The news was both devastating and scandalous—a renowned pastor exposed as a longtime homosexual.
Imagine the pain, anger, frustration, and disappointment when he and his lifestyle were forced “out of the closet” into open scrutiny by the media. Like a pebble cast into still water, the scandal’s expanding ripples impacted ever-widening circles.
First, there was the reality of his own sinful behavior that resulted in the abrupt termination of his career as a pastor. He had publicly preached against the gay agenda, and the court of public opinion is ruthless in its ridicule of those whose faith pretensions are not matched by their faithful performance.
Second, his own disaster was coupled with his wife’s trauma as she suddenly was forced to confront her own betrayal in public—even as she discovered in the harshest way possible that, at some level, their marital relationship had been a sham for many years. Likewise, his children and extended family were thrust into the spotlight under most unfortunate circumstances.
The consequences of clergy sexual misconduct, however, do not stop with the family. Reports that rocketed into the news brought utter devastation to members who felt betrayed by their pastor’s fall. Likely it may take more than a decade for members to trust pastoral leadership again.
Likewise, his pastoral colleagues—several of whom he had personally recruited to ministry or assisted in developing their pastoral/evangelistic skills—were stunned by their mentor’s behavior. More than one even questioned the validity of their own call to ministry when they faced reality about the minister who had been God’s agent in extending that call.
Beyond the local church, his entire denominational structure—in fact, the wider body of all Christians—experienced another blow, especially in the minds of skeptics who assume all believers are covering up some secret sin and wonder whether their conversion claims actually stand for reality. Television comedians enjoyed rousing applause as they mocked the pretenses of the notorious preacher. No wonder one of his own members responded by asking, “Why couldn’t he have just stayed in the closet?”
Of course, this became a tragedy for the entire church as well as for the sinful pastor. What can we learn for the future?
Don’t jump to conclusions.
The pastor I just described is not the famous former president of the National Association of Evangelicals (based in the United States), Ted Haggard. Instead, he is a Seventh-day Adventist pastor whose exposure occurred in similar time proximity to Haggard’s own revelations. No church, no denomination, is exempt. Ministers, especially, are Satan’s special targets.
Don’t categorize some sins as more shameful.
While it is true that public attention and church shame are more exposed in sexual sin than other sins such as thievery, prevarication, murder by gossip, or profanity, God views all sin as heinous, deserving the death penalty, and able to be overcome only by the blood of Jesus.
Don’t shun the sinner.
Exposed sinners, particularly pastors who rarely have adequate nurturing support systems, need to hear from their colleagues that they are still valued as individuals. Silence is our easiest escape when we are offended by a colleague’s misconduct. Our silence is spiritually deadliest when a sinner yearns for a sympathetic word.
Develop a support system.
I’ve been praying for Ted Haggard and my Adventist colleague, and I hope they have been praying for me. We need each other’s prayers. Heaven has used these pastors mightily in the past, and God may use them again to reach other individuals. Never assume you could not morally fall. Find or establish an accountability group of trusted colleagues or members who require you to discuss what you read, where you go, who you see, and how you handle the temptations you face.
Offer positive options.
We must signal three things to any individual, especially to those who have betrayed the church’s trust: love, acceptance, and forgiveness.* Affirm heaven’s love for every sinner, because no one is beyond God’s grace. Express acceptance—not of the sin, but of the sinner. Remember, God’s grace accepts any repentant prodigal. In the name of Jesus who forgives you, forgive others who sin. Of course, a repentant sinner must ask the Lord’s forgiveness, but that first step is often prompted by some saint’s personal assurance of Jesus’ love and eagerness to forgive.
Get back into the closet yourself.
Jesus spoke about entering our prayer closet (Matt. 6:6) and pleading with heaven. I’m convinced we need much more prayer for and much less speculation about the sinners in our midst. There, in the closet, is the location and method for victory.
