Category: Words of Study & Instruction: Scribes & the Arts

Not many will like this message. I do believe, however, that it is one of the most critical messages of the hour for the church. My prayer is that WE LISTEN! I commend this young man for writing what so many people have been pondering in their hearts. I am reposting it as a CRY for pastors and leaders to look at how they are presenting the faith to others. I pray that the “heart” of this message comes through to you as powerfully as it has impacted me. I hope to share a response to this later on my page. I am thankful to Exio Baillou for granting me permission to repost this article on my blog.

Written by Exio Baillou
To see original article click here

I once read an article speaking to a specific sector of Christians called the “dones”. These were individuals over the age of 40, who though being believers were in fact completely and utterly disconnected and disinterested in church. However, I am apart of another emerging “sect” of Christians. I am apart of those who in their 20s & 30s have spent our lives serving the household of faith and being thoroughly engaged in the work of the Lord. Yet, despite all of that; we do not want to be apart of the local church anymore.

My thoughts are mines alone and are not meant to be a railing accusation against established church leaders or to castigate them in anyway. I do not seek counsel, pity, prayer, or help. Rather, I seek to give you what most do not. I want to give you an honest response as to why those who have known Jesus for so long and served you and with you continually, have decided to no longer fellowship with you. I along with others will visit you from time to time. We will hug you, celebrate your progress, and wish you well. However, we have chosen never to be apart of you anymore.

Copyright 2018 Theresa Harvard Johnson

Accountability is a trending phrase across the congregation today.

In simple, non-religious terms, it implies that people and organizations should be held responsible for their actions (or lack thereof) and the outcomes of those actions in their lives, the lives of those they impact and in some situations as it relates to society.

This definition, when used in the context of our conversation on “Sexual Assault within the Congregation,” conveys that the congregation as a whole needs to be held accountable. I agree. However the accounts from news outlets in my previous article, “Sexual Assault within the Congregation: For Traditional and Non-traditional Congregations,” continues to reveal that the church has a long way to go in understanding how to properly address the epidemic within its four walls.

Copyright 2018 Theresa Harvard Johnson
#WeToo #MeToo #clergyabuse #apostolicmentorship

It happens.

A person becomes a part of a congregation, ministry group or enters a mentoring relationship, and find themselves the victim of the most humiliating and misunderstood crime imaginable – sexual assault.

Sexual assault, sometimes referred to as sexual violence, takes on numerous forms. It includes rape, sexual intercourse against a person’s will; forcible sodomy, anal or oral sex against a person’s will; forcible object penetration against a person’s will; fondling or unwanted touching (regardless of how slight); forcing someone to perform sex acts via threats, intimidation or coercion; sexual contact with minors whether consensual or none consensual; and incest, sexual relations between close relatives.[1] Non-contact sexual assault also includes exhibitionism and verbal sexual harassment.[2]

Copyright 2018 Theresa Harvard Johnson
[This article is provided for information purposes only. It should not be considered legal advice as I am not an attorney. In addition, this article is targeted to those who self-publish books.]
 

I could probably write a book on all the things I’ve done wrong as a writer. But I also thank God for being willing and ready to learn, quick to apologize and fast to admit I was wrong. This goes a long way in learning to do things the right way.

Unfortunately, some people are not like that — especially in the “apostolic-prophetic” community where many struggle to value common sense, gain professional understanding about publishing and learn to do things outside of unhealthy spiritual approaches.

I stopped helping people publish books because of the level of spiritual deafness I encountered.