Daily Innovation, Ministry Insights, and Thoughts from Todd Rhoades for Pastors and Church Leaders
Ministering to the Sex Offenders
A Lutheran congregation is grappling with how to deal with a convicted sex offender who says his church attendance is an important step toward rehabilitation. Clergy and members at Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd say they're in a quandary over how to protect their children while following in Christ's footsteps and welcoming a stranger. "Clearly, we are called to love," said the Rev. Rebecca Schlatter, associate pastor. "But is it safe to love this particular person up close?"
The church has offered a covenant of 17 conditions to Calvin Brugge, who says he will sign it. Among other restrictions, he can only attend the 7:30 a.m. Sunday service, and he’s barred from using the restroom or attending church-sponsored functions that include children.
Plans call for a support team to meet with him regularly and an accountability team to observe him while he’s on church property.
“I have enjoyed church community before, and I feel that it’s been something that has been lacking in my life, something that I grieve that I don’t have in my life,” Brugge said. He began attending church services in December.
“My only saving grace is to be open, honest and ask for assistance,” he added.
Brugge, 60, is on parole for five more months after serving eight months in a California prison for violating his parole in 2005.
He was convicted in California in 1989 and 1997 for sex offenses involving children, according to the state’s sex offender registry. Brugge has been identified as a tier three sex offender who poses a high risk of recidivism and threat to public safety.
Mary Carlson, a single mother of an 8-year-old girl, has fears despite the covenant. “He is a pedophile, and this pedophile might be fantasizing about this little girl across the aisle,” she said.
SOURCE: AP / The Church Report
FOR DISCUSSION: How would your church minister to this man? Have you had sex offenders in your congregation? How would you balance ministering to them and the need to be protect others from the possibility of a sexual preditor? (I’m sure there are some reading this who’ve had to already think this through)…
This post has been viewed 176 times and was added on March 06, 2007 by Todd Rhoades. Filed under: Engaging Culture Trends in Today's Church Share this post with a friend right now! View reactions to this post at other blogs... You can really help us out by subscribing to our free RSS feed with your favorite feed reader, or here at Bloglines. Also, you can add us to your favorites at Technorati.
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My name is Todd Rhoades, the 'behind the scenes' guy here at MMI. I'm also on the team at Leadership Network (although that doesn't mean that they endorse everything I write here). In my past life, I was the developer of a of a website called ChurchStaffing.com. I hope you'll enjoy your time here and tell all your colleagues about MMI! 
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Posted by CM Pastor Kevin
Tuesday, March 06, 2007 at 6:12 PM
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Posted by Jan
Tuesday, March 06, 2007 at 9:02 PM
Post Your Comments:As a Children’s Pastor I have often brought articles such as these to our “Protection Plan” meetings. These meetings are mandatory for our new volunteers and covers many of the “what-if’s” and “how-to’s” that come up when working with minors!
We’ve heard of “other” churches in our area having “close-calls” with pedophiles, it is by God’s grace that we haven’t had to deal with CURRENT or PAST predators. We’re working on contingency plans, but as of right now our Elder’s Board has no solid answers if (1) A sex offender wanted to attend, and (2) where he/she could serve.
It’s a big “NO” for working or helping in the CM department, though! Even if they are in “rehabilitation” or are supposable “cured”.
May the Lord guide this Lutheran Church, and all others with children in their congregation (which is practically 100% of them)!
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/nation/4600287.html
We have / our dealing with two. One is back in jail. He grew up in the church and his parents knew and his father sat on the board and said nothing. Now there’s something to be upset about! He’s not contrite nor admits having a problem. So, we pulled his membership and applied church discipline. He’s 19 years old by the way. He is not allowed to come onto the church property.
The other is an older man who had an encounter with a teen. Has suffered much and is in regular counseling etc. He definitely has a broken and contrite spirit and we continue to hold him accountable. He comes to services, under the watchful eye of our board members and attends men’s Bible study, that is all.
I think this church is doing the best they can in a less than ideal situation. It’s a difficult issue to deal with and it helps to be prepared in advance, so when it comes up you have a plan.
Love is always our goal but we must protect our children first in my opinion. Sometimes the loving thing is to help them get help and keep them away from the kids.
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