Why do churches allow 20-year-olds to work in any type of a leadership capacity? Why do they continue to allow them to work in the same capacity despite allegations of inappropriate behavior? Student leader Jordan Clint Vernon of Real Life Ministries in Post Falls, Idaho stands accused of the usual litany of sex related charges.
Vernon was arrested last week, and is specifically accused of having sex with a 14-year-old girl, a 17-year-old girl, and inappropriately touching another 12-year-old.
Why was he a youth leader? Oh wait, the tag line for Real Life Ministries is “where Jesus and real life meet.” What could be more “real life” than a good old fashion rape? I bet it teaches valuable life lessons.
Linked on Hypocrisy Watch at Google Maps.
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TexasHeather · 796 weeks ago
Well, because the youth clearly need someone who can relate to them, someone who will make religion and God seem fun, 'cause, you know, the churches admit -- God alone is not enough to draw in teenagers. And, teenagers don't want some old fuddy-duddy leading them (you know, anyone over say, 30...)
It's a sad, sad truth, Mojoey. Churches, if anywhere, should know that GOD *IS* enough for those who want Him. They should know that what teens need is a LEADER, not a fellow playmate. They should learn from their mistakes over the years (for they are many). But until they start reading your site, they won't. They willl keep jeapordizing the teens they are trying to lead to Christ and disciple/grow in Christian faith. And in the end, with experiences like this, they probably do more harm than good.
It sucks. But it's never gonna change. The best thing parents can do -- be involved and stay involved. 'Cause church is not necessarily the safe haven you think it should be.
Mojoey 107p · 796 weeks ago
Few of my friends from that era survived. We were taught how to act but not how to live. And it the process, the adults who were charged with our care abused the weak in too many ways to count. It was years later that I discovered our choir directer had molested many of my peers. When I look back I ask myself, what is the value?
TexasHeather · 796 weeks ago
OUCH.
Having grown up, I do have my faith in tact, but very few if any of the dogmas/doctrines of the Baptist church. And I thank God every day for that, and that I'm raising my kids with the substance of our faith, and will let how they live it be their decision. Sure, we have rules at home, but not doctrine or legalism like what my husband & I had growing up. Hopefully we're raising a better kind of Christian this way.
As for what was the value of doing it that way -- it does serve as a good example of How Not To Behave. Sadly, those closest to it don't see it that way. ..sigh...
BruceW · 796 weeks ago
It's an interesting letter, giving the churches spin on the situation and how their "safety and security” team discovered the evidence and presented it to the police. I'm not so sure that I'd want a religious group watching my internet activity but, in this case, it seems to have helped remove a criminal from the streets. The letter ended in a predictable fashion, the incident is Satan's work to discredit the church. Their solution, of course, is for everyone to pray.
It seems to me that their children would be safer if they took a more realistic approach and taught them how to recognize and protect themselves from predators, including those who so ferequently use religion to take advantage of their victims.
Mojoey 107p · 796 weeks ago
TexasHeather · 796 weeks ago
We (society) teach our children survival techniques for so many other situations -- how to swim/not drown, how to cross the street safely, (hopefully) how to be on-line safely, etc, etc, etc. Sadly, this bit often gets neglected, only cautioning them to be wary of "strangers," when so very, very often, it's not a stranger who emerges as a pedophile.
Equipping our children is really the only smart thing to do.
Mojoey 107p · 796 weeks ago