Haggard Mess, Part 2

I don't want to "beat a dead horse" but I do want to re-state what I feel is "lesson #1" for all of us evangelicals: we need to work really hard at creating an environment where it is safe (and normal) to honestly confess sin with one another.

In most evangelical circles that is not the case. People do not disclose sin because we tend to shoot our wounded in evangelical churches. Instead of extending grace we extend condemnation. The result? We bottle up sin and hide it and pretend we have our act together. The result? We wait until we're caught to confess our sin (way too late).

That's why many are arguing that we need to create a different environment in our churches. Not one that sweeps sin under the carpet...but one that allows Christians and pastors to confess sin to trusted friends and get the appropriate help needed for restoration to take place.

Here's a question for the Crossroads community: if you made the Washington County Bulletin stats for driving under the influence of alcohol or for _______, would you show up to your Life Group and would you attend church the next weekend?

The issue is whether or not we think we have to go into hiding after we've messed up.