Sexual Harrasment at Church, Part 2

Roger and Jennie had two children. Michael was a college sophomore and Riley was a junior in high school. Jennie had a part-time job to supplement Roger's retirement. Josh believed she wanted the job so she could get away from Roger as much as for the money it provided. Because of the family's busy schedule Josh knew he would have difficulty catching Roger home alone.


But it was Thursday and Michael had classes until noon and work until six, Riley didn't come home until about four, and Jennie works until five on Thursday. When Josh called Roger to ask if he could come by and visit, Roger seemed nervous. “Well, that's fine...I guess. There's no one here, but me.”

“That' s okay, Roger. I have something I need to talk to you about.”

Reluctantly Roger agreed, and the appointment was set for 1:30.

Josh arrived at Roger and Jennie's home and was in no mood for pleasantries. He immediately began the conversation by telling Roger about Margaret's accusation. Roger began to stutter a denial, but Josh immediately cut him off.

“Roger, don't lie to me! Margaret wouldn't make up a story like this. What reason would she have to do that?” Josh said.

Roger squirmed in his recliner, tapped his fingers on the arm of his chair, and finally hung his head in shame as an admission of guilt. Josh almost felt sorry for him, until he recalled Margaret's voice and Jesse's anger.

The next step was for Roger to confess and ask forgiveness. This was going to be hard for Roger, but Josh knew it had to be done. When Josh left, Roger was sobbing in his chair.

Back in his office, Josh began calling a select group of men to come and meet with Roger tonight to hear his confession. Because there were no official church leaders Josh had to pick and choose the right men to be seated for this special meeting.

As the men gathered that night none of them had any idea what the meeting was about. Josh began the meeting and immediately launched into Margaret's story. Some of the men just couldn't believe Roger would have done what Margaret was accusing him of and wanted to defend Roger. To his credit Roger stood up and admitted that what she said was true. He did try to kiss her. The air was suddenly sucked out of the room as the men sat quiet and still, not sure what had just happened.

Josh had already decided what steps Roger needed to take next. As he outlined it for the group, everyone agreed about the wisdom of Josh's recommendations. Roger agreed to do everything he was asked to do.

As he drove home that night Josh knew this was not the end of it. For Margaret and Jesse it would be the beginning of learning how to forgive someone who had genuinely and sincerely wanted their forgiveness. For Roger it was the beginning of overcoming some lustful addictions.

For Josh it was the beginning of watching first-hand the blessings of God's grace at work.