Text: Hebrews 10:11-25 & Mark 13:1-8
Recent
events have shaken us, haven’t they? The resignation of the Archbishop of
Canterbury over safeguarding issues has left us questioning: Is the church
truly safe? Can we trust our leaders to protect the vulnerable?
The
devastating revelations of abuse — from John Smyth’s manipulation of young
people to countless other abuses — are a stark reminder of how far we’ve
fallen. The church, a place meant to heal, has become a place of harm for too
many.
But here’s
the truth: We can do better. We must do better.
Today, we
turn to the Scriptures. We are called to be a community where Christ’s love is
more than words. It’s justice. It’s safety. It’s healing. And yes, it’s
accountability. This is not a suggestion. It’s a command.
The letter
to the Hebrews reminds us that Christ’s perfect sacrifice brings us redemption.
You will probably know that that’s a theology I have questions about – but, let’s
take it at face value for today. The
point is that the foundational sacrifice of Christ is not just for our
individual salvation — it’s about the whole body of Christ. The church must
reflect His care for the broken. His protection of the vulnerable. His
commitment to justice.
The writer
to the Hebrews says that “By a single offering, He has perfected for all time
those who are being sanctified” (Hebrews 10:14). Christ’s sacrifice covers us
all. And because of it, the church must
be a place of refuge for all. A sanctuary. A safe haven for the hurting.
So, what
does that look like? It’s more than policies. It’s a culture. A culture where
compassion is the norm. Where transparency isn’t a buzzword, but a way of life.
Where accountability is non-negotiable.
Every person
in our care is precious. Every person.
No one is beyond Christ’s love. No one should ever feel unsafe in His house.
Hebrews
urges us to draw near to God with a “true heart in full assurance of faith”
(Hebrews 10:22). But it’s not just about individual faith. We are called to
stir one another to “love and good works” (Hebrews 10:24-25). The church isn’t
just a place for personal growth. It’s a place where we protect and strengthen
one another. Where we stand together, shoulder to shoulder.
For those
who have suffered abuse, the church must be a place of protection — but also of
healing. Too often, we’ve failed to act. Too often, we’ve turned a blind eye.
The consequences are devastating. When leaders don’t protect the vulnerable,
when they turn their faces away from abuse, the church becomes a place of
trauma. Not healing.
So, how do
we rebuild trust? How do we make the church a true sanctuary once more?
We create a
culture where safeguarding is a top priority. Where leadership is accountable.
Where everyone is treated with dignity and respect. And most importantly, we
listen to those who have been harmed. We believe them. We support them.
In today’s
Gospel (Mark 13), Jesus warns us about false messiahs. These aren’t just
impostors in the traditional sense. These are abusers — people who exploit trust
for personal gain. They may not wear a false crown, but they wear a mask of
authority. And they lead others astray.
We’ve seen
this all too many times. Mega-church pastors. Leaders of movements. All exposed
for their abuses — financial, emotional, sexual. Recently, the founder of Soul
Survivor in the UK was forced to step down after such revelations.
Jesus calls
us to beware of these false messiahs. Because, just as abuse corrupts, so does
the desire for power. Power misused is not the Gospel. Christ came to serve,
not to control. To heal, not to harm.
So we must
be vigilant. No one in the church should use their position to exploit others.
No one. And when it happens, we expose it. We root it out. We do not tolerate
it.
But to those
who have suffered, we say: We hear you.
We believe you. We are committed to doing better. The church must be a place where victims are
believed, where pain is acknowledged, and where healing is possible.
Christ calls
us to be agents of reconciliation. The church isn’t a museum for perfect
people; it’s a hospital for the broken. But for healing to happen, it requires
safe spaces. Spaces where people can come as they are. No fear. Only hope.
Let’s commit
to safeguarding the vulnerable. To standing against abuse. To creating a culture
where all are treated with dignity, where all are protected, where all are
loved. Let’s respond positively to those requests for safeguarding training,
and for criminal records checks. And let’s
keep constantly alert to the possibility of abuse, whether physical, financial,
emotional or spiritual.
May we be a
church where the love of Christ is not just preached, but lived in how we protect, serve, and heal one another. Amen.