The Christian Chronicle (Oklahoma City, Okla.), Vol. 68, No. 1, Ed. 1 Saturday, January 1, 2011 Page: 29 of 35
This newspaper is part of the collection entitled: Christian Chronicle and was provided to The Portal to Texas History by the Abilene Christian University Library.
Extracted Text
The following text was automatically extracted from the image on this page using optical character recognition software:
Orimon
30 THE CHRISTIAN CHRONICLE
JANUARY 2011
EDITORIAL
Ever-Laughing Life
by Jonny Hawkins
J
Taking steps to protect children
ft
L-
/l
I
TO OUR READERS
Send us your church directory
BBB
Trustees: Deon Fair, chairman
Editor Emeritus: Bailey B. McBride
bailey.mcbride@christianchronicle.org
Reviews Editor: Harold Shank
harold.shank@christianchronicle.org
Circulation Manager: Lynda Sheehan
lynda.sheehan@christianchronicle.org
Associate Editor: Joy McMillon
joy.mcmillon@christianchronicle.org
Administrative Assistant: Tonda Stafford
tonda.stafford@christianchronicle.org
Administrative Assistant: Virginia Ware
virginia.ware@christianchronicle.org
Correspondent: Ted Parks
elders struggle with sexual
temptation and the easily acces-
sible nature of Internet porn.
In such a society, it should not
surprise us that sexual sins —
and crimes — occur. We can’t
stop all abuse, but we can take
responsible steps to limit the
potential for it:
• Make sure your church
has procedures for selecting
and evaluating employees and
volunteers. Check references.
Conduct criminal background
checks. Search the Internet. No
exceptions.
• Set appropriate limits for
adults’ interactions with young
people. Have two adults present
at all times if possible. Avoid
any hint of immorality — or
flirting — in text messages and
other contacts.
• Be vigilant in reporting and
responding to abuse. In many
cases, people later say, “We had
suspected it for years.” May we
not avoid our responsibility by
such denial.
When abuse happens, it is
easy to want to sweep it under
the rug, under the guise of
protecting the church. Heaven
forbid such a response!
Protecting institutions in cases
of abuse is neither right nor
responsible, but protecting our
children is.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR: letters@christianchronicle.org
The Christian Chronicle® welcomes and encourages
feedback that promotes thoughtful and respectful
discussion. Letters/comments should be 150 words or less
and may be edited for length and clarity. Comments to the
print or online editions are considered to be letters to the
editor and may be published. Please include name, city and
state of residence, as well as home congregation.
The Christian Chronicle® is not a teaching or doctrinal
publication, but a newspaper with news and opinion
content in sections clearly labeled. Signed columns and
reviews reflect the opinions of the authors.
Advertising contains commercial messages from those who
purchase the advertising space. News coverage, opinion
columns, reviews, letters to the editor and advertising
do not necessarily represent the views of or constitute
endorsement by the editors, the staff, the Board of Trustees
We praise God that, even
amid a changing media envi-
ronment, the monthly circula-
tion of The Christian Chronicle
keeps increasing.
This edition will go to
more than 108,500 individual
addresses in all 50 states,
reaching nearly a quarter of a
million readers.
But our goal is to reach even
more members with news that
Ed Biggers
Dwain Chaffin
Ralph Harvey
James Moore
Barry Packer
Harold Redd
of The Christian Chronicle or Oklahoma
Christian University.
The Christian Chronicle® is published
monthly and is served by a national
Board of Trustees that is charged with the
responsibility for policy and governance.
All trustees, editors and staff are active
members of the Churches of Christ.
Sylvia Branch
Bill Davis
Emily Lemley
Robert Oglesby Sr.
Max Pope
Harry Risinger
Gary Tabor
ACCREDITED
B-uiihESt
Dale Brown
W. L. Fletcher III
Woody Loden Jr.
Mike O'Neal
Kevin Ramsey
Milton Sewell
informs, inspires and unites
Churches of Christ.
As a service to the church,
we are making a limited-time
offer: We would like to add
your entire church to our
mailing list at no charge. All
names and addresses are kept
confidential. For more infor-
mation, e-mail Virginia.ware @
christianchronicle.org or call
(405) 425-5070.
TO SUBSCRIBE:
See www.christianchronicle.org
e-mail virginia.ware@christianchronicle.org
or call (405) 425-5070.
Oironide
Our mission:To inform, inspire and unite
www.christianchronicle.org
Phone: (405) 425-5070; Fax (405) 425-5076
P.O. Box 11000, Oklahoma City, OK 73136-1100
Delivery: 2501 E. Memorial Road, Edmond, OK 73013
Editor, President and CEO: Lynn A McMillon
lynn.mcmillon@christianchronicle.org
Managing Editor: Bobby Ross Jr.
National, Partners news: bobby.ross@christianchronicle.org
Assistant Managing Editor: ErikTryggestad
International news, features: erik@christianchronicle.org
Advertising Director: Tamie Ross
tamie.ross@christianchronicle.org
*
leaders to Satan’s
attacks.
Even more strik-
ingly, however,
these cases point
out the need to
take steps to
protect children.
Yes, we all sin
and fall short of the
glory of God. Yes,
God can forgive
any of us. Yes, we
should pray for
the men — and in other cases,
women — who violate our trust.
But we must make children,
God’s precious gift, our top
priority. We must pray for the
victims and minister to them. We
must never blame the victim.
No one should suggest — as
a few did after one of the recent
cases — that the teen shared in
the culpability. It is this simple:
A child cannot consent to sexual
contact with an adult.
n Georgia, a former youth
minister faces statutory rape
charges. He’s accused of a
sexual relationship with a
15-year-old church member.
In Indiana, a minister pleaded
guilty last summer to sexually
assaulting a teenage girl.
These cases — both involving
Churches of Christ — remind
us of the vulnerability of church
'It should not
surprise us that
sexual sins — and
crimes — occur. We
can't stop all abuse,
but we can take
responsible steps to
limit the potential.'
In one case, church elders
acted quickly to make coun-
seling available to victims.
In another case, leaders
committed to conduct more
in-depth screenings and back-
ground checks before hirings.
In still another case, leaders
openly discussed the case and
made clear they were praying for
all involved. “Especially for the
victims,” an elder
said.
We applaud such
positive Christian
responses. As
the elders of one
church put it, “God
can bring good
even out of awful
circumstances.”
The automatic
reaction of some
is to attribute the
recent cases to
young, single ministers. In the
cases referenced, though, the
ministers were married. One
perpetrator is in his 50s.
Despite the actions of a few,
ministers deserve respect and
support. We praise God for the
faithful Christians — young and
old — who work so diligently
with children and teens.
Nonetheless, we live in a
sex-saturated culture. Many
members, preachers and even
I ‘lufSDtf N'Wr If
.♦It TMUER I
SXlflN I
~A ",.t| i, r .
Upcoming Pages
Here’s what’s next.
Search Inside
This issue can be searched. Note: Results may vary based on the legibility of text within the document.
Matching Search Results
View 24 places within this issue that match your search.Tools / Downloads
Get a copy of this page or view the extracted text.
Citing and Sharing
Basic information for referencing this web page. We also provide extended guidance on usage rights, references, copying or embedding.
Reference the current page of this Newspaper.
McMillon, Lynn. The Christian Chronicle (Oklahoma City, Okla.), Vol. 68, No. 1, Ed. 1 Saturday, January 1, 2011, newspaper, January 1, 2011; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1509300/m1/29/?q=%22~1%22~1&rotate=90: accessed July 16, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu.; crediting Abilene Christian University Library.