Arson, Theft, and Gunfire: It’s Not a Movie, it’s Church S6E16

I’m so glad you’ve joined me at the intersection of faith and true crime here at The Unlovely Truth. Security issues are hiding in every church - do you know where to look for them? I’m your host, church safety advocate Lori Morrison. Our churches need to be the safest places in our communities, so our mission here is to find actionable steps that will make our churches sanctuaries of physical, emotional, and spiritual safety. To give you tools to help make that happen in your church, we’re going to investigate real crime stories from real churches. I’ve got three cases for us to investigate today, so let’s dive right in. 

 

Highlights from this episode include:

 

• Shots were fired at Grace New Covenant Church in Bellefontaine Neighbors, Missouri. Why did the shooter pick that church?
• Two sets of rules for handling money is a sure fire way to have money mis-handled.
• Arson isn’t the answer to disagreements

 

 Let's look at James 3:3-6 from the HCSB:

 

Now when we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we also guide the whole animal. And consider ships: Though very large and driven by fierce winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. So too, though the tongue is a small part of the body, it boasts great things. Consider how large a forest a small fire ignites. And the tongue is a fire. The tongue, a world of unrighteousness, is placed among the parts of our bodies. It pollutes the whole body, sets the course of life on fire, and is set on fire by hell.

 

That is very strong language! But I think it's good for us to remember. What damage we can do with our words. We can shame people. We can blame people. We can tear them down. But we can also do the exact opposite. If horses can be made to obey with a small bit in their mouth, if a ship can be guided where the pilot wants it to go with a small rudder, we can use that small part of our bodies, our mouth, our tongue, to use good words to build people up. To bridge gaps. 

And to help those who need us.

 

Let me know what you thought of this episode! Send me an email a lori@theunlovelytruth.com or message me on social media. I love it when people are willing to have hard, but impactful conversations that strengthen physical, emotional, and spiritual safety at the intersection of faith and true crime.

 

Visit my website to access more episodes. If you would like to contact me about booking me as a speaker, or ask about my coaching services, please email me at lori@theunlovelytruth.com. 

 

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Shots fired at a Missouri church

 

Pastor says he didn't mis-use church funds

 

Church arsons said to be over theological issue