The guy obviously did what he thought was the right thing under the circumstances which only he and those involved in the decision to go public understand.
I would suggest that those claiming it should have been kept on the QT are projecting their own fears of “going public” into the whole situation.
Ananias and Sapphira lied to the church and tried to keep it quiet.
It didn’t work out so well for them.
If this is what he felt led to do by the Lord, and he felt it was the right thing to do, then it’s their decision. They do know their situation and congregation best.
I’m of the camp that his wife knew what he was going to do and did not have a problem with it.
I recall a church I was in where one of the assistant pastors had a one night stand with another woman. He got up before the congregation and confessed it. He stepped down from his pastoring role and was in a program of mentoring and discipleship for restoration.
People were shocked, of course, but not condemning at all. They were very supportive and compassionate for the family and I don’t recall that anyone thought the less of his wife because of it. They all knew whose fault it was and his actions were no reflection on his wife in the least.
Of course, the world does not deal well with public confessions of sin. Look what happened when Carter admitted to lusting after other women in his heart. And he was just being honest about a very common human weakness.
After all, Jesus said that all a man had to do was look on a woman with lustful intent and it was the same as committing adultery. And what man, or woman too, can say that they’ve never done that?
I don’t see a problem with people confessing their sin publicly. It does help with accountability, and I actually see a bigger problem with people who pretend that they never do anything wrong. It’s really hard on others who are struggling with sin of their own when they think they’re the only ones who have problems like they do. They feel very alone.
Metmom please chastise CB for mind reading.
Agreed.
I can understand the fears of going public...
The pastor confessed to his wife so that she could determine whether to keep the marriage intact...He also confessed to the congregation so they could decide whether they would want to keep him as their pastor...
Christians are led by the Holy Spirit...Who would I be to say the Spirit led him wrong, or that he ignored the Holy Spirit...
Along with the congregation, we should be thanking God that He worked everything out for the good...
You have that very correct.
On the part about those that are being critical of him for going public (me), I guess I'd be considered a heathen with some of the explanations that have been offered and m total disagreement with them. I just would never imagine beating myself up publicly like that, especially not in church. Wow. I mean, what's the point?