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If We Don't Treat it Seriously, Who Will?

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.

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