Well, what’s on our hearts the most these days is the Will situation. However, we should become less curious about the developments of his case, and become more focused on mending our anxieties and shoring up our safety. To that end, I offer you a few lessons we’re learning the hard way about covert predators.
First, though we vetted him fully and properly last Nov. when we hired him, we found no red flags… because all methods of checking backgrounds merely flag 1 in 10 first time offenders. We will receive training this spring on potential signs to watch for and how to tactfully respond to them.
Second, though not always appropriate or healthy, different ones of us are feeling betrayal, anger, guilt and shame—all common responses in this grieving process. Feelings are just feelings, unless they hang on and lead to negative behaviors. The Lord is merciful and patient with us, but pulls and pushes us toward wholeness.
Third, calm transparency helps lessen hurting people’s anxieties and helps increase law enforcement’s efforts to bring confident indictments. This is the policy of good leadership, be it official policy as with our conference and Cedar Hill ISD, or simply a generalized personal leaning. The key is to be selective with how much to reveal and when.
And finally, yes it is possible to respond to the horrific sin of someone close with a Christ-like mixture of justice and compassion. I am very proud of our church family for not being vindictive or hateful toward this conflicted man. I do believe he has faith in Christ, yet I pray for his soul. I do want him to get well, yet I am in favor of a harsh sentence. I do forgive him, yet I prepare all the more vigilantly to screen out others in the future. Remember, justice… and compassion.

From My Heart,
Rev. Jeff Garrett