Pastors and "Moral Failure": What's the Church to Do?
How do we respond when pastors step down due to sin? | Random Thoughts | Jesus Christ | Christianity
The Church Stands Firm, Always, on Christ the Solid Rock
Social media, and some media in general, have exploded over the past couple of weeks with the news from Dallas, Texas, of senior pastors Dr. Tony Evans (Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship) and Robert Morris (Gateway Church) stepping down from their ministries.
The Pastors
Dr. Tony Evans
I’ve loved Dr. Evans’ ministry for years (his vlogs and email devotionals), and I’m heart broken for him, his family, and his church family. It appears from what I have read online that he and his church’s leadership are following biblical counsel regarding his sin, and his stepping down from ministry as Oak Cliff’s beloved senior pastor.
Robert Morris
As the Robert Morris story unfolded on social media. I could not fathom what Cindy Clemshire experienced for four-and-a-half years, beginning when she was only 12 years old.
Stunned, on June 18, 2024, I tweeted this:
My heart is torn in pieces for her, and I commend her for speaking up, over and over, for many years. Finally, the world is listening.
But over the course of her lifetime, Christian leadership failed her and failed God.
Say the Word, Please!
The word is sin.
I’m weary of churches putting out press releases that state that a beloved senior pastor is stepping down due to “moral failure”. What the heck is that??
Cut the crap, church elders. The senior pastor sinned. Period. Get your attorneys out of the way and speak the truth to your people.
Say the word, please!
On June 16, 2024, I tweeted this:
Robert Morris digitally violated Christine for four-and-a-half years, beginning when she was 12 years old. Twelve. Years. Old.
That’s not “moral failure”. That’s sin, and it’s also a crime which should have been reported to law enforcement.
How Does the Bride of Christ Respond?
How do we process all of this? The former pastors’ two churches, plus our Lord God, are dealing with the two situations. I’m praying for their congregations, that they lean into our Lord God “hard”, resist the devil, and fight spiritually as brave soldiers against the powers of darkness.
One way we all, as the precious bride of Christ, can respond to these events is beautifully described in a Substack post written by my spiritual sister, Beverly, of Sand and Seed. She moved to Dallas a few months ago and attends a local church. Her pastor’s recent words inspired her blog post:
“A shaking world needs an unshakable church.”
~Pastor Robert Madu, at Social Dallas, Dallas, Texas.
Jesus Christ’s Unshakable Church
We have good news and much hope!
Please take a moment to read Beverly’s post (about three-minutes’ time) by selecting the Read more button, then come back to my post for the conclusion:
What’s Next for Believers?
We need to live in forgiveness, humility, truth (we must speak the truth and live in truth; the world is watching), and live in joy and hope!
Live in Humility and Forgiveness
In all humility, as we watch valid and biblical church discipline unfold, let’s remember Jesus’ words, for we all—like sheep—have gone astray:
Matthew 7:1- (NIV)
1 “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 2 For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.3 “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? 4 How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.
Live in Christ’s Unshakable Joy
We can continue to live joy-filled lives that are grounded in the hope of Jesus Christ, our firm foundation. We don’t need to feel shaky when things around us are shaking. Jesus Christ is our solid rock on which we stand.
Can I get an “amen”, dear readers?
Amen!
Let’s Worship Him
My Hope Is Built on Nothing Less - T4G Live [Official Lyric Video]
Sovereign Grace [video, 3:25 mins.]
And, when you have more time (and can dance before the Lord)…
On Christ the Solid Rock I Stand (My Hope Is Built on Nothing Less)
Theo Milford and Gospel Choir [video, 5:59 mins.]
Maranatha, come Lord Jesus.
Soli Deo Gloria!
If you’re a not-yet follower of Jesus Christ, please come along on this journey with us. You are welcome here.
And, I invite you to read my series on the book “What Does God Want?”.
Conversation & Community
Your Turn
Beverly’s post contains many encouraging words!
Share your thoughts about this post, and hers, in the Comments. Let’s encourage each other in the Lord.
As always, feel free to send me an email:
❤️ To bless the “Algorithm Angels”, please select the “heart” icon to like this post (if you do), even if you’re not a subscriber. That will help NOC, so thank you in advance.
Subscribe to My Publication
It’s easy and free! Subscribe to receive my posts in your email Inbox. And, feel free to share this post with others. Thank you!
Follow me on (Twitter)X
https://twitter.com/NightOwlXian
Pin me on Pinterest
https://www.pinterest.com/nightowlchristian/night-owl-christian-blog-posts/
© Copyright 2024—Present, Jenise Cook. All Rights Reserved Worldwide.
Linking and Sharing Brief Excerpts: We encourage you to quote briefly from our articles within reason, and to link to our content, with proper credit given to Night Owl Christian and contributors. Please provide a complete link to nightowlchristian.substack.com or directly to the article’s URL.
Reprint Permission: Please contact nightowlchristian@proton.me to request reprint permission. All reprints must include the language “Previously published in Night Owl Christian reprinted with permission” or “Reprinted with permission from Night Owl Christian along with a live link to nightowlchristian.substack.com. Content may not be reproduced, in any form, without permission from Night Owl Christian (Jenise Cook).
" Jesus said, Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing. And the soldiers gambled for his clothes by throwing dice." Luke 23:34 NLT
Dear Sister Jenise, this morning as I began to to respond to this letter I heard an explosion, and then the electricity went out in the neighborhood.
The power is still out so I only have my cell phone now which makes things more difficult. I am leaving with you a few Bible verses and a song that speaks loudly about what was spoken in this letter. I hope this simple response will bring comfort and encouragement
"Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever." Psalm 136:1 NKJB
Father, help us all to forgive those who have caused great sorrow for us and others, and forgive us of our sins so we will know how to be merciful to others. May Your Love cover the multitude of all our sins we pray, in Jesus' Holy Name. Amen. 🙏
Father of mercies
https://youtu.be/rQH_7AZuPEU?si=u3kitVm0OaTK1SlL
"Great are Your compassions, and Your mercies are everlasting, LORD of grace, for Your arms are open wide, and Your heart, Your heart is close, to all the brokenhearted, Abba, Father of mercies, and all comfort, who comforts us, in all our sorrows, Father, Father of mercies" ---
GOD bless you all!
Thank you for featuring my article. It's a difficult time. I also think we should acknowledge the congregations that are the silent victims. A pastor is such a trusted leader to break that trust can be quite jarring. I've been praying for these folks in particular. That they might not fall away because of the sin of one man.