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Racism, Alcoholism, Divorce and Gossip: What’s A Church to Do? Just as the worship service began, a middle-aged, African-American man, neatly dressed in a blue suit, entered the sanctuary and quietly took a seat near the door. He smiled but did not speak to anyone during the service. When the final hymn concluded, he slipped quietly out. Later, an usher whispered to the minister that his name was Walter and his breath reeked of alcohol. Week after week, the story was the same. Walter would enter just as the service began, usually wearing the same suit, the same smile and the same odor of alcohol. Several church members began to complain. One woman stopped attending. “Deep down, I know it’s wrong,” she said. “But I just can’t bear to see what is happening to our little church!” More people complained. “He’s a drunk!” they said. “We can’t have alcoholics fouling up our church service!” “What about John?” the minister said. John, the son of a prominent member also attended regularly, was also an alcoholic but was very white. “That’s different!” the church leaders quietly but firmly stated. Meanwhile, unaware of the controversy swirling around him, Walter continued attending, saying little and as the final hymn was sung, silently slipping out the side door. What would you do? What should the church do? What would Jesus do? 1. Politely ask him to leave. His presence is disruptive and a bad influence on the children. 2. Do nothing. Leave him alone. He’s doing no harm and may leave soon. 3. Get involved and look for ways to offer help. But how? Jesus teaches: “You are the salt of the earth.” (Matt. 5:13) The salt represents our willingness as God’s witness to add flavor and zest to the world around us. God was giving our church a unique opportunity to be salt and light to someone in need. What kind of witness would we be? Jesus is also very blunt on judging others: “Stop judging others and you will not be judged… And why worry about a speck in your friend’s eye when you have a log in your own?” (Matt. 7:1,3) So, if we are to be salt of the earth and not judge others… how do we witness God’s love to Walter? First: another story. Bill and Linda Smith have been members of the same church most of their lives. Bill was head of the governing board while Jane sang in the choir. As a couple, they were an indispensable part of the church body. Anyone who needed help often received it from the Smith’s. Friends and family assumed their marriage was as strong as their faith… rock solid. One Sunday morning, Bill and Linda were not in church and no one knew why. During the week, rumors circulated among the church busybodies. “Bill left home and was living with another woman. Money was stolen from the business Bill managed.” Other rumors circulated, “Linda was so depressed that she sat at home with the lights out and the shades drawn… crying, drinking and popping pills.” (Most of these stories were later found to be wrong!) The next Sunday, Bill and Linda Smith were still gone. More rumors circulated all over town. Then, another Sunday passed with more gossip, no answers and no Bill and Linda Smith. What would you do? What should the church do? What would Jesus do? 1. Send Bill and Linda a letter asking them to resign from all of their church positions. 2. Do nothing. Leave them alone. After all, it’s their problem. Let them work it out. 3. Get involved and look for ways to offer help. But how? Jesus also teaches us to be the “light of the world.” (Mat. 5:14) The light represents our willingness to witness with our good deeds not just our talk. With Bill and Linda there has obviously been too much “talk” and too few “good deeds.” So, if you are to be a light to the world instead of a spreader of idle talk… how should you become God’s witness for Bill & Linda Smith? |