Dear John and Doves;
     I just read the article Donna forwarded regarding Pastor Jim Grove and his most recent attempt to acquire a permit for the Halloween Parade in order to enlighten those who don't realize abortion is the murder of a baby.  I think we all might agree that on the surface, he seems to be thoroughly championing the cause of the unborn; however, I personally hope that he is denied one....and here is why........
       First of all, the parade he is attempting to get the permit for is not in New York City - it is in YORK, Pennsylvania....where I live.  Second, I know him personally - and have for the past 30 years.  He is a rebel - I mean he resists the law and defiles constituted authority - and he has been doing this for years.  He runs for various offices (never has been elected) and has even traveled outside the state to participate in "sit-ins" with other churches, such as the one that lost their tax exempt status and was closed.  He looks for trouble.  He often stands at the main intersection in the city and literally screams at the cars stopped for the red lights......"YOU are a SINNER!"....."YOU are going to HELL! unless you repent and believe in Jesus Christ!"   It is repulsive....and I know, because he's done it to me while I've sat at the light.
       At the York, PA Harley Davidson / Open House on "Bike Night" my daughter's church mans a booth for their "Biker Ministry", handing out tracts.  They have always had success in drawing in some who would not otherwise visit a church.  But last year, Jim Grove took up his screaming at sinners right next to their booth.  Result?> everyone avoided the church's stand because of his obnoxious behavior and self-righteous judgment.  He has frequently gone to jail (and gets immediately bailed out) for disorderly behavior and resisting the police.
       Last year he did not obtain a permit but he fell into the lineup near the end of the parade with several of his supporters carrying posters and signs with cut up baby parts, marching along the route (lined with children) yelling that abortion is murder.
The police confiscated his posters and sent him to the police station under arrest for disorderly conduct and not having a permit.  Later the case was dropped or dismissed or something, but he got off....and even demanded his posters returned (which I think they did.)
       I've known Jim Grove before he ever became a pastor, when he attended the same church as I did.  He was always "religious" - eccentrically so.  He once came to the Christian school where I worked to speak in chapel and I remember him telling the kids how evil television was and how even the show "Lassie" was a bad bad example because "Jeff" (for those who watched the show before "Timmy" and June Lockhart were the stars) sassed his mother.
       I am saying all of this because sometimes what seems to be just isn't.  Jim Grove is supposed to be a man of God, but he is doing more harm to the work of God than anyone can imagine.  I'm not saying that everything has to be love love love.  People certainly have to learn the facts of what sin is and what God expects and what we need to do about it and why and how.....but there is nothing spiritual about Jim Grove's "ministry."
       The apostle Paul said in I Corinthians 9:22, "I try to find common ground with everyone....that I might bring them to Christ."  When people believe you have some respect for them, that you want to help them because you care about them, you are more likely to have some influence on them.  When they are able to see Christ in you....they will be drawn to HIM.  So many people are hurting and some are hard to spot.  Some are down and out...some don't know or don't care to know....but when all is said and done, it's not about us or our own agenda.....it's about caring enough to love - the way that He loves us.  Jesus loves us...He knows us.....but, as Ephesians 1:11 says, "It's in Christ that we find out who we are!"  A wonderful friend and brother-in-the-Lord once made me really think when he said:  "You know, Jesus asked the apostles "Who do you say that I am?".....but the REAL question is who will Jesus say that WE are????"
                                           Shalom,  Sherry Vance