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Articles by Jack Canady |
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NEWSPAPER HEADLINES Dear Leaders Chosen Of God, Emblazoned across the front page of our local newspaper was a despairing headline. Beneath it, in full color, was a picture of a prominent pastor in our area. That page and two others were dedicated to tearing his reputation apart. Carefully worded innuendos and accusations appeared to expose deep seated corruption and misuse of funds. Norma was shaken when she drew it to my attention. My first response was, "Remember where this is coming from". "What do you mean?" she asked. "I am going to read this," I replied. "But, as I do I am going to recognize that, in all probability, this paper, the article, and the ones behind it, are enemies of everything this man and his church stands for." That is my bias. I come by it honestly. My mind traveled back to the early 70's and a similar front page article that a Denver paper wrote accusing the Reverend Billy Graham of being corrupt. Though what they wrote looked like "the gospel" to many, I knew the character of Billy Graham. I was so convinced that the accusations would be proven wrong that I kept the splashy headlined paper and waited for the apology and retraction. It came a few weeks later. It was a small paragraph on something like page eleven. As I began my message that Sunday I held up both papers so the congregation could see the disparity and prejudice. Now for my disclaimer. I am not sure how all this will turn out in regard to this local pastor. It is too early to know. But I will not jump to conclusions because of what that newspaper wrote. Though I have never met this brother personally, I stand with him. Norma and I will pray for him and his congregation. What is our hope? Frankly we want things to turn out the same as they did with Billy Graham back in the 70's. Right or wrong from your perspective, we are not quick to believe bad things about the people in God's family. We have seen too many godly individuals and ministries torn apart by false, evil reports. I challenge you to stand up for - and stand with - your spiritual family. Let them know that you do. And, when they do mess up, don't be quick to turn your backs on them. Do your best to help them get back on the right track. You will not always be successful but never let it be said that you did not give it your best. "What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them goes astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine and go to the mountains to seek the one that is straying? And if he should find it, assuredly, I say to you, he rejoices more over that sheep than over the ninety-nine that did not go astray. Even so it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish," (Matthew 18:12-14). Leaders Chosen of God I wonder who spoke those words? In His love, Pastor Jack |
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