Oklahoma District
Court Judge Mike Norman could have sent Alred to jail, but instead, taking into
account his clean criminal and school records, sentenced him to wear a drug and
alcohol bracelet, participate in counseling groups and attend a church of his
choosing—weekly. He must graduate from high school.
To avoid jail
time, Norman gave Alred a maximum 10-year deferred sentence.
This is not the
first time that Norman has sentenced someone to attend church. You can read more
about this story at the ABC News blog.
Have you ever
heard of such a thing? I have but it has been a long time. About 25 years ago
when I served another church in another state a judge specifically sentenced a
man to attend my church. I knew the judge. I knew the man and cared about his
plight. The judge called me before sentencing, told me his idea and asked if I
was willing to be involved in the man’s life along with some drug and alcohol
rehab programs. I was and the man was sentenced to a creative program that
included attending my church with the hope that his life could be rescued and
not lost in the prison system.
This of course
raises several questions about a judge’s legal right to order such sentencing
and the ABC News blog already has many comments on both sides.
However, my reflection
is about the value of attending church. Obviously if a judge sentences a
troubled person to attend church rather than go to jail that judge holds an
opinion that something worthwhile will happen.
In contrast
recent polling has indicated that in the USA the number one fastest growing group
of people regarding religion is “none”; that is, people who have no preference
regarding religion or faith. In other words, millions have concluded that
attending church is a waste of time.
Which is it? Does
going to church contribute to life transformation or to boredom and a waste of
time? The answer is YES. The answer is mostly dependent upon the person and it
is also dependent upon the church.
Walking in a
door, sitting in a pew or chair, enduring religious music, rituals and talk,
does little if anything to change or help anyone. But if a person has a hunger
for God, gathers with people of faith who passionately worship God and do life
with God, then that person may with God’s help experience a life revolution and
transformation that cannot take place any other way. That is my experience and
I’ve witnessed it happen with hundreds of others through the years.
I pray that Alred
finds forgiveness, redemption, restoration and life purpose in Christ. I pray
that Dum’s family receives the grace and comfort that only God can give in
light of their terrible loss.
