[adamwagg]

Maybe having admitted he did this thing the best thing may have been to get the elder to go to another church - with the blessings of this church to help restore him.

That way he could have been looked after and loved and helped back into where he should be. That might have resolved issues around still being in the same place as the person who he molested.

I know the Australian AOG has a process for ministers who have moral fail (normally affairs though - I dont know if it would cover this case), which usually involves going to a church with another minister who will look after them and help restore them.

[Chrysostom]

Originally Posted by Dave H

I came across this story today:

http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dl...0103/703290453

If you read this, read a page or two of the comments people have left. On one hand, it's hard to disagree with those who have left the church (and most of those who commented), yet on the other hand, this church seems to be trying to do what Christ commanded us to do.

I'm really curious to see what some of your reactions are...

It says that the man was an elder. What are the real motives of the church here? Are they going for damage control, trying to stop the bleeding of this kind of political suicide? Are they trying to back up their friend? Or are they really engaging in Christian forgiveness? We certainly can't know. (Unless one of you lives in the area.)

Of course this doesn't somehow remove this man's law-breaking or erase his condemnation, which is very just. Nor does it mean that the child's unspeakable hurt can or should be in any way looked down upon or discouraged. But this case provides an excellent "show run" for a Christian ethic -- are we willing to love our enemies and pray for those who hurt us?