Needed: Grace and Truth

More details about the Mike Guglielmucci story continue to unfold. This tragic event may end up being just a minor blip on the radar as far as the media goes but the effects within the church world may continue to build momentum for quite a while yet. After all, he's one us - a follower of Christ.

Having read the myriad of comments on my and other blogs, it is clear that there is a diversity of thoughts and feelings on this issue. I think the challenge for us all at this time is to seek to find a balance of Grace AND Truth, two things that Jesus was filled with (John 1:14).

The danger is when we go to either extreme - Truth only without Grace OR Grace only without reference to Truth. Jesus modeled these two important aspects in perfect balance. His response to the woman caught in adultery was radical Grace - 'neither do I condemn you' - AND radical Truth - 'go and leave your life of sin'. 

Mike needs both Grace and Truth now. Grace comes in response to a repentant heart. Truth means that there will still be consequences for his actions and reconciliation to be worked towards, especially for those he has hurt through his actions. Mike, and the leaders he is accountable to, will need to work these things through appropriately. Because Mike was a leader given a platform of influence, the consequences are much greater. With great power comes great responsibility.

There are also broader issues for the wider church relating to things such as: the culture being created in each local church/denomination, accountability for church leaders, and how we can encourage and foster greater personal integrity in all of our lives. However, let's not be too quick to attack existing church leaders, or even the church itself, because of Mike's sin. Heaven had a Lucifer, Jesus had a Judas, the church at Jerusalem had an Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5), and Paul had a Demas (2 Timothy 4:10). I'm not in any way saying that Mike is like any of them in any way whatsoever, BUT it does go to show that no environment or leader, perfect or imperfect, can prevent sin from taking root in any one of our hearts, leading to deception. We are all vulnerable and ultimately we are all responsible for the choices we make, as is Mike.

Let's continue to learn from what has happened and pray for God to bring some good out of this, in ways that only he can.

Comments

[John Finkelde]

Mark

I think it's vital that leaders like yourself keep posting on this topic.

I think the outworking of this scandal has some way to run & will impact on issues of church culture & how we view leaders.

As you've wisely stated grace & truth must both come into operation here

Bless ya - keep posting

John

[Gloria]

Dear Mark,

Thank you for your balanced viewpoints regarding this whole issue.

I have been really blessed in reading your posts; they have helped me consider other points of view that I normally would not have.

You are right on how we need to balance truth and grace, and how there is a need for us to live right and be accountable.

Hopefully this issue will become a stepping stone instead of a stumbling block.

Thanks so much for posting!

PS: please come back to Singapore soon.

[Ignatius]

Dear pastor mark,

I'm encouraged to see your posts on this matter. no doubt in a time where there's alot of disappointment and possibly indignation over this matter, it great to see things said and done in an objective manner.
what i'm surprised people didn't mention with respects to Pastor Mike is not why He commited this sin of deception which we probably know and have heard in the past few days. but rather why he lived in a lie himself for so long. I was quite surprised to see that he did all these good things (preach, evangelism, write songs) because he was trying to make atonements for the root problem he had. As he did mention that in order to try overcoming the habit he had, he turned to doing alot of good things for the Lord. But it just wasn't enough. so he continued to do more yet all the time having condemnation over the root problem he had which he could not break. maybe just maybe all this would have not taken place if Mike knew how much God loved Him and did not condemn him because Jesus had forgiven him and had paid the price for our sins even if it was for the past 12 years, He didn't need to feel the need to recompense for his root problem by trying to do that much good because its not doing good that will help us, but rather to know that Jesus still loves us no matter what and we can trust in His power to overcome.
yet with all that has happened. I say to Mike,
There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ. Believe you are forgiven, not thinking that by doing all the good things, you can recompense. Jesus loves you no matter what. For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of ourselves its the gift of God, and not by works lest any man should boast. God has not given up on you. If God can use Saul/Paul, God will use anyone. I believe that you will be a testimony of the grace of God.
To all, holiness isn't bout doing God's work, its being set apart, its being uncommon and we are uncommon because we are a new creation in Christ. Too many times, an emphasis is made about doing but little is made mention about believing our full identity in Christ. We do not have to do to prove our faith, we do because of an overflow of a transformed life. we don't do because we feel condemned. we do because in our identity in Christ, we were already made to do good works.

[1saviour +3nails= 4given]

agreeded!!
ur the bomb!

