For 2 years, my wife was in Texas caring for her Grandmother before I could get an appointment and move from California to Texas. I went to the board and the older women in the church and let them know that I needed their help in guarding me. The agreement was that if any of the women in the church needed a ride home (several younger women didn't have cars) that the older women and board members wouldn't allow me, but would be willing to take them home. When the young adults came over to my house as we were developing a young adult ministry, they knew that they had to carpool or wait outside until at least 2 were at the parsonage before they knocked on the door. I once had to have a medical check for insurance, and the coordinator told me the (woman name) would come to my house on (date). I said, "I'm sorry, my wife is in Texas, and I promised her that I would never have any woman to the house for any reason. Can she meet me at the church instead?" There was a long silence. I said, are you still there... the operator said... "I'm sorry, I was trying not to cry. Thank you for honoring your wife. I wish more men were like you. In this time, especially as clergy, we need to never put ourselves in a position where there can be even the appearance of impropriety. We need to weed out this who do harm and restore our image as a trusted clergy. It'll take a generation.
As per usual, agree over 90%, Such a horrid issue and no one should be "restored" as clergy after such a thing. Nor be "restored" to working with children in any way. Food for thought on your policy choice: If your system on never just 1 adult were implemented across this country, there would be no classrooms in any schools that lived up to your policy. Individual teachers are in charge of multiple children all day long in schools, private or public. (Now, I'm all for cameras in classrooms), but imagine your tax dollars if all of the sudden - twice the staff of your local school system had to be hired. I definitely agree with never 1 on 1 - ever, weather it's me with an adult female parishioner, or an adult with a child who isn't their child. But I simply differ with you when it comes to One adult being with multiple children. It matters that it is under the right circumstances. (which at minimum include proper training and background checks). - Just something to think about.
Haven’t thought of it this way. I have seen video of teachers indoctrinating children and being proud of it, until they got caught. Definitely food for thought.
There definitely needs to be a higher conscientiousness towards these things, especially in this culture. People aren't right in the head, even when they claim to be right in motive. Policies in general, both in writing and personal, need to be clearly stated and practiced. Here's the continued thought from what you were getting on: "Let other institutions mess with them" It's heartbreaking, but it's a reality we can't ignore. We can't change who the schools let teach the children, we can't change whether the library hosts a reading hour with "diverse" individuals, and we can't control who runs the ministry down the road for lost and hurting teenagers. But we can make it clear in our faith and practice that we mean what we say. When we say, "We are all about protecting children" it needs to be sharply contrasted and distinct from those who would say the same and put the children in the laps of predators. Whether intentionally or incidentally, it doesn't matter; what matters is how we practice the safety of children.
This morning I visited the smallest church I've been to in several years. The Reformed tradition to which I belong emphasizes family-integrated worship, but normally still has a nursery for the very young--this church, likely as a result of its size, didn't. Yes, there were some children crying during the service, and sometimes parents stepped out with them for a bit to quiet them down. This isn't a bad thing, and as you say, it's important that children learn to worship--the sooner, the better.
“Restoring”clergy who sexually abuse anyone is crazy and against the will of God. A church would never “restore” a treasurer who absconded with funds. This is not about forgiveness. No one has a right to be a clergy, no maker their gifting. Let him sell cars or life insurance.
Ha😮 are you sure of that😮 God is a God of second chance 💯 Don't be so SELF RIGHTEOUS. ALL have SINNED and come short of God's glory 💯 if God will pull the cover from under you, do you think you can stand 😮 I'm sure you have skeletons in your closet too.
@@linegrant4605 Interesting. So you have sexually abused people. I have not. You are qualified for a used car salesman after prison but not as a Pastor.
