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Your Input Needed On a Touchy Subject

Orginally published on Wednesday, August 30, 2006 at 8:00 AM
by Todd Rhoades

I received an email yesterday from an MMI reader who would like some advice. The subject matter is such that he'd like his name and church kept confidential as to not make this a bigger story than it already is. Here's his church's situation. They've reached out and given a church janitorial job to a registered sex offender. The local newspaper found out about the hiring and wrote a story about it...

Now, we can argue as to whether hiring a registered sex offender is a wise move in showing Christ’s love or not; but that’s not what this post is about; so maybe let’s try to help this church leader out with some advice before we tackle that issue.  (OK!?)

The problem is… the story written by the newspaper left out some key facts; and the wording of the story made the church look rather flippant about the hiring.  Here are some nuggets, rephrased:

--The church thinks they’re doing God’s work

--church thinks even sex offenders get a chance

--it was an easy employment decision for the church

--church calls it a nonevent

--the newspaper points out that the church is close to the city swimming pool that’s filled with kids; and that there are a lot of kids that attend the church

--elders “not concerned” and made a unanimous decision

--the church is known for helping troubled people

--another part time employee is also a registered child molestor

OK… like I said, regardless of whether the hire was appropriate or wise, how would you respond to this newspaper article that makes the church sound carefree and kind of proud of the hire?

Here’s part of the email I received:  “My church is facing a real challenge; pondering a response to an article about our church that appeared in the local paper.  Some might think the response would be a no-brainer, but others would differ.  The paper chose to leave out some important details that were clearly communicated, but I guess that’s what the press does, and they’re good at it.  Anyway, this is the report that hit the streets.  And beyond.  It was picked up by THE [regional] talk radio station and one of our pastors was interviewed on the air during the afternoon drive-time show. My goal would be to gain the insight of other believers as to the best way for our congregation to proceed…

Can you offer any help or advice?  How would you deal with this situation?  Respond, or let it go?

Thanks,

Todd


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 TRACKBACKS: (2) There are 31 Comments:

  • Posted by
    Thursday, August 31, 2006 at 2:45 PM

    Would there be a way to hire him as an independent contractor and not violate your liability insurance?  The laws in this area are particular because employers often use this classification to avoid paying employment taxes, so check with an HR professional about how to structure the job if this is a possibility.

    Wendi

  • Posted by
    Thursday, August 31, 2006 at 8:44 PM

    As I stated earlier, my concern is with the insurance company.  I say that because we went thorugh a similar situation.  We tried the independent contractor idea and our insurance company still threatened to not cover us.  When I explained to the man that because of the insurance issue could not hire him he became angry.  His past was behind him he said.  Some in the church said that I should not worry about the insurance and do what Jesus would do.  I made up my mind that I as the senior pastor had a responsibilty not only to this man but to the rest of the church as well so I thought the insurance issue was more important.  The man became angry and left the church.  A year or so later I heard that he had once again been involved in sexual wrong doing.  If he had done something at our church we could have been sued for everything we had without insurance covering it.

  • Posted by
    Thursday, August 31, 2006 at 9:22 PM

    Just one thought that I haven’t seen mentioned:

    It certainly sounds like the story was crafted in a way to make the church look extremely bad. But, I don’t think fueling an adverserial relationship with the reporter/paper is a good long term strategy. I mean, that paper will be responsible for covering the church forever, no matter what the story, so I would caution blaming the media too heavily publicly (or privately for the matter). That will just encourage the reporter to dig up more information and juicier stories about the church. I agree that is important to reach out to the community and the congregation and continue to show love to the hired man. But reporters and editors are people too and deserve the love of Christ just like everyone else. It almost sounds like the reporter is the “tax collector” in this story and not the janitor.

  • Posted by Derek
    Friday, September 01, 2006 at 10:28 AM

    absolutely agree with nathan and the old pr adage: “don’t pick a fight with a man who buys ink by the barrel.” in fact, strategic outreach to reporters and other “information gatekeepers” is a valuable ministry and a strategic step all churches should consider

  • Posted by
    Friday, September 01, 2006 at 11:00 AM

    As a journalist myself, I agree with Derek’s assessment that blaming the media won’t help. If anything, you could use this as an opportunity to build relationships with the media.

    While you may view the story as biased, I’m sure the reporer checked his facts with his editor and they were ok with it. That doesn’t mean they didn’t omit things that should have been included, but from a factual standpoint they didn’t make anything up.

    Don’t blame the reporter for his personal biases. In his mind, he told a factual story. While he didn’t express an outright opinion, the overall tone of the story may lead you to believe where the newspaper stands. Don’t waste time worrying about that.

    A politely crafted letter to the editor may be in order. Or as others have suggested, it may be best to worry about your own stakeholders, that being your congregation.

    As a reporter, it’s hard when someone downplays a story that my superiors tell me is a big story. Like the cop who says “there’s nothing to see here” at the scene of a crime, it makes reporters wonder what’s happening.

    But if people are pro-active and let us know that they know about the situation and are addressing it, likely it won’t get as much play in the news. When people are upfront with us, and volunteer more that we’re asking, it builds trust with reporters.

    These are diffitult situations and may God work to His glory!

  • Posted by
    Thursday, September 07, 2006 at 7:51 AM

    1. You should see if the insurance issue can be overcome.

    2. In the meantime, you should pay the man the salary you were going to pay him, while he looks for another job or position. Give a reasonable amount of time, up to six months, or so, if necessary.

    3. If the insurance issue is overcome, hire him; if not, do whatever is necessary to help him secure another similar job (to the one he had).

    It is an issue of responsibility and doing the right thing. The press issue is really secondary and a sort of “non-event”. What is more important is whether the church is going to do the right thing.

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