Isn't the most important thing clergy can do is save lost souls? Maybe that involves getting their hands dirty by hanging out in the bad part of town. IIRC, Jesus hung out with lowlifes, too (heck, some of the Apostles were lowlifes before they met Him).
If a clergyman could convince the denizens of a crack house to change their ways and find religion, isn't that a good thing?
I don't think God would consider it disrespectful for a clergyman to hang out in sinful establishments if the clergyman was there to save souls. Other people might be scandalized by the clergyman's behavior, but so what?
It shows a lack of respect for GOD and his church...
Once you loose respect you will never get people to understand the importance of your message....
How many souls do you really would be saved if a man of the cloth was sitting at the local strip club? how many patrons do you really believe would give him an ounce of creedence?