Inappropriate

We can certainly find ourselves alarmed at some the offensive behavior in which people engage. The Bible promises that sinful times will come as we approach the return of our Lord.  In 1st Timothy 4, we can read:
1 Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons,
2 speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron,
3 forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth.

There's the charge to each of us - we are to believe and know the truth.  The truth teaches us what pleases God and what does not.  God's truth provides an anchor, a moral compass, a sense of "true north," when there is confusion over what is right and what is wrong.  His Word can bring clarity to our lives, and show us a way to live that is honoring to Him and satisfying to us.  And, if we are staying true to Him, we can have security in times that are troubling.

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We often talk about some of the geopolitical signs of the last days, and I'm intrigued at the information that Jimmy DeYoung brings to my radio show.  But, in 2nd Timothy 3, we see more
signs of the last days, but in the form of sinful activity:
1 But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come:
2 For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
3 unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good,
4 traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,

It's being called an...epidemic, and Alabama has been termed "ground zero" for what I would term a major moral issue.  And, please be aware, this material I'm about to discuss will not be appropriate for young children.

And, the behavior is not appropriate for children or adults.  Unfortunately, it involves children AND adults.  A former Chief of Staff for the U.S. Department of Education has called Alabama "ground zero" for inappropriate student-teacher relationships.

He came to that conclusion after the consulting firm he now chairs conducted a study on such relationships nationwide.

Yellowhammer News has the story, which ran on March 31 and states:

The Alabama Department of Education is tracking the number of investigations they’ve conducted of inappropriate sexual relationships between students and teachers. As of March 22, that number was 10. That number may not include investigations that occurred in last two to three weeks.

Between 2014-2015, the Department of Education investigated nearly 100 cases. In, 2013 the state investigated 35 cases. In 2012, that number was slightly lower at 27. In 2011, the number was 25.

The consultant has declared it an epidemic.

The article includes material from a WBRC television story, which quotes consultant Terry Abbott of Drive West Communications, who is quoted as saying "We can’t pretend this isn’t a problem anymore. In some ways when you look at the rate of these cases per population, Alabama is the epicenter of that problem. Too many districts in Alabama and elsewhere have no policy prohibiting secret electronic communication between teachers and students..."

A survey from 2014 conducted by Abbott’s firm revealed that 40 percent of the cases nationwide involved secret communications from teachers to students. From August through October of 2015, Abbott’s firmed tracked 253 cases of illegal student and school employee relationships. Of that number, 76 were school coaches.

There was an attempt to even bring some action through the Alabama Legislature, which would have provided training for teachers, but that effort met with opposition.

Yellowhammer reported some heartbreaking incidences:

The Decatur Police Department arrested a 42-year-old teacher for having inappropriate physical contact with at least two students under the age of 19. And, a 37-year-old algebra teacher at Central High Freshman Academy in Phenix City was also charged with having inappropriate physical contact in with one of her students. And, earlier this year a former Alabama high school teacher avoided charges against her because she decided to marry him.

WBRC reports that a statement from the State Department of Education said the department is working hard to make Alabama classrooms safer. A spokesperson pointed out that steps have been taken to further enforce existing laws and regulations.

The guardrails are seemingly off, and while it's nearly impossible to completely shut down this type of behavior, this is indicative of the moral challenges that are present in our culture.  Electronic media has helped to foster this behavior - communication leads to action, and when the lines are blurred or obliterated between an authority figure and those over whom a person has been given authority, then you can expect that some illicit behavior may occur.

There are several thoughts I want to share here.  One is very practical - it's important that students are are educated to recognize when inappropriate advances are taking place.  And that students are taught what is and what is not appropriate communication or activity with an authority figure. That's something parents can play a part in. And, since there are strong elements of electronic media, the lines need to be clearly set between student and teacher.   

But, there's a broader view of the landscape.  We are living in a highly sexualized society.  And, everyone has to have his or her guardrails up.  When you read of moral failure on the part of authority figures, even those in the church, that can challenges churches, schools, and other institutions to make sure there are proper boundaries.  And, people have to set boundaries with those of the opposite sex, and even go overboard into preserving the correct distance in order to avoid compromising positions.  

On the website for the magazine called, Ministry, Dan Serns writes about an interview he had read with Chuck Swindoll...

...where he talked about the importance of boundaries for spiritual leaders. He said we often want to respond to needs and, as a result, we don’t use good judgment. He mentioned that sometimes when he was talking with women they would say “You seem distant,” to which he would reply, “If you would like to feel closer to someone, we have ladies who are spiritual leaders in our church that we can arrange for you to talk with.”

He cites standards from Saddleback Church.  Although these are directed at spiritual leaders, they could be instructive for anyone.  There are 10 "Thou Shalt Nots."  They include:

Thou shalt not go to lunch alone with the opposite sex.

Thou shalt not have the opposite sex pick you up or drive you places when it is just the two of you.

(Those do not apply to unmarried staff)

Others include:

Thou shalt not visit the opposite sex alone at home.

Thou shalt not counsel the opposite sex alone at the office, and thou shalt not counsel the opposite sex more than once without that person’s mate. Refer them.

Thou shalt not discuss your marriage problems with an attender of the opposite sex.

And, here's one that deals with what could be an entry-level activity:
Thou shalt be careful in answering emails, instant messages, chatrooms, cards, or letters from the opposite sex.

And, of course:
Thou shalt pray for the integrity of other staff members.

The guardrails are off, the boundaries are softer than ever, but God's word is unchanging.  He has a plan for our relationships, and healthy relationships are maintained in an atmopshere of respect and order.