This is for the article published June 17, 2009 in this blog, entitled, “What Will Happen to the Church of Tomorrow?” (This is not the article that is now currently on the date, because it was edited; what I’m talking about is the first edition of the article.)
This is for all the people who were personally offended at reading the ill-prepared, careless, and judgmental words I published in that date—it was really my fault. And this is also for the people who read that article and got their impressions toward God’s men, certain persons, and philosophies sour and destroyed—it must not be that way.
This introduction to the article started it all:
“I know this person to be loving of kids. This one is more at home mingling with
children than fellowshipping with adults. This person also knew that the
children needed to be taught to follow the Lord, and felt concerned over the
neglect many pastors had given to these little ones whenever churches gather
in a certain event. This person told them that they must have something to
do with these little people.
“And so the concern brought this person to a ministry – yet not commendable on
the part of the pastors. They said that they would let that person do all the
work for these people, never mind what they are getting at and what they are
doing. They left it all to this person.
“I’m not against this person, but surely, I would not, and will not, commend
what those pastors did. They are neglecting the kids. And kids are people.
People do not want to be neglected, and yet this was really neglected that they
were doing. Had that person never told about them, they would never think of
them.
“What will happen to the church of tomorrow? Our practice might as well turn
them into apostates. The church of tomorrow may become the church of apostasy –
and we are not even aware of it.”
See the italicized words? Those are assumptions--conclusions, judgments--my assumptions, my conclusions, my judgments.
First, I hurt the pastors' reputations. What would people think about them--untrustworthy? While there are really some, these pastors I mentioned are not untrustworthy--though I carelessly made them look like one. And pastors should be treated with respect and honor and dignity, because they are God’s men. As a Christian, I should have known that—and yet I failed to think about that.
Second, I hurt that “person.” At first glance, the person seems to be the hero, but when you think more about it, it’s far from it. Actually, it hurt that person more than the pastors would be if they were. It made that person look wrong in what has been done (the lessons, the singing), which, if you know, is doing the best to manage the children, and do things under the supervision of the pastors.
Thirdly, I hurt the children. The very persons I uphold, I care for, are the ones who will be at danger here. Because when they read these, what would they say? “Oh, pastors shouldn’t be respected.” “Well, everything we do in church is wrong.” “You are neglecting us?” And that makes them rebel, not improve. Instead of making their lives more productive, serving the Lord, I guess they would be more concealed, feeling hurt, and rebellious. I hurt them most than any of the people I pointed my fingers to.
So I'm saying this, readers, I apologize. In the name of our Lord Jesus, I admit I sinned, and have done that which is not right in His sight. Forgive me for my youthfulness--I've done things with the right motive, but with the wrong method: judging.
I'm sorry. I'm sorry.
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Bro. Elijah E. Abanto
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