Monday, February 7, 2011

Christian or believer, this is the question.

The latest dilemma in my thought life is how does our story, our life telling come across to people who have no relationship with God?
Here are men who have chosen to hurt innocent children under the guise of a missionaries, under the cover of the church establishment. This is something that is disgusting in the eyes of God and man alike. It is a gross misrepresentation of what church should be. So much so that I would say that these men never were representatives of the Body of Christ. If they were than the church is in a much worse position than I ever imagined. In that same vein concerning the positioning of the church I have still found that as a whole it has not responded in the way that represents the heart of God for His children.
It should most definitely be noted that the men who abused these children were not ambassadors for Christ as they claimed to be. They were wolves in sheep clothing, frauds, and cons. However, the church and her response to the evidence and testimony of so many children is also not a fair representation of Christ.
I have a sweet friend who is especially concerned with how the church is being portrayed in all of this. I agree with her concern.
I do not have an excuse for what my family has experienced as a whole from the church. I have experienced well known leaders in the church ridicule me for my strong stance in all of this, they feel that I should be quiet, that I haven't acted in a "Christian way", that I have caused more problems by being so vocal. The real problem is, I should not have had to be the one shouting it out.  These leaders should have immediately taken that role of whistle blower and dealt with these so called ministers.
It started with a phone call to the "missionary" in charge, I got nowhere. Then I and another couple went to the organization that adjudicates all matters concerning Lashbrook Family Ministries and still there was no accountability or correction for the decisions and actions of these men. The authorities were also notified. The only option that was left to bring out the truth and some present accountability for the actions of these child abusers was to write letters declaring the truth of what has happened and what our children have been telling us. Ironically, shortly after those letters were sent the mission sending organization requested that their "missionary" take a sabatical. 
It is quite unbelievable that we have not been received with empathy, and sincere compassion from these leaders within the church. I am confused. There are some leaders within the church who have shown great concern for our families and even tried to correct the situation. Those who have chosen to scorn the parents who have taken a stand are louder in their protest. There is a clear line drawn, and the stance of the church is very divided. Why?
Has Christianity turned into a title, a badge that someone puts on when they attend church regularly and believe that God exists? Or is it a mandate to live by? If it is not Christian to root out gross sin, and men who do it, if it is not Christian to blow the whistle on a men who are raping and molesting children under the guise of ministry, if it not Christian to expect accountability and correction from leaders within the church establishment, if it is not Christian to speak the truth when no one else will then I choose to be called a Believer of Jesus and you can keep your badge. Truth hurts sometimes, and often times doesn't come gently when it has been resisted for so long.
I am no saint, I have seen an ugliness in my heart many times throughout this nightmare but I do not believe I have acted inappropriately. I love Jesus, and I love His children especially the small ones. I dare say that if Jesus were walking the earth in bodily form right now, and He was the one defending these children we would have been terrified with the severity of His response.
Justice IS coming, and truth WILL prevail, light WILL shine on all of this darkness, and healing IS coming.

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