Love is an Action

Sunday, January 28, 2018

Dear Pastor:

Because I know nothing of church protocols concerning the handling of matters like this, I choose to pen this note to seek clarification and express my grave concerns that today’s handling is not/will not become protocol for our care for the addicted, homeless and mentally challenged…

I drove past Tony this morning on my way to church, and even witnessed his stumblings then. I thought it pure God-incidence that I would later see Tony enter the sanctuary during the morning service. When Tony arrived to church and was shown his seat by a deacon (who I assumed was familiar with Tony’s personality), it was evident Tony might be under the influence of drugs, alcohol, or mental arrest. His sudden outburst at your “meddling” was met with scrambled haste from deacons and even a choir member. However, the presence I was most struck by was from a young woman who “appeared out of nowhere” and sat next to Tony. Her presence seemed to calm him as none of the others could. She even took and stood with him during the altar-call prayer. After service I crossed the sanctuary from center balcony to piano-side balcony to say “thank you” to her. Second God-incidence revealed the young lady was actually Tony’s sister and a two-year Shiloh member with her husband and two children. She volunteered her family’s great struggle with getting Tony (and another brother who succumbed to addiction) sober and off the streets. And she is a nurse. I left our sanctuary conversation heartened that someone has tried to advocate for Tony. However, when I arrived outside to the front of the church, I saw deacons (at least three) encircled around Tony, who was seated on the entry steps. As I was offering the knowledge of Tony’s sister to one deacon, and was in process of turning to retrieve her from the sanctuary, I saw she and her two children coming outside front. She came to us and asked Tony to come with her. He easily complied and walked away with her north on ninth street. However, before they could clear the vicinity of the family life center, they were beckoned by an arriving Metro Police officer. Having witnessed all this, I left the scene without an understating of the conversation or the resolution, but most certainly disheartened that a visit to Shiloh resulted in these actions… All this, after an inspiring sermon on ministry to outsiders.

For my sake, and the countless other members who attend church, I would appreciate knowing what our “handling practices” are for Tony and others like him who suffer social distress, social prejudice, and social isolation. Our best efforts to be welcoming must also be accompanied by consistent compassion and respect in our Christian deportment to Tony and others. I would welcome the opportunity to chat with you or other church leadership on this matter.

Tremendous thanks, and God’s continued blessings!