Another scandal hits... how should we respond?

Another scandal hits… how should we respond?

Posted on September 23, 2010
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Bishop Eddie Long has had a rough 48 hours. First two men, then one other young man has filed civil suit against the Bishop and his New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in Atlanta, alledging that Long coerced the young men into sexual relationships. The details are sordid.

The secular media is all over this story. The Christian media, not so much. I haven't seen any blog (at least in our circles) touch the story. I'm not sure anyone knows what to say. If the allegations are true, it is horrible. If the allegations are false, its a whole different kind of horrible.

Here are some random thoughts:

1. Maybe the reason we're not talking about this (yet) is that Bishop Long is not in most of our camps. But Long is a huge figure in the African American church. Do a twitter search on Bishop Eddie Long and watch the tweets float past. They are all over the place, but the African American community is all abuzz, especially the African American Christian community. I saw one tweet last night from a women saying something like "Not my husband will never go to church with me... and I was so close". This story has huge implications, not only for the black church, but also for Atlanta and the church in general. Whether true or false, it's another black eye on the church that the media loves to report.

2. As I said, it's too early to know if these allegations are true. Our culture today requires that you only have one person make an accusation. That's all you need. There doesn't need to be an ounce of truth to it... the story still goes public and ruins your reputation. The difference here is that there are three different people making the same accusations. Sure, there could be some conspiracy here; but it makes it more difficult when you have three people saying the same thing. That's a problem.

3. To complicate things in this case, you also have alleged lavish trips on private planes to exotic places, money changing hands, and a twisted spiritual justification aspect. When you add in each of these elements, it just makes the story that the alleged victims tell, as a whole, seem more believeable. Suddenly, 'you took the kid to New Zealand for his birthday on your private jet' (which should be easy to prove/disprove) makes 'you coerced him to have sex with you' seem more believeable.

4. One of the lawyers filing the case yesterday also released a few pictures of Long that were, well... weird. These pictures were allegedy sent to the victims on their cell phones. They picture Long, looking buff, in really tight shirts. Again... could be totally innocent... but just weird.

5. Some would argue that this is the secular media going wild on a story. I would say... not really. This is they type of story the media loves, not because it's about a Christian, but because of the duplicity and conflict in the story. Bishop Long is an outspoken advocate against homosexuality and gay marriage. To have allegations that he's been involved in homosexual relationships IS a news story.

6. For the record, I was able to be on a short group conference call with Bishop Long a couple of years ago. A mutual friend is a close friend of the Bishop. Bishop Long talked briefly about the program that is now in question. To hear him speak of the program was exciting, to be honest. He told how they find the young, underpriveleged boys and identify their future potential. They pay for their education, mentor them in the Word, and prepare them to be pastors. He (Bishop Long) would pour his life into these young men to help prepare them. He was very passionate about the program and about the results they were getting. If any (ANY) of these allegations are true... something went terribly wrong.

So... what can we learn from today's situation, whether it is true or not?

1. (And this won't affect 99.9% of us). I've said it before, and I'll say it again... lose the private plane. Nothing good has ever come from a private plane (as far as I can tell) for a pastor, other than saving a few minutes at the airport, and making yourself look elitist.

2. Prepare yourself for allegations. Allegations about pastors come all the time, in all size churches. People will allege anything from sexual relationships to lying, cheating, and theft. That's why it is so important to live a life far above approach. As a pastor or church staff member, someone is watching you at all times... when you mow your yard, when you shop at Walmart, when you're driving your car. Don't give them any ammunition. I just ran a story about a pastor who left because he put personal expenses on the church credit card and kept the points for his personal use. Even something like that is a crack in the door that can ruin you.

3. Show others that you're accountable. Part of the lawsuits in this case are pointing fingers at those around Long that should have stepped in and done something. The allegation is that Long's people knew and allowed these relationships to happen: They were enablers. For example, one case states that Long's people knew that he shared a hotel room with these young boys. Big mistake. Surround yourself with people that have your best interests in mind. Surround yourself with people that will tell you no. Surround yourself with people who will hold you accountable, not cover your tracks.

4. Have a plan for how your church will deal with allegations when they come up. What if someone in your congregation accused you of having an affair? How would your church structure handle the situation? In my church world experience, there are hardly any churches who know how they would handle a situation like this... and because of that... when the situation hits, they handle it poorly.

5. Tell the truth. When allegations come, please... just tell the truth. The only thing worse than the allegation being true is trying to cover your tracks and being found out to be a fraud and a liar ON TOP of the allegations. I don't know that this is the case in the Eddie Long story... and I pray it's not. Long cancelled a radio interview and press conference where he was to speak today, and instead sent his lawyers out to do the press junket. That only stirs up controversy more.

Those are my thoughts this morning, as blurry as they may be. I truly hope this story is proven wrong. Time will tell, I guess.

Here's the latest CNN story...

Todd

Comments

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CS on Fri, October 01, 2010

Peter:

“CS, you know I often get annoyed at your generalities, but in my experience, this one is hard to argue with… “

Stereotypes are the grist of the satirist’s mill, though. =)

—
CS
John Burton on Fri, October 01, 2010

Regarding financial blessing, we need to realize that many prosperous people simply receive money… a lot of it. And, it’s done with the utmost integrity.

Christian baseball players earn millions and drive great cars and take great vacations and have great houses… and give millions away too.

