September Update:
Rich soil for restitution
Its tempting to give cultural leeway when dealing with problems in mission. ‘They do things different over here’, we hear, we have to be sensitive. Tolerance and unity are the buzzwords in todays ecumenism, and can be mandated at the expense of truth. On the ground, where people dwell, truth has oft fallen and relativism reigns. Black or white, rich or poor, educated or not, there exist preconceptions and prejudice on both sides, indeed racism on both sides, condescension, blind presumption, and even naked aggression - even between professing christians. These past few months has seen a tortuous situation arise with a worker who has conducted himself in a manner that would, in the main, result in instant dismissal.
Most problems we encounter follow the predictable path of sexual, financial or covetous sin, behaviour that in secular work may only incur a remonstration or accelerated twitter feed for interested parties.
As a Christian organisation these problems carry more gravitas. Relativism concurs with todays flexible faith where we pick and choose doctrine that suits both our preference and the times. The Bible speaks of absolutes, absolute truth, absolute mercy and absolute righteousness. We are the created not the creator, yet many still seek to create a God that is ‘acceptable’ to our sociological, political or even sexual leanings.
How then to deal with a worker who had crossed the line, used violence and cheated on his wife? When the victims themselves stand in advocacy and affirm forgiveness (though not in the Stockholm syndrome sense, or the battered forgiving wife) it is challenging. Do you collude with the affirming parties seeking re-instigation or maintain a rigid zero tolerance stance. The latter gives clarity for all, yet where is the mercy, the restitution? The family will lose the bread winner, the children a father, can this be fair for the victims to suffer twice?
Forgiveness is one thing, but actions carry consequences and of course others within and out with the mission watch to assess the response.
The Tribal King declared the whole debacle to now be not so much a local, but a ‘national issue’ such was the consternation over the suspended worker. Everyone near and far had a view. Previous misdemeanours we have found tended to find people caught out, rat-in-a-trap like, without conviction or contrition. Here however was a young man who was repentant, contrite and broken, desperate to navigate a way forward. Surely this is rich soil for restitution and rebuilding, the broken spirit and the contrite heart that is the acceptable sacrifice to God.
The prodigal blew his inheritance but there was restoration with repentance. Thank God that the trampled earth at the foot of the cross is level for all who recognise their need for salvation and restoration. He is now rebuilding his marriage and will be mentored for six months as he rejoins the work.
The fabric of New Foundations is partly the medical programs, but these hinge on the loving admonition and accountability one to another that the team enjoy. The Law of the Old Covenant still stands declaring God’s absolute standards, yet embodied in the New Covenant in the person of Jesus Christ, there is absolute justice, paid by absolute mercy, unmerited , undeserved Grace, free and available for all.