Pastor Joe told the youth minister, "Don't take Heather on the youth trip. She's not a suitable chaperone." Heather Jones was only two years older than most of the kids in the group. Her younger sister, Kaitlyn, a high school freshman, would be going on the trip, and the girls didn't get along. And Joe had heard that since Heather had left for college, she had not exhibited the highest moral standards.
When the youth minister, Thad, a seminary student, first joined the staff, Joe had one request: "Please don't date members of the youth staff. In our experience, working relationships get sticky when things break up."
Thad agreed, but later he questioned the pastor's request about Heather.
"I've heard some things that make me uncomfortable, and I'd rather not discuss them," Joe explained to Thad. "And besides, it doesn't look good for a single man and woman to be the only adults on a youth trip."
The day before the trip, Heather's father called. "Joe, it's okay with us for Heather to chaperone ...
1Support Our Work
Subscribe to CT for less than $4.25/month