Perverted Pastors
Mar 10, 2008 Uncategorized | Print This Post
I was listening to a message by Darrin Patrick while I was getting some busywork done this morning.
During the message, he said
“Google the phrase ‘pastor arrested‘ and look at how many pastors have been arrested…”
So I did. Here were the first 10 listings:
- Anti-gay Southern Baptist Pastor arrested for soliciting male prostitute.
- A church pastor has been arrested on suspicion of attempted sexual assault on a child.
- Louisiana pastor arrested and charged with child rape.
- A pastor was arrested on charges he downloaded child pornography using his church’s Internet connection.
- A Syracuse pastor is back in jail after being charged with rape for the second time.
- A Texas pastor and a colleague have been charged with tying a 15-year-old girl to a van and dragging her along the ground.
- Portland Police have arrested the 38-year-old pastor of a Northeast Portland church on accusations of first-degree rape.
- Reverend Steven Richard McGuigan thought he was corresponding with a “13-year-old girl” online.
- Tulsa Pastor Arrested In OKC On Lewdness Charge.
- Kershaw deputies arrested a Camden pastor, after they say he solicited what he believed to be a 14-year-old girl online.
Notice anything? 9 out of 10 were sex related crimes. 5 out of 10 were for child sex crimes.
What the heck?
I’m not going to offer a huge commentary here, but I do want to give some advice to a couple groups of people out there.
First, to pastors.
Ask yourself this question right now: “is there anything going on in my life that could shipwreck my life, marriage, church if it got out of control?” If the answer is “yes,” log off the computer, go to someone you trust, and confess that area. Right now.
Now, ask yourself a second question, “how’s my sex life going on a scale of 1 to 10?” And by sex life, I mean all of it. Your sex life with your wife, your online habits, your masturbation, your thought life. Anything not right there? If your number is anything under an “8,” go find someone you trust to unpack that area of your life. Right now.
After teaching on sexuality, Paul writes these words:
1Thessalonians 4: 7 God has called us to live holy lives, not impure lives. 8 Therefore, anyone who refuses to live by these rules is not disobeying human teaching but is rejecting God, who gives his Holy Spirit to you.
If you are living an impure life, do you realize you are rejecting the Holy Spirit?
Second, to anyone considering becoming a pastor.
Think long and hard about it. Let James’ words sink in: (James 3:1)
Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness.
Besides that, who do you think Satan is going to go after first? Who is he going to attack? And what better weapon than sexuality!
Third, to those overseeing pastors at their churches.
Do background checks on new pastors. Do big-time 360 evaluations on your pastors. Pay them well so their family isn’t financially stressed. Ask their wives how they are doing. Put porn filters on their computers.
Finally, to everyone.
Pray for your pastors. Pray for me. Please pray and pray often.
March 10th, 2008 at 2:11 pm
wow. that makes me really sad. i wish there was more help out there for people who struggle with sexual sin issues. it’s so taboo…especially for pastors.
i’m praying for you and the rest of our riv pastors.
March 10th, 2008 at 8:08 pm
Yeah, “sad” is totally fitting. Not only is it sobering to think of how many lives are being destroyed and can potentially be destroyed by the deceit of sin…but dragging Jesus’ name through the mud is another depressing consequence too.
March 11th, 2008 at 11:56 am
Dig deep…at the heart of any sin is a root cause or entry way. It is not uncommon for sexual predators to have once been innocent until their boundaries were defiled early in life and they became exposed to horrendous behaviors themselves. That lost innocence is barely a thing they can comprehend let alone articulate during a time they could and should be helped. Instead they are left to sort it out or deny it in secrecy and fear and confusion over their sexuality follows them into adulthood.
It is utterly tragic how those once victimized can go on to become victimizers. It would seem the cycle would cease to exist if former victims could better understand, name and renounce their urges…but this on-going problem remains so prevalent because of the shame and stigma attached to it.
Satan surely gains a foothold…but for those of us who walk in truth and light…our GOD is gracious and His mercy immense!
March 11th, 2008 at 1:35 pm
What about your own good name. Phil. 4:8 What so ever things are… noble (good reputation). Not to mention the rest of the text. We as pastors must be stewards of our influence, placing a value on our good name. It only takes one indiscretion to ruin a good name of 20, 30 or more years.
JDD
March 11th, 2008 at 3:39 pm
The other day I was talking to my roommate about controlling sexual sin in the ministry. We were talking about the downfalls of specific requirements (Be “clean” for a year before entering the ministry) that place unrealistic expectations on people and focus on law rather than grace. But we also recognized a need to address this area strongly.
I like your thoughts and I’m glad you’re bringing it up. Being in ministry, what would you suggest as a guideline for hiring new pastors?
March 11th, 2008 at 6:48 pm
Wow that stuff is horrible but you have a good blog here. Those pastors need prayer more than you; there’s many of us giving thanks for your devoted work. Riverview is lucky to have you five.
March 11th, 2008 at 8:42 pm
Wow. Pastors seem like really bad people from this list. If you google the phrase “consultants” only goodness comes up. Consultants seem like far better people than pastors.
March 11th, 2008 at 10:59 pm
Art - That means a ton.
Dave - How scientific of you.
March 12th, 2008 at 10:26 pm
Noel, your advice for pastors is solid and comprehensive, and I hope it reaches many who need help. We in the church rightly hold pastors to higher moral standards, so it is indeed disappointing when they fail.
Politicians need just as much help in this area, as sadly evidenced by Eliot Spitzer and many before him. Just replace “pastor(s)” with “politician(s)” throughout the blog entry and they, too, can have guidelines that will hopefully keep them out of trouble.
March 13th, 2008 at 7:01 pm
[...] Interesting blog post here by Pastor Noel Heikkinen about pastors and sex [...]
May 24th, 2008 at 8:39 pm
Our senior pastor resigned last Sunday due to sexual indiscretion that may have been on-going for a considerable period and may have been with a member/former staffer. He’s in mid 40’s, had been there more than 10 yrs, has a beautiful wife and 3 children. Leaves the associate, youth and senior adult pastors reeling.
Thanks Noel for trying to get the word out that churches need to not only research their new hires, but help their existing staff stay pure, financially and sexually.
May 24th, 2008 at 11:46 pm
Bummed-out Tim,
My heart goes out to you. You, your congregation and this former Pastor’s family will feel the effects for a long time. You will be in our prayers.