“Anatomy of an Evangelical Scandal”

What this article suggests wouldn’t be so sad if it wasn’t so true:

Anatomy of an Evangelical Scandal – Janet Mefferd Today

In recent years, evangelicalism has experienced what appears to be a dramatic uptick in the number of (what should be) ministry-ending scandals among famous Christian pastors, leaders and celebrities of different sorts. After a while, one can grow incredibly weary of working up fresh outrage over ea…

The point of Mefferd’s article is that when big name evangelical leaders fall, they (through multiple machinations) are not truly held accountable and often stay in the pulpit (or return quickly).

God can forgive anything. However, if you are a minister (or Christian leader) and you fall certain ways, it permanently disqualifies you from getting back in the pulpit.

Now the overseer is to be above reproach, faithful to his wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach,

– 1 Timothy 3:2, NIV

For an overseer, as God’s steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain,

– Titus 1:7, ESV

Certain sins make it so we are (permanently) no longer “above reproach” and, thus, disqualified. If we repent, we are forgiven, but that does not wash away the disgrace we brought upon our ministry and, worse, upon the name of the One we serve.