I’ll be uncharacteristically brief, here. While the whole universe is speculating about what lessons Republicans or Democrats ought to learn from Roy Moore’s loss in Alabama, I’d like to turn the conversation away from politics and ask what lessons we who are pastors and other church leaders can learn? Instead of a list, I’ll offer this one:
If you are in leadership in a church and are secretly involved in sexual or financial sin, please step away from your leadership position immediately. If Roy Moore had not run for Jeff Sessions’s seat, Luther Strange would’ve won the seat in a cakewalk. If Roy Moore had promised to resign upon being elected, he would have won and another Republican would eventually have occupied his seat. His staying in the race until the end meant that a loss for him became a loss for the entire party that he represented.
Similarly, if you leave your leadership position in a church right away, it will cost you no more now than it will cost you when the (INEVITABLE) discovery of your sin forces you out later. If you wait until you are discovered, in addition to your loss, you will inflict great damage upon your church as well. So, if you are the pastor or church leader who is covering up your own secret sin, why not resolve that 2018 is the year that you will step aside in the interests of God’s flock?
I could not agree with you more, either about your political analysis or your call to church leaders.
Very good advice.
At least in regard to politics the immoral candidate’s behavior is widely known. In our churches we like to handle things privily. Autonomy has it’s drawbacks.
Bart,
Totally agree. I’m observing though, a tolerance, sweep under the rug, & even payoff mentality among some churches today that’s unprecedented. Open, flagrant sin is being allowed in some circles, under the falsely applied rationale, “Those among u without sin, cast the first stone.” Really concerned about this emerging acceptance in some pockets that’s a serious concern, relative to what it means about the condition of today’s church.
That idea, that since no one is perfect we cannot apply moral standards to anyone, is applied by Baptist pastors.
It is a sad day.
Bart,
Are you guys implying that sexual sin 30 or even 40 years ago disqualifies one from a leadership position today regardless of a spotless career (leadership role) these last 40 years? Wasn’t that the gist of Roy Moore’s “sin”?
I think that the tenses of my verbs and the grammar of my sentences make clear what I’m saying. I’ll make this deal with you: When I get ready to say something, I won’t imply it mysteriously; I’ll just come right out and say it.
John,
Unrepentant sin especially for one who names the name of Jesus does disqualify one for leadership, no matter how long ago the sin was.
While I agree with much, if not most, of your article….Here’s the question: Does the accusation constitute the reason to step aside? I don’t live Alabama any longer (moved two years ago) so I don’t really have a political dog in this fight but I will offer this: You and I, as ministers, are in the boat as any politician – an accusation seems to translate into automatic guilt.
I agree in principle but do wish to ask about false accusations. If you KNOW you did nothing wrong, but you are accused within the church anyway, what should you do? While not in a church leadership position, I personally was accused of something I did not do (or intend to do). But their side was taken and my side of the story was not taken at all. It later turned out that this person admitted to me that they were “pressured” by their friends to make the accusation, even knowing it was not true. In my case no long… Read more »
SV, Not knowing the specifics of what you went through so i am not directly commenting on it, but in a congregation, there is a Biblically mandated procedure. 1] Go to the one in error and seek repentance. 2] If non repentance, take two or three with you, and go again, seeking repentance. These wouldn’t be your friends but respected members, or deacons, or elders. 3] If still no repentance, take it before the congregation. 4] If still no repentance, treat like an unbeliever. If you are the aggrieved one, you will need to convince others that the one you… Read more »
I’m not offering the Roy Moore situation as an opportunity to learn what to do about false accusations. In fact, I’m rather pointedly talking to the person who hasn’t been accused at all—rightly or wrongly. I haven’t suggested that anyone who hasn’t done anything wrong has anything to learn from it. Rather I’m taking his situation as an illustration about how pulling out sooner rather than later can make a big difference in the amount of damage that you leave behind. This lesson is a valid one, as far as I can tell, regardless of Moore’s innocence or guilt. So,… Read more »