Why the media would love a scandal in your church
- Posted on October 19, 2010
- Viewed 530 times
- (2) comments
The headline reads: Woman Stabs Classmate in Anger-Management Class. It happened not long ago near Seattle. A seemingly peaceful anger management class goes horribly wrong when two of the women students begin to argue. One grabs a knife and stabs the other person in the arm...
Of course, the newspaper HAD to report that story. The irony was just too great.
In fact, the media loves a great story like this. Irony and hypocrisy make for a great personal interest story.
A woman getting stabbed in the arm outside a mall doesn't make the evening news. But a woman getting stabbed in the arm at an anger management class makes headlines nationwide.
A drug deal going down rarely makes the news anymore. But a police officer involved in a drug deal is a major story.
A woman having sex with a teenager may still raise some eyebrows in most communities, but probably wouldn't make the news; unless, of course, the woman is a teacher. Then, it's a national story.
The media love this kind of thing.
Enter you.
You, every week, work at a place that upholds family values, is supposed to love people, and do good for the community. Your church is supposed to be representing the Word of God, ten commandments, and the best in everything. What happens when things don't match up?
Let's say you, as a pastor do something wrong. Let's say you steal something; you have an affair; you get caught in some kind of financial inconsistency. There is probably a reporter in your city right now that would love a call with that lead.
You, as a church worker, are held to a much higher standard only because any mis-step you make will be considered hypocracy. It will make for a good story.
The ramifications of a screw-up are much higher for you as well.
Chances are, you'll lose your job over it.
Chances are, your church will suffer unnecessarily.
And there's a good chance you'll lose your family. (In the case of an affair, those are hard enough for most couples to work through... add in the public disclosure and embarrassment, and many marriages just can't take it.)
I admit. I'm fascinated with scandals (both church, political, etc.) for a couple reasons. First, they make me examine my own life to be sure that I'm not near a crash. And secondly, they cause me to investigate how these things happen. Maybe I'm just a curious person. Maybe it's hit too close to home for me, as I've had a good friend hit by scandal. Maybe it's because I've seen too many people fall to silly stuff they never thought they'd do.
As you go about your day... be constantly reminded: people are watching you. Some would love to take you down. Some would love to tarnish the reputation of your church and ministry. Don't give them the fuel to do it.
If you're about ready to crash and burn; or if you've already fallen and people don't know about it; take today and take the steps you need to take to get help and save yourself and your ministry and town the embarrassment of another scandal.
If you need someone to confide in, drop me a line. I'd be glad to help however I can.
Todd
Comments
if you want a Globally Recognized Avatar (the images next to your profile) get them here. Once you sign up, your picture will displayed on any website that supports gravitars.
Brian on Tue, October 19, 2010
Great Stuff Todd! Good policies and accountability are good ways to prevent the potential scandals that might occur especially since we live in a fishbowl. Still even with those measures we have to look at what we say, think and do and make sure it glorifies God. If in doubt - don’t do it, despite what Nike says.
Rusty on Wed, October 20, 2010
Wow, you been reading my home town paper? small town, know lots of people, have an editor that doesn’t really like me because I’m a pastor. Looks for any chink to take shots at me.
Just had to let a great part time staff person go because of sexual immorality. Hard to do, and it feels as if know matter what stance I take I’m going to get slammed. I understand this issue more than most. Its not easy.
Page 1 of 1 pages
Post a Comment