Has Bishop Eddie Long’s Situation Hurt the Body?
May 16, 2011 by Admin
Filed under Church, Leaders, Ministry Today, Pastors & Leaders
GT Cover-Nov/Dec 2010 feat. Bishop Eddie Long
In GOSPEL TODAY’s Nov/Dec 2010 issue, we printed an article that quoted Bishop Long’s statement to his congregation on Sunday, September 26, 2010: “I have never in my life portrayed myself as a perfect man. But I am not the man that’s being portrayed on the television. That’s not me. That is not me.â€
“I’m going to fight this thing,†he said.
“And I want to add one more thing…I feel like David against Goliath, but I’ve got five rocks and I haven’t thrown one yet.”
In the follow up cover story, Gospel Today publisher, Dr. Teresa Hairston advised that the body of Christ consider a scriptural approach:
“Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.†(Gal 6:1)
The response to this article included a mixture of agreement juxtaposed against accusations of “covering up.”
At this point, How do you think Bishop Long’s case has impacted the BODY of Christ? Don’t just talk about it…blog about it…
As I have said in several discussions about this story, I will say it again, .. THIS IS CHILDISH AND WE DON’T HAVE THE TIME! Everyday, we read in the news about Bin Laden being killed! I have heard that Bed Bugs are now starting to carry diseases, then, food prices are being hiked up which can cause famine in the land. The Bible is coming to pass about famine, disease, and nation against nation… we do not have time for people and their foolishness… We know that many people in the pulpit and congregation sin against God.. and by any means, we are not upholding it! But, the Bible says that judgement will come to the house of God first! I heard that Bishop Long is planning to settle out of court… why would he do that if he was innocent….. Also, why are there pictures of this man in possession of these kids? This is just foolishness and we don’t have time to play with God! The church should not be looked at as some reality show with Jerry Springer insights… It really is not funny and I have heard too many souls say, the heck with the church and that they will never join or give it a chance… Look at what we have done to the body of Christ.. with our actions, comments, and thoughts, we have become the belt that tore Christ’s body apart… The body is slowly, but surely, being ripped apart… smh!
As a survivor of ten years of sexual abuse at that hands of my preacher father and an advocate for victims of sexual abuse, i feel very qualified to answer this question.
The Bishop Eddie Long case has absolutely NOT hurt the body of Christ at all. The body of Christ is bigger than it’s scandals. I believe what has hurt the body of Christ is all the years that we have allowed these perps to stay in our pulpits or function as lay ministers. While the Catholic church has been confronted with their abuse scandals, the evangelical church has by and large smugly viewed the issue as “not affecting us.” I can assure you that this is NOT the case. When the truth of the full extent of the abuse that has been covered by the evangelical church comes to the light, the Catholic church will pale in comparison. What will make it so pervasive is not only the sheer number of church denominations but the fact that they are largely autonomous. There are not the hierarchical structures that exist with the Catholic church. This is what has hurt the body of Christ – that we have refused to acknowledge that we have a problem with abuse in our churches and we fail to help the victims.
Ask anyone who has been sexually abused where the first place they would go to for help and you will probably not hear a single person say “the church”. It is usually the LAST place people go for help, not the first. Victims of abuse are marginalized and given trite comments about forgiving and forgetting but very rarely, the in-depth counseling and support that they need.
There have been a rash of recent stories of pastors, missionaries and church leaders charged with allegations of sexual abuse. I personally am thrilled to see this day come. It is about time. We have known for a very long time that our churches have done a lousy job of removing those who prey on children. If it takes a scandal to root out the impostors from the ones who are truly servants of God, then I welcome that too. Whatever it takes to get these perps out of our churches and give victims the validation and support they need.
The only bad “testimony” these scandals cause the body of Christ is when they are not dealt with openly and candidly. Sinners can understand that child molesters exist everywhere, they respect us for dealing with the issue head on. What is a bad “testimony” is when the world sees us shut down investigations and pay hush money to silent the victims.
Whenever a spiritual leader or a member of the Church is portrayed as a hypocrite it negatively impacts the Church. But I’m more concerned by what is happening in the Church then what is happening outside of the Church. When the news was first released on CNN last year I was appalled by the comments of some of my Facebook friends about Bishop Long and the whole affair. Members of the Church that I pastor gleefully shared malicious words with each other. My heart was broken by their cynicism and callousness. I answered it with a sermon titled, HOW SHOULD THE CHURCH ACT CONCERNING THE EDDIE LONG MATTER. I cautioned the congregation to be wise and to be spiritual. As the people of God I told them we should not rejoice and find humor in the pain of others who are members of the Body of Christ. We love each other by praying for each other.
I believe that the world will be impacted by us, not by our perceived perfection but by our love for each other. When the Church doesn’t love it diminishes our purpose in the world.
As survivors, I could not agree with Sis Linda Fossen more… It is time to expose the abuse in ALL the Churches…It is time!
We cannot continue to make excuses and hide our head in the sand.
Church leaders must stop believing they are above the law.
