Well, I thought it was bad at Peniel and during the dark days of Michael Reid Ministries, but I honestly believed that things had improved under the leadership of the Linnecars. Reading the report in detail by John Langlois and his team, and looking at the evidence afresh, I am shocked and saddened.
I knew that there was suffering among the flock, but the extent of it beggars belief. Deep psychological damage and emotional scars that time will not heal completely, the loss of trust and faith touches me. It says in God's Word that we should weep with those who weep. Peniel should have been renamed Bochim or Bokim, the place of tears and weeping. And there have been many tears over the abuse, the shame and the shunning, the bullying, the manipulation, the exploitation, the harm and the hurt, the trials, troubles and tribulations, the strain and the stress. The unedifying evidence is there in the report, which in the face of sure and certain facts is undeniable. Sadly some of the perpetrators are in denial. They acted like hirelings and had the spirit of Gehazi rather than shepherds of God.
One day we shall give account of every idle word. We are all going to appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or evil. Even though we may be saved and spared eternal separation from the presence of God, the Day of judgment will test by fire what sort of work each one has done. See 1 Corinthians 3:13-15. If anyone's work is burned they will suffer loss, though they will be saved but only through fire. Our God is a consuming fire. Those of us who are in leadership will be judged more harshly. Are we good stewards of the grace and gifts that have been generously given to us?
1 comment:
Yes, there should be forgiveness and reconciliation, restoration if possible, but God demands justice. Evil has consequences.
A rape victim may forgive but justice and due process of law must be upheld. We often forget that we are required to act justly, embrace lovingkindness (chesed) and walk humbly with God.
There clearly were serious flaws and failures when applying this teaching at Peniel, MRM and Trinity. We are all at times guilty of sinful silence, complicity and in neglecting to live out Micah 6:8.
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