1 a : unmerited divine assistance given humans for their regeneration or sanctification b : a virtue coming from God c : a state of sanctification enjoyed through divine grace (Merriam-Webster)
Grace is unmerited favor from God. How far do we as ministers of God's plan for sanctification need to carry out grace? I have been ruminating on grace because recently the subject of sexual predators in the church came up in a seminary course. Many churches struggle with what to do with those that have been convicted and are registered sex offenders.
According to the California Megan's Law website:
"90% of child victims know their offender, with almost half of the offenders being a family member. Of sexual assaults against people age 12 and up, approximately 80% of the victims know the offender".
"Wanting to change is usually not enough to be able to change the patterns that lead to sexual offenses. To create the motivation to change, some offenders need a variety of treatment and corrective interventions, and for others learning how to make the change in their own behavioral cycle of abuse is more effective".
Both of these facts are especially appropriate as churches wrestle with how to deal with convicted sex offenders. As it has been said, you do not have an alcoholic tend bar, and thus by application, convicted sexual offenders should not be around children. What about small groups or home groups? Do all members of a small group need to be made aware that there is a convicted sex offender among them? What about if there are children in the home? What about missions trips? What about the bathrooms on church campuses? The questions go on and on. Many Christians when approached with these questions simply state that we must extend grace. I beg to differ! When does God shower us with unmerited favor? It is true that "there is no one righteous, not even one" and "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Rm. 3: 10,23 NIV). In 1 John 1:9 (NIV) it states: "if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness". And Paul writes: "this righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe" (Rm. 2:22 NIV).
What does all of this have to do with convicted sex offenders? Is it not true that we must confess our sins to have God's unmerited favor showered upon us? Most sex offenders will never admit to doing the crime. In the vast majority of cases, they will give some excuse as to why they have been convicted (for more information read "Protecting your Church Against Sexual Predators" by Glover).
If this is the case and the sin is not confessed, it is actually denied, must we then shower them with unmerited favor as God's ministers? How far do we as ministers of God's plan for sanctification need to carry out grace? This is where I am struggling.
2 comments:
These are excellent questions that I firmly believe need to be resolved.
I understand the frustrations a parent might have if they were to find out that someone who works with children in the church had a criminal record as a known sex offender. Most parents (except those full of grace) would not permit that person from being near them.
But we must reconsider this. As the church, which is God's agent of grace to the world, we must figure out what this means in reference to people and their ministry to the world. God has called us to love others, not shun them away. The church is a place of hope, not a place of fear. God has not called us to judge but instead to embrace people regardless who they are and what sin they have done in the past.
Having said all that, I probably still would not allow someone to work in ministry who has a record because of legal issues. Because we live in a world of litigation, we must remember that we are working with people who love to sue. With this in mind, you are asking the right questions and at least allowing for conversation, even though most people will not want to embrace grace and instead embrace the law.
i think there is a difference in God's grace (forgiveness and a new life from his point of view) and our legal responsibility and moral responsibility to insure the safety of our kids.
since i received God's grace i have sinned. and i have sinned in the same areas i did before i was saved. however this hasnt affected my position as a child of God.
if i can sin under grace in the same areas as i did before i came under grace, then couldnt a sexual offender do the same?
i'm not saying we judge the sexual offender, we accept them as brothers/sisters in Christ and rejoice that they have come into a relationship with God. but putting them back in a position where if they struggle they possibly ruin a child's life and destroy a ministry? i'm not so sure about that. if they wish to minister, then there are plenty of places for them to serve without putting them in direct contact with children.
lawsuits aside, i cant take that chance.
Post a Comment