What I am currently learning in my #churchtoo scenario is that unbiblical expectations of forgiveness & mercy are likely programmed in the minds of staff, leadership, ministry workers, & congregation members. Their ability to overlook/deny was previously conditioned. We tend to give way too much reverence - to the point of idolatry - when it comes to how we view church leaders, especially pastors. It gets to the point where we put them on a pedestal where they can do no wrong. This is why there is such a visceral response when abuse is exposed, why the victim(s) is perceived as an enemy, the majority are unable to believe truth that the abuse happened, and the church system is more than willing to restore regardless of actual evidence of repentance. If it is clergy, all these responses are heightened to another level. As we wrongly elevate our Christian leaders to a place of idolatry, we become unable to biblically deal with them when they commit heinous abuses in the church. We protect the abuser, not the abused. All of us (including me) who have served in a church system where the lead/head/senior pastor is on a idolatrous pedestal, having too much power/control/authority: we may think it is okay to overlook indiscretions because, “the ministry does such good work” but that is NOT the case. Over the years, as I served in ministry in various capacities, I, along with others, overlooked what I thought were small things that the head leaders did to abuse their power. We became desensitized, all while being convinced, we’re doing the “work of the Lord.” Sadly, abuse was also happening, especially at the top. We were unknowingly complicit in abuses of power being carried out. It doesn’t matter how good the perceived outcome is (the Gospel being preached), if abuse is going on behind the scenes, it is all hypocrisy.
The lessons:
1) Remove clergy from the idolatrous pedestals we’ve constructed.
2) Stop justifying the poor behavior of leaders.
3) Those of us surrounding them must speak up and enforce proper checks & balances/accountability.
4) Abuse has consequences that cannot be ignored or swept under the rug in the name of forgiveness & mercy.
The lessons:
1) Remove clergy from the idolatrous pedestals we’ve constructed.
2) Stop justifying the poor behavior of leaders.
3) Those of us surrounding them must speak up and enforce proper checks & balances/accountability.
4) Abuse has consequences that cannot be ignored or swept under the rug in the name of forgiveness & mercy.