Everybody Needs a Care Team

It comes as no surprise to anyone that church people sometimes get it wrong. We ignore people who are in obvious pain. We turn our backs on those who disappoint us or scare us.

When there’s a death, a birth, a surgery, or a fire, most human beings know the importance of reaching out to support those in the throes of life changes.

But people not only need care when they are dealing with illness, grief, and life transitions. Everybody – and I mean EVERYBODY – needs a care team when going through life’s more awkward, shameful, uncomfortable and unsavory experiences. I’m talking about those in our circles dealing with mental health challenges, addiction, false – or true – accusations, job loss, criminal activity, and any number of whispered-about life experiences. Everybody needs a care team.

(Note: not everybody can be on everybody’s care team. A care team must include people who are authentic supporters of the one needing care.)

Years ago, there was a church leader who was arrested for abusing vulnerable people in his place of employment. It was on the local news.

No abuse had happened in the church where he was a member. (It was thoroughly checked out.) But something had definitely happened in his workplace. And it was horrible. He admitted his guilt.

AND in the midst of this difficult time, his congregation was Church in the best possible way. This is what happened next:

The church leader stepped away from church leadership and refrained from participating in congregational life during the investigation. A care team was created for his parents who were also members of the congregation and a care team was created for the accused. In this particular situation, the former church leader was found guilty in a court of law and was incarcerated. And still – even in prison – the former church leader had a care team.

Jesus loved even the people we despise: thieves, heretics, liars, betrayers, and jerks. And when we have been the thief, the heretic, the liar, the betrayer, or the jerk, Jesus still loves us.

I’ve seen time and again that we in the Church abandon those in depths of their greatest agony. Sometimes their pain is undeserved. Sometimes they bring it upon themselves. God calls us to love them all.

So here is a message for my colleagues in Church World – especially for those in powerful positions: please offer care no matter the circumstances. Please do not condemn those who have not been proven guilty of anything. And even if they are guilty, remember that we are The Church for the guilty too.

And one final reminder: Not everybody can be on everybody’s care team. That’s okay. (It’s hard to care for the betrayer if you’re the one who’s been betrayed.) Others can step up.