Pastors who Fall into Sin

Banner of Truth Trust ^ | Rev. Al Baker

[Alex Murphy]

Paul says, "An overseer must be above reproach," (I Timothy 3:2) and yet we hear of pastors falling into sin all too frequently. How should such pastors (and I would add Ruling Elders and Deacons) be viewed by the church and how should they be disciplined?

Surely most evangelicals believe these pastors ought to be removed from their positions of leadership within the church. The sin is simply too damaging to one’s reputation and especially to the reputation of Christ and His church to allow such a man to remain in his pastoral position. Hardly any within the evangelical church would accept a mere apology and act of contrition and repentance and then immediately restore the man to his role as ordained church leader. Certainly we believe forgiveness is possible when sincere, God-centered repentance is evident. Certainly we agree that restoration to the body of Christ is possible and desirable, that such a fallen pastor can continue in some measure of usefulness within the body of Christ, especially after a period of time where fruitful, measurable repentance is evident. And we all ought to heed the admonition of the Apostle Paul in Galatians 6:1, "If anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted." The fall of pastors into grievous sin evokes fear and trembling in the hearts of every pastor I know, including myself, because we know how capable we are of such evil.

But the question I have in mind is this - should such a man ever be restored to the ordained office of Pastor or Teaching Elder? Some would argue that since we serve a God of grace - citing the examples of Moses, Solomon, David, and Paul as men who were useful to God in spite of murder, adultery, and polygamy - fallen pastors, upon serving some period of discipline and giving evidence of repentance, can and should be welcomed back to pastoral ministry.

Knowing that I am capable of great evil and perversion myself, with fear and trembling I still suggest strongly that pastors who admit to or are proven to have fallen into fornication, adultery, or who cannot break the hold of pornography on them are guilty of sin so heinous as to disqualify them from ordained ministry for life.

My major argument for this position is Paul’s general, overarching qualification for overseers (overseer - episcopos - and elder - presbuteros - are synonymous terms referring to different aspects of the same church office) in I Timothy 3:2. A pastor is to be above reproach. What does this mean? R.C.H. Lenski, the biblical commentator, has this to say, "Irreproachable, not to be taken hold of, i.e. of such a character that no one can rightfully take hold of the person with a charge of unfitness. . .in the case of the members of the congregation faults may be borne which cannot be tolerated in ministers, for they are to be examples to the flock." Perhaps we could add to our list murder and extortion but I am focusing here on sexual sin.

Perhaps you have known pastors who have fallen into sexual sin, repented, and been restored to pastoral office. Here’s my question to you - can you honestly say that you looked at the man with the same degree of confidence and holiness after his fall as you did before it? What is it about sexual sin in pastors which makes them from that day forward unfit for ministry? It has to do with the very nature of ministry, that God has given us salvation through His covenant of grace and that ministers are to be prosecutors of the covenant; we are to remind the congregation of violations of the covenant due to disobedience, and are to urge our people to return to God through the mediator of that covenant, the Lord Jesus Christ. Ours is a ministry of covenant. Marriage, according to Paul in Ephesians 5:22ff, is a picture of God’s covenant through Christ and His bride, the church. To defile the marriage bed (Hebrews 13:4) is to violate the covenant of marriage and for a minister to violate his marriage covenant is to impugn the very Lord whom he serves. Paul says that sexual sin is especially perverse because it defiles the Lord Jesus who indwells every believer. See I Corinthians 6:18-20, "Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a man commits are outside his body, but he who sins sexually sins against his own body. Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honour God with your body."

Then there is the practical issue of knowing how long he should be kept from ordained ministry after his fall. How does a church measure such repentance? Should he be suspended for one year, two years, five years? How many tears must he shed? How many hours of counseling should he and his wife undergo? How can a congregation be sure he will not fall again? How can he be trusted to counsel women in the church? Must a church which released its pastor due to sexual sin be obligated to share sordid details of his affair with a pulpit committee interviewing him for a pastoral position at their church? All of these practical questions and more make it exceedingly difficult to restore a man to a pastoral role after sexual sin.

This may seem harsh and unforgiving but I am not denying forgiveness. I am not denying that restoration to the church is possible. I am not denying that such a man can be useful in the life of the local church, for certainly all these things are possible and desirable.

Finally, if churches and denominations all held to this view, which by the way, most denominations in church history have done until the last fifty years or so, this would serve as a deterrent to men entering the gospel ministry. They would be more prone to think twice about sexual sin if they knew they could lose their livelihood from it.

