Lifeway Research conducted a survey of 1000 pastors concerning the issue of pastoral sexual misconduct. Of those surveyed, only 24% supported a life-time ban on pastoral ministry for those caught in adultery. A further 25% of pastors weren't sure. The staggering statistic, however, was the fact that 31% of senior pastors surveyed believed that an adulterous pastor should only be required to step down from pastoral ministry for three months to a year.
Is three months to a year sufficient time to deal with the damage of adultery? What kind of reputation for integrity can be established in a failed pastor's life in under a year?
What hope is there for marriage in society when the leadership of the Christian church is so anemic on the issue of adultery?
It is not an affair. . . it is adultery.
It is not an indiscretion . . . it is a gross betrayal.
It is not a misdemeanour . . . it is a flagrant violation of the faithfulness of our God.
Marriage is a picture of the covenant relationship between Christ and his church. If the under-shepherds of Christ are so wishy-washy about faithfulness in their own covenant relationships, how will we ever be able to proclaim the faithfulness of Christ to his people?
Find the survey HERE.
Is three months to a year sufficient time to deal with the damage of adultery? What kind of reputation for integrity can be established in a failed pastor's life in under a year?
What hope is there for marriage in society when the leadership of the Christian church is so anemic on the issue of adultery?
It is not an affair. . . it is adultery.
It is not an indiscretion . . . it is a gross betrayal.
It is not a misdemeanour . . . it is a flagrant violation of the faithfulness of our God.
Marriage is a picture of the covenant relationship between Christ and his church. If the under-shepherds of Christ are so wishy-washy about faithfulness in their own covenant relationships, how will we ever be able to proclaim the faithfulness of Christ to his people?
Find the survey HERE.
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