After restoration...

[Restored Pastor]

I am a Pastor that has fallen to the trap of an SSA. I am walking in victory today. I am planning to reenter ministry. I am nervous if people find out about my hidden past. My spouse has forgiven me and very supportive.
What can I expect as I start applying to work in a church? What would be your reaction if you heard that your pastor struggled and fell to their temptation?
Could you be under their leadership? I'm trying to prepare myself for what may come.

 

[OK Jeff]

I prefer a pastor who is human and has had human struggles. The fact you have overcome this is a testimony to God's healing power. You don't have to advertise it, but don't try too hard to hide it either. If God is calling you to minister, He wants YOU, and your unique self to do it. Your past failures made you what you are today. And this part of your past may well equip you to help someone you're going to encounter in this application. Above all, listen to The Lord.

 

[“Paisios”]

I am a Pastor that has fallen to the trap of an SSA. I am walking in victory today. I am planning to reenter ministry. I am nervous if people find out about my hidden past. My spouse has forgiven me and very supportive.
What can I expect as I start applying to work in a church? What would be your reaction if you heard that your pastor struggled and fell to their temptation?
Could you be under their leadership? I'm trying to prepare myself for what may come.

I am pleased that you are walking in victory and have reconciled with your wife. I don't know what you should expect, but certainly I could accept a pastor who had struggled and fallen into temptation, if I could see that there was genuine repentance and steps towards reconciliation with human (not just divine) relationships that had been damaged by such a fall (whether SSA, other adultery, or other failures of responsibility and sin), and a plan for accountability and a support base in place to help prevent further falling. We have all sinned and fallen short of God's glory, all need repentance and forgiveness, and sometimes those who have fallen furthest can give the best advice and support to prevent others falling...but only when they have recovered themselves a ways.

Attempting to cover up past faults could be seen as deception, though I am not suggesting broadcasting and proclaiming past sins, either. Not sure how I would go about dealing with that, as I would think it would depend on the specific circumstances.

Praying for you...

 

[Restored Pastor]

I prefer a pastor who is human and has had human struggles. The fact you have overcome this is a testimony to God's healing power. You don't have to advertise it, but don't try too hard to hide it either. If God is calling you to minister, He wants YOU, and your unique self to do it. Your past failures made you what you are today. And this part of your past may well equip you to help someone you're going to encounter in this application. Above all, listen to The Lord.

Thanks for the encouragement. I am grateful for God's strength. I agree with you fully that God has been equipping me for a specific work he is calling me to do for him as a result of this journey.

 

[Restored Pastor]

I am pleased that you are walking in victory and have reconciled with your wife. I don't know what you should expect, but certainly I could accept a pastor who had struggled and fallen into temptation, if I could see that there was genuine repentance and steps towards reconciliation with human (not just divine) relationships that had been damaged by such a fall (whether SSA, other adultery, or other failures of responsibility and sin), and a plan for accountability and a support base in place to help prevent further falling. We have all sinned and fallen short of God's glory, all need repentance and forgiveness, and sometimes those who have fallen furthest can give the best advice and support to prevent others falling...but only when they have recovered themselves a ways.

Attempting to cover up past faults could be seen as deception, though I am not suggesting broadcasting and proclaiming past sins, either. Not sure how I would go about dealing with that, as I would think it would depend on the specific circumstances.

Praying for you...

I appreciate how you have listed other failings in your statement. For many years the struggle that I have faced has been seen as "oh that sin". This struggle is not spoken about frequently in our churches. Therefore, it is treated like leprosy (in my opinion). Then again, because I was in the thick of it and not willing to come forward that could be the perception I held too which then became my reality.
I agree with you on the not broadcasting. I don't believe we need to broadcast the things that we have done. As I get ready to share my story more openly I don't want to focus on the sin that was committed but the redemptive work that God has done and how he has restored my life and my marriage.

 

[“Paisios”]

I appreciate how you have listed other failings in your statement. For many years the struggle that I have faced has been seen as "oh that sin".

Why would I not? I have never understood that sentiment. Sin is sin, broken relationships are broken relationships, and we have all sinned and fallen short of God's glory. I do not share your specific struggles and sins...does that make me better? Surely not, for I have my own struggles and sins. God sees only two classes...sin or no sin...there is no "a little sin". We are sinners or we are not. He will cleanse us, He will pay our debt, He will restore us, and make us perfect...but none of us can say that we are without sin.

This struggle is not spoken about frequently in our churches. Therefore, it is treated like leprosy (in my opinion). Then again, because I was in the thick of it and not willing to come forward that could be the perception I held too which then became my reality.

I am sorry you didn't have loving support and correction to see you through it. That is one of our failings as Christians, may God forgive us.

I agree with you on the not broadcasting. I don't believe we need to broadcast the things that we have done. As I get ready to share my story more openly I don't want to focus on the sin that was committed but the redemptive work that God has done and how he has restored my life and my marriage.

Exactly...focus on redemption and the growth that has come from it. We are dead to our old lives and sin, and alive in Christ, so should only need to mention the past as needed to help illustrate our present state.

Praying that you might have the strength, grace and wisdom to face your upcoming trials and struggles, and that God will be with you.

 

[Greg Logan]

I am a Pastor that has fallen to the trap of an SSA. I am walking in victory today. I am planning to reenter ministry. I am nervous if people find out about my hidden past. My spouse has forgiven me and very supportive.
What can I expect as I start applying to work in a church? What would be your reaction if you heard that your pastor struggled and fell to their temptation?
Could you be under their leadership? I'm trying to prepare myself for what may come.

I would not be amenable to listening to any exhortations - esp. re sin - from such a one. I don't mind sitting and discussing the Bible - nor praying one on one - but not in a position of authority. Admittedly, I don't know any evangelical that I would look to as an authority on anything - but certainly not a David Jeremiah...

Sorry to be so direct. I would still accept you as a brother in Christ if the rest of your life lined up.

BTW - thanks for the great humility you used to post here.

 

[Kristen.NewCreation]

Moved from Struggles with Sexuality to Non-Denominational Forum