[blue-duncan]

"should such a man ever be restored to the ordained office of Pastor or Teaching Elder?"

I have often wondered about this having represented churches with fallen Pastors and counselled Pastors about this. What (and why) do you think are disqualifying deficiencies (sins)if any, in the following list, that would disqualify a man from holding the office of Pastor and can they be restored to the position?

I Timothy 3:2, "A bishop then must be;
1. blameless,
2. the husband of one wife,
3. vigilant,
4. sober,
5. of good behaviour,
6. given to hospitality,
7. apt to teach;
8. Not given to wine,
9. no striker,
10. not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;
11. One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)
12. Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.
13. Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.

[P-Marlowe]

"blameless" covers a multitude of sins.

There does not appear to be any specific reference to sexual sin in Timothy 3:2.

What about a pastor who is given to eating too much and smoking too many cigars?

Can he be restored?

[xzins]

I believe that elders are subject to:

"If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us."

"My little children, I write this to you so that you may not sin, but if anyone does sin he has an advocate with the Father; Jesus Christ the Righteous."

"When I want to do good, I find that sin is right there with me."

14 We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin. 15 I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. 16 And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. 17 As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. 18 I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. 19 For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do--this I keep on doing. 20 Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it. 21 So I find this law at work: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me.

It is by grace that elders, deacons, pastors, teachers, etc. are saved through faith....

[swmobuffalo]

Where does forgiveness start? If Jesus has forgiven the sin, can we do no less? I have reservations on this subject, obviously heinous crimes are heinous crimes but if the subject is truely repentent and demonstrates trustworthyness, then?

Anyone can fall into sin, even those called out by God. Does the sin negate the call, I don't think so.

[HarleyD]

That's a tough question b-d. I think our view of sin has slipped. Things that would have been reprehensible 50 years ago, no longer appears so to Christians today. I think these are standards we should be keeping but don't.

[suzyjaruki]

Alex, I agree with the author that forgiveness is separate from restoration.

Is it any different when trust is broken in marriage? Forgiveness should be forthcoming by the injured party when the sinful partner repents of sexual sin, but trust has been broken and restoration is not always possible because so much damage has been done.

I wonder why a pastor/elder would want to be restored to public leadership after disgracing themselves. There are many ways to serve and still use their gifts. Why would they seek a place of honor?

[blue-duncan]

"What about a pastor who is given to eating too much and smoking too many cigars?"

He should try this site.

http://www.settingcaptivesfree.com/lords_table/

[ARAD]

If they feel truly called, and seek forgiveness, to not answer that call, out of embarrassment, would be the sin of PRIDE, I think.

Tough question, though. From what I read, the divorce rate among women clergy is 24%, and among men, 19%. Of course, I'm having to trust the researcher, which can be difficult sometimes.

Where are we when members of the clergy separate themselves from God in such a way? Well, the same place we've always been. Jesus spoke about the spiritual danger of shepards leading sheep astray. James, Paul and others slammed individuals whose ideas were outside of Church teaching. We have to pray for their forgiveness, and live our lives in a way to be good examples to everyone around us.

In the end, we should love the sinner all the more. When Peter and Paul (Saul) sinned, Jesus showed them mercy, and then gave them each much more responsiblity within His Church. Maybe that's the example, however difficult, to follow. Such radical thinking shown by our Risen Savior altered the course of Christian history. HE used the power of forgiveness, and love, and brought Peter back into HIS favor, while giving him the vast responsibilty of feeding and tending HIS sheep. HE felled Saul from his horse, and formed Paul (now) into a beacon of Christian teaching. Paul saught Peter, and received the apostleship. Two men, two pastors, two shepards, maybe driven by the love of Jesus, the guilt of sin, and the elation of forgiveness, who sinned against Jesus, but became pillars of Christ's Church. These were fallen shepards, who became THE primary human shepards for Jesus, of Christ's Church.

Of course, I'm no theologian. But, I have been a pain in the but for one.

ARAD

[Alamo-Girl]

Thanks for the ping!

[Gamecock]

Cigars?

Hey xzins, did you know the British PX on Ramstein Air Force Base sells Cuban cigars?

That might be a worthwhile trip later today....

[Larry Lucido]

I guess it depends what you do with the cigar.

[Larry Lucido]

Here is my thing about the article. First, how do you "fall into sin" if you're already a sinner? Certainly, the author is referring to specific behavior patterns that undermine a pastor's ability to be a pastor, and that needs to be addressed, but we all start as and remain sinners.

