From the Gate City Christian Church site:

We are creating an exciting new website, just for our Youth Ministry Programs. Coming Soon!

Something with an abstinence focus perhaps? Maybe some teaching on how not to be a victim of predators?

Christians will simply claim that this example is not represenative of their faith as the individual in question was not faithful enough, and while I get tired of hearing it they are correct in that assesment. If anybody commits that kind of barbarous act it is because they either did not have the morals to begin with or weren't faithful to the morals they did have, whether Christian, atheist, etc (it matters not). In short, they were weak.

This does not change the fact that Christians cherry pick their bible to support the claim of a kind and loving god who will somehow make them morally uprighteous. Obviously it does nothing for their morals nor was I claiming otherwise in my first paragraph. I have known born again Christians who, when one looked beneath the thin veneer of glowing happiness they paint themselves with, were still the same greedy, selfish and rotton people they were to begin with. The only difference is now they can be "forgiven" once a week for their trashy personalities. Hallaluya, Praise the Lawd! I wish that I might be able to absolve myeslf of guilt so easily instead of the mental whippings I put myself through! The church that this deviant belonged to will undoubtly have a service whereby the laity will be whipped into frenzy of "We forgive you! rants, like they are the offended party.

(An anonymous post under another testimonial put forth the idea that perhaps some people become Christians as it is the only way for them, at least, to make friends. Might be something to that.)

Like the post Joe but I can't see the churchs ever instituting any kind of anti-predator programs. That would require a tacit admission on their part and they have all clearly demostrated that an acknowledgement of responsibility will never happen.

Huey,

Thanks for the post. I enjoy reading your writings. As a clergy member, we must institute these anti-predator programs. If we do not we have failed to protect our children. I am a children's minister and I have no problem with someone running a background check on myself. I also think it should be conducted on anyone who has contact with children (such as teachers or chaperons) in the church.

Good call, Josh!

When can we expect you to start leading the charge on this?

Or, you could just sit on your ass and pray that your imaginary deity comes to the rescue.

Oh wait, he's the one that let all this happen in his lovingly permissive will.

Never mind.

You can expect a lead role as soon as I become lead pastor at a church. You can be it will be instituted. Many large churches already have these measures in place. The problem is that most churches are not large. There also is a lack of cooperation so when on molester is dismissed from a church they fail to notify any other church that might employ said molester. This is one area that needs radical reform.

Just wondering which is more atrocious? A child predator among the school teachers or the church?

For me, it is without a doubt in the church.

Thanks,

Josh

Josh:
As a clergy member, we must institute these anti-predator programs.

Lorena:
Hey, Josh... Ever hear of dangling modifiers?

Lorena,

I am sure I could use an English lesson or two.


As a clergy member, we must institute these anti-predator programs

(correction)
We as members of the clergy have the responsibility to institute anti-predator programs.

Josh

I agree with you and wish you well as you implement that, but really what do you expect to find with a background check?

Many of the guys who are going to apply for your youth ministry job are going to be right out of college (that or you will pay more because they have a successful track record somewhere else). These young fellows have no background to check.

If they have some sort of sexual conviction in their past, they're not getting through the local Christian college - and definitely not getting through the ministry track.

Noble, but useless...

Spoomonkey

"These young fellows have no background to check."

Not only that, that they don't have a record only proves that they haven't been caught yet.

UPDATE:

Jury acquits E. Idaho youth pastor in sex abuse trial

An eastern Idaho youth pastor who faced two counts of lewd conduct with a minor and one count of sexually abusing a minor has been acquitted.

A jury found Joshua J- Robinson, a pastor at Gate City Christian Church, not guilty on all counts following a 2-day trial.

The 29-year-old Robinson was arrested in February.

He faced up to life in prison for each lewd conduct charge and up to 15 years in prison for the sexual abuse charge.

After his arrest, church officials elected to keep Robinson on staff, but shifted his job from active ministry to an administrative role.

Officials say he will now return to his previous duties.

LINK

It is amazing that all those who don't really know what is going in a situation believe the worst about everyone. There are more cases of false accusations out there than people realize and yes there are indeed people who lie simply to hurt others.

That is why you are innocent until proven guilty. This man was innocent and the system worked. I am thankful that we have the right in this country to be presumed innocent and defend ourselves. Especially in the case of false accusations. Those of you who so arrogantly condemned this man, should own up to your error in judgement and apologize. Remember, false accusation can be made against anyone and this could have been you.