When Standing Firm on Truth and Integrity Gets Costly

“Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another” (Ephesians 4:25)

In 2011, Wisconsin Governor Scott introduced a Budget Repair bill to address budget shortfalls. It required public employees to contribute more toward retirement and health insurance, ended automatic union dues collection and mandated annual union recertification. The state capital erupted in protests, especially from teachers’ unions. Though the bill passed and was upheld by the Wisconsin Supreme Court, the fallout included school closures due to teacher absences. 

A friend of mine was preaching for a congregation in Madison at the time. His wife worked in the school system. I asked him how the situation affected their family and church. He said many children missed school because teachers called in “sick” to join the protests. His wife’s union pressured her to do the same. But as a Christian, she believed it would be dishonest to claim illness when she wasn’t sick. Even when school was cancelled, she still went to do busy work in the cafeteria. Several other members were affected by the bill as well. Though the change would hurt financially, they felt it was fair to contribute toward their own benefits. Some in the congregation disagreed, but they worked to keep the discussion in the realm of opinion so that unity could be preserved.

Around that time, I preached a sermon on dishonesty and the Christian responsibility to confront wrongdoing. The Wisconsin situation was a fitting illustration: my friend’s wife was being pressured to lie. How could she be an example to her coworkers and family if she compromised what was right? 

When I mentioned the union’s dishonesty, a brother became upset and left the assembly, assuming I was condemning all unions. Unions have done good in the past, but when they slide into immorality, shouldn’t they be called out as much as any institution. The union was only incidental to the point I was making--Christians should stand firm on the truth, reject and confront compromise wherever it takes place. 

Instead of speaking to me, the brother went straight to the elders, who then asked me to “tone down” my illustrations. (They were the ones who told me the brother had left the assembly; I did not seem him leave). I was stunned that they did not ask him whether he had come to me privately.

Also, why did they withhold this brother’s name from me? Did I not have the right to face my accuser directly and to respond to the accusation? It is a universal principle established by God and affirmed in ancient civil law and even in the US Constitution. The Law of Moses required it (Deuteronomy 19:15-18). Nicodemus appealed to it (John 7:51). Paul relied upon it (Acts 25:16). And Jesus commanded its practice in His church (Matthew 18:15). Perhaps He knew that church politics would often get in the way. Skipping Jesus’ first step cheated me out of the chance to talk with this anonymous brother, pray and resolve the conflict in love. Like our sister from Wisconsin, I will not compromise the truth either.

When have you felt pressured to go along with something you believed was wrong, and how did your faith guide your response?

Eric Welch