All other sins a man commits are outside his body, but he who sins sexually sins against his own body.

I don't see the relevant distinction. Is a pastor who peruses a Playboy to be less trusted than one who helps himself to the collection plate? Embezzlement is "outside the body" but I still wouldn't be quick to restore that person to parish bookkeeper.

I guess I'm saying is that any person who repents from and corrects a seriously detrimental behavior pattern may be gradually entrusted with some responsibilities (not necessarily pastor, but maybe assistant pastor, children's minister, worship team leader, organist, bookkeeper), but you can't pretend certain behaviors never happened. Some folks shouldn't be around children unsupervised, and others shouldn't be around money unsupervised.

And I know a few that shouldn't be allowed around a songbook or musical instrument, ever.

[xzins]

I looked up the word cigar in my Greek concordance, and all it said was:

Habana

:>)

I guess its still illegal to put those things in the US mail system, isn't it?

[.30Carbine]

Thank you for including me in your post to the subject. What occurs to me in the reading of it is that above and beyond all of what you have said (who can argue the rightness of it?), thank God we are never abandoned - no one can snatch us out of the nail-peirced hands of our Savior Jesus. What wondrous love is this?!

While certainly the subject of your post is of import, I see that the greater question is the eternal one, and the greater answer is always Christ: the Greatest Gift Is Love. So I make this my focus, by God's Infinite Grace. Amen.

Brethren, if anyone among you wanders from the truth, and someone turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins.
~James 5:19-20

Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.
~1 Peter 4:8

Be merciful to those who doubt; snatch others from the fire and save them; to others show mercy, mixed with fear—hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh.

To him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy— to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.
~Jude 22-25

Hatred stirs up contentions, but love covers all transgressions.
He who covers and forgives an offense seeks love,
but he who repeats or harps on a matter separates even close friends.
~Proverbs 10:2 & 17:9

PS - King David sinned greatly, was rebuked by the prophet, repented and prayed, "Cleanse me with hyssop and I shall be clean." God did not remove David from his position, but requalified him to remain for the Purpose of Glorifying His Name.

PPS - What man, truly, is worthy of serving the Living God? Every descendant of Adam must be born again of God, in Christ Jesus. Does not every single one of us who is born again need to be washed daily? Yes, we are desperate for mercy, grace, and truth daily, and these come by Love.

I stand with the tax collector daily and wail for mercy; I will not stand with the Pharisee thanking God "that I am not like other men." I am exactly like other men, but for the Grace of Almighty God in Christ Jesus to Sinners!

Dear bd, I know your heart - Oh, you love Him! and how well you do love others! - by His Grace you are serving Him this day by your post, and by His Grace, hallelujah, so am I, the chief of sinners. All Glory to God in Christ Jesus! My understanding of the word "pastor" is that it means "shepherd," and the Word of God makes it very clear, there is One Good, and One Good Shepherd. So let us be found faithful in Him on the Day of His Appearing, loving Him, and loving one another!

Oh that we may keep the Spirit which is Life and not the Letter merely, O Lord Our God, Faithful, True, and Just! As You have named us, so let us be Ambassadors of Reconciliation, for You are making Your appeal through us, amen.

Sorry I took so long to say that God is Love. (;

[blue-duncan]

"Is a pastor who peruses a Playboy to be less trusted than one who helps himself to the collection plate?"

Hold it, just hold it. If he does not peruse, how can he use, all of the news, about men in the pews? He probably is only doing research. There, any pastors reading this can use the excuse without attribution.

[Calvinist_Dark_Lord]

"should such a man ever be restored to the ordained office of Pastor or Teaching Elder?"

I have often wondered about this having represented churches with fallen Pastors and counselled Pastors about this. What (and why) do you think are disqualifying deficiencies (sins)if any, in the following list, that would disqualify a man from holding the office of Pastor and can they be restored to the position?

Excellent question, and yes, it is something that the church needs to consider today. We've all seen popular figures in the Church fall aside for one reason or another.

Inevitably, the question becomes what do we do with these fallen leaders? Rehabilitation and eventual restoration? Permenant ban on ministerial functions? Assignment to a different work? What do we do?

