I am sitting in the Executive Committee meeting. We just listened to JD Greear’s presidential address, and he said something in reference to sexual abuse that I’ve heard him say before: “This is not a distraction from the mission. This is the mission.”
Some may recoil upon hearing that statement. But I think Greear is exactly right.
Let me briefly explain. Of course salvation is by grace through faith in Jesus. No one will be won to Jesus this week by how we respond to sexual abuse in our midst. But our mission does not end when a person comes to faith in Christ. We are called to make disciples. Our responsibility to watch over the souls of those entrusted to our care continues until they are with Jesus.
Caring for the souls of those entrusted to our care is the mission. May we care well.
It is mandatory for Methodist clergy to take Sexual Ethics training as continuing education. The resources we have for this 4-6 hour training are incredibly insightful and needed. There is zero tolerance for sexual abuse. Once had a friend say to me, “I know all the things Baptists are against, there’s a list. But what are Methodists against?” Had to ponder his question. At the top of the list would be violating the sacred trust clergy are given via sexual misconduct. It is a very serious mission.