My all time greatest FUBAR Committee story (I had many to choose from)
This is when I was a kid, but the story needs to be told, as its been played out in many a congregation.
Anyone who has experienced the pain of child abuse (I have family members who have) in this lousy organization, my heart just breaks for you. Just know that you are deeply loved and cared about..........
There was a very promenent elder when I was growing up - he was well-loved by the congregation, respected, was considered a grandfather-type by most accounts. He used to have kids sitting on his lap at the meetings (I was one of them), would teach the kids how to swim, etc.
Well, this fine shepherd had one little issue - he especially loved the little girls in the hall.
He would paint portraits of some of the girls, (he was a talented painter) and would taken special interest in some of them. (It all made sense years later). Well, one of the girls was around 11 years old, and had recently been baptised. Her parents were divorced and Dad was long out of the picture. Her mom was one of the kindest, dearest ladies you would ever meet.
One day the girl finally had the courage to come forth and tell her Mom some of the things that had happened with this guy. Her Mom was shocked, and confided it to one of the elders. The elder was upset with the Mom for making "such an accusation" but said he would investigate. Because of the "two witnesses" rule, the brother came back and said that they could not form a judicial committee against the other elder.
However, the Mom was informed that a Judicial Committee had been formed - for the 11 YEAR OLD daughter!
Yes, this poor kid was accused of "slander" and brought before a committee - she was put on reproof since she was "repentant" for slandering the elder. Meanwhile, after this bastard died a few years later - many other girls came forth with vivid memories and accounts of abuse by this guy........He had done it to countless girls.
The party line is that "this has been cleaned up" but we all know that is BS since I have seen it as recently as 3 years ago in a case.
Yes, truly God's spirit appoints these men and guides them as the stars in the right hand of Christ!