The Prodigal Sheep: Second chances

A friend forwarded an interesting piece from Friday's New York Times concerning the recent appointment of Rev. Alvin O'Neal Jackson as senior pastor of the Park Avenue Christian Church in Manhattan.

Until several years ago, Mr. Jackson was a shining star in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), an 800,000-member denomination. A renowned orator, he was pastor of the church’s flagship congregation, in Washington, and as the denomination’s moderator held its highest elected position. In a previous post, in Memphis, he expanded a church of 350 members to more than 8,000 in 19 years.
But he was embarrassed in late 2003 when a curious member of his staff in Washington discovered that Mr. Jackson had been preaching, often verbatim, the same sermons as the Rev. Thomas K. Tewell, at the time the leader of the Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church in New York City [...]
Kathy McGregor, staff nurse at the National City Christian Church in Washington, woke up early one Sunday and, out of curiosity, typed into Google Mr. Jackson’s provocative sermon title for that day, “Sorry Mr. President, I Don’t Dance.” [...] A sermon with the same title by Mr. Tewell popped up on her screen. Clicking through Fifth Avenue’s Web site to see Mr. Tewell’s other sermons, she saw that many other titles matched Mr. Jackson’s as well.

Clearly the leadership of liberal churches is no more immune to scandal than the leaders of the religious right. This was truly a case of the mighty falling. By all accounts Rev. Jackson was considered a visionary leader and respected orator.

Jackson admitted in a letter to Park Avenue CC that he had "used some sermon materials without attribution over a period of several weeks from a colleague". According to the Washington Post (as reported in the NYT article) the actual length of time was more like eighteen months and the "use without attribution" was, in fact, verbatim regurgitation of other clergy's sermons, complete with "umms" and "ahhs" and personal anecdotes.

Jackson initially accused church members of waging a personal vendetta, and although he returned to the pulpit for a while he later resigned amid growing controversy. Surprisingly, he attributes his leaving to "opposition to the more multicultural direction that he, as a black minister, was taking the mostly white congregation", rather than anything to do with his own shortcomings as a spiritual leader. [An earlier WaPo article here]

Should pastors who have stumbled in such a big way and, in effect, stolen over a period of time from their congregations be welcomed back into leadership so quickly? Forgiveness is important, but is restoration of the fallen leader more important than the healing and restoration of the congregation and its ministry in the world?

I don't think so, but it seems like a mistake more than one congregation is prepared to make. And I'm not talking about Park Avenue, I'm thinking of my own congregation. After a similar scandal here (as I wrote about previously), our senior pastor is returning in a week to a congregation that is more skeptical and less trusting than before.

I noted at least thirteen points of similarity between NCCC's story in the NYT article and our own. These included the liberal and inclusive mission of the congregations, similarities in attributes and attitudes of the pastors, the extent of the plagiarism, the discovery, confrontation, admission and two-month leave, and the subsequent return to the pulpit... And this is where our story has brought us to right now.

One aspect of both stories that is remarkable is the role played by Internet technology and by search engines like Google in particular. Ten years ago, neither congregation might have become any the wiser. Here in itself then, is a story of how technology might play a positive role in holding people in positions of spiritual leadership accountable to their congregations in a way that was never possible a few years ago.

Will our uninvited crisis and subsequent journey of reconciliation lead to healing and wholeness? Or will it, like NCCC's with Jackson, lead to conflict and divorce?

Comments

A couple of comments on a few of your statements. "Forgiveness is important, but is restoration of the fallen leader more important than the healing and restoration of the congregation and its ministry in the world?" No, the healing of a spiritual leader is no more important than the total healing of a congregation. Unfortunately for National City, when Dr. Jackson decided to resign and leave the pulpit of that church, almost 100 of it's members went with him -- and I am one of those members. What the stories fail to reveal is that after the plagarism was revealed, Dr. Jackson submitted himself to the Elders of the church and their directions and instruction. He submitted himself to the leaders of the denomination and their directions and their instructions. How much longer must he continue to apologize. Are we forgetting the line in a prayer many of us pray daily, "forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors" meaning "God forgive us as we forgive others." Isn't Christianity suppose to teach love and forgiveness. Are Christians not only suppose to "talk the talk, but walk the walk"? "Here in itself then, is a story of how technology might play a positive role in holding people in positions of spiritual leadership accountable to their congregations in a way that was never possible a few years ago." This statement not only applies to Pastors of the Church, it applies to every Elder, Deacon, Usher, Board Member and ANYONE who sets in a spiritual leadership position.

