Pastor takes in child killer

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W

hat would you do? Would you welcome a killer into your home? What about your kids? Your congregation? The sense of community we’re all called to create?

Read the story here and then sound-off and let us know what you think.

12 Comments to Pastor takes in child killer

1. What a story! I have to say that I would not take this person into my house. Not with the track record. Further more it would go against safe from harm guidelines.
Peter Haslett on March 18th, 2009

2. It used to be said to err on the side of caution, which in this case would likely mean keeping your doors closed.

   Instead of erring on the side of caution however, this pastor erred on the side of Jesus. What would Jesus do, one might ask? Probably the exact same thing this pastor did.

   The kingdom of God is at hand, nice to see some Christians believing it enough to do something about it.
Peter on March 18th, 2009

3. I’m not sure I would take this man into my house with young children around. If I didn’t have children at home, I would possibly consider it. Although I believe in reaching out to others and second chances, and I’m not afraid to put myself at risk, I don’t feel I have the right to place my children in a place of possible harm. I have a responsibility to care for them and protect them.
Kathie Chiu on March 18th, 2009

4. I think the key to commenting on this is the phrase:

   “Though Guay “has committed some horrendous crimes in his past,” he has been on “a very different course” since a religious transformation in 1993, Pinckney said.”

   This being the case we must reach out in forgivness to this man. Yes there may be restrictions placed on him by the state that one would have to follow but having served his time and repented then I can only priase the PAstor involved.

   But there are issues that need to be dealt with involving his congregation and community.

   May they be worked out.

   John Stephenson
John Stephenson on March 18th, 2009

5. I agree reaching out as Jesus would is one thing, but having small children in my home, I wouldn’t allow it. I would not want to put a stumbling block before this ex-con by having him live amongst minors. As The Salvation Army, we have the Safe From Harm policy that will not allow any former child molesters serve at the corps level no matter how contrite they are. It would be like asking a recovering alcoholic to work at a bar selling alcohol.
Peter Haslett on March 18th, 2009

6. Rev. Pinckney appears to be the most grace-filled Christian i have ever read about. i could not do this with a daughter running around the house and another child on the way. i like to think of myself as accepting and welcoming and full of grace. but i could not do this. thank God for Pinckney. thank God for Guay’s transformation. but i’m still under construction to show grace like this.
mark braye on March 19th, 2009

7. I’m not a parent so I’m not sure of all the fears that come with having children and being in a position of responsibility. But i think that this idea of cautious love or Jesus has an obvious answer. Not to sound naive or to say that we should be ignorant of the flawed world we serve in, but i feel like these are the opportunities that Christ’s ministry was completely composed of. It would be a shame to miss even one chance to go against the grain not just to be different but to make a change in our way of thinking and the world we live in, will give away, and will inherit. I mean stark contrasts of peace, love, and understanding are close to the heart of God because they are useful for redeeming His world.
Dietrich on March 19th, 2009

8. I think there are some really valid reasons to keep him under close watch. Just the publicity alone from this means everyone in town including the police are aware and watching. Most likely these people will get ‘hurt’ by something else because they are so busy worrying about this.

   I think that is the church’s role, and it conflicts with every moral fiber in my body, must soceity must embrass all people. But there is a smart way to do it.

   While I don’t think I could do it I do think the onus is on the church to assist the most helpless and vunerable in soceity no matter what they have done.
Francesca on March 19th, 2009

9. God bless Pinckney , God help us all.
   We also need to keep in mind that we haven’t met Guay ,obviously this Pastor did and from that made (together with his family) a courageous , informed , and Christ-like choice. Context makes a huge difference.

   Peter Eason
Peter Eason (Major ) on March 19th, 2009

10. Would I let a convicted killer into my home? Sure! Ananias did, and things turned out all right.

    It seems like Raymound is a little like the orphans and widows that James talks about. He’s got no one to take care of him, no way of supporting himself…. So taking care of him is what following Christ religiously should look like.

    If the Reverend has met the guy and has discerned that it would be most loving to take him in, then I think he’s probably right.
Sharon Hann on March 20th, 2009

11. Although this man is a new creation, we are new creations as well. While we’ve repented from our former way of living, we struggle with the temptation that had once bound us. By putting him in a home with children, it seems as though this pastor is inadvertently allowing his family to become a stumbling block for this man. For the same reason you wouldn’t buy a six pack for a recovering alcoholic or why men and women don’t live together before marriage, I think a better solution is needed. Since the arrangement is only for two months, perhaps the children and mother should stay with relatives for the time being, while the pastor can work with him without the distraction of temptation.
Michael Himes on March 21st, 2009

12. “The vilest offender who truly believes, that moment from Jesus a pardon receives.”
Rob Jeffery on March 28th, 2009

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