Bullying....It's Not Just For Kids

Recently we seem to be bombarded by stories of bullying across not only our country but others. Only a couple of weeks ago, we learned of a young middle schooler, Casey Heynes from Australia that had been bullied by a boy for weeks on end and finally snapped and body slammed the tormentor. While it is no surprise that he did indeed snap, what followed was shocking to me. Young Casey was hailed a "hero." The video went viral and exploded onto the media circuit and everyone was cheering this kid. More than likely, young Casey's parents had contacted the school to speak with the principal and teachers....to no avail. The young man that is labeled the tormentor, was slammed to the ground and had trouble getting up to walk. This kid was half the size of the kid he bullied, which should have been a no brainer to the bully. Yet, he seemed to have picked an easy target. Now, I do not know either young man, but I am guessing that Casey had endured the bullying for an extended amount of time. While we have come to expect bullying in school, sad as that is to say, we do not so much expect it from adults. But, is it alive and well and thriving in the world of adults? As Sarah Palin would say, "You betcha!" We see examples of it in the work place, in recreational type activities and sadly, in our churches. Churches? Yes, you read it correctly...even in our churches. I am incredibly blessed to have NOT witnessed this in my own church, but as a pastor's wife, I am often the EAR that so many come to with problems in their own churches. One such case lately has left me greatly disturbed. A single mom who has been out of church for years, loses a husband of 30 years and is struggling to raise her son who has special needs....finally, grasps the opportunity to visit a church. It becomes a place where the joy of her salvation is restored, like David so long ago. Just as she is getting into the groove and feeling like she has found not only a church home, but a resting place surrounded by the body of Christ.....she is confronted with bullies. These are not children. When I say children...I refer to where they are in their walk of faith. They are not still babes that need only milk. They are meat eating adults. Leaders in the church. Esteemed members of the church. I readily admit that it is not the entire church, however, one bad apple spoils the who bunch, right? I do not fear that this young woman is in danger of "snapping" and body slamming the bullies right there in the church. Worse than that, the church is in danger of losing this talented and gifted woman. They will have missed a golden opportunity to stand up against the bullies BEFORE the "snapping" occurs. We teach our kids that we cannot fight violence with violence. Why aren't we as vigilant with our adults? Pastors, do not be afraid to confront bullies. If we expect the principals and teachers of our schools to handle it and put a stop to it....(who are adults, I might add) we should expect no less from our pastors and other leaders of our churches. As the body of Christ....let's use our mouths, our arms, our eyes.... reach out to others. A bully is simply someone who preys on the weak and the vulnerable. Know anyone like that? I do. Satan comes to mind. Christ, who lives inside of each and every christian brother and sister....never bullies!