A popular saying in the community of faith has been The Christian Army is the only one that shoots its wounded. Is this the proper behaviour...or do we not shoot accurately enough? OK, let's look at the Premise:

Does the party in question get wounded in battle, or does he "shoot himself in the foot"? i contend that it is the latter.

i served in the military. Lt. Col xzins (retired) served, Lt. Col Gamecock continues to serve. Would either one of these men wish to have a man on their line who has shown such incompitence? It's a good way to get more of your soldiers hurt. Maybe we don't shoot accurately enough. It appears that the worst of these fallen leaders get up and continue to do damage. i'm certain that you can all think of specific names and leaders who fit that description.

To provide an answer to the question, Please direct yourselves to the Apostle Paul's comments in I Cor 9:27.

27) But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

I Corinthians 9:27 NASB.

Now be aware that the context of the passage refers to Paul's Apostleship, not his salvation. The passage is instructive. It shows that one can be disqualified from office, or cast away. There is no indication in the context of the passage that such disqualification is temporary.

Frankly, if the church is going to show itself as seriously seeking Godliness, it has to make the hard choice: namely to follow God instead of popular culture mandates in this and other areas. Kick these fallen leaders to the curb, and select qualified leaders to replace them. The mainline denomination of my tradition (Presbyterianism) has failed in that, and it is one of the root causes for it's apostacy.

[jude24]

Actually, I am familiar with that site. I am one of the accountability partners for a friend going through one of their courses. Neither he nor I are especially impressed with their theology. They are a little fast and loose with their exegesis. I can't recall any specifics off the top of my head, however.

[jude24]

Is a pastor who peruses a Playboy to be less trusted than one who helps himself to the collection plate? Embezzlement is "outside the body" but I still wouldn't be quick to restore that person to parish bookkeeper.

Al Moehler (Southern Baptist Theological Seminary) has said that he assumes every incoming seminarian struggles or has struggled with internet pornography, and acts accordingly. That is, unfortunately, probably all too true.

I guess I'm saying is that any person who repents from and corrects a seriously detrimental behavior pattern may be gradually entrusted with some responsibilities

At some point, even a terrorist was allowed to rise through the ranks of the Early Church. If St. Paul could be redeemed (who saw himself as the "chief of sinners,") and placed into a role of ministry, no one is beyond redemption. There comes a point where even embezzlers or adulterers have shown themselves to have changed and may be trusted at least somewhat. I wouldn't be quick to restore either to ministry (and it would appear that Mr. Haggard's church, for instance is too quick to assume he has been "cured"), but neither would I foreclose the possibility of eventual full restoration.

Some folks shouldn't be around children unsupervised,

This is a unique case. Psychology now knows that these guys cannot be cured. Pedophiles should never, ever under any circumstances be allowed to be around children. Ever. God can forgive them, but some caution must forever be maintained.

[Larry Lucido]

I perused your muse and am amused that you managed not to use the words "abuse," "cruise" or "ruse."

[Larry Lucido]

You raise a good question. I've had an LT in front of my name, but not the COL, so was never directly responsible for more than about 45 soldiers at a time, and little power to directly relieve anyone of responsibility.

I have seen folks relieved of command, but it took a LOT of incompetence, and they were usually just shipped off to battalion.

[jude24]

I guess its still illegal to put those things in the US mail system, isn't it?

Unfortunately, it is - though I live a short distance from Canada, so if I really wanted to pick some up, it'd be straightforward.

[Calvinist_Dark_Lord]

You raise a good question. I've had an LT in front of my name, but not the COL, so was never directly responsible for more than about 45 soldiers at a time, and little power to directly relieve anyone of responsibility.

Well LT, maybe you did or didn't serve in a combat unit (such as an Infantry platoon), but i can assure you that bad sergeants get moved all the time. You've probably moved men out of jobs that they were not really capable of doing, even though on paper, they had the qualifications. i'd be willing to bet that you probably put a few privates back into civillian life when it was demonstrated that they were not fit for service.

The principle remains the same. A soldier not fit for his position is a risk to everyone around him. i don't want a mortar squad leader who is likely to drop the stuff on my own men as well as the target. Maybe in peace time or garrison that man can be trained to do his job at an acceptable level, but the Army of God is already at war, has been since the beginning, and doesn't have time to train members to do what they should have been qualified to do in the first place...that's why we selected them, remember?

No, kick them to the curb, and get someone in there who is qualified and capable of doing that job.

[VOA]

Pastors who Fall into Sin

Obviously fell asleep when adultery, homosexuality and/or marriage
were covered in their seminary classes.

[xzins]

I'm not really a great advocate of cigars. They used to be fun at some of our in-house formal functions in the Army, but a few puffs and I'm tired of them. The same with straight brandy...give me a shot, and it holds me for about a year.