[Steve Barnes (100 Good Men)]

Personal failings and habits are one thing, and we hope people get over them - particularly if we subscribe to the faith; but this guy was deliberately lying and deceiving! Just think a moment what would happen in the business world if someone faked illness to get a platform and make lots of money! Why would anyone go easy on such a snake oil salesman.

We need to realise that hundreds of thousands of youth around Australia and the world have hung on every word this guy has uttered over the past few years. What will it do to those young in the faith?

If only grace is applied, and no punishment, what message are we giving other rorters? It's like an invitation to come and deceive us and rip us off.

It's about time we woke up and started looking for character instead of charisma; for morals instead of hype. Is our generation so easily deceived by American style marketing ands hype that we have forgotten how to judge a person by what should really impress us? It seems to me the world around us is far smarter than those in the church when it comes to seeing through fakes. Maybe there is some point to Steve Martin's “Leap of Faith”. The end of that film suggests God really is there, but certainly not amidst the razzle dazzle and excitement of big time church.

Maybe we need to leave this kind of over-the-top church behind and take a second look at how Jesus told us to live.

[Benedict]

Hi guys,

as I read through the comments...especially those feeling disappointed at the Church's management of people and how they have failed badly in this case...I can't help but sense that we could be trying to "Be God" here. We ask "why" did the church not do anything! But I feel the question we must also ask is "how"- could the Church have stopped this from happening? THe church is not omniscient. The best test for a person in the church is of cos, his own testimony, and his service for Christ. Consider, Jesus was the one who said that test the fruits...if you wanna discern the tree. In the same way, I believe the church have watched the faithful service of Mike (reminder- he had served LONG and HARD on Planetshakers...and as we have seen, his life has touched so many)...and have given him recognition for that by enlarging his platform of ministry. And I believe even when Hillsongs took him up on team to sing Healer, it was with much prayer...and seeking the Lord...if you have at any point in the life of Hillsongs caught the spirit of this team of musicians...you would know their heart...they are not putting pple up there for talent (so pls dun comment without knowledge)...mike is someone respected, tested for faithful service and witness for God, known as a long-friend to Hillsongs (ask yourself, do you think they would allow a man like this to speak on their past conferences (worship electives) unless they have prayed about it, and tested the fruits)...so when he says he's down with cancer, and wants to inspire others with the song, is paranoia the right response? I mean, tell me, what should Hillsongs have done?
Moreover, in Planetshakers, if you have heard the heartbeat of russell evans, sam evans, henry seeley...you would know that talent is not what they want on stage...they are looking for pple to stand in the gap for their generation...and are you telling me that we christians have to be even more "powerful" than the holy spirit moving in this ministry, and point out a person (whom the holy spirit hasn't chosen to expose)? All I can say is...if you think the problem lie with the church, then there will be many times in my church and yours where someone should have fallen...think about it: how many "new in faith" pple have we allowed on our team...but how many have fallen? THe point is,we must come to the conclusion that no matter the cause, God is soverign in this situation. He chose to expose Mike now. And perhaps I can suggest something good coming out of this...
Notice that the Hillsong team for "this is our God' is made up of new folks this yr...the younger generation...consider that God might be exposing a looked-up to leader at this time when the younger ones are rising up...bcos He wants to prepare a Generation that will LOOK TO HIM and HIM ALONE...they will always be reminded, whenever there's a temptation to look to men, that there was one whom everybody thought was infallible who was not... They will be a generation who will DO GREAT AND MIGHTY THINGS but who have eyes only for Him!

God bless

[Benedict]

And remember, God- in His word- says that the heart above all is deceitful, and that it only He who can test the heart. And always...it is in His sovereignty to expose... Yes we should have checks and balances...mentoring...accountability...but remember, it is He who convicts. And in His time. So don't blame the church, pray for it...look to Him=] He has a purpose.

On this rock on which He builds His church, no gates of hell can stand against it!

How apt when you consider the songs of Hillsongs, such as desert fire, you'll come...speaks of deliverance, and fiery times...yes indeed, God is making a people who has loved him so much love him even more through the fire! =]

[Muecke]

Being of the cynical kind i find it hard to swallow the medicine on offer. The deception has been going on for over 16 years, and now we somehow need to recognise that in that deception he was "working hard for God". Hmm. Sounds more like putting every ounce of energy into fraud.
But more concerning to me is how gullible we all are. SOmeone cries, someone preaches with charisma, someone sings "anointed" songs (doesn't that word get a good beating) and we somehow dislocate our brain. Maybe we truly want a hero? And cannot bear the thought that the "hero" was not one after all. Maybe it's a bit like Dorothy's disappointment in the Wizard of Oz! All flashing lights and goosebumps - but sadly lacking in integrity and power. Maybe we have mistaken "anointing" with goosebumps? Maybe swapped boring integrity with charisma? Maybe we have failed to recognise that God surrounds us, everyday, in our very ordinary lives.