Posted by: NaDine | August 3, 2006 11:11 PM

http://metroweekly.com/gauge/?ak=2237 http://www.disciplesworld.com/newsArticle.html?wsnID=9703 A couple more balanced pieces than the one you cite in the NY Times

Posted by: Charles | August 5, 2006 10:46 AM

I had not realized that the orinator of this blog is a gay man. Hello ??? I was chair of the gay ministry at National City. I left when Dr Jackson resigned. Since then the gay ministry has virtually disappeared - along with most of the Black members. Pease read the story in this week's Metro Weekly. Dr Jackson is a HERO to many in the gay community. And I can state absolutely that both racism and homophobia fueled opposition to him. He is giving his farewell DC sermon at my new church home Lincoln Temple UCC . He will be warmly receved and many will come just to show their love and support - MANY of them will be gay folks. Please probe more deeply, get ALL the facts and factors before you start casting judgment and condemnation on a great man.

Posted by: Charles | August 5, 2006 2:59 PM

It's interesting that I'm accused of 'casting judgment and condemnation on a great man' (Alvin Jackson) when I don't believe my entry does any such thing. I simply asked a question based on the parallels between NCCC's story and that of my own congregation: Should pastors who betray their congregation in such a deliberate and ongoing manner be permitted to return to the same ministry so quickly? I observed how relations soured at NCCC and wondered whether my own church's 'uninvited crisis and subsequent journey of reconciliation [will] lead to healing and wholeness' or 'to conflict and divorce?' These are hardly words of condemnation and judgment. Being a 'great man' does not in my mind exempt someone from responsibility for damage and hurt they might cause through personal weakness or imprudent action. Again, my interest is not really in Jackson but in what is happening in my own church, and how we can learn from others' experiences in similar situations. But I am a little disturbed at the implied suggestion that I should refrain from saying anything about the man simply because he is 'a hero to many in the gay community'. All heroes, including those esteemed by the gay community, have feet of clay. And heroes have a tendency sometimes to believe their own good publicity, which is often what leads to moral and spiritual lapses in the first place. To point to such lapses or to question someone's fitness to pastor in a certain context is not to cast judgment and condemnation. My own pastor has no doubt achieved a lot for the local GLBTQ community. I am not questioning those accomplishments. My question is whether someone who lacked the ability to be honest with his congregation for such a long time is fit to serve as its pastor so soon after being discovered. And whether a congregation that has been betrayed in such a way can properly recover while the perpetrator remains its pastor (and without the benefit of qualified interim pastoral leadership).

Posted by: Mark Poole | August 8, 2006 2:43 PM

I was a member of Mississippi Boulevard Christian Church in Memphis, TN under Dr. Jackson and found him to be not only an effective shepherd, but a personable and kind Pastor, to all of his member. I don't know if Pastor Jackson's sermons were plagarized, but he sure did bring thousands to Christ, through his leadership and vision, at MBCC. Pastor Jackson's vision for MBCC and the impact he made in this community is evident each and every time he visits Memphis. (Former members are always in attendance)Pastor Jackson is a trailblazer in the ministry, in that he teaches all people, who are interested in the Word of Christ. No, we did not have a Gay ministry and probably, never would have under his tenure, but we were taught taught to be Disciples, not just with the spoken word, but with the written Word. Kudos to Pastor Jackson on his new appointment!

