Some Lessons Learned from the PSU Scandal

Growing up with my parents who were both from PA and tons of family still living there, all I heard about was Penn State this and Penn State that.  My grandparents were HUGE Penn State fans and loved JoePA (as it seemed like everyone did).  So I grew up loving Penn State football and following them almost religiously.  I remember the ’86 championship game vs. Miami and all the great games they had against Nebraska, Georgia and Alabama. I even remember the down years in the early part of the century.  Then, I remember JoePA finding his rhythm again and building another solid team, year after year.  Unfortunately, I am now going to remember this for a very long time.

I cannot recall a “sports” related scandal like what is happening at PSU ever being this big.  I cannot even begin to read the Grand Jury record as I have almost been sick to my stomach just hearing some of the radio/TV personalities talk about what they have read.  I cannot even begin to imagine what those boys and families have been through.  This is what is so sad.  These boys trusted a man and he betrayed them in such a perverse way.  How sick and disgusting!

Because of all that I am reading and listening to regarding PSU, I cannot help but think about this in a ministry level.  The reality is what is happening at Penn State VERY WELL could happen in your ministry!  We need to be thinking about this now so that what is happening in PA will not happen in your ministry.  So here are some thoughts I have:

1. Know what you should do if you ever see anything inappropriate happen.  This is a great thing to review as a Staff and Volunteer Leadership team.  Do your leaders know what to do in case they witness something inappropriate?  Do you know what to do? If you do, make sure the rest of your staff and volunteers.  If you don’t then TODAY would be the best time to go through what you are “legally” and “morally” responsible to do.
2. Follow up.  There is the “legal” action to take and the “moral” action to do.  That is what Joe Paterno is getting criticized for right now (and what ultimately cost him his job).  He did the “legal” thing but people are calling him to a higher moral standard that he should have taken additional action especially since the University did not.  As believers and ministers, we are called to a moral high ground. Sometimes just doing what is “legally” responsible is not good enough.  We have to follow up with what actions were taken…especially when minors are involved!
3. Protected the Young.  We are all in ministry because of our desire to have young people be changed through a relationship with Jesus Christ.  Therefore, when they are under our care and around us, we need to protect them, not just against sexual predators, but against bullying

As an admirer of Joe Paterno and a die-hard Penn State football fan, this whole scandal makes me so sad (and angry at time).  How could this happen?  DON’T let this happen under your watch.  So right now, TAKE A MINUTE and think through what your policies and procedures are for dealing with these kinds of issues.  We can never assume anything and unless you want your ministry tarnished and all the great work you have done in the community as what is happening with Joe Paterno and Penn State., then we need to think this through and come up with an appropriate, legal and moral standard you will adhere to if something this tragic happens.  We should all be praying for those victims at Penn State and be praying that what is happening there never happens under our watch.

Thoughts? Comments? Questions? Experiences?  Post a comment and let the discussion begin so that we can all benefit from it.