For quite a few years, I have advocated and continue to advocate for a process of Victim's Advocacy within what I think could be the greatest Church on Earth, the Church Of God In Christ.
Yes, basic processes have changed. A new system to educate leaders on sexual harassment and a requirement for universal background checks...however, NONE of those things address any sort of ministry to the hurting or towards those who have been victimized by pulpit and pastoral imposters, posing as angels of light within our church.
What is the problem?
Maybe it is implication of guilt...Maybe the church doesn't want to be on the hook for any more money than what they have delivered through NDA and what liberal news now calls "hush money agreements" ...The fact is the church currently spends money to investigate and even defend predators of sexual abuse within the church. In teh Dirty Man interviews, we find that the church used the money given to it to defend and help known sexual predators. Then we find that all too often, policies and practices are set forth that help the alleged CRIMINAL instead of addressing and helping the victims of these sexually perverted ministers of debauchery and shame. This MUST CEASE...and SOMEONE must be bold enough to call the church into account.
Maybe it is implication of guilt...Maybe the church doesn't want to be on the hook for any more money than what they have delivered through NDA and what liberal news now calls "hush money agreements" ...The fact is the church currently spends money to investigate and even defend predators of sexual abuse within the church. In teh Dirty Man interviews, we find that the church used the money given to it to defend and help known sexual predators. Then we find that all too often, policies and practices are set forth that help the alleged CRIMINAL instead of addressing and helping the victims of these sexually perverted ministers of debauchery and shame. This MUST CEASE...and SOMEONE must be bold enough to call the church into account.
Still Essential:
NEW Policy, designed to help those who have been victimized...embraced, endorsed and approved within and by General Assembly. Sounds simple??? Well, the General Assembly consists of some of the offender class individuals. Bishops, Pastors and Elders making decisions on what policies the church should and will embrace. Needless to say that police policing themselves rarely works out positively or in favor of the public. The same is true of leaders, even Bishops who must hold one another accountable and Pastoral friends and associates of those people allegedly doing the same. In other words, until the QUID-PRO-QUO system is broken, change will only be incremental if any at all.
This is why popular leaders within the church must get serious and openly address the condition of our church in this area and the need to be the church that we talk and sing about. It will take bold leadership making a stand, endorsing what we should endorse and moving forward leading the church into a new destiny. It is a contradiction, to say that we love God and cannot find conscience enough to defend and heal those who have been cut open and nearly, if not, destroyed within our midst.
A Change Of Mindset:
Years ago, I was part of a local COGIC association of churches, when a particular pastor was found to have impregnated a 12 year old girl that was a member of his church. One of the Pastor's of that group said, "Well at least she was a daughter of the church and not outside of the church"...In his mind, although he realized the wrong, which ultimately destroyed what was left of that pastor's family and church, the commenting Pastor assumed that the sin was somehow made better because the victim had been raised in the church...Needless to say, I left that group, never came back and to this day, have no fellowship with them that hold such shallow ideology on the subject.
Years ago, I was part of a local COGIC association of churches, when a particular pastor was found to have impregnated a 12 year old girl that was a member of his church. One of the Pastor's of that group said, "Well at least she was a daughter of the church and not outside of the church"...In his mind, although he realized the wrong, which ultimately destroyed what was left of that pastor's family and church, the commenting Pastor assumed that the sin was somehow made better because the victim had been raised in the church...Needless to say, I left that group, never came back and to this day, have no fellowship with them that hold such shallow ideology on the subject.
It is a complete offense to God and what we could readily and easily call an abomination, to use and abuse anyone in the context of the church or otherwise, but to be a pulpit predator is extremely beyond the pale of anything considered moral. We should have an accountability to ALL people, but an even greater duty to them who are of the household of faith. (Gal.6:10)
As long as we believe that victimization is an "acceptable" part of our experience even to the smallest degree, nothing will change...Unfortunately, church politics will continue without a word of change being delivered on the subject. Men and women, will continue to step into their "destiny"...receive their "blessing" and flow under some form of anointing AND RAISE MONEY, all while overlooking the things that will forge us a path to heaven. Serving those who have been victimized and preventing evil from spreading within the context of our churches should be of high priority, but seems to be of lesser importance than the "show" or display of church.
Will the REAL LEADERS OF OUR CHURCH MAKE A STAND? Let's see. I really and sincerely want to see this.
CHALLENGE: For those willing to join this very spiritual battle to promote a revolutionary change within this church and be a part of a seed change within the Christian church in general, call us at (800)730-2990 x802
Blessed!
As long as we believe that victimization is an "acceptable" part of our experience even to the smallest degree, nothing will change...Unfortunately, church politics will continue without a word of change being delivered on the subject. Men and women, will continue to step into their "destiny"...receive their "blessing" and flow under some form of anointing AND RAISE MONEY, all while overlooking the things that will forge us a path to heaven. Serving those who have been victimized and preventing evil from spreading within the context of our churches should be of high priority, but seems to be of lesser importance than the "show" or display of church.
Will the REAL LEADERS OF OUR CHURCH MAKE A STAND? Let's see. I really and sincerely want to see this.
CHALLENGE: For those willing to join this very spiritual battle to promote a revolutionary change within this church and be a part of a seed change within the Christian church in general, call us at (800)730-2990 x802
Blessed!
Supt. Harvey Burnett
New Bethel COGIC
I Am My Brother's Keeper Christian Advocacy Council
Blessed!
New Bethel COGIC
I Am My Brother's Keeper Christian Advocacy Council
Blessed!
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