Alleged despicable actions of a pastor in Alabama

[Lik3]

I just read this story about this pastor in Alabama who confessed to having sexual relations with female members in the church. He also abused drugs and mismanaged church funds. Oh, btw, he has AIDS and knowingly slept with these woman despite having been diagnosed with HIV in 2003 and then contracting AIDS in 2008. Is it un-Christian for me to say that this man is a total disgrace to Christians, Christianity, and church leadership? That is how I feel. He is a reason why some people see believers as total hypocrites. I am just angry about this. The church I believe is showing incredible restraint during this time at least with the statements they made. Anyway, how should churches and Christians in general handle such a sad, tragic situation? What does the Bible say about this? The church from what the article says is trying to start over and cope with this.

Here is the article from one source:
Alabama Pastor Tells Congregation: I Have AIDS And Had Sex With Church Members | Liberaland

 

[appleofhiseye]

the bible calls him a wolf in sheep's clothing.

 

[Lik3]

True..Would it be too late for him to repent of this actions? Do pastors and wolves in sheep's clothing have a chance at all to even repent? According to the book of Jude especially, their end is so dire I had to wonder if there is any hope for them.

 

[Ana the Ist]

I just read this story about this pastor in Alabama who confessed to having sexual relations with female members in the church. He also abused drugs and mismanaged church funds. Oh, btw, he has AIDS and knowingly slept with these woman despite having been diagnosed with HIV in 2003 and then contracting AIDS in 2008. Is it un-Christian for me to say that this man is a total disgrace to Christians, Christianity, and church leadership? That is how I feel. He is a reason why some people see believers as total hypocrites. I am just angry about this. The church I believe is showing incredible restraint during this time at least with the statements they made. Anyway, how should churches and Christians in general handle such a sad, tragic situation? What does the Bible say about this? The church from what the article says is trying to start over and cope with this.

Here is the article from one source:
Alabama Pastor Tells Congregation: I Have AIDS And Had Sex With Church Members | Liberaland

He should be charged with attempted murder...which I believe is a viable charge if you knowingly pass HIV to someone without their knowledge.

 

[JustMeSee]

Clergy are human and some do horrendous things. Misusing church funds is definitely a criminal act. Knowingly passing HIV may also be a much more serious crime.

Garnering forgiveness from the church is one thing. Forgiveness from his victims is a much larger pill to swallow.

Are any sins too big to be forgiven in the end?

 

[terryjohn]

Given that the church is considered his employer they could face prosecution for not ensuring something like this does not happen. The church seriously needs to check that its administration of church staff is not only theologicaly correct but also legal.

 

[Archie the Preacher]

...how should churches and Christians in general handle such a sad, tragic situation?

My plan is much prayer for everyone concerned and a serious attempt to not show my disgust. That church congregation, the woman or women involved, and the man himself. They all need the Grace of God as well as the Guidance and support of God.

...Would it be too late for him to repent of this actions?

As far as salvation and his eternal fate, no. This is presuming such repentance is honest (only God can tell) and prior to his death. I've got a nickel says his pastoring days are done for good.

Do pastors and wolves in sheep's clothing have a chance at all to even repent?

Yes, everyone has a chance and choice to repent or not. Too many fail to take advantage of that repentance, I fear.

According to the book of Jude especially, their end is so dire I had to wonder if there is any hope for them.

Yes, but that dire end comes to those who do not repent. The dire end comes to those who reject God unto death.

He should be charged with attempted murder...which I believe is a viable charge if you knowingly pass HIV to someone without their knowledge.

I agree. This act strikes me very much like intentionally poisoning someone. Were I an investigator with jurisdiction, I would seek evidence to support such a charge and present it to the District Attorney. However, such an action is a legal, secular action. It is separate from the response of the Christian church (body of believers).

... his employer ... could face prosecution...

In the words of Chester A. Riley, "Ain't that a revoltin' development?" I think there are defenses to the complaint of negligence, but as you said, that church needs to consult an attorney, immediately. At the same time, I suggest the congregation should not abandon any who might be victims of the late pastor's actions (sins, crimes or other).

 

[bhsmte]

He should be charged with attempted murder...which I believe is a viable charge if you knowingly pass HIV to someone without their knowledge.

I believe that is correct.

If he knew he had HIV, it is basically the same as firing off a gun in a crowd of people.

 

[PreachersWife2004]

I can only hope and pray for his victims and for this man. Such a shame.
as far as forgiveness...the parable of the unmerciful servant speaks to us on this matter.

Matthew 18

Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?” 22 Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.[g]
23 “Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. 24 As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand bags of gold[h] was brought to him. 25 Since he was not able to pay, the master ordered that he and his wife and his children and all that he had be sold to repay the debt.
26 “At this the servant fell on his knees before him. ‘Be patient with me,’ he begged, ‘and I will pay back everything.’ 27 The servant’s master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go.
28 “But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred silver coins.[i] He grabbed him and began to choke him. ‘Pay back what you owe me!’ he demanded.
29 “His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay it back.’
30 “But he refused. Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt. 31 When the other servants saw what had happened, they were outraged and went and told their master everything that had happened.
32 “Then the master called the servant in. ‘You wicked servant,’ he said, ‘I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. 33 Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?’ 34 In anger his master handed him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed.
35 “This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother or sister from your heart.”