HA! He's a perv himself! The Banning Pastor

[Aquila]

Originally Posted by RandyWayne

I do believe that in the smaller house church setting it would be much harder to commit certain crimes/sins in the first place since there simply is not nearly as many opportunities to hide things. It would be much easier for a pastor to embezzle money in a church of 300 or more with a classic business structure then a group of 12 in a someones home.

And again, trust is a key word in these situations. I do believe 100% that Jesus himself would tell you to forgive someone in any given situation but you would be a fool to trust them with your money/wife/children again at least without major modifications to the previous situation.

The Bible tells us that the gifts and calling of God are without repentance. Meaning that God never takes one's gifts or calling away. What do we do when faced with a man/woman who has fallen, is repentant, and who is indeed gifted and called of God? Do we override God's calling... or do we set standards for full reconciliation?

I like the idea of having the fallen individual "sit down" from any position for a set time, for example a year. During that time he should focus on rededication, re-consecration, healing, and the healing of his/her family. Should the outcome of this process be a positive one, the man should be incrementally restored to ministry over a years time. Allow him to open a few meetings. Then allow him to share the Word in a few meetings. Guage the way the body receives him. If he's received eventually allow him restored to an official position such as an associate pastor. Then hold a vote. If the body restores him fully, the body has spoken. If not. Allow him to remain an associate pastor and appoint an official senior pastor. Should another church vote the associate pastor in as their official pastor... that is that body's choice. Their body has spoken.

I don't believe one's restoration should be an arbitrary process based on the personal "feelings" of any one man. I believe a system of restoration should be in place to allow the fallen one to be restored to "ministry". Allow the body itself at that point choose to appoint "office".

Thoughts?