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Why do some pastors not fall into scandal?

Orginally published on Thursday, November 23, 2006 at 5:03 AM
by Todd Rhoades

I like it when someone looks at a subject from a different viewpoint. That's what Bradley R. E. Wright did with this short thought asking the question "Why do some pastors NOT fall into scandal?" Maybe it's a question we should consider...

With Ted Haggard’s drama playing out this last week, I got to thinking about why some pastors fall into scandal and some don’t.

In criminology, most theories of crime explain why people become criminals, whether it be due to genetic, environment, or societal reasons. One type of theories, however, take the opposite approach. Social control theories assume that all individuals are prone to crime, and they seek to explain why do some individuals do not engage in crime.

I wonder if discussions of pastoral morality would benefit from type of thinking. Rather than assume that pastors will have no serious moral problems unless there is something “wrong” with them, why not assume that all pastors are headed toward scandal and then ask what can be done to avoid it? This is not an unreasonable assumption when we consider that most pastors are also people (and all have fallen) plus the distinct likelihood of spiritual warfare.

It appears that most churches do little, if anything, to buttress their pastor’s morality & then are shocked, disappointed, hurt, etc… when they discover immorality. A change of thinking would have several benefits.

1) It would cast the church as more proactive in and responsible for protecting their pastors. If a pastor falls, it’s then a community shortcoming rather than just a degenerate individual.

2) It would point to the need of developing procedures, programs, and evaluations that would monitor and guide pastors.

3) It would take away any stigma of pastors participating in such preventive efforts, since they are applied to all by assumption rather than a few for rehabilitation.

Read the whole article here...

FOR DISCUSSION: What do you think?  Do we need to look at this whole problem differently?


This post has been viewed 1422 times so far.



  There are 14 Comments:

  • Posted by Ken in Jersey

    Pastors need to be FREE. Free to be honest with others, with themselves.

    On the one hand, they need to be free to speak the truth to their congregation without fear of reprisal (e.g., from that elder who holds the purse strings). On the other hand, they need to be free to seek help and accountability when they struggle without fear of losing their livelihood.

    Yet most pastors are not free. They start out fearless, but quickly find that they are fearful of what they could lose. Why? Because the longer you are in ministry, the more you have invested in it, and the fewer options you have for making a living, supporting your family, etc outside of it.

    This fear, if not dealt with, can lead to a) soft-pedaling the message or b) hiding one’s own struggles ... No wonder that Paul tells Timothy to watch his “life and doctrine” closely.

    This is a heart issue. But, like most issues, it is multifaceted - and finding some external support structures is always important if we take our fallen nature seriously (as the author of this post does). So I applaud the ideas presented here, as they make it easier for a pastor to easily find the help he needs.

    Another suggestion is for pastors to retain their tentmaking abilities. Work 5-15 hours in a non-ministry job, or in some other way keep your tranferrable work skills sharp. If a pastor does this, he will be less fearful concerning his livelihood; and if the time comes that he needs to speak a hard truth, to others or to himself, he might have the guts to do it.

    I just can’t help but think that Ted Haggard - and the many lower-profile fallen or falling pastors - had the enemy whispering in their ear, “You can’t AFFORD to be honest...”

    OF COURSE this isn’t the only thing, or even the first thing, pastors need to do to promote holiness. I only bring this up because I think it has not been discussed as much.

    Bottom line: Pastors (and I start with myself) should create structures that promote a godly freedom from ministry, so that ministry and honesty do not need to come into conflict.

  • Posted by Danny Daniels

    When are we going to allow Jimmy Swaggart to move past his moral failure?  His failings happened many years ago and yet you use his pic on this post about scandal.  I am not necessarily a Jimmy fan but I do believe he has publicly acknowledged his failure and asked forgiveness but we never cut him any slack.  How about some grace for the fella.  Please stop reminding us of his scandal.  He has been forgiven by God and now the body of Christ should also.

  • Posted by

    Danny Daniels,

    Todd - the owner of MMI did not use the pic of Jimmy. The writer of the article did. Perhaps you should use the link to his blog to post your comments to him specifically. Todd merely posted the article because he thought others might find it thought-provoking and helpful.  It was not to Jimmy bash in any way.

    God’s grace to you and us all,
    Camey

  • Posted by

    Danny,

    I would assume Jimmy’s picture was used specifically NOT to call attention to anyone in particular.  His scandal is so far in the past that no one gives it much thought anymore, using his picture specifically does not call attention to any current or recent scandal.  And really, should we forget?  Forgive, yes, but forget?

    And besides, he’s just so darn photogenic and this picture is one of my personal favorites.

