- Apr 20, 2019
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I am new to this forum and I have never actually visited an online Christian forum before. The matter I propose is of a sensitive matter, so I shall not name names, but I am looking for some wisdom on a matter at hand.
An assistant pastor goes to get a legitimate massage at a massage practice. The masseuse puts her hand on his privates and offers a hand-job; to which the pastor allows. Supposedly, this pastor has never had any other sexual improprieties and this is a first time sexual sin encounter for the pastor. This pastor has confessed and claimed repentance; and has vowed never to revisit a massage parlor again.
Should this pastor be removed from pastoral leadership? Does this sexual activity disqualify him from leadership? This situation is liken to that of Joseph who was tempted, but only in this case, the pastor did not flee. I am trying to find Biblical references on this topic that would show a disqualification or how leadership should act.
I am aware of Titus and Timothy on the qualifications for a pastor. Some of those qualifications is, "self-control" (1 Timothy 3:2) and "upright and holy" (Titus 1:8). However, if you look at the list of qualifications, there is not a single pastor on the planet who hasn't broken some of these many times (not to make an excuse). If we are to say one mishap in the qualifications to be a pastor happens, then I would suspect there would not be many pastors left to lead. Jesus also laid out that looking on a women with lust is the same as committing adultery (in the heart that is). I am a strong proponent in the belief that if a pastor commits adultery, fornication, or any sexual intercourse act, then he undoubtedly should be removed. However, this area seems like a gray area, since there was no actual physical sexual adultery or fornication involved.
Now granted, this pastor was not able to exercise self-control given the heavy temptation and he probably should have not been at a massage business to begin with, because one might say that it is temptation at its finest. The pastor assures me that his intentions were 100% pure in regards to getting a massage because his body had been aching tremendously and this was a means to an end. Self control does need to be worked on, and also fleeing youthful lusts, and avoiding all places of evil...even seemingly potential places.
Yes, where sin abounds, grace abounds that much more. However, in position, does God's grace allow for this pastor to remain in his calling or should he be asked to step down? If to step down, what verses solidify that point? On the other hand, what verses might point to him remaining in his position?
I also think of the Apostle Peter who denied Jesus three times and yet Jesus still chose to raise him up after His resurrection AND start the church with him...go figure! Yes, God is that gracious and merciful...amen to that!
1 Corinthians 6:18, "Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body."
Ephesians 5:3, "Let there be no sexual immorality, impurity, or greed among you. Such sins have no place among God's people."
An assistant pastor goes to get a legitimate massage at a massage practice. The masseuse puts her hand on his privates and offers a hand-job; to which the pastor allows. Supposedly, this pastor has never had any other sexual improprieties and this is a first time sexual sin encounter for the pastor. This pastor has confessed and claimed repentance; and has vowed never to revisit a massage parlor again.
Should this pastor be removed from pastoral leadership? Does this sexual activity disqualify him from leadership? This situation is liken to that of Joseph who was tempted, but only in this case, the pastor did not flee. I am trying to find Biblical references on this topic that would show a disqualification or how leadership should act.
I am aware of Titus and Timothy on the qualifications for a pastor. Some of those qualifications is, "self-control" (1 Timothy 3:2) and "upright and holy" (Titus 1:8). However, if you look at the list of qualifications, there is not a single pastor on the planet who hasn't broken some of these many times (not to make an excuse). If we are to say one mishap in the qualifications to be a pastor happens, then I would suspect there would not be many pastors left to lead. Jesus also laid out that looking on a women with lust is the same as committing adultery (in the heart that is). I am a strong proponent in the belief that if a pastor commits adultery, fornication, or any sexual intercourse act, then he undoubtedly should be removed. However, this area seems like a gray area, since there was no actual physical sexual adultery or fornication involved.
Now granted, this pastor was not able to exercise self-control given the heavy temptation and he probably should have not been at a massage business to begin with, because one might say that it is temptation at its finest. The pastor assures me that his intentions were 100% pure in regards to getting a massage because his body had been aching tremendously and this was a means to an end. Self control does need to be worked on, and also fleeing youthful lusts, and avoiding all places of evil...even seemingly potential places.
Yes, where sin abounds, grace abounds that much more. However, in position, does God's grace allow for this pastor to remain in his calling or should he be asked to step down? If to step down, what verses solidify that point? On the other hand, what verses might point to him remaining in his position?
I also think of the Apostle Peter who denied Jesus three times and yet Jesus still chose to raise him up after His resurrection AND start the church with him...go figure! Yes, God is that gracious and merciful...amen to that!
1 Corinthians 6:18, "Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body."
Ephesians 5:3, "Let there be no sexual immorality, impurity, or greed among you. Such sins have no place among God's people."