"There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. What you have said in the dark will be heard in the daylight, and what you have whispered in the ear in the inner rooms will be proclaimed from the roofs." Luke 12:2,3
The words of Jesus quoted above may seem to have some significance in the unhappy situations in the news over the last few days relating to a well known celebrity who, it is alleged, sexually abused young girls on multiple occasions. As various accounts have been reported I noted the grief one middle aged woman felt that she was unable to blow the whistle on his behaviour many years ago and so possibly save others from being abused.
It appears that his behaviour was enabled because of his prominent status and also because of the fear of the impact that any revelation might have on his charitable activities. Sadly it was his status in this regard that provided both the opportunities to abuse and an adequate cover to keep his activities secret.
This is familiar territory to those of us who work with the victims of sexual abuse that we come across in churches - especially if that abuse has been perpetrated by a Christian leader. This recent news about the celebrity coincided with our Bible Discussion Group at Yelvertoft looking at 1 Corinthians 5. Around five years before Paul sent this letter from Ephesus he had spent eighteen months preaching and teaching and establishing this church. It existed in what would have probably been a cosmopolitan and pluralistic society lacking a clear over-arching moral framework. The second issue Paul addresses in his letter is the failure of the church to act appropriately regarding one of their number engaged in a sexual relationship that even society around would deem inappropriate.
Paul's words in this chapter may seem harsh. We have a tendency as Christians to want to be tolerant, loving and forgiving. Exercising judgement does not come easy. Indeed it is easier to hide behind the words of Matthew 7:1, so often poorly understood. But Paul warns the church of the consequences of their attitude in this matter. He uses the illustration of the affect of leaven. In the UK we might talk about the consequences of a rotten apple spoiling a whole barrel full.
As individual Christians and as churches we need to have standards. Where true repentance follows failure there needs to be forgiveness and acceptance (Paul addresses this in 2 Corinthians 2), but it is imperative that we do not shirk our responsibilities for the individual and corporate moral life. Whatever the apparent cost of exposing that which is wrong, the real cost of cover-up his far more serious. In 1 Timothy 5: 20 we read, "... elders who are sinning you are to reprove before everyone, so that the others may take warning.".
Many will be wondering about how this celebrity got away with it so often. We might wonder about the organisation that employed him. Were they, as some have claimed, culpable by their silence and denial? But before we seek to judge others, we need to start a lot nearer to home. What was there in the culture of the church in Corinth that led to inaction? What aspects of contemporary Christian culture might lead to similar failure?
My News This Week
I want to start by thanking those who responded to last week's news, whether through prayer or a practical response. We have received several one-off donations which are very much appreciated. We also had a smaller response to the request for people to join the Mission Link Scheme. The Link Scheme is very important as it enables us to plan and budget more sensibly. Of course we will always have to trust God to keep the ministry on the road. Through the Mission Link Scheme friends can make a small but regular donation (monthly, quarterly or annually). Every link helps to extend our ministry enabling us to continue serving others. Details were attached to last week's email, and I will be happy to send a copy again to anyone wanting more information.
We had an excellent service at Gartree Prison last Sunday morning. There was a good attendance, 100% attention through the whole of the meeting, and a lot of positive feedback from the prisoners who attended and others on the team. In the evening I took the meeting in Theddingworth, which also proved to be a blessed time.
Most of my time this week was taken up with administration and ministry preparation. It is often harder to pray for these activities as there doesn't seem to be the same focus as exists if there is a meeting. However, they are very important. The phone often rings with someone seeking advice or assistance so my desk is just as much a place of ministry as the pulpit.
Work on our church building at Yelvertoft is progressing slowly and this week's Bible Discussion Group had to be held in the village Reading Room. We are systematically unpacking 1 Corinthians at present and do so in a dynamic discussion. If you would find it helpful to have some notes from our Bible studies please let me know.
The Congregational Federation's Area Meeting on Friday, at Leicester provided me with the opportunity to report on new ways in which we hope to enhance the work of our Mission and Development Worker and also progress on the appointment of a Children and Families Worker for the Area. We are currently advertising this post and your prayers that the Lord will bring in the right person for this important ministry will be appreciated.
Upcoming Engagements
Sunday 7th. Morning Meeting at Yelvertoft. In the afternoon I will be conducting a Service of Blessing on a Marriage following a Civil Ceremony at Hothorpe Hall. The middle-aged couple getting married have been very keen about the Christian element in their special day. Please pray that I will bring God's word of blessing.
Tuesday 9th. In the morning I am meeting with two key people from within the local Methodist District exploring how we might be able to support their activities. In the afternoon I will be at Gartree Prison.
Items for Praise and Prayer:
The words of Jesus quoted above may seem to have some significance in the unhappy situations in the news over the last few days relating to a well known celebrity who, it is alleged, sexually abused young girls on multiple occasions. As various accounts have been reported I noted the grief one middle aged woman felt that she was unable to blow the whistle on his behaviour many years ago and so possibly save others from being abused.
It appears that his behaviour was enabled because of his prominent status and also because of the fear of the impact that any revelation might have on his charitable activities. Sadly it was his status in this regard that provided both the opportunities to abuse and an adequate cover to keep his activities secret.
