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I was a single parent for 12 years and for much of that time, we did live in virtual poverty. However, my church helped and even chipped in so that my daughter could go to Christian school for awhile.

Good for you. Imagine how much more difficult it would have been had you not had the support of your church. Now remember that this woman does not.

Now consider the fact that this woman had made some poor choices in her life that have created for her extremely difficult obstacles.

Now consider how many churches would be willing to assist a single mother who works in the sex industry

I'm not making excuses for this woman. She has made some lousy, foolish choices and got herself stuck in a crack. She makes a good living as a stripper, but it is really hard, if not impossible, to leave that life behind without a lot of help and support. But I do think that instead of sitting in judgement we should acknowledge the realities of those obstacles.

Now consider how many churches would be willing to assist a single mother who works in the sex industry.

Actually, the churches I've been in would go the extra mile to help this woman if she were willing to forego her lifestyle. Good churches--and there are plenty of them--are not the judgmental goody-two-shoe-types everyone seems to ascribe to them. The men and women of many churches are very well aware of the dangers of the world, especially sexual temptation of every kind, and will give a lot to help someone come out of it. But she isn't appealing for this type of help, is she? She is digging her heels in and saying that she will not change and is looking for assistance to confirm her choice. That's what the church will not do, nor should it!

Imagine how much more difficult it would have been had you not had the support of your church. Now remember that this woman does not.

Huh? Remember this, from the original story?

Not wanting to divulge the personal and confidential details of the conversation with the mother, Cole only briefly outlined the details of the offer officials had made the mother -- which had been left out of previous news stories.
"The school offered to waive the last month's tuition for the student so the young girl could remain in school to the end of the year if the mother would quit her job as a strip-tease dancer. They also offered to support the mother and walk 'hand in hand' with her as she worked through the spiritual issues involved and sought to better her life," said Hagelin. "The pastor believed that the meeting had been well-received by the mother, but the next thing he knew he was getting calls from the local media. I found Pastor Cole to be clearly upset that his efforts to help a woman in a very bad situation were not successful."
As a requirement for admission, parents of prospective students must sign a "commitment" to support the philosophy of the school. That philosophy, in part, reads: "Emphasis is placed on learning about God and the truths of God's Word in relationship to man and his world; recognizing that the way to God comes through personal faith in Jesus Christ; and Christian maturity comes by application of the truths of the Bible in all areas of life." In signing the document, parents agree to maintain a "partnership" with the school "regarding the standards and criteria of a Christian learning structure that involves the entire family."
"Although school officials see the mother's job as a stripper as a clear violation of her signed commitment, automatic termination of the relationship was not an option for them," said Hagelin. "The pastor and school attempted to help the mother better her life, and offered her both financial, spiritual and emotional support."