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Turning a Blind Eye Is Not an Option

People of God, we must speak up and out against abuse

Years ago when I served as an assistant prosecutor, I was approached by a few coworkers (on different occasions) who were working on cases where children were sexually abused by someone in the church. Prosecuting cases where children are abused are the toughest cases to prosecute, in my opinion. Children are among the most vulnerable members of our society, and someone taking advantage of them pierces my heart.

One of the most troubling aspects of those cases was when the churches took sides with the offenders. On more than one occasion they tried to keep the offenses "in house" without going to the proper authorities. Many times the parents didn't go to the police until the church failed to appropriately respond. As a believer, it broke my heart when my coworkers asked me why church members would side with offenders and demonize the victims. They often received phone calls from angry church members who pronounced that the offenders' sins were forgiven. They told us that our office was wrong for prosecuting these cases.

I didn't know these Christians, so it was easy to write them off as crazy. It did bother me that fellow Christians would respond this way, but I subconsciously wrote them off as unbelievers. This is how I processed it. That way, I was able to make sense of it and make peace with it–until I met Taylor* and Bobby*.

Taylor is a young lady who loves the Lord and is committed to serving him. Years ago, Taylor accepted a position at a local church to serve the youth in the community as a youth director. She spent every free moment working for the ministry. She was so excited to work with the children. However, Taylor was eventually pursued by the pastor. Taylor found herself constantly harassed and eventually sexually assaulted. She quit her position abruptly. When asked what happened by fellow servants, she didn't know what to say. One of the servants asked her, "Did he rape you? He's been known to chase young women in the church and all of a sudden they disappear. The church has also received reports of other sexual assaults. Did he do something to you?" When Taylor heard this, she was more distraught that the church knew about this behavior and did nothing about it. The two people Taylor confided in still attend the church to this day and serve the pastor. Did they turn a blind eye?

I met Bobby years ago in school. He grew up in the church but would never want to attend with me. He seemed to love God, but he hated the church. I didn't understand it. One day I talked him into going and he cried during the entire service. Later that day, I asked him why and he finally opened up. Bobby told me that his father had left his mother when he was a little boy. His mother knew that he needed a male mentor, so she took him to the pastor for mentoring. The pastor sexually and physically abused Bobby and other young boys in the church. This took place for years. The sad thing is, not only did Bobby get molested by his pastor, but he was also "shared" with his minister friends. Bobby was eventually "rescued" by another pastor, but even that relationship remains questionable to me. Who saved these boys? No one; everyone turned a blind eye.

Unfortunately, these two stories are only two of hundreds of cases I've heard about through my jobs, ministry, personal life, and television. The most disappointing part is the failure of the church to respond to these types of behaviors. I've even had conversations with friends who report to me that they don't agree with the behavior, but "he is only a man." They tell me they don't attend church for the pastor (or other leaders). They are not concerned with their conduct. It is my experience that if people in leadership are gifted, they are often not held accountable for their conduct.

This reminds me of the sons of Eli. In 1 Samuel 2:22, the Bible informs us that Eli's sons were seducing the young women who assisted at the temple (among other things). They were servants of God, yet they took advantage of their position. Eli's sons' behavior is an illustration of the conduct that is running rampart in our churches today. However, the Lord did not overlook their behavior. The Lord pronounced that they had no respect for him or for their duties as priests. In fact, one translation states that they were sons of Belial (Satan) and that they did not even know God.

The Bible tells us that Eli grieved over their sins but did nothing about it. Likewise in today's society, we may grieve over the sin but fail to respond. Eli failed to correct the problem, thereby putting more people at risk. God was not pleased. He punished the house of Eli and appointed a faithful priest to serve the people.

When we fail to hold leaders accountable, we are continuing to allow these offenders to defile the house of God and his people. God wants us to hold leaders accountable. He wants us to have leaders who will be faithful to him and to the people.

It is time to stop turning a blind eye to the immoral and criminal behavior taking place in our sanctuaries. If a person has committed a criminal offense, then that person needs to be held accountable by the church and the proper legal authorities. If a leader is participating in immoral behavior, the church needs to have that person step down from the position of leadership until they are restored. People of God, let's stop turning a blind eye and speak up and out against abuse!

*Names have been changed to protect identities.

Carmille Akande is a licensed minister, attorney, speaker, writer and blogger based in Dayton, Ohio. She has a heart for outreach and discipleship ministries and blogs at carmilleakande.com.

August04, 2014 at 8:00 AM

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