Should a pastor with an addiction be fired?

Posted on November 02, 2010
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This is the question that more and more churches are having to deal with these days. How do you deal with a pastor who has an addiction. Maybe it's an addiction to alcohol or drugs; maybe it's a sexual addiction like pornography. The question is... what should be done with a pastor that has an addiction of some kind when it is found out?

This scenario has actually happened this past week at Twin City Fellowship. Recently Bob Dewaay's health was deteriorating and they weren't sure what was wrong. After a bunch of tests, it was determined that Bob had Alcoholic Hepatitis. Bob had been a vocal part of the discernment movement (calling out those who he though here heretical) for the past years. As it turns out, the diagnosis was news to everyone in his church, including his elders. The reaction was quick. Termination.

You can hear how the church responded publicly here. (It's in the first ten minutes).

How should a church respond when their leader is caught in an addiction?

My thought is that the church acted properly in removing the man from leadership (although I think some of the words were rather harsh). The shepherd of a congregation is held to a high standard, and I think this was the right decision.

But what responsibility does the church have in the area of reconciliation? in the area of counseling and help? and in the area of financial support of this man and his family?

I think part of the answer to that question has to do with how the person caught reacts? Are they repentant? Are they making excuses? Are they defiant?

And if they are repentant, do you work out a restoration plan with them as a church? Are they restored to their senior pastor role?

And if you, for some reason, decide NOT to terminate, how do you proceed? Publicly? Privately? Seems dangerous to the life of the church either way.

As you can tell... I have few, if any answers.

Dare I say what happens most often? When this type of addiction is found in a staff person (especially a person in a senior role); many times the person if quietly fired (without giving a reason) and is simply moved on to another church. This is what should NEVER happen.

What are your thoughts? If your pastor (or you) were diagnosed with Alcoholic Hepatitis (and no one even knew you drank); should you be terminated, rehabilitated, or what?

Todd

Comments

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Alberto Medrano on Tue, November 02, 2010

I think we’ve created the problem. We put too much calling, power, authority, faith, trust, and most times our hope in a mere man who is no one better than any sinful person observing him from the back seat on Sunday morning. We’ve elevated men to a position that doesn’t even exist. Worshipping the creation rather than the Creator. And when he is caught, we get angry, confused, and hurt. Because we make these men feel special, it becomes very difficult for them to their followers “hey, I’m really just like you. I suck! And I’m a freakin’ sinner. Probably worse than you! So keep me in prayer, bit remember to keeps your eyes only on Jesus, because a time will come when I’ll fail all of you”. Let’s remember who our true leader is. And let’s not be so quick to judge sinful men we have elevated to a leadership position, because again, we created this problem. Grace, mercy, and love.
Alberto Medrano on Tue, November 02, 2010

Sorry for the misspellings. Should’ve proof-read it before sending it. I’m on a “smart” phone. Ha ha.
A. Amos Love on Tue, November 02, 2010

This is an important topic for those who think they are elders and pastors.
In the Bible - Did anyone ever �hire or fire� a pastor?

Didn�t Paul give lot�s of **very tough qualifications** for �Elder/Overseer� and their children. Today, all any **want to be** or *practicing* �Elder/Overseer� has to do is read the qualifications. And, if they don�t qualify, they can humbly remove themselves from **Today�s** �Position� of �Power and Prestige� and be an excellent example to the flock.

How many congregations? How many believers? How many �Pastor/Reverends?�
Take Paul�s/God�s qualifications for �Elder/Overseer� seriously today?
If they did, maybe ugly scenes like this one could have been avoided. Yes?

1 Tim 3:2 - An �Elder/Overseer� **must be** blameless…

That �must be� is the same Greek word as
...You �must be� born again. John 3:17 KJV.
Seems to be a small word but very important.

It�s Strongs #1163, die. - It is necessary (as binding).
Computer - necessity established by the counsel and decree of God.

An �Elder/Overseer� **must be** - Hmmm? Very important or…?

**Blameless** How important is this word?

Webster�s - Without fault; innocent; guiltless; not meriting censure.
Synonyms - faultless, guiltless, innocent, irreproachable, spotless, unblemished.
Computer - Thayers - Blameless - that cannot be reprehended,
(cannot be, rebukable, reprovable, cannot find fault)
not open to censure, irreproachable.

Strongs #423 - anepileptos - inculpable, blameless, unrebukeable.

How many, who honestly examine themselves,
seriously considering these qualifications,
can see themselves as **blameless,** without fault,
and thus qualify to be an �Elder/Overseer?� A �Pastor/Reverend?�

And if you can see yourself as **blameless;**
Is that pride? And no longer without fault?