Christian leaders may earn millions through gifts, book sales, etc… they have a brain for business… and it’s done honestly.

If somebody gives them a Bentley, should they refuse it? What if the continually receive gifts? What if God’s blessing in their lives just doesn’t cease?

Think of it this way… what if a pastor earned, through investments, etc… $10,000,000 a year? What if they gave away $9,000,000? Then, what if they used the remaining $1,000,000 to buy a Bentley or a nice house? Is that wrong?

I’d say no… and that scenario is how a lot of prosperous people live… and people still criticize them.
MC on Fri, October 01, 2010

I say let each one of us be accountable for what we have and allow others that same opportunity.

PS: If someone gives me a Bentley.. I’m going to sing ‘To God Be The Glory’ and drive it like it’s hot!
robert on Fri, October 01, 2010

MC - I’m sure God will smile upon you. A scripture you may want on your License Plate may be Matt 25:35-36

For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.
John Burton on Fri, October 01, 2010

I would imagine it’s possible to be wealthy, to have financial blessings… AND feed the poor… in fact, it’s a lot easier to do that if you do have money.

There’s just no logical reason to embrace lack or poverty… it limits how much you can impact the world.

My initial thought almost always when I see a prosperous Christian… pastor or otherwise… is that they must be incredibly faithful, an amazing steward of the finances God has entrusted to them. Such a lifestyle reaps rewards.
Robert on Fri, October 01, 2010

neither poverty nor wealth testify to one’s godliness. if wealth were the measure of godliness Larry Flynt and Hugh Heffner would be among the godliest people.

I’m not suggesting that every Christian take a vow of poverty but we ought to be careful with how we handle our wealth.

1 Timothy 6:17-19
Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.
Peter Hamm on Sat, October 02, 2010

John Burton writes [Regarding financial blessing, we need to realize that many prosperous people simply receive money� a lot of it. And, it�s done with the utmost integrity.] This is not always the case, especially, it seems, among those who use “faith” to earn money. We’ve seen that over and over.

[I say let each one of us be accountable for what we have and allow others that same opportunity.] But in some cases, they seem accountable… to only themselves… That is NOT accountability. God, I pray that I’m never wealthy enough to abuse it. This is the problem, everybody says let them be accountable, and yet they are not… really… to anyone…

But we’re WAY off track.
MC on Sat, October 02, 2010

Peter, we all must stand before the judgement seat of Christ. He is the master of all his servants, so ‘to his (the servants) own master he stands or falls.’ Even if a person has set up a system where he is accountable to no man… just know that person WILL be accountable to God (as each one of will be). So, let’s just pray one for another, be a good steward of what God has given to us, and let God take care of everyone else.
Peter Hamm on Sat, October 02, 2010

If a man is accountable to no man, he will certainly not be worth following, either.
Fred on Sat, October 02, 2010

Just because someone gets cash does not mean God is blessing them.
jud on Sun, October 03, 2010

I’ll ask again.

Should it be considered a conflict of interest if a person takes a full time position of ministry then sets out for much of the week/year pursuing other interests/ speaking engagements?
Peter Hamm on Sun, October 03, 2010

jud,

I don’t recall you saying this, but this is an EXCELLENT point you raise.

define “much of the year”. For some, there is an inherent understanding that they will do this for a certain number of weekends, and perhaps this even accelerates their equipping of other teaching pastors and makes the home church less reliant on a “personality”, so it can be good… Sometimes their job description is structured to allow for this. A few derive their personal income ONLY from these external engagements, and work for the church gratis.

But if my pastor spent an inordinate amount of time seeking such opportunities and it clearly affected his job performance within the church, then I’d have a problem, and would probably say so. In our church, if our SP did this, quite frankly, I suspect it would only help the church and not hinder it.

But I’m not denying that in some cases this could theoretically be a legitimate concern. I’d have to be inside that situation to fairly evaluate it.
bishopdave on Mon, October 04, 2010

I was in the Dallas -Love Field airport and there across from me was Chuck Swindoll. He was flying Southwest.
Leonard on Mon, October 04, 2010

I travel and speak some, but do not always get paid. I never have my church pay my way either. I do draw a salary from my church. The question of pastors earning a ton of money from the church and then from other endeavors is interesting, however since most pastors do not earn a ton of money from the church it is really assessing a small slice of pastors.
Fred on Mon, October 04, 2010

Some pastors USE the church to get them started in their “outside business” and then shift all the money over to themselves. That is not ethical for an employee anywhere and surely is not for a pastor.

What about this situation? : A pastor is paid to preach and pastor a church. He goes on several “trips” a year. His church foots the bill (without being asked anything) for 2 airline tickets (pastor and wife), a rental car, hotel, meals and entertainment. The pastor preaches at a church while on his trip and collects a $1,500.00 honorarium. While he is gone he brings in one of his friends/pastors to fill in and makes sure he/she gets a $1,500.00 honorarium, his travel including rental car , hotel and meals are taken care of.
One top of those trips there is “pastor appreciation month.” The congregation slips gift card, cash etc. etc. to the pastor. The deacons get together and decide to send the pastor and family on an all expense paid vacation to a south sea island. Later in the year the pastor and family take their “real” vacation for a few weeks.
Is it OK for a pastor or even a Christian to not do their job? Is it OK for them to take advantage?