3.29.2005
Loose Lips Sink Ships
I am studying a book called Biblical Eldership with a group of men every other week. Last night, one of the topics was disciplining elders, and the text was 1 Timothy 5:19: "Do not admit a charge against an elder except on the evidence of two or three witnesses."
Now that I am on a few mailing lists and look at a fair amount of blogs, I am appaled at the number of slanderous accusation and rumors aimed at respectable leaders in local churches. The internet is a breeding ground for cowardly accusations. Most of them go unnoticed, and I don't think people are even realizing what they are doing.
We are first commanded to stop and think about what we are going to say, and if it involves someone who is an elder, its best to proceed with extra caution. We are also commanded not to listen to any accusation unless there are two or three witnesses there to give an account. I believe the verse is written in the context of other elders not receiving an accusation, but the principle also apllies to those among the flock. This obviously gets a little complicated once millions of people across the world are gathered together in cyber-nowhere. "Sure, i've got some winesses that heard Mr. so-and-so say this-and-that. Yeah, they live in Singapore, so what?"
I myself have been guilty on many acounts of this very thing. "well, I heard that pastor whoever's wife works to support him." Stop right there, I "heard"? And I'm sharing this information based on the evidence of whom? Against a man that is in good standing with his church and denomination and labors hard to shepherd his flock? Please tell me to keep me mouth shut, and tell that friend not to email you any more of those supposed "exposing" emails. Enough is enough.
Remy Wilkins brings up some interesting questions regarding accusations against leaders here.
And here is a list of guidelines for charitable online discussion at Upside Down Asylum.
If someone is going to accuse someone of saying something, or writing something, at least have the decency to provide a source. Come on people, this is high school research paper stuff here.
Now that I am on a few mailing lists and look at a fair amount of blogs, I am appaled at the number of slanderous accusation and rumors aimed at respectable leaders in local churches. The internet is a breeding ground for cowardly accusations. Most of them go unnoticed, and I don't think people are even realizing what they are doing.
We are first commanded to stop and think about what we are going to say, and if it involves someone who is an elder, its best to proceed with extra caution. We are also commanded not to listen to any accusation unless there are two or three witnesses there to give an account. I believe the verse is written in the context of other elders not receiving an accusation, but the principle also apllies to those among the flock. This obviously gets a little complicated once millions of people across the world are gathered together in cyber-nowhere. "Sure, i've got some winesses that heard Mr. so-and-so say this-and-that. Yeah, they live in Singapore, so what?"
I myself have been guilty on many acounts of this very thing. "well, I heard that pastor whoever's wife works to support him." Stop right there, I "heard"? And I'm sharing this information based on the evidence of whom? Against a man that is in good standing with his church and denomination and labors hard to shepherd his flock? Please tell me to keep me mouth shut, and tell that friend not to email you any more of those supposed "exposing" emails. Enough is enough.
Remy Wilkins brings up some interesting questions regarding accusations against leaders here.
And here is a list of guidelines for charitable online discussion at Upside Down Asylum.
If someone is going to accuse someone of saying something, or writing something, at least have the decency to provide a source. Come on people, this is high school research paper stuff here.