The Bible talks about �Elders/Overseers.�
And **qualifications** for �Elders/Overseers.�
Can�t have one without the other - Can you?

And this is only one of many �very tough qualifications.�

IMO - This is one of the reasons �**Today�s� �Pastor/Leader�
suffers so much from �Burnout,� Depression,� �Addictions.�

When you believe the lie, you start to die…

They know they can�t live up to this �Law,� this list of �Overseer� qualifications.
They try, they pray, they fast, they preach against it, But they fall short.
Their kids fall short. The guilt… shame… no one to talk to… the heart hardens…

When you live the lie, you slowly die… day by day…

When you realise you don�t qualify, remove yourself, and the healing begins.

T.R.U.S.T. - True Rest Under Saviors Tests

Jesus… Loves you this I know…
He forgives and His mercy is new every morning…
REV. RON on Tue, November 02, 2010

Of course he should be fired ! A pastor is suppose to be leading his “flock’ into paths of victory. How can you lead people to victory if you don’t have victory yourself ?

It amazes me, even more, how congregations stay in a church and under a pastor who has been caught or exposed living an immoral life style…addiction, porn, affairs, “out of the closet”, homosexuality, etc.

why would anyone think that person could lead spiritually is beyond belief…yet the majority of people will stay and entrust their souls into that pastors hands.

That pastor should be fired and not re-instated unless it is proven that he has been delivered and has shown true repentance….but too many times it’s just a slap on the wrist, and in reality that person continues on in the same lifestyle, just being more careful than before.

As ministers we are held to a higher standard, so please don’t weaken the office by making lame excuses for pastors that are living in sin….just tell him…” YOU’RE FIRED !”
Tony Moore on Tue, November 02, 2010

I don’t think it’s fair to judge a situation of which you are not a part, so to pass judgment on this particular pastor and church would be wrong for me. I have no way of kmowing all the details. I don’t think the Bible speaks in black and white terms concerning the issue of pastors caught in sin. That’s why it’s so easy for one of us to pull out our favorite verse to support our opinion while a friend with a different (opposite) opinion uses another verse to prove his point.

Since the Bible is not clear, I think each church should have a governing policy in place for such an event. If they follow through with their policy - whatever it is - it should be no one else’s business.

For me, the issue isn’t what should happen to the pastor, but what should happen to the elders. The statement in this post that surprised me most was, “As it turns out, the diagnosis was news to everyone in his church, including his elders.” This is a sad state of affairs for all involved, and I pray that it brings many good changes to Pastor Dewaay, the church, its leaders, and its policies.
Cole Crawford on Tue, November 02, 2010

This site is turning into a gossip site.
rlb on Tue, November 02, 2010

It can be lonely at the top for pastors. Does your pastor (or pastor do you) have a partner (either elder or another pastor) who will be a good friend and hold you accountable? Can he ask you tough questions, like have you seen anything you shouldn’t have seen; say something you shouldn’t have said; or do something you shouldn’t have done. Having a close friend who will ask your pastor (or you) the tough questions will go a long way to preventing a pastor/leader from falling.

Proverbs 27:17 talks about iron sharpening iron.

I am not talking about a relationship where one guy gossips with the other. I am talking about two or 3 men being able to talk man to man with one another about the challenges of being a church leader, a good father, and a faithful husband.
Dave on Tue, November 02, 2010

After watching a couple churches do this well, I’d not have fired him immediately. First, leaders should get together with the pastor and his family and determine the problem, the needs, and what steps they can take to help. All other steps would flow from that assessment.

If his family depends on his income, and they are part of the church family, immediate termination damages his family and victimizes them again. If supsension is warranted, move the salary to benevolence for a time to help the spouse and children. Get a plan is in place for healing and restoration. Have some severance in the offer to encourage the addict to seek help, encourage healing, and restoration. i’d probably not have him back as the lead teaching pastor, but grace for sinners is the essence of Jesus’ sacrifice.
RevJay on Tue, November 02, 2010

Fired? In the ministry, God “fires” ministers. The church or ministry needs to help the pastor with the addiction just as they would help the bum on the street. However, the pastor shouldn’t be allowed in the pulpit, since the mind is effected by addictions and clear thinking and biblical preaching can be effected also.
Steve Long on Tue, November 02, 2010