Posted by: Simone Brown | August 13, 2006 8:41 PM

Posted by: Charles | August 15, 2006 5:34 PM

It is sad that Mark Poole's response to my posting entirely misses two key points. Alvin Jackson's call to Park Avenue Christian Church is a story of grace and redemption. Clearly the folks at Park Ave , having considered 100 applicants for the position, found Dr Jackson to possess just the gifts they were looking for in a Senior Pastor. They saw no need to continue to beat him up over past transgression but instead chose to show him forgiveness and compassion. I hope that God is more forgiving of us than Mr. Poole is willing to be of Dr. Jackson. Mr. Poole also avoids any mention of racism and race - which were central to the opposition to Dr. Jackson at National City and are central to the very special contribution he has made in the struggle for justice for LGBT persons. There are few prominent Black clergy who have stood for our community as has Dr. Jackson. We should be about lifting such people up rather than tearing them down. Interestingly, when Dr Jackson preached his farewell D.C. sermon at Lincoln Temple he did so to a packed sanctuary of folks who clearly think the world of him. Many of them were former members of National City. And many were members of the LGBT community. Clearly, many who know Dr jackson well and had him as our Pastor are alot more willing to forgive his supposed betrayal of us than is someone who has evidently never even met him.

Posted by: Charles | August 15, 2006 5:43 PM

I don't need to forgive Alvin Jackson. I don't know the man, nor he me. Unfortunately, the commenters miss my key point altogether. Regardless of the merits or otherwise of Alvin Jackson, I was using the story (as reported in the NYT) as a parable for a situation that developed here in Minneapolis. My post was asking questions about leadership accountability and whether it is appropriate for a shepherd caught in a serious scandal (which they admitted to) to remain in or return to the same pastoral position when so many of their flock are hurting and angry. It was a question about whether it might be better for a caring shepherd to sacrifice his own wishes for a higher need. Again, the post wasn't really about Alvin Jackson, it was about my struggle with a crisis of leadership in my own congregation. The connection to Jackson was merely in the substantial (but possibly superficial) similarities between the two situations. It is interesting that a number of people feel that I am attacking their pastor when in fact that was not my intent. It is also interesting however that people seem so keen to cast racism, bigotry and/or homophobia as the role reason for opposition from those who were aggrieved, as if being a black, pro-gay clergy who has done many great things automatically means that every person who has an issue with you must be mean spirited, racist and homophobic. How ridiculous. I am neither for nor against the man... how sad that people can only see any discussion around an issue in such black and white terms.

Posted by: Mark Poole | August 21, 2006 7:43 PM

I am Alvin Oneal Jacksons first cousin and I think people should really consider comments and stories that they print and the outcome it could have on everyone concerned. This was a devastating time for Alvin and the fact that using other sermons was not the direct cause. If you were aware of the way sermons are written and used this would have never been an issue. For years ministers have written and exchanged sermons the bible is not copywritten therefore anyone can use it the same with gospel music all you have to do is change the arrangement if you want. The question for me is how does Rev. Tewell feel about it. I'm sure if you google his sermons they will lead to someone else. Preaching the gospel is just that and you can intermix personal experiences in them but its still just the gospel. He openly admitted to what he had done because I'm sure he didn't feel that it was a problem since it happens all the time. For you to lable him a thief is totally unmerrited. No monies missing, no properties missing, nothing of value belonging to the church ever touched by him or his wife (Tina). He took what he had been given and tried to work with it. God is a God of love and we are trained to love everybody so if Gays come into the church you don't have the right to turn them away but you also help them to see their ways and make changes according to our beliefs. I think you should have investigated your story more talked to some other ministers and Pastors before you passed judgement based on some angry googler with nothing better to do.

Posted by: Sheila a. Cohen | September 4, 2007 2:26 PM

Sorry, but what is kimerikas? Jane.

Posted by: sweeta-rk | March 27, 2008 7:45 AM

The Prodigal Sheep

"My people have been lost sheep;
their shepherds have led them astray." (Jer. 50:6)

Second chances

TrackBack

Comments

Post a comment

The Prodigal Sheep

"My people have been lost sheep; their shepherds have led them astray." (Jer. 50:6)

Second chances

TrackBack

Comments

Post a comment

"My people have been lost sheep;
their shepherds have led them astray." (Jer. 50:6)