The Future of Bishop Eddie Long

(Article first published as The Future of Bishop Eddie Long on Technorati.)

Ever since news broke last September of sexual allegations against prominent Georgia pastor, Bishop Eddie Long, his followers and others have been waiting to learn the truth. But that they may never know.  According to recently released court documents, Pastor Long has agreed to mediation.

At this point, the only thing known for sure is that four young men who were members of the church have accused Bishop Long of using his position as their spiritual leader to coerce them into having sex with him. Assuming mediation succeeds, and we never learn anything more than what we now know, the question is, what will Bishop Long do the day after mediation?

In recently released court documents, he admits to having taken young men on trips and occasionally sharing a room with them, but denies the sexual allegations. If mediation is successful and the truth of the matter is kept silent, perhaps Pastor Long will resume taking trips with other young men in his church in the name of mentoring troubled youths, so as to portray a sense of normalcy. But that would be very unwise. As a spiritual leader, and that of a mega church, it is imperative that he abstain from the very appearance of improprieties. Also, the cloud of the current allegations will place him under much scrutiny. Moreover, to subject himself to such exposure in the future is to expose the church to potentially damaging liabilities. If this is Bishop Long’s plans for his future, perhaps other church leaders need to stand up and be counted.