Church secrets
It’s happened again. Another church, another pastor caught in scandal. This time the church and pastor is a church that I’ve long followed and admired. Seems many years ago he sexually harassed two women on staff and the church leadership covered it up. This story has seemed to repeat itself time and time again over the last 10 years in some of the most high-profile churches and ministries. Why? What would be the reason that a church, of all places, would keep secret the abuse of fellow believers? The answer is always the same:
It’s always about the money.
In the Gospels, Jesus often talks about money. In fact He talks about money more than He talks about Heaven and Hell. In one place He says where your treasure is, that’s where your heart is (Matt.6:21). The Apostle Paul says the root of all evil is the love of money (1Tim. 6:10). Churches and ministries keep quiet about indiscretions of their leaders in the fear that the money will stop coming and if people stop giving, how will they pay for the big buildings and big salaries? Taking care of those abused seems to be of no thought.
“The time is coming when everything that is covered up will be revealed, and all that is secret will be made known to all. Whatever you have said in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have whispered behind closed doors will be shouted from the housetops for all to hear!” (Luke 12:2-3)
The problem is that eventually it does come out and the cover up and the lie adds to the pain and misery that’s already happened. People do lose faith; they leave and they stop giving and the ministry or church is irreparably harmed and the cause of Christ is damaged. We have gotten to the point where people are no longer surprised by church coverups. The non-churchgoing world shrugs its shoulders and says “that’s why I don’t go to church.” The church comes off looking like just another corrupt organization.
During my 26 year pastorate, I have on several occasions, unfortunately, had to share with the congregation difficult news. Here’s how I handled it:
I always shared at the end of the service so that people would not be distracted during the service. The focus of the service is Jesus, not the problem.
I was always as transparent as possible, without adding further hurt to anyone.
I was upfront and clear with information, explaining it in a way that everyone could understand.
I invited one-on-one discussions to answer any questions people might have and we answered every question we possibly could without violating any privacy issues.
I listened.
I allowed the congregation to grieve the information. I didn’t shrug my shoulders and move on. These are real people with real feelings and if it involves a staff member, there are relationships involved and the pain is greater.
In the case of letting go of staff, I directed the church to provide for their transition whether they were fired or quit. They have family and it’s the right thing to do.
Failure to give complete information and allow for questions will make a congregation distrust leadership and will invite more questions of what “really happened” and “what aren’t we being told.” This can lead to an exodus of people from the church and a pulling of financial backing because people will not give money, time or effort to an organization they don’t trust.
One last note to anyone in a church: if the situation stinks, if the information feels incomplete, if it feels like leadership is not being forthcoming, ask questions and hold people accountable. Church leadership serves the congregation, not the other way around. Don’t bury your head in the sand.
