Churches are being divided over the question, “Should we
forgive a fallen pastor once he confesses his sins?” This question is often complicated
by the fact that some have had a long history of sexual abuse and have only
confessed under duress, after the charges became undeniable.
I think that this issue can be resolved in light of a full
biblical understanding of the nature of forgiveness and the qualifications for
Christian leadership. Tullian Tchividjian (TT) resigned as pastor at Coral
Ridge Presbyterian Church in 2015 after admitting to an extramarital affair.
Along with his friend Chad Bird, he blogged that, although sin shouldn’t be minimized,
the goal of the Church should be the restoration of fallen pastors:
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If God is who we say he is, then real sin is
also met with real forgiveness. In fact, if what we know about the Gospel has
any bearing on actual life, then redemption—not retribution—ought to be our
deepest longing. It is the only thing that has a shot of making any difference,
or bringing about genuine healing for everybody. The cross of Jesus shows us
that God is serious about sin and we should therefore take sin seriously. But (and
this is the part that often seems missing when scandal in church leadership
happens) the cross also shows us that God is serious about redemption,
restoration, and forgiving sins and we should take that seriously too. https://www.tullian.net/articles/grace-for-the-disgraced-showing-forgiving-mercy-to-former-ministers
This is no denying that real sin should be addressed with “real
forgiveness.” Jesus warns us about the necessity to forgive:
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For if you forgive others their trespasses, your
heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their
trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. (Matthew 6:14-15 ESV)
However, Jesus also bases forgiveness on repentance:
·
“Pay attention to yourselves! If your brother
sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him, and if he sins against you
seven times in the day, and turns to you seven times, saying, ‘I repent,’ you
must forgive him.” (Luke 17:3-4)
These verses point to the fact that there are different
aspects of forgiveness. On the one hand, we must always forgive within our
heart and prayers. We cannot hold grudges. However, on the other hand restoration to fellowship requires more –
repentance. When we dis-fellowship a brother or sister (Matthew 18:15-19; 1 Corinthians
5:9-13, 2 Thessalonians 3:6, 14; 2 John 10-11), we must do so in the hope of
restoration (1 Corinthians 5:5; 1 Timothy 1:19-20).
This brings us to the all-critical question which divides
churches: “Should the pastor who sincerely repents be restored to leadership?”
I appreciate what TT has written in this regard:
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To be clear, we’re not talking about Christian
leaders being restored to his or her position of leadership. In each of the
cases that we’re aware of, these leaders have needed to step down and step away
from leadership in the church—maybe for a time, maybe forever. Again, we can’t
say.
To immediately restore a fallen pastor to leadership goes
against Scripture. Paul warned:
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Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands, nor
take part in the sins of others; keep yourself pure. (1 Timothy 5:22)
Laying hands was the means of commissioning the brethren for
service and to represent the church. If the church commissions someone they
shouldn’t have, they partake of that brother’s sins.
Fortunately, the New Testament provides guidance about whom
to commission:
·
Therefore an overseer must be above reproach…Moreover,
he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace,
into a snare of the devil…And let them also be tested first; then let them
serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless. (1 Timothy 3:2, 7, 10)
Paul added:
·
He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as
taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also
to rebuke those who contradict it. (Titus 1:9)
I think that it should be obvious that a recently fallen
pastor cannot fulfill these requirements. He has to first prove himself in
regards to these qualifications. This would take time. Once trust is destroyed,
it requires considerable time to truly restore it. To press the matter, is to
lay our hands too hastily, to the disapproval of the Lord.
On the ground level, the fruit of our haste will be obvious.
The church will remain divided to its great detriment and shame.
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