[Muecke]

P.s. Actually the whole "wizard of Oz" thing - i don't think its mike - i think its a system. A system were superstars are created only to fall - mike being one. Which makes me wonder. If God incarnate walked our planet today would we be "hero" struck? Probably not - "He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him..." Is 53.... maybe God is in our very ordinary lives

[niall]

Benedict, I think you make a good point. Even if accountability structures are in place, like weekly meetings with a peer or leader, a person will only reveal what they want to. Short of monitoring bank balances and following people around, I'm not sure there are really any practical measures that would prevent this sort of thing happening again. Furthermore, it may be somewhat counterproductive to rely on external controls if it takes the responsibility away from the individual.

[CastingCrowns]

check :

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n-8SYA6rfbs

" Be careful little eyes what you see
It's the second glance that ties your hands as darkness pulls the strings
Be careful little feet where you go
For it's the little feet behind you that are sure to follow

..

It's a slow fade when you give yourself away
It's a slow fade when black and white have turned to gray
Thoughts invade, choices are made, a price will be paid
When you give yourself away
People never crumble in a day
Daddies never crumble in a day
Families never crumble in a day

Oh be careful little eyes what see
Oh be careful little eyes what you see
For the Father up above is looking down in love
Oh be careful little eyes what you see "

[David]

Thank you Mark for your postings. Certainly situations as this cause us to sit up and examine ourselves in the light of Scripture. My prayer is that God does a sovereign work of revival in the church of Australia. We are in a desperate need for a revival of repentance. One of the most significant messages that has challenged my life over the last couple of years is as follows: Paul Washer speaking to 5000 youth at a Southern Baptist convention and stuns the hearers. It is a must listen for every Christian youth.
http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=52906154239

[Steven Yip]

Given the scale of the impact of Mike's struggles being made public, is there a place for "identificational" repentance in Australia at:

a) Personal level
b) Local Church level
c) National Church level ??

(a chrisitan leader set an example, check out the URL below)

http://www.dutchsheets.org/index.cfm/pageid/263

[Deeply distressed to HOPEFUL]

I wrote a piece a few days ago about how disappointed I was after reading Pastor Danny's statement because it contained no apology to the body of Christ, and didn't admit to fraudulent behaviour. At the time I was very upset, but after watching Mike's interview last night on TV, I feel a little safer. Mike apologised unconditionally, and a statement was made that Pastor Danny has written to the Police Commissioner to make a decision on any charges, and that all money would be properly accounted for, returned or donated to charity.

I do feel a little more confident that things will be dealt with properly. I have never doubted Pastor Danny's knowledge (or lack of it) in this situation, as I have personally witnessed his great distress for 2 years. He has been physically incapacitated by the events.

I was afraid that minimisation would take place to 'protect Mike' and possibly to 'protect the church', although we have all seen the anger. In today's society, we don't want to be shielded. We want the truth so we can move on.

I feel much more confident now, that restoration for all concerned will be healthy, and thank the Lord that He does reign in people's lives. I am now going to let my anger go with God's help, and pray more ferverently for Mike, and for all concerned in his restoration, and for those who have been abused.

[Mark]

The thing that saddens me the most is that a 12 year old pastors kid for whatever reason, didn't feel he could tell anyone about his porn problem. 16 years later we have the current situation. I believe the church as a whole doesn't know how to have a truly grace and truth filled environment in which people feel comfortable confessing their sin. Instead they hide it and then it gains a stonghold in their life. Sin is looked down on and people judge even though they talk about love and grace it's not active in there actions.

[Meng]

It's disappointing to see something like this happen, but it's a reminder that we follow one God and not one man. Righteous anger is justified, but so is prayer and forgiveness. Remember, the yardstick you use to judge others will be applied to yourself, so look in the mirror and think how you would want to be treated if you were in his shoes. Could you honestly say that, despite your disappointment, you still love Mike as a brother in Christ? Take a look at Corinthians and understand what love means. Rebuke is in order, and so is support.