivors," he said. "We, as church leaders, were part of the harm in failing to extend the compassion and mercy that you needed. Some of you felt uncared for, neglected and even blamed in this church. I am truly sorry … I regret the harm this neglect has caused you."

DeVries "resigned in September 2005"(not fired) "In 2009, the church began to re-examine what went wrong. It was through that process, Pastor James said in his March 27 sermon, that church officials 'became aware that we were not caring adequately for the victims of Eric's abuse.'"

Yes, they finally did what was right, but why did it take several years for the church leaders to re-examine what went wrong? How about a lack of Biblical leadership & accountability! How many young girls left to never return? The youth's understanding of God is often based on how we "reflect" God in their lives.

There is a saying: "justice postponed is justice denied" I also say that "grace postponed is grace denied"

 

At least we see that the problem is not limited to IFB churches as some here would have you think. It's nationwide. The article pointed out:

A Japanese non-IBF church had a similar problem a year or two ago. The pastor was arrested, rare in Japan (where child abuse is extremely rife).

 

Towards??

Why would you have a problem with someone being biased towards IBF churches?

 

Think you got me there. Grammar problem; probably reads more correctly if it says "biased against," doesn't it?

 

Then apparently my perception was incorrect. Please forgive me.

 

Yes, it is isolated churches in every denomination. Sad, but true.

Of course, there are public school teachers that get nabbed all the time, but we don't condemn all public school teachers, now, do we?? Some people just look for a reason to jump on IFB churches - why can't we all get along? We all believe in Jesus as Savior, so why would anybody gang up on a particular group of believers? It amazes me over and over.
I have never taken the offense, only the defense.