Court is now in session...

All rise!  The Court of Public Opinion is now in session.  The Honorable Judge "I can do no wrong" is presiding.  The black church has been rocked by a scandolous exposé earlier this week.  From Atlanta, to Lithonia, to Dekalb, Charlotte, Chattanooga, Birmingham, Richmond and beyond, everybody's talking.  Yes, everybody's talking.  I was in the barber shop (the Black man's country club) earlier this week and the major topic of discussion was Bishop Eddie Long and the accusations brought forth against him.  Yes, I admit, that have been overly intrigued by this story, and my personal addition to CNN is not helping.

In just a few short hours, this man of God will face his parishoners at New Birth Missionary Baptist Church for the first time since the story surfaced.  Everyone in and out of Black Christendom has an opinion and has probably stated it at some point.  None of us are perfect and before anyone starts shifting blame, pointing fingers and issuing judgement from the Courts of Public Opinion.  Let's sit back and think about our own vices.  We all have them.  I am not saying that Bishop Long is culpable or innocent.  I was not there.  Only the true and righteous Judge of all men can make that determination.

I am reminded of something my grandparents used to say all the time "Don't let your good be evil spoken of."  Meaning, in your effort to help someone, stop and think how it could be perceived by others.  Even if your intentions are good, will it portray you in a negative manner?  When it comes to leaders, whether secular or spiritual, it is important to remember that we are all works in progress.  Perfection has not been granted to any of us.  If you put someone on a pedestal, at some point the law of gravity will take over, they will fall and your expectations of them will also.  The challenge for today is to keep Bishop Long and the New Birth Church family lifted in prayer.  It's a tragic thing to watch a war hero take a fall from grace, but as the gospel artist penned a few years ago in a song, "We fall down, but we get up...for a saint is just a sinner who fell down, and got up."  Court is now adjourned.

Peace,
Karsten