This is familiar territory to those of us who work with the victims of sexual abuse that we come across in churches - especially if that abuse has been perpetrated by a Christian leader. This recent news about the celebrity coincided with our Bible Discussion Group at Yelvertoft looking at 1 Corinthians 5. Around five years before Paul sent this letter from Ephesus he had spent eighteen months preaching and teaching and establishing this church. It existed in what would have probably been a cosmopolitan and pluralistic society lacking a clear over-arching moral framework. The second issue Paul addresses in his letter is the failure of the church to act appropriately regarding one of their number engaged in a sexual relationship that even society around would deem inappropriate.
Paul's words in this chapter may seem harsh. We have a tendency as Christians to want to be tolerant, loving and forgiving. Exercising judgement does not come easy. Indeed it is easier to hide behind the words of Matthew 7:1, so often poorly understood. But Paul warns the church of the consequences of their attitude in this matter. He uses the illustration of the affect of leaven. In the UK we might talk about the consequences of a rotten apple spoiling a whole barrel full.
As individual Christians and as churches we need to have standards. Where true repentance follows failure there needs to be forgiveness and acceptance (Paul addresses this in 2 Corinthians 2), but it is imperative that we do not shirk our responsibilities for the individual and corporate moral life. Whatever the apparent cost of exposing that which is wrong, the real cost of cover-up his far more serious. In 1 Timothy 5: 20 we read, "... elders who are sinning you are to reprove before everyone, so that the others may take warning.".
Many will be wondering about how this celebrity got away with it so often. We might wonder about the organisation that employed him. Were they, as some have claimed, culpable by their silence and denial? But before we seek to judge others, we need to start a lot nearer to home. What was there in the culture of the church in Corinth that led to inaction? What aspects of contemporary Christian culture might lead to similar failure?
My News This Week
I want to start by thanking those who responded to last week's news, whether through prayer or a practical response. We have received several one-off donations which are very much appreciated. We also had a smaller response to the request for people to join the Mission Link Scheme. The Link Scheme is very important as it enables us to plan and budget more sensibly. Of course we will always have to trust God to keep the ministry on the road. Through the Mission Link Scheme friends can make a small but regular donation (monthly, quarterly or annually). Every link helps to extend our ministry enabling us to continue serving others. Details were attached to last week's email, and I will be happy to send a copy again to anyone wanting more information.
We had an excellent service at Gartree Prison last Sunday morning. There was a good attendance, 100% attention through the whole of the meeting, and a lot of positive feedback from the prisoners who attended and others on the team. In the evening I took the meeting in Theddingworth, which also proved to be a blessed time.
Most of my time this week was taken up with administration and ministry preparation. It is often harder to pray for these activities as there doesn't seem to be the same focus as exists if there is a meeting. However, they are very important. The phone often rings with someone seeking advice or assistance so my desk is just as much a place of ministry as the pulpit.
Work on our church building at Yelvertoft is progressing slowly and this week's Bible Discussion Group had to be held in the village Reading Room. We are systematically unpacking 1 Corinthians at present and do so in a dynamic discussion. If you would find it helpful to have some notes from our Bible studies please let me know.
The Congregational Federation's Area Meeting on Friday, at Leicester provided me with the opportunity to report on new ways in which we hope to enhance the work of our Mission and Development Worker and also progress on the appointment of a Children and Families Worker for the Area. We are currently advertising this post and your prayers that the Lord will bring in the right person for this important ministry will be appreciated.
Upcoming Engagements
Sunday 7th. Morning Meeting at Yelvertoft. In the afternoon I will be conducting a Service of Blessing on a Marriage following a Civil Ceremony at Hothorpe Hall. The middle-aged couple getting married have been very keen about the Christian element in their special day. Please pray that I will bring God's word of blessing.
Tuesday 9th. In the morning I am meeting with two key people from within the local Methodist District exploring how we might be able to support their activities. In the afternoon I will be at Gartree Prison.
Items for Praise and Prayer:
- Give thanks for the donations received this week and the first links in the Mission Link Scheme.
- Give thanks for God's blessing on the ministry last Sunday and the Bible Discussion Group mid-week.
- Give thanks for those with whom I am working to resolve inherited difficulties in Action for Christ.
- Give thanks for all those in our informal networks seeking to proclaim the gospel, especially those working in rural situations.
- Give thanks for those ordering our mission resources through the past week.
- Give thanks for those (many are my friends) whose ministry includes seeking to make our churches and Christian organisations safer, and who have to clear up after the hurt and damage caused by sin.
- Please pray for our ministry this Sunday at at the start of next week.
- Please pray for the Lord to send the right person for the role of CF Area Children and Families Worker.
- Please pray as I seek with others to make my visit to Ireland in November as useful as possible.
- Please pray that the Lord will supply all the funds needed so that we can end this year without adding to the deficit of the past four years.
- Please pray for more people to join the Mission Link Scheme.
- Please pray for the many survivors of sexual abuse, especially those who come to our churches hoping to find understanding and support. The high profile of the issue in the news will bring up a lot of hurt from the past for many.
- Please pray for the uncovering of abusive situations, especially where it might be happening in a Christian context. Pray for those who perpetrate abuse, that they will be convicted of their sin, repent, and seek forgiveness from God and those against whom they have sinned.
The Lord abundantly bless you.
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