Pastors, sin, & the church

Posted on by Will

Do you think pastors caught in scandals should return to the pulpit? What of those that confess before being caught?

  • http://twitter.com/tapper @tapper

    I think it needs to be decided on a case by case evaluation and I feel strongly that the motive for returning needs to be carefully analyzed. A truly repentant heart would understand the risk others are now taking on them and be understanding toward that. I also think the return should be gradual and discipled by the elders or other authority figures.

    As for Ted Haggard, I have serious concerns about this return.

    • http://intensedebate.com/people/willadair WillAdair

      What in particular?

  • http://intensedebate.com/profiles/czarthoughts czarthoughts

    I struggle with this in regards to showing grace and Acts 6:3 "…of good reputation." I'm struggling with it… Being someone in CONSTANT in need of grace (as we all are) as well as someone in need of His mercy, I don't know how I feel about saying he can't join the

    • http://intensedebate.com/profiles/czarthoughts czarthoughts

      eldership again because of His fall. I dunno. I'm wrestling with it. Need some script.

  • http://stevenanderson.me Steven Anderson

    Being caught or confessing should have little to no effect on the consequence for deceiving those that you have been called to pastor.

    I agree with @tapper that there are a lot of variables when you talk about scandal that should be dealt with in there own way. Dealing with the issues is probably the hardest part of recovery from scandal. Many churches dismiss pastors without dealing with the issues and many pastors leave after scandal with no intention of dealing with what happened. Addressing things like accountability among the staff that remains and really dealing with it among the congregation in a healthy way should be a goal among the elders or church leadership.

    Could they return to the pulpit? YES
    Should they return to the pulpit? NO, at least not without clear repentance, lots of time and lot of accountability

    The worst thing that could happen no matter the size of the scandal is for everyone to pretend that nothing happened.