From the number of hits and responses I’ve received from my previous post about the allegations against Tyrone Gordon, still technically pastor at St. Luke Community UMC until Feb. 15, I am aware that this is an area of huge interest.
Now, assuming that these allegations are true (and my good husband did remind me as I’m raging about this that nothing has been proven and that it all may be a pack of lies against the now uncredentialed Gordon), it appears that there may have been a long standing pattern of sexually predatory behavior.
Anyone who knows me knows I’m a big one for extending grace and forgiveness. I’ve made enough messes in my own life not to want to give to others what has been granted to me–ways to set things right again, to find peace in reconciliation with God, with others and with our own selves.
The problem I see here becomes much more than the crossing of a moral line–the problem is the PATTERN of crossing over a moral line. When someone sins egregiously–and then in deep sorrow, repents and learns from that sojourn into the place of darkness, then great good can and usually does spring from it. There is nothing that God cannot transform into goodness. But that transformation takes cooperation.
Again, assuming that this is a pattern, and a pattern that those near Gordon knew about, why did they not step in? My guess is that many have heard the scripture quoted, “Touch not the Lord’s anointed” and thought, “This man has been given the anointing of God to preach the Gospel. Therefore, I must not do anything that might hurt him (or her).”
The verse comes from Psalm 105:15: “Do not touch my anointed ones; do my prophets no harm.” It was written in the context of the protection of the people of Israel as they were being established as a nation. They were weak, small, vulnerable, and needed special oversight and freedom from marauding bands who might destroy them. They were a long way from realizing their hope of land, stability, and identity–and power.
That protection is not needed for the powerful–and clergy have a great deal of power where their congregations are concerned. Again, assuming the allegations are true, Gordon received massive protection from those around him–protection from the consequences of his actions, and protection that brought serious harm to the very ones God says, “Don’t touch” for they are the small, vulnerable ones.
Again, I land at the abuse of power. There may be no more destructive force in the world than that which comes from those who have taken vows to serve as Christ’s representatives on earth riding the trust such a position gives to use others as objects to satisfy their unholy lusts.
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