Church Influx Versus Church Outflux

Which is worse: a person who commits a crime of abuse towards an individual, or a person who knew of a situation of abuse, had the authority to do something about it, but did nothing? Is the criminal the more guilty, or is it the person who let the criminal go free, allowing crimes to continue and further victims to be victimized?

The answer is: both are equally to blame; one is not worse than the other.

In the news you often hear of how rich, famous, beautiful, and talented people get away with horrendous crimes, many for years and years, as their worshippers turn a blind eye. And when the abuser is finally taken to court with charges against them, more often than not, the abuser is exonerated and the victims are portrayed by the media as liars and evil-doers, which only causes the victims further pain and heartache. Unless the victims have concrete proof, they don't stand much of a chance against the monstrous giant of fame and money.

Now I ask another question: are churches any different?

It's true that churches may not be the same as the world with respect to the extent or severity of the crimes and sins committed within, but many times the attitude is still the same.

I have heard several pastors over the last few years on stage warn their congregation not to come to them with any complaints because doing so is a sin against God. In effect, they spiritually manipulate the people to keep quiet and not speak a word against a fellow believer. They take Scripture out of context, and quote verses like:

"You, therefore, have no excuse,

you who pass judgment on someone else,

for at whatever point you judge the other,

you are condemning yourself,

because you who pass judgment do the same things."

Romans 2:1 (NIV)

In this verse, Paul is referring to the prejudice that Jews held against the Gentiles. The Jews thought they were better than the Gentiles and therefore above the Law. Paul was correcting their wrong and self-righteous attitude. He was not discouraging the people from reporting abuse, hurt, neglect, rejection, a wrong attitude, or sin in the Church.

Pastors who spiritually manipulate the congregation in this way cause the hurting and insecure people in the congregation to be too intimidated to report any kind of wrong-doing in the church for fear of reprise. It's ironic: this verse says we are not to pass judgment on another person, but that is exactly what churches often do to people who gain the courage to speak up against an unrighteousness action in the church. Because of this attitude, many wounded people leave the church. Some go to other churches, some stop attending church altogether, and some give up their faith in God.

I sometimes wonder if the rate of people leaving the church because of hurt and rejection exceeds the rate of new people coming into the church who give their lives to God in service. Sadly, from what I've seen over the years, working in many churches, I believe the former exceeds the latter: more people are leaving the churches and turning their backs against God than are becoming saved.

As Pastors, Christians teachers, and leaders, we are never — let me repeat — never to dismiss a person's claim of abuse of any kind. We are to deal immediately with the problems inside of a church with the wisdom of God and the respect of all people involved.

We are never to consider one person in the church more important than another, nor one person's word more valid than another, without first seeking out the truth with the wisdom and character of the Holy Spirit guiding us. If correction or disciplinary action is needed, then the church needs to take action.