Youth Ministry Ethics Question

LifeGuide · #1 06-14-2011, 07:01 AM

I appreciate your sincere and honest responses. To answer a couple of your questions; The student ministry is an umbrella that covers jr, sr. and college aged young people. Young people are encouraged to serve in various capacities (media, music, outreach, etc.). "They" most definitely did not get married. And although it shouldn't make a difference. The assumption that the adult is a man and that the 19 yr. old is a female is a wrong one. There is ample evidence that more indiscretions took place such as the use of alcohol. I've been in contact with some youth ministry professionals who have made suggestions such as; inform the authorities, send a letter to every parent informing them of the situation and the way the situation was handled, and it's been suggested to get the adult as far away from the church as possible (ask them to leave). I personally don't like any of these. My hope was that this woman would find a new place to attend where she could find help and move forward.

missourimary · #2 06-14-2011, 08:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LifeGuide

I appreciate your sincere and honest responses. To answer a couple of your questions; The student ministry is an umbrella that covers jr, sr. and college aged young people. Young people are encouraged to serve in various capacities (media, music, outreach, etc.). "They" most definitely did not get married. And although it shouldn't make a difference. The assumption that the adult is a man and that the 19 yr. old is a female is a wrong one. There is ample evidence that more indiscretions took place such as the use of alcohol. I've been in contact with some youth ministry professionals who have made suggestions such as; inform the authorities, send a letter to every parent informing them of the situation and the way the situation was handled, and it's been suggested to get the adult as far away from the church as possible (ask them to leave). I personally don't like any of these. My hope was that this woman would find a new place to attend where she could find help and move forward.

Anyone who has abused their place of ministry to the degree of sexual misconduct which could be condemned legally should, if repentant, remove themselves from the possibility of that happening again. I completely agree with OneAccord.

The authorities should have been involved from the moment the situation was discovered, IMO. Sending a letter to every parent without first contacting the authorities is asking for trouble. Getting the adult as far from the church as possible wouldn't model the best and most Biblical way of handling the situation. (Gal 6:1, Mt 18:15). The gospel is about restoration, not expulsion. However, if the person refuses to show fruit of repentance, then some action must be taken.

OneAccord · #3 06-14-2011, 08:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by missourimary

Anyone who has abused their place of ministry to the degree of sexual misconduct which could be condemned legally should, if repentant, remove themselves from the possibility of that happening again. I completely agree with OneAccord.

The authorities should have been involved from the moment the situation was discovered, IMO. Sending a letter to every parent without first contacting the authorities is asking for trouble. Getting the adult as far from the church as possible wouldn't model the best and most Biblical way of handling the situation. (Gal 6:1, Mt 18:15). The gospel is about restoration, not expulsion. However, if the person refuses to show fruit of repentance, then some action must be taken.

Agreed, and the "fruit of repentance", IMO, is the voluntary removal of themselves from the place of authority they held. Its not enough to just "Sin no more", the repentant will also voluntarily "go"- remove themseves from the situation. The fallen brother or sister should be restored, but restoration doesn't mean they should be entrusted with the keys to the henhouse.

By telling the adulterous woman to "go", Jesus wasn't telling her to go back to the brothel, but rather, He was telling her to GO from it. He did not condemn the woman, but, He freed her from the enslavement of her sin. The enslavement of sin begins, not with the act itself, but with the very environment where the act occurred.

Praxeas · #4 06-14-2011, 03:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LifeGuide

I appreciate your sincere and honest responses. To answer a couple of your questions; The student ministry is an umbrella that covers jr, sr. and college aged young people. Young people are encouraged to serve in various capacities (media, music, outreach, etc.). "They" most definitely did not get married. And although it shouldn't make a difference. The assumption that the adult is a man and that the 19 yr. old is a female is a wrong one. There is ample evidence that more indiscretions took place such as the use of alcohol. I've been in contact with some youth ministry professionals who have made suggestions such as; inform the authorities, send a letter to every parent informing them of the situation and the way the situation was handled, and it's been suggested to get the adult as far away from the church as possible (ask them to leave). I personally don't like any of these. My hope was that this woman would find a new place to attend where she could find help and move forward.

They are both adults. If they were both volunteer workers then they both were unethical/immoral (Im assuming)