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VOICES | Issue: "Reaping the whirlwind" July 20, 2002

Mailbag

LETTERS FROM OUR READERS

Global shame
June 15, 2002

Honoring traitors

Thank you to Joel Belz for straightening out our metaphors ("Shooting the 'wounded,'" June 15). I too have tired of hearing the accusation that "the church is the only army that shoots its wounded." It would be more accurate, I believe, to say that the church is the only army that honors its traitors and deserters. There are several examples of men who have failed morally yet remain in ministry. They and the church would be better served by humble, sorrowful, and restorative church discipline. - Richard Guisinger, Tucson, Ariz.

I commend Mr. Belz's stand on church discipline. This year I received discipline from our church leadership (sexual impurity was not the issue here—the tongue is a raging fire). A gentle, private rebuke did not restore me to fellowship and we left the church. Word of my complaints got back to our pastor and he, after much prayer, publicly rebuked me in an open letter. I was mortified and angry for a long time, but eventually confessed my sin to the Lord and apologized to my pastor. We have also returned to our church. I have since gone back and reread the letter of rebuke, and see in it the love and the Father heart of God. - Susan H. Price, Ocklawaha, Fla.

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July 20, 2002, Vol. 17, No. 27

Summer Books 2002 Jul. 7, 2002	Bureaucratic burial Jun. 29, 2002	NEA: School bully Jun. 22, 2002
Global shame Jun. 15, 2002	The Marriage Amendment Jun. 8, 2002	Will Kurds stand alone? Jun. 1, 2002