Paul's Passing Thoughts

Even though I believe church is a lie and nothing but a salvation marketing business, the church ought to consult me on many matters. I would even do it for free because I am a nice guy. As you know, the latest scandal trending in the church is the Steve Lawson disaster. This one is so bad that the ministries involved are trying to move on ASAP, and the usual clichés seem woefully worn-out and hollow. This one is really, really bad.

Or is it? When I went to church back in the day, a Reformed church, a respected elder had to resign under similar circumstances. The actions of this elder after his “fall” still speak to me today, about 24 years later. First of all, his post-actions emphasized the fact that he was still a member of that church and that was important. After the morning “worship service” (I believe the whole of our lives are worship and service) where he publicly confessed, he never missed a so-called “service” and remained faithful to the choir and other non-leadership ministries that he was involved in. If he wanted to send a message that everything else he did as a church member was important…the message was received loud and clear.

Also, when he walked forward to address the congregation with his confession, his wife was right behind him and sat in the front row while he spoke. I remember her powerful demeanor like it was yesterday, and I picture it in my mind some 24 years later. She was overtly defiant, as in, “Nothing is going to stand between me and this marriage.” The former elder and his family modeled godliness in that congregation for many years afterward. She later supported him in a significant professional endeavor.

So, where’s Steve? Imagine if his response was the same, and what a powerful testimony it would be. That’s where the focus would be, not the damage that has been done. These guys (the Reformed crowd in general) constantly preach about our response to trials, but I can tell you, so far, their response is becoming worse than the original sin.

paul