What is truly horrifying is that I have seen some people falsely accused, but with overwhelming evidence to their innocence, yet because the accuser was considered an important person in the church or was related to an important person in the church, that innocent person was made a sacrificial lamb to hide much deeper problems in the church.

It’s sad to think that the innocent often meet the same end as the guilty, but if we were not so worried about appearances, more innocents would be declared not guilty rather than seeing their entire ministry go up in flames.

And even then, even if someone is guilty as sin, where is the grace? I’m always hearing about “restoring sinners,” yet I’ve never seen this happen in reality. When was the last time a church leader did something stupid, repented, was counseled, and then was restored? I’ve never seen it happen. Yes, we talk about it, but it might as well be a fairy tale.

Worst of all, when someone is made a sacrificial lamb, no one ever goes back and helps that person rebuild. Too often, the stance taken resembles Pilate’s washing of the hands. What a terrible witness.

The American Church is far too concerned with how people perceive it, particularly individual churches. Until we get over ourselves, this issue will continue to grind up good people. Too often, even the whiff of scandal is enough to get someone booted locally (or worse, blackballed widely). And that’s a crime against that person and against the Lord.

Point 1. There is nothing you can do to protect yourself from false accusations. Allegations are often regarded as credible and suspects as “perps” despite what the law says. It’s easy for anyone to say such and such happened and very difficult to prove it didn’t. Be very careful, but realise being careful may not be enough.

Point 3. If someone has just lied about you, be careful of reaching out. Make sure it’s not about you seeking an earthly vindication. Be aware that a liar (for whatever reason) is likely to use any “reaching out” against you and that in some circumstances reaching out would be construed by authorities as harrassment or worse. Also, if someone has convinced themselves you did something when you didn’t, what closure or consolation can you bring them? You can only stir it up again.

This makes points 6, 7 and 8 all the more important.

But a question.
Is our thinking on this influenced by our worlds attitude to sexual misconduct and sex crimes? Where is the Biblical outworking of “do not entertain a charge against an elder unless it is supported bu 2 or 3 witnesses’? Take Dinesh, If the facts are as they were stated in his article then there was nothing wrong with his article. The accusations against him were scurrilous and malicious and lacked integrity and the authors have publicly sinned against him and ought to be called publicly on that sin.
It all comes down to what actually happened. That will come out in time.

In my view, some posts are better remaining unwritten until the need truly arises.