  • Posted by

    The church is weak when it comes to keeping its ministers gaurded.  I have served in staff postions for over 15 years in two different churches and very little from the church has been done to keep everyone above reproach.  I have personally placed procedures, (I don’t counsel ladies in my office without someone else present, I also make sure that our church network is strictly filtered).  Some folks are surprised of the need for this but I have counseled other ministers in their struggles to think that any minister is far from temptation.  I am also open about my weaknesses. I have shared with several men’s leadership groups that I do not travel alone simply because of the temptations that I faced on a trip to pittsburgh years ago.  I am also very open about my past before christ with pornography and I know that is an area in my life I have to be an gaurd about. Some men are shocked that I would have such a temptation and think some of my practices are silly but others agree with the need.  I believe a church should have the highest standards and procedures to help maintain integrity for its ministers and keep everything above reproach. Ministers are people who can and do sin. I found myself in a conflict over a related issue. I do a lot of pastoral counseling and I received a call from a counselor I confer with, the counselor wanted to refer one of her clients to me.  I spoke with the man and found out that he was a minister from another denomination a few cities away and had been struggling with pornography and wanted help to break his addiction.  My first thought was, he should tell his spiritual authority in his denomination but to do so would mean to loose his church.  Because of confidentiality I could not call his spiritual authority myself.  He chose not to confess to his spiritual authority.  He did confess to his wife and they went to marital counseling.  I met with him for the next year. Over a year later he is doing well, his marriage is 100% better and he is walking in the life Christ wants for him.  In most denominations if one confesses a problem with pornography they are out of a job.  Yet if we can deal with an addiction early, compared to where Haggard found himself, would that not be a better way to go?

  • Posted by Brian La Croix

    I really appreciated the article about being proactive rather than reactive, especially:

    3) It would take away any stigma of pastors participating in such preventive efforts, since they are applied to all by assumption rather than a few for rehabilitation.

    Good thinking, in my opinion!

    And as for Jimmy Swaggert, his “repentance” doesn’t mean much to me, since he chose to ignore his denomination’s discipline, basically saying that they had no authority over him.

    If he has since submitted to their authority, I will gladly retract that statement.

    Brian

  • Posted by Danny Daniels

    In response to Camey:
    Todd chose to include the pic in his reposting.  If you know anything about webpages and html code you know that he has the pic of Jimmy Swaggart included because he wanted to include it.
    It would have been very simple to exclude it. 

    Todd, I am in the awkward position of disagreeing with a choice you made concerning this website (MY FAVORITE BY THE WAY). I don’t mean to bust your chops. You are doing exactly what you are supposed to be.  This is definitely an amazing part of your calling. I simply wanted us all to examine our intents and motives in things like this.  It is not our job as Christians to drudge up a man’s very public and humiliating scandal over and over again.  It is as if we are taking pride in making sure that the world never forgets his failure.  I hope we can remember that we reap what we sow.  I hope that we are prepared to have our failures brought up again and again if we insist not not letting go of someone elses.

    Bottom Line: I am grieved by this recurring theme of Christians shooting their wounded.

    Thanks for letting me get that off my chest.  I appreciate everyone’s comments, even those I disagree with. It is good that we can disagree and and yet stay connected by the bond of love.

    Danny Daniels

  • Posted by Todd Rhoades

    Danny,

    Thanks for your concerns.

    First… how I chose the picture.  Actually, as someone stated, I chose the picture because it was part of the orignal post at Brad Wright’s site. 

    Secondly… I understand your concern.  Here’s my take though.  Like it or not, if you mention anything about pastor/church scandals, there are really two names (Jim Bakker and Jimmy Swaggart that come up.  OK, three now… with Ted Haggard.  These were very public men who fell very publically.  I feel differently about each:

    Jim Bakker later repented.  I read his book “I Was Wrong” and was encouraged.  I don’t think he came totally clean (and still placed some blame) but overall I think he was very repentent for what he got caught up into (thus the title of the book).  I’ve been a little discouraged with some of the recent things I’ve heard and read though about him and hope that he steers clear of the things that caused him to stumble before.

    On Swaggart; the picture shown is actually from Jimmy’s confession to his church.  Swaggart, as someone mentioned, balked at the authority that was set up over him.  I can understand why, since there was so much at stake for him.  But wasn’t there another episode a couple years later (much less publicized) where he got caught again driving around a prostitute?  (Somebody can refresh my memory on that one).  Anyway… for some reason I feel differently about Swaggart than Baker.

    The jury is still out on Haggard.  We’ll see how he does and how he conducts himself.  I was glad that he stepped down (and that his church has handled things so well).

    Back to the picture; like it or not; forgive him or not; Jimmy Swaggart will forever be one of the ‘poster children’ for falling from grace.  I guess I’d just ask that you read the substance of the article rather than look at the picture.

    smile

    Have a great weekend!

