Pedophiles in the Church?

If you were attending a church for 3-6 months, then sought membership as a family, but were told during the membership process that there was a pedophile in the church, what would be your response?

And piggybacking off that question: 

When should a church disclose to families that there is a know pedophile in the church?

Final note: 

Imagine that the restrictions for this individual are minimal. Something akin to “everybody watches him, so we don’t need designated individuals following him around when he’s wandering around the church.” 👀

PS: 

I am in no way, shape or form saying that a pedophile can’t be saved and changed through the gospel.

A: I would say for Pedophiles and Rapists the same policy should be in place at a church.

Pastor does need to announce from pulpit so all congregation knows as soon as leadership decided to allow him there. And go to new visitors with youth/women who attend right away so they know, well before a membership class! At leaderships acceptance of him...they should bring him upfront and announce safety measures: there will be someone assigned to him at all times and he's not allowed around children or women. And the children, teens and women are not allowed to interact with him out of safety. Has limited places he can serve, and can't attend fellowships like events or picnics if there's no one assigned to him the whole time. 

He needs to have someone assigned to him at all times and If he’s truly repentant & born again, he will have no problem with that.

It has been proven that once a person has committed this type of sin, the temptation will be strong to do it again. Some sins have graver consequences than others and sexually abusing children is one of them.

I absolutely believe that Jesus can save pedophiles and He does sometimes. I also believe it absolutely crucial that even a seemingly repentant pedophile have constant accountability and supervision due to the nature of that sin. God forgives murderers but that doesn’t absolve them from earthly consequences, and the same goes for those who have hurt little children.

States do allow them to attend Church service. But have to have a chaperone. A Tennessee pastor I spoke to had one at their church for 16 yrs. Never had an issue but this person makes sure they are never alone.  

The pastor believes if the leaders and other church members vouch for them then that's good enough for anyone else who comes in.

Its highly likely that one was actually saved. But the rest across the nation are a gamble on fake convert and predator. And if states don't have laws, some weak churches and naive lead ones may let Predators in unaware. 

If this pedophile does not have actual supervision, I would immediately leave that church. I’m glad they are disclosing and acknowledging that someone of that nature is in the church but they aren’t understanding the nature of this sin correctly if they do not also keep close tabs on him every week, being active in his life outside church. Its a long term commitment, that may eventually wear thin in some churches. You can't let your guard down for a second. Of course the church could turn him away [from the beginning] to protect that flock, if they've no intention of doing this for 50 to 70 years of his life there. Minimal restrictions would have me running out the door and never going back.

Having a group of men that take turns weekly being with him at all times is what would be necessary for members to feel comfortable attending and with their children. The church needs to realize that allowing this person to be unaccompanied is a liability and puts people and the church at risk. One lawsuit can cripple a church, not regarding the life/lives it would completely ruin if this person sexually assaulted anyone under 18 /offended again.

Christians are notoriously naive when it comes to this particular issue, and unfortunately it has led to unspeakable tragedy. Esp in small churches, and ines with weak naive pastors and leaders. 

I heard of a gal who grew up in a church where a pedophile was declared repentant from the pulpit and were to accept and love him as a brother in Christ. Zero supervision or accountability occurred, ...and this man went on to sexually abused numerous boys in that church. One of them was a friend of hers who eventually committed suicide as a result. Had his preference been girls, she most likely would have been one of his victims. Thankfully her family left that church before anything else happened.

These things ought not to be. Our children are worth protecting. And if that man is truly repentant, he will *embrace* accountability and protections put in place to ensure that he does not hurt another child ever again. Staying there, or embracing him....isn’t worth the risk to your children. 💔

Another gal shared she was in a church previously with a groomer. Because he was never truly held accountable and it was kept largely a secret, he did this at various churches over a period of at least 15 years and he might still be doing it (not sure because she moved states away). She personally knew multiple girls who were victims of his, and the damage he did cannot be put into words. After walking through that with one of his victims (my friend), I wouldn't be willing to risk it, and I would be very upset that this information wasn't previously disclosed. Regular attendees should be privy to that information immediately.

I'm not sure why there aren't church facilities at places that manage these folk like at recovery centers [even after theyre released] and mental therapy where only adult men are, that they can go to, to keep them out of our churches. But also that do not allow them to serve in the community (nor neighborhood outreach). This would be the best option for them, and protects the churches vulnerable from repeat offending/harming those in churches. 

God can still use them in limited capacity in the areas of giftedness within a strict boundary to protect the church members, even if its like printing fliers, creating graphics for church website & advertizing images, creating tracts and fliers for outreach, helping edit the sermon transcript for the sermon upload, mowing the lawn on days the church isn't open, stuff like that. That way the truly saved ones can participate but be kept away from the youth and women. 

If your church has a policy like the TN pastor, and you feel it's strictly followed, & you feel safe [and won't let your family near him, nor leave them alone anywhere at church, outside their classroom time] then you may be safe from a offense happening there. Be prayerful about it. 

*If it's the only one in driving distance, where you don't really have much choice, & if you don't want to always have your guard up... don't join that church. Find a way to worship elsewhere. If no options within a reasonable drive, including weather like snow, sleet, etc seasons, consider having a home church.