Baptmom,
This is the quote I was referencing in my original post that you replied to I think. This is a very long thread who knows
It was not from You...
I know of a pastor of another church who will not have a female secretary in the church office, the only female who works in the office is his wife on a part time basis. I know of Christian men who will not allow themselves to be alone with another female except for their wife. I will not allow myself to be alone with another woman.
I have seen too many scenarios where a supposed "man of God" made up rules for his congregation or himself that seem to ignore the real sin, which is the thought life and the lack of self-control. Many people will create rules simply to avoid gossip, which you can't avoid, rather than deal with their own sin, and the sin of those who gossip.
I am not against being careful, being a married man, I am cautious to make sure I am acting in a way that is above board, but I do have many opportunites to interact with other women who have become very good friends and co-laborers, and I think to avoid that contact in order to protect myself from a lack of self-control is the wrong approach, IMO, God will do amazing things to do an end run around our man-centered behavioristic methods of protecting ourselves from real sin by creating a protective layer of things we call sin that are not.
I know that is not clear, but perhaps you see where I am coming from? I think your caution is commendable, but it can be taken too far, and everyone is different, we can't judge someone necessarily on the basis of "I wouldn't do that"
Dealing with Gossip is the #1 problem in Churches, and its the last one people want to deal with. Cause its ugly and it hurts, and when you deal with it, you stir up huge messes that most pew-sitters would rather you just left alone. I think Gossip is even more insidious in the church than sexual sin which is unfortunately too prevelant as well.
I remember my mom's little note next to the phone when I was a kid. "Is it True, Is it Kind, Is it necessary?" And I would add, Is this the person I should be talking to about it if those three ARE true.
