Absolutely. Look at their hearts and see if they are repentant.
TIC, as always, I know. But, well, yeah, how would we know if they have really repented? A tele-evangelist bilks his followers out of millions, goes to jail, writes a book, gets out of jail and sits himself right back in the seat of authority where, surprize! he does it all over again. But, he said he was sorry.
Saying "I'm sorry" doesn't cover a multitude of sins. When God forgives, the guilty one must vacate the place where the sin took place. One that is truly repentant will do so voluntarily. Thats how we can know they are really sorry for their wrong doing.
If their sin was of such significance as to warrant their removal from authority, they should remove themselves. And they will, if they are really repentant. Hey, someone forward this to a certain US Senator!
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"Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him...." -Psa. 37:7
Waiting for the Lord is easy... Waiting patiently? Not so much.
TIC, as always, I know. But, well, yeah, how would we know if they have really repented? A tele-evangelist bilks his followers out of millions, goes to jail, writes a book, gets out of jail and sits himself right back in the seat of authority where, surprize! he does it all over again. But, he said he was sorry.
Saying "I'm sorry" doesn't cover a multitude of sins. When God forgives, the guilty one must vacate the place where the sin took place. One that is truly repentant will do so voluntarily. Thats how we can know they are really sorry for their wrong doing.
I think Timmy was just making fun of the way I worded it...but yeah its obviously what you explained above.
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"Enjoying Jesus and all His Joys"
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.
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What we make of the Bible will never be as great a thing as what the Bible will - if we let it - make of us.~Rich Mullins
I do not feel obliged to believe that the same God who has endowed us with sense, reason, and intellect has intended us to forgo their use.~Galileo Galilei
Theres alot that needs to be considered in a situation like this. One thing, I think, that is often over looked is found in the story of the woman that was caught in the act of adultery. The Pharisees offered no forgiveness or reconciliation. They demanded her death. Jesus, on the other hand, refused to condemn the woman. He forgave her. Then He said to her something I think churches fail to see: First, he asked the woman where her accusers were. Then he said, "Neither do I condemn thee" But then, and this is frequently overlooked, He said: "Go, and sin no more".
Someone who committed an indescretion, who has truly repented, will do as the Lord said and remove themselves from the place of indescretion. When Jesus said "Go", he was telling the woman to remove herself from the place where the sin took place. In other words, a church bookkeeper, guilty of embezzeling funds, should be removed, or remove themselves, from the opportunity for the sin to ever take place again. In the case cited, the adult youth worker, should remove him or herself from the position they held that allowed the sin to take place. If they are truly repentant, they would understand their removal is warranted and necessary.They would do as Jesus said: They would "GO"- remove themselves from the place of authority that they had abused and they would "SIN NO MORE". (seek counselling, do what is necessary to ensure this behavior will not be repeated). A church has too much at stake to not take steps to stop this type of activity. Should the guilty one be asked to leave? Not necessarily- unless the harmony of the church is threatened, but the guilty cannot be allowed to serve in a position of authority for a long while, if ever. If they are sorry for their actions, they will understand this. If not, they will move on to another church, and, sadly, to another potential victim.
Absolutely, OA.
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If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
2 Chronicles 7:14 KJV
He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God? Micah 6:8 KJV
Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. 1 John 3:2 KJV
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.
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"Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him...." -Psa. 37:7
Waiting for the Lord is easy... Waiting patiently? Not so much.
Thank you all for your thoughts and counsel. I can't tell you how much I appreciate it. Pray for this situation. For everyone involved. It has taken it's toll. And I want The Spirit to check and guide our response to this situation. Souls do hang in the balance. And I pray that humility, grace, and mercy will prevail. Stay Blessed
That was hardly constructive or helpful to this thread....smh
A mere observation. I actually agree 100% with nearly all the advice given, but make the point that many are in a rush to lift a pastor back up to his lofty perch after similar indiscretions.
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