Later that week he is having lunch with a mutual friend and innocently asks Gus if there is anything he should know about their friend - maybe something he should be praying for. Gus looks surprised and then somewhat suspiciously responds, Well, I haven t heard of anything in particular. Gus goes home to his wife and explains that his good buddy needs prayer because he is thinking of leaving his wife and maybe even leaving the Church. The rumour is launched with gossip the vehicle. Similar scenes are repeated countless times each and every day.
Gossip destroys families, throws workplaces into turmoil, divides Churches and on it goes.
At various times I have apparently been leaving full time Christian ministry, or have been seeking some other congregation. I have been wondering about my personal commitment to Jesus Christ or I have become a tad fundi . All such stories are based on reliable information - which really means silly rumours spread by gossips. I shutter to think of what else I have been up to according to the gossip mill. I am surprised by how often this kind of thing can happen.