The evening news anchor reported that a minister from the North Texas Conference of the United Methodist church has been accused of sexually harassing a member of a local church. The member has filed a civil lawsuit (he was a legal adult when it occurred) against the pastor and the North Texas Conference. I learned of the accusation (without any of the details) previous to the news report and was aware that the Bishop had begun a supervisory process to investigate the accusation. The accused minister has since surrendered his credentials and is no longer a United Methodist minister. While my immediate concern is for the abused individual (who is now serving as a United Methodist pastor), my heart also aches for Jesus' church. When something like this happens it’s not just the abused who is victimized but the very church Jesus died to establish. So while we must allow the legal process to run its course (innocent until judged guilty), pray for all those involved. Pray that there is healing as well as appropriate justice. Pray that those outside the church not judge Jesus' church on the actions of a few. So much good happens because of the church’s work in the world and only it has been given the unique “commission” to share the good news of God’s love in Jesus to the world!
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