- If a man becomes a celebrity-pastor too hastily; and if he publicly and doggedly displays and defends traits that, if unaddressed, will (A) ruin him and (B) harm those he should be serving and (C) set a horrible example for those emulating him, it's wrong to say anything about any of that equally publicly.
- If men who should know better promote this celebrity pastor and his ministry, thus effectively giving cover to his besetting sins, it's wrong to warn of possible dire consequences, let alone express concern for the ministries of the worthy men who enable him.
- If the man does indeed crash and burn, it is wrong to say anything about it other than what a tragedy it is and how you hope he feels better soon. Specifically, it is wrong to mention that it was completely predictable, wrong to note that it could have been prevented, wrong to lament that those who had the man's ear evidently did not effectively issue corrective warnings — and really, really wrong even to hint that you yourself had tried to say something in a timely manner, and that it might have helped if those now dabbing their eyes with tissues had joined in when it might have counted for something, and express the hope that they might reassess how they approach such things.
Because if those people admitted their error and really did reform, things like this might not happen so often, ministries might be saved and saints protected, and fundamental needed systemic change might occur... which, come to think of it, would be a really great thing...
But anyway:
You're welcome.
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13 comments:
And it is definitely wrong to remind people of his victims!
It is WRONG to say that it is WRONG to say that people are WRONG! Stop this WRONGFUL WRONGING now!
I feel so wrongheaded...
I know a blogger or two who will probably write a smug post explaining how WRONG you were to even write this.
It's unloving and divisive to tell people they are WRONG, dontcha know? ;-)
Would you say it's wrong to say they're wrong?
So far I have only seen one blogger (and one who is pretty much unknown) come out and apologize for his lack of discernment in backing Mark Driscoll. I wish some of the big guys would both admit their mistakes here, apologize for their contributions to the mess, and commend those who actually have called out MD from the beginning. I thought everybody is pushing for humility here...that means being able to admit when you're wrong and somebody else is right and build a bridge there so you can all learn from the mistakes and do better next time around. I have a feeling that things will get worse after this six week paid leave (vacation) MD is taking.
To the elites, humility is something they think other writers should really work on; or it's what they model when they don't call something actually wearing a T-shirt that says "I AM A SPADE" a spade.
It certainly isn't saying "I was wrong, X was right, I really don't have an excuse, I really need to try to do better, sorry."
I don't get that...do we not see Peter being rebuked by Jesus in the Bible? And Peter seems to have repented and been changed by the Holy Spirit by the time he spoke at Pentecost. He was also rebuked by Paul later, but again seems to have changed by the time he wrote 1 & 2 Peter. Paul even knew he was wrong to speak disrespectfully against the high priest. He called himself chief of sinners and said that everything he had done was rubbish compared to Christ.
Why then should we have such a hard time admitting we are wrong? How will we ever grow unless we can do so? In the end, those who can not do so are hurting themselves and their followers with their pride. I can say that I have grown a great deal in admitting I have been wrong to my wife in various debates we have had. I am greatly thankful for God sharpening me through her.
Shouldn't the celebpastorleaderities lead the way, in showing the unwashed masses what true humility looks like, by simply admitting, openly and publicly, "I was wrong and my error has caused great harm to the Body of Christ. I ask your forgiveness."
For some reason I feel the need to point out that that was evil slayer Faith doing her Buffy impression after they switched bodies. There's probly an application in there somewhere.
Trogdor, by that display of very detailed knowledge of the saga of Buffy, you (A) are absolutely right, and (B) have SO "outed" yourself.
I make no apologies for being a Buffy fan. I was going to make a comment in the movie review about the band Dingoes Ate My Baby (Oz's band), but I couldn't formulate a good one. Alas.
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