Ministerial conduct

Friday I must attend a mandatory workshop on sexual harassment. I know the topic matters tremendously. But I really don't want to go. I always resent command performances ("You WILL attend") and by the grace of God I have never misconducted myself sexually. When, many moons ago, our youth group had a future Miss Missouri in it and she wore a swimsuit on float trips down the Merrimack River I was not tempted. I have never responded to flirtations. I know the rules for when and where--and when and where NOT--to be with minors and members of the other sex. I love my wife, she loves me, and that's always been good enough for me.

But boy have I blown it in other ways. A couple of weeks ago I typed something unkind about another person on Facebook. On Facebook. What was I thinking? Now I am thinking that for some dark, obscure reason I wanted to put it out there on such a connected place. Maybe I'm not so virtuous after all.

Maybe what I need is more accountability on my misconduct "specialties". Maybe I need to be called out when I view another person with contempt. Maybe I need to be called out when I allow my competitive nature to propel me into running over others' feelings and needs. Maybe I need to be called out when I choose to read another article instead of reaching out to a parishioner on the telephone or in person.

Last week I posted a request that people treat their opponents in online debates respectfully. A person who has never met me (and misspelled my name) replied that people from my side in these debates started the mudslinging and we deserved whatever disrespect we got. (She phrased it quite a bit more bluntly but that was her gist.) I typed a scathing reply. It was a beaut. It laid her wide open. Don't mess with me when I'm in debate mode, baby, 'cause I'll grind your nose in the stench of defeat.

Thank God I stopped and thought about it for a few seconds before hitting "send".

How many times have I done to others what she did to me?

How about you?