by Scott Thomas, Acts 29 President
Pastors Leaping into Sexual Immorality
I am concerned about the number of pastors falling (or more likely, leaping) into sexual immorality. It is not a new problem. The Internet seems to have exposed some of these formerly quiet indiscretions hidden in the walls of the church out into the public. I spoke with two wives recently whose pastor husbands left them for a younger woman who was employed in the church. These wives were both devastated over the tragedy and they were full of anxiety about how they were going to provide direction and provision for the young children at home. In both cases, the pastors had carried on their immorality for an extended period of time. This raised the question about their personal accou...
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Posted in: Spiritual Vitality, Marriage and Family, Emotional Health
Tags: scott thomas, acts 29, acts 29 network, church planting, accountability, sexual immorality, sex, pastors, pastor, scandal, fallen pastor, fail, fall, fallen, sexual sin, ministry, leader, pornography, affair, emotional affair, adultery, preacher, teacher
30 Reasons Why Pastors Fail to Seek Counsel for Issues in their Life:
Notes from Kenneth Maresco, “Accountable Pastors/Accountable Churches,” 2005 Sovereign Grace Pastor’s Conference
I don't need help on this one; I know what to do.
Do I really need help? After all I am a pastor.
I'll confess it when I've repented completely.
I've got the Bible, I've got the Holy Spirit, I ought to be able to handle this myself.
It was not a "big" sin, so it's not that big a deal.
It's not a besetting sin, just occasional.
They're just going to tell me what I already know.
I can change on my own. I don't really need the help of others.
This is something I'm working on.
I'm making progress so I don't need to share this.
I can just apply the counsel I've already ...
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By Pastor Scott Thomas, President of Acts 29 Network
Ted Haggard was the founder of a megachurch in Colorado Springs and president of the politically powerful National Association of Evangelicals who was forced to resign nearly four years ago, after admitting that he had bought methamphetamine from, and had a sexual encounter with, a male prostitute.
Ted Haggard speaking to his new congregation meeting in his barn.
In a letter to the congregation, Haggard confessed to sexual immorality and described himself as "a deceiver and a liar." Describing a lifelong battle against temptations that were contrary to his teachings, Haggard wrote in his letter he had sought assistance "in a variety of ways," and while he had stretches of "freedom," nothing proved effective. "There is a part of ...
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Troubled Souls and Pastors
By Scott Thomas, President, Acts 29 Network
Pastors are often overwhelmed with ministry. I am concerned for their souls. I spoke last week to the widow of a pastor who committed suicide recently. It was sobering. She said that he didn’t just come home one day and explode. Instead, she said, "his soul faded out slowly-just like the song by Casting Crowns:"
It's a slow fade when you give yourself away It's a slow fade when black and white have turned to gray Thoughts invade, choices are made, a price will be paid When you give yourself away People never crumble in a day
Indicators of a Troubled Soul
Minimal longing for Jesus
Minimal joy and gladness
Minimal dependence on God
Maximal thoughts of self
Maximal burdens of ministry
Maximal ...
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By Pastor Scott Thomas
Broken inside the Church
Broken marriages are far too common than we want to admit and the church cannot ignore the adulteries occurring among its members any longer. Married couples are sitting in church pews hiding in shame and experiencing anger, despair, fear, jealousy, guilt, relief and revenge. Restoration begins by placing hope in God and not in your circumstances and not in your partner (Psalm 46).
The following is a brief summary of Robert D. Jones, Restoring your Broken Marriage: Healing After Adultery (CCEF; New Growth Press, 2009).
Practical Strategies for Change (according to Jones)
What if I have hurt my spouse? The Offending Partner’s Path
Break the adulterous relationship immediately and completely.
Fully admit the facts ...
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