Just because someone graduated from a Univ. and has a few titles or letters before and after his/her name doesn’t make them spiritual or a “True Man of God”. Yes, I am Doctor, Reverend, Pastor, Bishop so and so, here “kiss” my ring and give me your son. Satan knows scripture better than anyone on earth today and can quote the bible at will, including his demons, in fact they know Jesus better than any Pastor or Bishop. I can prove it, the Bible says:
(2 Corinthians 11:14) And no wonder, for Satan himself keeps transforming himself into an angel of light.
You need God’s Holy Spirit to help in the discernment department, just because a man or woman speaks well from the pulpit, if he/she doesn’t speak according to the Bible and you can prove it with scripture, don’t believe it.
Raid bug spray is 99% inert ingredients and 1% poison, it’s the 1% poison that kills, same with these false preachers. Example: Ever hear a good sermon and towards the end they slip something in there that had no place being there? ever hear a good sermon and towards the end, out of know where he says: “we evangelicals” and then continues on. In your mind you say “wait a minute” where did that come from? or, towards the end of his sermon out of know where he says the word “trinity”. why did he say that? these are buzz words that have no place in the sermon.
When will Christians question, do research and compare today’s “Bishops” with the Bible and see if they are for real? I question and research everyone with the title “Bishop” in the 21st Century. I call some “The new Pimps”.
These black liberation theology churches– such as Bishop Long’s church needs to get on the right side of God and GOD’s WORD-minus the black liberation theology.. as well as the Catholic Church also and STOP with the protocol and status quo.
The entire situation with Bishop Long is foolishness as well as with the Catholic church who’s priests have molested young boys for decades if not centuries.
The word of God states in the last days many will come in my name, (Jesus/God the Father) yet be lovers of themshelf and flesh. Men turning to men, women turning to women, the Word also says, God will say on the day of judgement, I know you not you workers of iniquity.
So I ask you, what does this say about those who have followed those of iniguity? Who may be pastors, bishops, priests of which GOD knows not?
Thoese who are Beleivers of the True and Living God, now is not the time to belong to church because its fashionable and the most popular, you join a church first as a believer and a follower of the TRUE AND LIVING GOD who’s word is Christ.. and hope to God the Sheppard leading the flock is a BIBLE TEACHING SHEPPARD, and not a trendy or popular sheppard with gimicks or a race based liberation church, sorry that’s my take as a man of Color.
There’s not a black only section in heaven, nor a whites only or latino only or asian only section in heaven, the saints need to think about this sentiment and where we worship in terms of a well balanced ethnic congregation with a well balanced ethnic pastorial staff who believes in straight up biblical scripture teaching.
So no, what is happening to Bishop Long is not going to hurt the TRUE BODY OF CHRIST, JESUS WILL RETURN FOR HIS THE BRIDE(the church of the true and living God). What will be hurt some is the fact, the black church liberation theology has long surprass its purpose and has no need to continue in the notion it has, granted, the black church liberation theolology was precedent for so many pre and post civil rights movement, however, many such churches have taken on a climate of popularity(to be seen at)..as well these monster churches have become BIG business, moreso, than saving souls outside the church.
@ Linda Fossen, Thank you for articulating a timely piece! This is so true. As a survivor of abuse at the hands of a Father/Pastor, I understand so very well that God is exposing. I agree the Body of Christ is bigger than any church scandal! God is bigger for that matter. For ppl who continue to cover up and say just forgive and love, let’s not get it twisted; there’s ALWAYS CONSEQUENCES for our ACTIONS PERIOD! Most of the ppl who say that, have never been preyed upon in that dispicable manner or there the prepatrators themselves.
Again, thank you Linda, Awesome piece!
In the 21st Century Run from everyone who’s first name begins with “Bishop”.
The Pastor is a part of the body of Christ, not above the body of Christ. When we become Christians we are ALL held accountable to the same standards. The word of God says in Ephesians 4:22-24 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.
This includes EVERYONE! So I think the real question should be: Has Your “Situation” (lust, drinking, cursing (how many of you black folks continue to curse each other by using the word Nigga?), greed, slander, backbiting, jealousy, racism, sexism, hatred, unforgiveness, lies, stealing, – HURT THE BODY?
The congregation has more influence on a community than one Pastor thus we have a greater responsibility to the body.
We hold our Pastors/Leaders accountable by be accountable to Christ.
Would love to connect with other survivors. You can find me on Facebook or google me for my website. God bless you!
If the church stays focused on the “WORD OF GOD”
and not personalities there is nothing to be concerned about. I know that the Bishop as well as many others have blessed me with the WORD that came forth. Remember, God can use anyone that HE wants at the time to impart what HE needs HIS people to receive. Obviously, we want our leaders to remain committed to holiness. We as a church should be praying for discernment and guidance from the Holy Spirit. We should also not be rushing to judgment. The bible tells us not to judge, lest we be judged, also. This is a civil case, not a criminal one. This is the year of God’s justice and judgment (prophetically), so let’s just wait and see what all of this reveals. I still serve God (Jehovah, Yahweh, El-Shaddai, ABBA, IAM, etc.), so HE is able to keep and preserve those who belong to him.