The one thing that can be safely said in the wake of the distressing safeguarding issues reported on pages 6-8 is that almost any words written anywhere in en about these matters will prompt someone, somewhere, to disagree – possibly quite vehemently.
That, in itself, is a disturbing symptom of how fractious and indeed fracturing the fallout from these investigations has thus far been in some (if not all) parts of the conservative evangelical constituency, especially among some Anglicans. How Satan must be rejoicing, not only over the awful acts that have been perpetrated in the name of Christ by those at the centre of these scandals, but also over the way people have turned on one another in its aftermath.
Survivors
If there is one thing – among others – that everyone perhaps could agree, it is that New Testament love must be integral in what happens next. First of all, there must be genuine love – not just words – for the victims and survivors of these abusers. It seems too often there has been a lot of talk about survivors – but not enough talking with them, especially by those who could and should have acted sooner to listen to them in the first place. Are there those reading this who could do with picking up a phone to get in touch with those survivors whose concerns – it is now apparent – were for far too long ignored?
Secondly, in view of some of the recommendations in the Thirtyone:eight report, self-sacrificial love for Christ and for the gospel may rightly lead to some people stepping down from positions they currently have. There have been one or two very commendable resignations. The wider culture change for which the report calls may well require more.
Thirdly, there must be love between those who are reacting in very different ways to the various reports which have come out. There have been lots of statements, Tweets, articles and so on – some of them far from edifying. Suspicion abounds between various people and organisations – and, of course, it is the ‘other’ who is always wrong, rather than ‘us’… Often these frictions tend to revolve around claimed insights into other people’s hearts which surely the Lord Himself only has.
Some of those criticising the responses, motives and actions or inactions of others (not always with any real evidence), and from a wide variety of different perspectives, really do need to get in the same room (or on Zoom) to talk. That must include prayer, listening, bridge-building, seeking understanding and, for some, a willingness to answer genuine questions – not in order to close ranks, cover up or ignore the recommendations of the various reports, nor to move on as though nothing has happened, or to brush things under the carpet after these appalling abuses – but in order to facilitate the most thoughtful and appropriately-informed response and actions.
Scripture says: ‘If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other,’ (Galatians 5:15). There has been too much abrasiveness, suspicion and sideswiping between too many evangelicals for too long; current spats post-Fletcher are merely an amplification of that. Love matters. Jesus says, ‘By this shall all know you are my disciples, if you have love one for another.’ How do you think we are doing on this one at the moment?
