Column by Sheila Lickfold

Back to Table of Contents | Back to Main Index Previous Columns | Send mail to The Voice Confront Mistakes With Grace This year's Stugo team is the best student government team I've ever known, and I've been well acquainted with five of them. I admit such a statement may seem a trifle bold, but I hold to it. Yes, I know all about the "fall banquet controversy." I attended every meeting as they planned the event. I was all for the "Thriller," and I had a blast learning the dance. I never considered that the Hollywood theme and rather scandalous dance would be so egregious an offense. I also admit that I, too, was wrong in not recognizing this. Those who were deeply offended had every right to be. And those who never thought to be offended had every right not to be. We all have our preferences, our pasts, our bad memories (this is the main reason why I can't stand country music). But we can't condemn each other for what are minor differences. Most of us know about the truth presented in Romans 14. Look it up if you don't. The passage ends with "everything that does not come from faith is sin." My faith told me that learning Michael Jackson's "Thriller" would not affect my relationship with Christ. Others' faith told them that even staying in the room with a Michael Jackson-related activity was blasphemy against a supposed Christian event. I'll say again, this is the greatest Stugo team I've ever known. They challenge me, love me and strive to do the same for the rest of the campus. But please, let's not expect them to be perfect. After all, neither are we. I also don't expect everyone merely to overlook mistakes. Of course, they must be dealt with. But we take the good with the bad. We can be thankful for their hearts' desire and be hopeful for better organization of future events. They are learning just like you and me. For that I am extremely thankful. I don't think any one of us can claim that Stugo planned any part of this event with the intent to upset, offend or blaspheme. We know they didn't. If you can't get over hard feelings, by all means talk to a Stugo member and hear his or her side. The worst thing anyone in the body of Christ can do is to stay mad at another member, especially when it leads to gossip. In short, Stugo messed up. They understand their error and are sorry that people were upset. But they are human, so let's move on, shall we? Let's not allow anything to get in the way of growing together as a body. Back to Table of Contents | Back to Main Index Previous Columns | Top Of Page Send mail to The Voice| Journalism department website © 2004 The Voice. No part of this publication may be reproduced in written or electronic form without prior written consent from the journalism adviser of Multnomah Bible College. All rights reserved.