tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7044166228612663288.post6065322402874370907..comments2024-03-01T11:18:22.535-05:00Comments on Inside Nancy's Noodle: Loving Not Judging under fireNancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05894799922341495196noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7044166228612663288.post-87979069649144431352012-05-24T20:00:02.885-04:002012-05-24T20:00:02.885-04:00I cannot yet come to the godly place of not judgin...I cannot yet come to the godly place of not judging pedophiles or those who are violent and abusive to children. Maybe one day I will evolve in my faith walk. I am just not there yet.Truth Seekerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17209626294154455630noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7044166228612663288.post-46336359397446419032012-05-22T20:16:39.722-04:002012-05-22T20:16:39.722-04:00I've just happened upon your excellent blog. ...I've just happened upon your excellent blog. You raise some crucial points regarding our Christian responsibility to this errant former pastor and the rest of your flock. To say that it can be a sticky wicket defies explanation. You are caught between the proverbial rock and a very hard place, which is totally understandable. Is he repentant? Has he attempted to make restitution for his wrongdoing? If not, then he should be lovingly judged as one who should not remain in your fellowship. If he is repentant, then the real work of loving him in and through your faith community ensues. I am an adult victim of clergy sexual misconduct (within a different denomination). When I left my other church and came to the ELCA in my part of town, the senior pastor was removed within the year for clergy sexual abuse of a woman in the congregation. And you're quite right that most of the congregation rallies around the errant pastor and shuns the victim for speaking out and shining a light in this dark place. I am still somewhat shell-shocked about it all and have my doubts about the safety of the church - ANY church. As you seek to love both this former pastor and your congregation, I'd encourage you to make it mandatory that your members study the ELCA's "Safe Sanctuaries" policy. It's excellent. Everyone in the pew should know what clergy sexual abuse and misconduct are and understand their prevalence. It needs to be discussed - often. Thank you for being someone who seeks to honor God in the midst of a mess.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7044166228612663288.post-54414338424440509672012-05-22T19:08:12.101-04:002012-05-22T19:08:12.101-04:00And soundbites seldom get to the truth of a matter...And soundbites seldom get to the truth of a matter...I so admire your very public struggle, Nancy, to minister when the going gets rough. I recall that Jesus said to love our enemies...and for some people, this member of your congregation is the enemy. So... know that there are others in the struggle with you, trying to love no matter what- which does not let anyone off the hook but rather makes of life a never-ending challenge.Linda Faltinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14323703007881119736noreply@blogger.com