Libel in the Name of Christ

Here we go again. I am used to being "written up" [for those outside of our religious circles, that means having articles published against me, my congregation, or something I've said]. Sometimes, I deserve it. I make no claim to always being right about everything. What pains me, however, is that most of the time I am written up for the most bizarre things that don't have a basis in truth.

I remember well the time some churches in West Virginia circulated a letter attacking my then congregation (Madigan Avenue, in Morgantown) for allowing my wife to lead songs in worship and teach an adult class. Your religious tribe may allow such things, but that's beside the point. The point is: my wife is such a shy and quiet woman that she would sooner die than say six words in public. The "charge" was inaccurate and, frankly, silly. One of the men who circulated that letter around also wrote a (self published) book(let) detailing what he claimed were my teachings accompanied by a lot of exclamation points.

Here is where some heroes enter the story. I put up with that for over a year until my elders heard about it. They immediately told me to "let not my heart be troubled." As one said, "Your job is to preach and teach. Our job is to make sure you get to do your job untroubled." They called the man and told him to desist, challenging him on the fact that he had never come to me about any of his charges. His response? Since I spoke publicly, there was no requirement to come to me privately. Huh? When he refused to stop, my elders took a road trip the next Sunday. Even though he preached in another State, they were there when he stood up to preach! They went to his elders who promptly ran away saying something to the effect that what their preacher did had nothing to do with them, they didn't want to know anything.

That slowed that particular preacher down, but others popped up, trying to make their name by destroying mine or any of a large number of other speakers and preachers in the church. While they are not qualified to be elders in their own congregation, they try to become bishops over many by their websites, publications, and rants.

Yet, that isn't what upsets me. What upsets me is the fact that these brethren are doing this -- lying, gossiping, libeling -- in the Name of Christ and that sullies His glorious Name, dilutes the testimony of the gospel, and breaks the fellowship He died to create. Want to criticize me or challenge me? Go ahead, for I might very well deserve it. I have been wrong so many times I have gotten rather good at it! I need correction and my elders and friends supply it with love and gentleness. I am grateful for their help, their guidance.

I have only been "fired" from a speaking engagement once (although it has been threatened several times). The organizers of a rally day for a children's home saw a program where I spoke at an event where another speaker in the church, with whom they disagreed, spoke. It didn't matter that I never saw the man, had never met him, and was never questioned about where I stood on disputable matters... I was guilty by geography! At least they called to tell me, and I appreciate that.

Yesterday I got a notice from a place I am to speak later this year. One of the congregational supporters of the event has pulled their money and banned their men from coming because, they say, we support instrumental music on our website. The organizer checked and -- no, it isn't there. Now what? Put aside for the moment, please, whether or not that is an issue that should divide brothers... shouldn't someone have checked with us first?

I promptly volunteered to be removed from the event if that would restore unity and peace. I don't like traveling and public speaking has always been a terrible chore... so if I go it will be for the cause of Christ and if I stay behind, it will be for the cause of Christ.

And those brothers who dislike me, who have libeled this congregation, and who have broken God's law by not coming to us first? I love them. I support them in their kingdom work. If they ever need financial help, if they ever have a health crisis, or if their families ever experience breakup, division, or death, I hope I hear about it so that I can go and help them, love them, and pray with them.

For I used to be one of them. God help me -- I was worse than they are. The Lord gave me time and forgave me, so how could I be angry with them or wish them anything other than blessings and joy?