I have a nice pipe and a great blend of tobacco from the Shire, but even that is only a daily or every-other-day indulgence.

[xzins]

even a terrorist

I carefully pointed out the verses in which the Apostle Paul, the CHRISTIAN Paul, confesses himself to be a sinner.

Those who think ministers are sinless saints are deceiving themselves.

I was speaking to a lady today who told me of a former pastor in our area who was "kicked out" of his church because of his teenage son's crime. They said something along the lines that he is supposed to "rule his children..."

Well, that's OK, I guess. But, I think it points out the point that Paul was making. Paul was speaking of that which gives Christianity a bad name in Public.

When one's sins become public, I don't think there's any recovery possible or wanted. At that point, the pastor should hang up his spurs.

His private life will be a matter of conviction between him and the Lord.

[Larry Lucido]

but the Army of God is already at war, has been since the beginning,

No argument there.

and doesn't have time to train members to do what they should have been qualified to do in the first place

Change "train" to "rehabilitate" and I'd agree. Training should be ongoing and lack of time isn't an excuse. Now, there's a strong argument to make that we don't have time to rehab every errant pastor when there are congregations in need of ministry. You need to get someone competent in there. As far as kicking the errants to the curb? If you mean denial of pastorship, yes. If you mean complete estrangement from the church, I'd have to say no, if the person sincerely repents.

[Calvinist_Dark_Lord]

If you mean denial of pastorship, yes. If you mean complete estrangement from the church, I'd have to say no, if the person sincerely repents.

We're in agreement here Larry. A Christian can be excommunicated from the fellowship and Sacrements of the church, with the goal of repentence and rehabilitation (not to office) in mind, but the church doesn't have the authority to separate them from Christ.

i do believe that such a minister or officer is permanently disqualified from ever holding that office again. The context of the I Cor 9:27 passage implies that Paul speaks of his Apostleship, not his salvation.

[xzins]

Actually, both business and military have the model of zero defects and also the model of growth through mistakes.

There are very few lieutenants who've gone through platoon time without making mistakes. In a zero defect environment, the military would cease to be, because it would destroy all of its future leaders before they ever had a chance.

A lot of times, there is a lot of silence regarding the mistakes of lieutentants. Reporting of them never sees the light of day.

I do not deny that there are some errors that are so heinous (those would be criminal) or so public (negligence at the wrong time) that it does irreparably hurt them.

However, for the most part the military believes in 2d and 3rd strikes before you're out.

If the church is calling for zero defect leadership, perhaps that is what Paul was talking about.

Or perhaps he accepted a "growth through mistakes model" that was the general rule with the exception of some criminal behavior and some gross public behavior that simply couldn't be overlooked.

Robert E. Lee is an interesting example. He truly was a nearly zero defect officer up until he rejected the offer to lead the union army and went instead with his native state of Virginia. What kind of error was that?

He certainly was never restored to the US Army.

[Revelation 911]

I have a nice pipe and a great blend of tobacco from the Shire, but even that is only a daily or every-other-day indulgence.

meershaum or briar ? - dittos on the brandy -

Pops used to leave a few drips in his snifter when I was a kid - and it would get all sticky by the next day....god stuff

Im more partial to a nice ice wine myself though

[Revelation 911]

good stuff - not god stuff

[xzins]

Briar.

I, too, really like the flavor of ice wine.

It's hard to find, but there's a regular wine that nearly as good. Any German "bacchus" that is "mild" (not the halb-trocken) is about as good as a bottle of ice wine. Best is a Mosel Bacchus, but the Nahe is good. It's hard to find in America,though. It'll probably cost as much as the ice wine, but there'll be twice as much.

Firelands Winery up on Lake Erie puts out a really good version of ice wine.

[Romans7]

I agree are we to throughout all the scriptures Paul has wrote, because Romans 7 clearly states that Paul had his constant struggles as well. Paul calls himself the chief of all sinners. so according to most of you we need to forget Romans through Timothy. Also i’m not saying pastors living in a sinful life choice should be preaching and teaching. But some chose to turn away, but find themselve stumbing in past strongholds. Who are we to judge which sins are worse. And how many of you that are saying pastors should be removed if they deal with these things are removing yourselves due to anger problems or pride issues, because they can be just as harmful for the church for a leader to be dealing with those issues. Am I right?

[swmobuffalo]

Can you repeat this again and this time in English?