It is very easy to find fault with people and organisations.
Last night at Open Arms “Heart & Soul” meeting, Sean Booth spoke the word of the Lord to us. I took the following notes in mind-map format.
The word that struck me most was “Be Honouring”. I noted that that includes honouring those who have left and are bitter. People leave congregations for all sorts of reasons, some good, some not so helpful. Being offended about something someone has done, or the way things are done is easy.
In fact, that is the way the world works. I was at a talk recently given by a learned UCD professor (it was a closed group so I don’t want to say who here publicly) who pointed out the reality that if you want to get the government to do anything all you have to do is complain loudly about some injustice or other. In fact that is the only way anything substantial happens in the public service at least in Ireland. If you follow current affairs you will know that is true.
However in the Church of Jesus Christ we are called to a different path. Jesus chose crucifixion rather than complaining about all the offensive things people have done, do and will do against Him. He is calling us to the same approach.
Now that is not to say that if someone does something criminal it should just be covered up. That is the way a very large religious organisation has gone to the shame of all its adherents. But unless I have at least two witnesses to something like that, something criminal or obviously reprehensible, I am not going to entertain it.
faithfulwon 