    Todd

  • Posted by Leonard

    We live in an unsafe world as pastors and leaders.  With every scandal there is it becomes more unsafe.  How many struggling pastors were driven underground by Baker, Swaggart, Haggard and by Priests and all the local stories that do not make the national headlines?  It would be cool if we found a way to do a build a team Sunday, in which every pastor said we are going to build a team of support, announce this team Sunday the 21 of January, 2007.  This is the positive proactive statement of every pastor to regain confidence of the people we serve and to protect the faith and families of pastors everywhere.  How cool to actually lead instead of just wait for Satan crouching at our doorstep.

  • Posted by

    Danny: For the record, I am a major dummy when it comes to webpages and html code. I will, however, take you at your word at the ease in which the pic could have been excluded. Todd has already given his reply on that and, therefore, there is no need for me to try to speak for him. I completely agree with your sentiment of: “I appreciate everyone’s comments, even those I disagree with. It is good that we can disagree and and yet stay connected by the bond of love.”

    There’s a place here in Texas in which I am a prayer partner for. This place is for individuals in ministry who are in need of counseling and time away without full blown whistles going off at their arrival. Why am I a prayer partner for this ministry? Because I do think it is necessary to be proactive and not just reactive. Given the fact that all are sinners no matter their vocation or “calling,” there needs to be “safe” places in which a person can go for help. I have personally known pastors who fell who never got up on their feet again. The exact opposite is true as well. There have been those who got the help they needed and have gone on to make an even healthier impact for the kingdom. Not by their doing of course but by God’s amazing grace.

    Ths is where I’m going to step out a bit. Just because one is a part of a denomination does not, IMO, take a higher priority than that of the personal, one-on-one, relationship a person has with God/Christ. If a person does not have their relationship right with HIM, then, frankly, it matters not what their relationship with anyone else is or is not. We need God’s forgiveness first and foremost, not that of others. Confess to HIM then to others should the need be. Ask forgiveness from HIM then ...... Just because you go to someone and ask for forgiveness does not always mean you will receive it. The same is not the case with God. Only He can truly see our hearts and know if we are indeed sincere and know the motive(s) in which we come to Him. HE is the only true authority. Period. It is His grace that is sufficient. Not man/woman’s.

    Leonard: Could you clarify your “Team Sunday” idea? Lost me in translation my brother. smile

    As always, I greatly appreciate those I come in contact with here at MMI. As iron sharpens iron.....

  • Posted by

    I wonder…

    If Ted Haggard had been required to have some one travel with him.  Would he have had a massage by a male at the hotel he was staying in?

  • Posted by Danny Daniels

    Todd,
    I appreciate your willingness to address my concerns.  You are doing a great job with this site.  I love Christian dialogue and I like being stretched spiritually.  That is what I find here consistently.  Keep up the good work.
    Danny

  • Posted by

    First...great article and take on this issue.  Why don’t more fail?  Good question.  Let me share my application.

    I did not enter the ministry with my eyes closed to this issue.  (How can you avoid this issue?) Paul clearly gives instructions on the qualifications of pastors in 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1.  He also use the word “flee” (fornication, immorality, idolatry) often which requires pastors and churches to be personally responsible for being proactive.  I read Billy Graham’s autobiography and noted that when he entered the evangelistic ministry as a young man, he asked friends what were the three major causes of failure among ministers and then he ensured accountability in place...like never traveling alone with a woman, receiving a salary, and fighting pride with prayer.  I liked his example and borrowed his ideas...or shamelessly stole ‘em.

    One of the courses I took in seminary was pastoral ethics...and it addressed this issue and I kept the textbook.  We can discuss the various root causes but the bottom line is simply this...I was called to pastor and I am responsible to God and will take all actions to protect His work in progress that has been delegated to me [and I have prayer accountability partners and a wife who can interrupt me any time; I visit members with my wife or a male deacon - period].  That means I will work with people to ensure accountability within and without the church.  That means working with my wife, my family, my church, and my friends openly and honestly.  I cannot blame anyone else but me when I fail to be accountable because the moment I fail, I will suffer what follows and that will also impact who I am involved with - especially my Savior.

  • Posted by bradley wright

    I’ve been reading the comments on my post about pastors and scandals, and I wanted to thank Todd and the others for their very thoughtful comments--you understand the issues involved better than I. 

    I particularly liked the proactive-procedures theme running through the comments.  If we assume that pastors are prone to fall, then it makes sense to set up procedures to avoid it.  I too think of Billy Graham’s preventive approach when considering this issue--he certainly seems to have gotten that one right.  E.g., not traveling alone would seem to be mandatory.

    As for the picture, I agree with Danny Daniels.  Not so much about Jimmy Swaggart in particular, but why would we want to emphasize the sin of any Christian? 

    I orginally posted the picture of Swaggart not to pick on him but rather because that video-capture is perhaps the most recognizable image of pastor scandals.  After reading this discussion, I went back and changed the image on the post to a more generally-themed drawing.

    Thanks for MMI!

    Brad Wright

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