An Open Door, But a Watchful Eye: Violence in America's Churches

Churches have long been known as places of refuge and peace. From people seeking political and religious asylum, to the oppressed seeking the peace of a sanctuary. And those who are mentally, physically and emotionally drained often seek the peace, unconditional love and encouragement of the church. Whether we go to pray, hear God, worship, or silently reflect and meditate, churches have often provided peace in the midst of our chaotic world. But the stillness of the sanctuary has been peppered with gunfire more than once in recent months.

Sunday's fatal shooting in a Knoxville Unitarian Church is the fourth time in 15 months that an American church became the scene of a fatal shooting! Is anyone else a little concerned about this? According to CNN:

In December 2007, a 24-year-old former missionary candidate killed two people at a suburban Denver, Colorado, missionary training center and two more at a Colorado Springs megachurch the following day. The gunman, Matthew Murray, killed himself after being shot by a security guard.

The previous August, police said, 52-year-old Eiken Saimon shot and killed three people and wounded five others at a Congregational church in Neosho, Missouri. The attack left three people dead and five wounded.

And that May, in Moscow, Idaho, 36-year-old Jason Hamilton fatally shot a police officer and a sexton at First Presbyterian Church, then killed himself before police stormed the building. Hamilton's wife was found shot to death in the bedroom of their Moscow home after the church shootings.

According to reports from Knoxville's News Sentinel, yesterday's shooting that killed two people and wounded several others is being investigated as a potential hate crime. According to police the suspect entered the church with a shotgun concealed in a guitar case and he left a four-page letter detailing his hatred for homosexuals and the "liberal movement".

I don't care what stand a church, organization, company, group, or individual takes on homosexuality, politics and social issues, NOTHING gives any of us the right to touch, or attack those with whom we disagree. Violence is never an appropriate moral, or biblical response for disagreement. Those who choose such a response are in serious need of a confined facility and medication that will no longer allow them to act on their anger, prejudice, hatred, pride, indifference, and ignorance in way that threatens or endangers anyone.

Public places that were formerly considered as safe (schools, churches, shopping malls, hospitals, government buildings, etc.,) are increasingly becoming targets and outlets for troubled souls and minds battling serious emotional and mental issues. A good case can be made that while violence in otherwise safe places is on the increase, the overall emotionally charged/mentally disturbed population is increasing at such an alarming rate that no location, organization, or group is immune from such potential threats.

As one who stands weekly to teach God's Word and proclaim the liberating power of the Gospel, I cannot advocate closing the doors of the church, or the use of full body searches prior to worship or other gatherings. We must not cower in fear behind closed doors with only a "select few". However, I do believe it's time for church leaders to carefully review their safety policies and procedures in their efforts to insure the safety of everyone who gathers in their respective faith community. While our doors must remain open, we need to keep a watchful eye on everyone who comes through them. Such was the case with one of the Knoxville congregation's shooting victims. 60-year old, Greg McKendry, was killed when he confronted the gunman as he entered the church. Police and church members believe McKendry, a leader in the church, saved many lives by putting himself in front of the shooter.

May God give us incredible wisdom and discernment in recognizing the troubled souls around us and the courage to seek professional help for them as we seek to minister with grace. But may God also give us stout hearts like David's who protected and cared for his father's sheep without apology.

The Need for Peace-filled People

According to apple experts (the fruit, not the computer) one rotten apple does spoil the entire barrel! Apparently when an apple starts to rot, it releases a chemical called ethylene that causes it to decay. The other apples in the barrel can sense the chemical reaction, and when they do, they start producing their own ethylene, causing all the apples in the barrel to spoil.

Peace-less people are like cancer. Left unchallenged and without accountability they spread division, unrest, and negativity wherever they land. Who are peace-less people? They are negative, hypercritical, arrogant, prideful, gossips, divisive and downright mean people. Peace-less people can infect an organization, business, team, or group just like one bad apple can affect an entire apple barrel. I’m not referring to people who handle conflict or disagreement in a healthy, mature manner. These are usually people who have a long pattern and history of this kind of behavior. Look behind them and you will most likely find they have serious issues with previous employers, their family of origin, children, a former spouse, neighbors, fellow church members and others who have experienced their bent for the acidic.

The majority of peace-less people are often unaware of the depth of their own negativity. In fact, many peace-less people view themselves as healthy and genuinely believe they are deeply connected and committed to the organization, business, or team. I believe a very small percentage of peace-less people are intentional about their behavior. While they are in the minority, they are extremely dangerous and will ultimately spoil the good fruit of any organization.