We're dealing with a sex abuse scandal in my own denomination, the General Council of the Assemblies of God, within Texas chapters of Chi Alpha, which is the college student ministry of the denomination. There have been seven ministers whose credentials have been revoked (one of them appears to have had his credentials revoked unjustly) and at least two more need to have their credentials revoked. None of the ministers who have had credentials revoked were involved in the sexual abuse, except for the former Chi Alpha director. There are both adult and child victims (all male as far as I'm concerned). The Roys Report has done excellent reporting on it. It's under the investigations tab under "Daniel Savala/Chi Alpha". We need changes in the Assemblies of God to make sure that sexual and spiritual abuse is not happening in our churches or Chi Alpha chapters.
Yes, definitely, children should never be left alone with one adult. This is not only to protect children but the adults caring for them. I understand not having a pastor be alone behind closed doors with another adult, but if what is being discussed is private this could cause another concern. Probably the answer is to have a glass window or door as a partition where one can see in but not hear.
Our church put a window in the door of the pastor's office over a decade ago to protect both the pastor and the person seeking counseling from any suggestion of impropriety on either part.
One question I have is has the UMC opened itself up to these kinds of things happening on a greater scale because it has removed any sense of accountability for immorality in the BOD?
No. If there's something that everyone agrees on, it's that children are to be protected from sexual abuse. With today's technology and awareness of sexual abuse, it would be very difficult for a pastor or teacher or parent or whomever to get away with something like that. Many organizations - including Boy Scouts - have implemented a policy prohibiting an adult from being alone with a child; at least two adults must be present. I believe people got away with this in the past because it was so unspeakable and unbelievable to the general public that victims were afraid to come forward. In cases where sexual abuse was known and proven, the institutions often protected the perpetrators to avoid scandal and loss of reputation. Also, it's important to point out that the people who were in charge at the time of these abuse scandals were conservative. That doesn't mean conservative people are more or less likely to abuse children or commit other crimes, but it's telling that many of them covered for these perpetrators for decades.
I think I would be irresponsible if I didn't bring up the increasing number of United Methodist local churches that are hosting "family friendly" drag shows. These undoubtedly sexualize and groom children. While this is not the same as private one-on-one molestation, it is perhaps more damaging in some ways.
I don't think I had allowed my mind to go there until I saw your question. As if the other forms of immorality were not bad enough, the sexual abuse of children is stomach-turning.
Although Morris is down here close to my town, north Texas, I was unaware of him until this story broke. This confirms for me that anyone with this type of past should never be allowed to lead. Repentance and redemption? yes, possible, but leadership and/or access going forward? No. That right seems to be forfeited and they would not longer be qualified. It is my understanding that this guy was exposed way back in his 20’s, confronted and confessed to the church. However, as so often the case, was never referred to the police. This is one of the dark problems when churches appear to shelter the accused from legal ramifications. There needs to be proper consequences and accountability.
This is another risk , in that, although apparently forgiven or agreed to keep quiet by the victim’s family seems to have left him, the church, and the mission of the gospel open to attack/exposure that is a risk that should not be taken.
I don't understand the body of Christ 😮 where are the Spirit filled Christians😮 no one discern something was wrong with the pastor 😮 the devil 👿 disguised himself real good and creeped in the church 💯
I agree with children being in worship up to a point, but it is difficult to concentrate on what the pastor is saying when a newborn or young toddler begins screaming and/or crying. Otherwise, I really enjoy your videos.
Main point of worship isn’t paying attention to the sermon. I mean, as one who preaches, it is great when folks pay attention. But more important than that is being together, loving one another, ministering to each other. That’s the main focus of the New Testament. There’s pretty much zero concern in the bible that people learn to sit quietly and pay attention to the pastor. There’s a ton about mutual love and fellowship, and care for children.
It’s okay for a parent to step into the hall to quiet a child. Lots of churches have hallway guest chairs and a ceiling speaker to listen to the sermon. We just love them being there - babies and parents.
While I enjoy all aspects of the worship service including the music and the sermon, the Christian fellowship both before and after the service is the high point of being at church on Sunday. The prayers of my brothers and sisters in Christ are so important. We only have 75-100 people in attendance, so we know many of our fellow members. Small groups are special too.
