Controversy and Cowardice

"Alex" posted the following: "Noticed that the post and related comments about the youth minister sex abuse case had been removed. What's the matter? Too controversial? Afraid to confront the truth? Becoming spiritual ostriches by refusing to talk about an issue that makes you uncomfortable, won't make it go away....Mike Cope wrote an entire book chapter about this once...about being "spiritual ostriches" who hide our heads in the sand by confronting issues. Jimmy Allen wouldn't ignore it, he'd address the issue head on." Actually, Alex did write anonymously to a post about an area youth minister who (as the newspaper reported) had been caught in a relationship of infidelity with one of his youth group members. Blogger Steve wrote an excellent commentary, and I seconded with some thoughts about being careful to avoid such situations, as well as hoping that there might be some redemption for the fallen. Both Steve and myself believed that the victim would receive much deserved attention, help, counseling, etc. ... but often the guilty receive hatred from Christians rather than hope. I believe Alex noted that these thoughts were all fine ... but then he went on to outline specific charges against the youth minister in question. He claims to know him, and to know of other illegal/immoral activities of this youth minister. There were two or three other "anonymous" responses ... one even accusing us of wanting to set things up so that if we did the same thing we would find some justification. I do not know if Alex wrote all of those posts or not. Joel and I left it up to Steve if he wanted to keep his post up or not, and for reasons he may or may not want to explain, he decided it was best to just delete it. The post has been up for several days and anyone who wanted to see it had time. As for Alex's accusations... as far as I know I do not know "Alex" nor does he know any of us. This is a fairly anonymous forum and "Alex" could be anyone. Alex, I can tell you that controversy is not a big problem for any of us. I can tell you that the truth is not at issue here ... what you say you know is simply hearsay to us. Nor did we refuse to talk about the issue ... two of us posted some thoughts about one aspect of the issue ... neither of us believing we had addressed the sin in every way. I see that you have started a blog, and I invite you to fully address child molestation, lack of integrity, sexual infidelity, ministerial trust breakers, church politics, or other subjects to your heart's content. I may even comment from time to time if you will allow it. Jimmy Allen and Mike Cope might address this issue head on, if they were addressing it. Our thoughts were about what the church does to it's wounded ... not to the rightness or wrongness of sexual predatory behavior. If I read my Bible correctly, people can be rescued from their sin. It is our hope that sinners be brought back into the safety of the righteousness of Jesus by virtue of his grace and mercy. That is exactly how I was saved ... and if you are saved it will be by the same means. As for your posts, you proved our point. We knew that there would be many who would be ready to destroy this man's life. Our hope was that someone ... anyone ... would show him the light of the glory of God's forgiveness, and that perhaps he may make the needed changes ... even if doing so while paying the consequences of his sins. You are welcome to respond to this, but I suggest that you (1) do not fill your response with further accusations about a man that are merely meant to add to his troubles and (2) try not to attribute to us undeserved characterizations such as you have done.