I understand what you are saying: if we didn’t have our young children with us, I would be less cautious. But when you have a sex offender whose target age is the same as your daughters, you get very protective. We are also such a small congregation, less than 40 a Sunday, no one is anonymous.
Mohammed leaves promptly after service so it’s hard to chat.
Hi NorthstarMom. I am normally a lurker, but your story really hit home with me. I was in a similar situation in that we were in a small church that was very focused on helping addicts. As a leader, I was complicit in the “Let’s be so compassionate that our brains leak out of our heads” faction. I regret it. My family paid a price. Fortunately through a lot of prayer and counseling, we’re all good now (15 years later). Having said that, I want you feel comfortable questioning leadership.
Your pastor has a good heart, but is not tending his flock. Those that are called to put themselves in harms way do so under a very specific call from God and He honors that. Those that put themselves in harms way who may not be specifically called by God to do so (for His glory) are foolish. Those that put others in harms way are evil or misguided (hopefully the latter) and must be challenged.
I am now a member of a church that still does a lot of outreach, but is very cognizant of safety. Quite a few of us carry concealed during the service with the full knowledge and encouragement of our pastor. I would suggest that you (or another member of your church) do the same and ensure that someone is sitting BEHIND Mohammed until it is well established that he is a committed Christian. I am not insinuating that he is not, but it would be foolish to ignore current events. There is no need to confront him unless his behavior becomes overly suspicious, but a little alertness goes a long way. God gave us both a heart and a brain and asks us to use both!
God Bless you and your family!