There have been some very thoughful and scripture seeking replies to this post. I am thinking that when a sheep leaves the shepherd it is no longer safe but when the shepherd is careless the whole flock is endangered. An argument has been posed here in some of the posts that reconciliation and restoration are in order. I agree with the first word but restoration to former capacities should never happen. In James 3 the writer advises that there is actually a different judgment applied to those who present themselves to others as teachers of God�s things. James 3,�1 Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. 2 We all stumble in many ways. Anyone who is never at fault in what they say is perfect, able to keep their whole body in check.� Verse 2 is not an excuse but instead a warning that disobedience is at hand to take down those in the preaching and teaching ministry.
There are many useful occupations that a failed minister can be productive in that do not put new or immature beleivers into danger. God is forgiving and so should we be too but would you let an accountant who was accused of embezzling take care of the books at the church where this guy preached? Would you let a adult who had molested a child or was addicted to pornography minister to small children as a Sunday school teacher..even if he/she was wonderful with the kids? Would you allow somone who had multiple sppeding tickets of a �driving under the influence� on their record drive the church bus to the retreat?How much time should go by before you would reconsider your decision and allow them to reengage in their vacated ministry? There is the theory of restoration and then there is the facts and they do not agree. Unfortunately we cannot put others at risk in the name of reconciliation. What risk is there exactly? God gets a black eye when we say we follow Him and we behave otherwise. Very public figures have the potential to set back spiritual endeavor in their community for a long time by misconduct. When a person is reinstated to their fomer estate in a public ministry a reoffence can be devastating. God really is interested in purity. He painted a picture of what church leaders should look like to others in I Timothy 3 and Titus 1. This is an enormous aid to the new beleiver because they get to see what they are aiming at in the example of church leaders. Paul makes this point in I Thessalonians 1, �6 You became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you welcomed the message in the midst of severe suffering with the joy given by the Holy Spirit. 7 And so you became a model to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia. Notice the words �imitators� and model. The church leader must live in a manner worth imitating so that the immature beleiver have confidence that God can effectively change them too and they can become a model worth imitating to others. Just how long is appropriate for a congregation to wait before presenting a failed model as one that can be imitated again? As much as there are some who might argue that this is an impossible standard and must be discarded but evidently God does not think it impossible for leaders to be consistently worthy of imitation otherwise the eternal mind would not have made this argument in scripture through the life and situation of Apostle Paul. Does not scripture say �I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.? I think that even means that it is not only possible but probable that Christian leaders can actually live in a consistent and lifelong manner that is worthy of their calling.
Fred on Wed, November 03, 2010

How muck alcohol does a person have to drink before it causes liver problems? Did he drink 3 beers 3 days a week? Would that be a sin? Just wondering.
Misty Rhodes on Wed, November 03, 2010

so what I’m getting here is that only those who are addicted to porn are “bad” but those addicted to food and fill the pulpit fat as can be are ok?
Leonard on Wed, November 03, 2010

Dang it, I should have known that being fat is a sin. Right there in 1 Timothy is says pastors can’t be fat. Misty that example is kind of silly.

Especially since in many cultures of the world being fat is a sign of blessing. It is the western world that is obsessed with body image.

And people of all sizes can be addicted to food. Just sticking up for the “fat Pastor”
Rev. Roger Olsen on Wed, November 03, 2010

I can see this is very difficult for people in the church that are not educated about the “POWER” of addictions. One can be addicted to just about anything. Sometimes the roots of the underlying problem can go back to a Pastor’s childhood. For Instance, my gambling addiction was fueled by the underlying issue that I never received the blessings of my Father. Unless one understands the nature of the disease model of addiction one cannot look at the problem from a wholisitc approach. Pastors are human just like everybody else, and once the Cucumber has turned into a “Pickle” it is irreversible. The best thing a congregation can do for a Pastor that has an addiction is insist that he get counseling and treatment and then re-evaluate his ablility to lead the flock once that treatment is over. The pastor may have to go to self help meetings. This would be a blessing for a church if they began a “Celebrate Recovery” program. Remember, God takes the lemons in our lives to make lemonade, and recovery is a work in progress. My congregation knows I am a therapist, a recoverying compulsive gambler, and I lead the local 12 step meeting. The congregation has embraced this. The demands of our society can easily wreak havoc on the lives of our pastors. Think about it.
Jade on Wed, November 03, 2010

I think the pastor should be let go period. Should there be grace yes you don’t have to kick out of the church or not talk to him anymore. You don’t have to humilate him. I think he should not pastor any where for a few years of counseling etc. He should never pastor at that church again though.
I have to wonder those who are say give grace to fire him, why? I understand grace but certainly this person can’t pastor for awhile Period.