Most, peace-less people are simply acting out of past pains or wounds. Unresolved issues from the past are some of the greatest contributors to current conflict. Leaders who encounter these folks should try not to take their words and actions personal. They are really crying out for help and many of them are scared to death someone is going to discover their wounds. Control is a real issue for peace-less people. They are most comfortable when they are in control of conversations, disagreements, and their environment. Control enables them to keep the spotlight on someone, or something else without having to face their own issues, sins, pain or problems.

Churches and volunteer organizations seem to be fertile ground for peace-less people. No doubt this is where they need to be, but if the church, company, team or organization is not clearly focused on its mission and purpose, a small number of these folks can bring everything to a grinding halt. Left unchallenged they can bring an organization to its knees.

Just as it is with personal finances and stewardship, the New Testament is loaded with admonitions, counsel and warnings about the importance of, and need for peace. Yet, we are often unwilling to fight for peace because it means we can’t “cut and run”, bury our heads, or suppress it. Instead, we have to face the conflict, or disagreement in a Christ-like manner with dispassionate conversation. A good case could be made that the ability to disagree in love and remain committed to a common mission (Big Picture) is a sure sign of a healthy church, organization, business or team. Consider the following Scriptures on living/pursuing peace:

1 Thess. 5:13; 1 Peter 3:11; 2 Cor. 13:11; Eph. 4:3; James 3:18; Hebrews 12:14; Titus 3:2; 2 Tim. 2:22

Many Christ-followers forget, or they were never told that we have been called to a ministry of peace. It’s not an option. If you cling to the promise of eternal life through Christ, you have a Scriptural mandate to seek, produce and work for peace. This is not an optional fruit of the Spirit that only a few are to develop and pursue. Paul says that just as we desire the peace of Christ in our heart, and are part of one body, we are called to a life of peace (Col. 3:15). What would happen if we really started working for peace where we live, work, play, worship, work out, shop, vote, and live? All of us would have to start with a serious dose of humility and repentance. Man, I would love to see just half of God’s church commit to pursuing peace. It’s got to begin with me. It’s got to begin with you. May the peace of Christ rule our hearts!

Friendships Are Meant to Last a Lifetime

Art Vandelay: The Alias in All of Us

For those who never watched the sitcom Seinfeld a short explanation. George Costanza played by Jason Alexander was Jerry's sidekick. While Elaine and Kramer completed the foursome, only George's friendship with Jerry dated back to childhood. George was the most loathsome character on the show. Costanza was lazy, cynical, critical, penny-pinching, abrasive, selfish, opportunistic, and pretty much without a shred of dignity. And those were among his character assets. Little was beneath him, especially if it involved self-promotion or, personal gain. Without George there really would be no Jerry because while Kramer and Elaine often had bigger parts, it was Costanza who could always be counted on to do the wrong thing.

George was so lazy he had an alter ego known as Art Vandelay. George always wanted to be an architect. However, he never studied architecture or earned an architectural degree, so Art Vandelay became the architect George never could. Through Vandelay, George claimed to design buildings he had never even entered. If George needed a job reference he lied and gave Jerry's number as the number for Vandelay Industries. Vandelay was everything George was not. He was dependable, honest, hard working, courteous and even charming.

Imagine having an alias? Someone who could fill in the gaps of all our shortcomings, or character flaws. Someone who could right the ship of wrongs, mistakes and sin less than us. It would be like having a clone only better because the alias would never make our mistakes! However, upon reflection it occurred to me that having an alias would actually create more problems like trying to keep up with the lies you would have to tell to maintain the alias. And what about the times you could get confused and forget if you are supposed to be yourself, or your alias? It's too exhausting to think about. There's a lot of work involved in maintaining an alias. It must be incredibly hard for people who are in the government's witness protection program trying to live as someone they are not.

Instead of having an alias why not just try to be a better person? Why not try to simply vicariously live out the desired traits of an alias? You could still be you. And if you want to be an architect, or something you're not vocationally then work for it, set goals and go for it. It seems George Costanza's concept of an alias is someone who is actually better than himself. But think about it, the foundation for the character is a lie. If there's a weak foundation eventually the walls will crack and ultimately crumble.

Boy am I glad Jesus accepts us just as we are when we come to Him with humility, honesty and sincerity! When we do, He changes us into something better. As we follow Him, our hearts, will and desires are conformed to His. We are transformed. Without violating our personalities we become something we're incapable of becoming on our own. Paul put it this way in 2 Corinthians 3: And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. Now that is real and lasting, plus you don't have to pretend to be someone you're not!