Recent Developments Beg the Question, 'Christians, Where Is Our Discernment?'
Before I get underway, I issue this disclaimer: This is not intended to blast Christians or the church or individuals in the church. Mind you, any “criticism” of people of faith is a criticism of me because I am in that number. But those of us who do identify as Christians should take to heart the message here, and it starts with a question: where is our discernment?
In light of recent discoveries that a well-known, well-respected minister connected to Kansas City, Missouri, engaged in sexual misconduct, including with a minor and a woman who was barely an adult, more than two decades ago—along with some allegations of more recent sexual abuse—I found myself asking that question.
He is a founder of a prayer movement that has spanned the nation, at the least, and is affiliated with other reputable leaders. Some have openly expressed the overwhelming sadness that has engulfed them and have called for him to come fully clean and to repent. Of course, everyone’s heart hurts, too, for the victims of his behavior—and for his wife, who, it seems, had no idea that her husband had taken advantage of minors while continuing to preach the Gospel. I say none of this to cast stones at him. I have not even mentioned his name here, not that it’s a secret anymore and not that he himself hasn’t addressed it. And as much as I know what he has done is horrifying, I also believe in redemption and mercy, and so let God be the examiner of his heart.
My focus is not placed on him at the moment. My focus is on the people of God. This is not the only such situation. Scores of examples of this are among us. In fact, I just read an article Friday about a statement a “megachurch” in Austin, Texas, released, explaining the firing of its beloved worship pastor. The elders “uncovered … a very clear pattern of predatory manipulation, sexual exploitation, and abuse of influence." This reportedly goes back to 2011.
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I am sure part of the sadness that the church experiences when these things are revealed is tied to the question I asked at the start. We live at a time when many Spirit-filled churches are abounding with prophetic words, including the church in Kansas City. Christians are giving multiplied words of wisdom and knowledge and tongues and interpretation of tongues and all the things we who believe the Bible know are real and are for today. But where is the discernment? How can we—and by “we,” I mean people of faith overall—how can we hear God about everything and everyone at home and abroad, while people are preaching and teaching and correcting and at the same time grooming and abusing and scarring minors—and doing it for years? No one sees it, no one senses it, and no one has a word about it?