What's Your Reputation Worth?

When I first heard this story, I was saddened, yet angry at the same time. During the summer of 2007, I was doing a lot of traveling between Round Rock (a city just outside of Austin, Texas) and San Diego. On one of these jaunts, I brought Taye and Quddus with me. Well, the boys and I had a great adventure (including the eventful car ride back to San Diego with our carsick cat, or the flooding of our downstairs due to a washer hose, but the details of both are for other blog posts) and I'm glad to have spent the time with them.

While we were in Texas for that month, we tried a local church called The Fellowship. It was a decent sized church and the boys had fun in their classes. I enjoyed the teaching of then Senior Teaching Pastor Donald "Roddy" Clyde. However, during my second time there, Pastor Roddy commented on the lack of giving which had taken place. As I exited the sanctuary, I noticed letters in the main foyer. So I picked one up. While I don't have a copy of it, it basically alluded to the same thing Roddy had mentioned regarding tithes and offerings. I've attended quite a few churches in my lifetime, so I'm pretty much immune to some dude on stage asking me to give money. However, I'd NEVER been to a church where the members were chastised in a letter for their giving (or lack thereof). Yeah, I've heard it in person, where they try to shame you into giving, but then I remember that God "loves a cheerful giver". So I blew off the letter. I mean, it didn't matter to me. I wasn't a member, and I hadn't pledged anything for the Building Fund or whatever he was upset about.

Well, we went back...I believe it was a week or two later. Some very tearful ladies got up on stage and informed the crowd that Roddy had resigned as the Teaching Pastor, and that details were available for MEMBERS in the foyer. Well, I wasn't a member, but if he resigned, and it brought tears to the eyes of the ladies, I was going to find out why. Yes. I was nosy. But, I was in the investigation stages of my search for a church. I needed all information (was the justification I gave myself). Well, imagine my surprise when I found out Roddy has resigned after it was discovered he'd been stealing from the church.

I was pissed off. Yeah, stealing money from GOD is bad. I mean, stealing violates one of the Ten. It's a big deal. However, when you rip off the House of God? I'm not calling Roddy's salvation into question, because he is flawed. He has a sinful nature and free will, like every other person walking the planet. However, I was angry that he had sent a letter out asking for more money, when he'd ripped off the church to the tune of half a million dollars.

Well, I didn't think the church would prosecute him. However, it looks like they did. He was sentenced to 5 years in prison and 10 years of probation. I'm not going to post a link to the site(s) with sentencing details, because they are on news sites, and their links usually die after 3-6 months. However, if you want more details, you can Google "roddy clyde sentencing" or just click the link back there or here.

Yes, Roddy is paying the earthly consequences for his sin. However, he wasn't the only one affected. I learned a long time ago not to place my faith in man. Because man isn't perfect, and makes mistakes. But what of those who were new to the whole "church" thing? What about people who finally decided to give Christianity a whirl, only to find out that the Pastor was a thief? I hope God was able to reach those who were new or on the fence.

Money can be earned again. $500K is nothing. But Roddy Clyde ruined not only his reputation, but because of his proclamation of being associated with Jesus, it allows the unbeliever to attack and possibly discard the truth. In addition to this, his wife and children have to suffer some of the consequences of his sin. Like I said, $500K is nothing. However, even ONE lost soul, as a result of seeing Roddy's example is too expensive. I'd be willing to bet if we were to ask Roddy if he'd make the same choices, knowing the outcome, he'd say the cost was too great.
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My purpose for telling this story is not to beat up on Roddy Clyde or re-open this wound for his family. However, some people lose their reputations for 5 minutes of physical pleasure. Roddy Clyde took a much different path, with equally disastrous consequences. I also want others to see that the unconfessed sin in our lives can start small and explode into something major. Roddy Clyde didn't just write himself a check for $500K and expect no one to notice. I imagine it started out small. Probably $200 here. $650 there. Eventually it grew, and grew. Once it reached mammoth proportions, he went into panic mode, which was probably that first letter that referenced the giving as a congregation. But, by then it was too late. As I mentioned, I was angry, but now I'm just sad about it. Two families have lost their spiritual head -- the church and the Clyde family. My prayers are with the church and the Clyde family. I know God will heal their pain through this trying time.