How Should We Respond To Fallen Ministers?

The Bible has the answer.

1 Timothy 5:20 (NKJV)

"Those who are sinning rebuke in the presence of all, that the rest also may fear."

The exposure of fallen ministers occur because like all sinners, the Lord does it to spare them the penalty of hell. Exposure is the last line.

In the OT, David committed adultery with Bathsheba (see 2 Samuel 11). When David's men were fighting, it appears that David decided to "conveniently" stay behind. Took a nap and at the "appointed time," he observed Bathsheba (what a name) taking a bath after she had her period.

David instructed the men to bring her and the rest was history.

Word came to David that she was pregnant. So to solve David's sin, he had Uriah, the husband of Bathsheba, come home. David was hoping that Uriah would have sex with his wife but it didn't work out. Uriah refused to go to his wife. David then had Uriah placed in the most hostile territory in the battle where death would ultimately take Uriah out.

Hiding the pregnancy wasn't going to work any way because if Bathsheba was in her first month of the trimester, it might have worked. After Uriah was killed, David took Bathsheba. Bathsheba had the child and then Nathan, the prophet came. Nathan told David a story that ultimately cornered David into admitting his sin before God.

Then God put away the sin of murder, adultery, and despising the commandment of the Lord of David but told David that his judgment would be in the open since David had sinned against God in secret.

My point is simple. Exposure is the last thing God does. Not every leader gets the luxury of a simple exposure. Some are judged on the spot or over time. It all depends on how God decides to deal with you.

Luke 12:2 (NKJV)

"For there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, nor hidden that will not be known."

The whole purpose of exposure is that it must get your attention because Hebrews 13:4 is clear.

Hebrews 13:4 (NKJV)

"Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled; but fornicators and adulterers God will judge."

Revelation 21:8 (NKJV)

"But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”

With believers with a repentant heart, it might be different.

1 Corinthians 11:31-32 (NKJV) "For if we would judge ourselves, we would not be judged. But when we are judged, we are chastened by the Lord, that we may not be condemned with the world."

So how should we deal with en elder, bishop, or pastor that was caught sinning against God?

Galatians 6:1-2 (NKJV) "Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ."

There's been a lot of debate between Calvinist Reformists and Charismatic, Word of Faith camps about whether a pastor that's caught in adultery, should they be restored to ministry.

With Calvinist Reformists, fallen sinning ministers are completely disqualified from the pulpit based on 1 Timothy 3:1-7, whereas Word of Faith Charismatics restore sinning ministers to the pulpit after a year of accountability based on Galatians 6:1-2.

Many return before the year was completed, and disdain any further accountability.

So how do you resolve the conflict between the two camps?

When a minister falls into sin, it's a serious thing. In the world, certain corporations and businesses have ethics policies that governs the employee. Is the church different?

Absolutely.

Galatians 6:1-2 is about restoring the believer to fellowship with God and fellow believers, not about restoring a sinning minister to the pulpit. Also applying 1 John chapters 1 and 2.

Word of Faith Charismatics will apply Galatians 6:1-2 to fallen ministers to allow them to return to the pulpit after a season of accountability.

What's at stake?

The credibility and integrity of the minister and the people responsible for such accountability.

When you cover up a minister's sin and lie about it, you have no credibility or integrity.

You can't be trusted.

In the OT, David remained as king and the Lord could have had David killed according to Leviticus 20:10.

Leviticus 20:10 (NKJV)

"The man who commits adultery with another man’s wife, he who commits adultery with his neighbor’s wife, the adulterer and the adulteress, shall surely be put to death."

Remember. Bathsheba was taken. She didn't go on her own.

God would be justified in killing David but because God is God, He chose to kill the baby instead. Weird. And sad, but if the child had lived, it would have legitimized David's sin of murder and adultery. David and Bathsheba had another child named Solomon who was to build the first Temple. Solomon was a wise king but.....

in a twist, Solomon had 700 wives and 300 concubines. These women turned Solomon's heart from God and the Lord would divide the nation of Israel (the Northern Tribes vs. Judah) after Solomon's death (see 2 Kings chapter 11).

Many Word of Faith and Charismatic and even denominational ministers claim that since David remained king, it serves as a template for sinning pastors, elders, and bishops to return to the pulpit.

You're not going to resolve this issue unless one concludes that the credibilty of ministry is at stake. God's justice and holiness is more important than a pulpit.

Are you credible or incredible? Are you impeached? Do you have credibility and intgegrity?

What Scriptrue could be used to justify returning to the pulpit after being exposed?

Will you remove yourself for the sake of not defiling the gospel, the blaspheming the name of the Lord by the world (though they'll do it anyway), and the church?

The best and honorable thing is to simply walk away from the pulpit so that God and His church won't be blamed and counted as a worthless institution by the world. They will do it anyway but before God, at least you've done the honorable thing.

Most importantly, did you repent like David did in Psalm 51?

Also, Francis Chan weighed in about associating with Mike Bickel, the sinning pastor at IHOPKC, and others. Like many ministers, when we endorse them with our presence, we attach ourselves to their sins. Francis Chan was unwise in endorsing Word Of Faith Charismatics and probably didn't know about Mike Bickle until afterwards.

Word of Faith Charismatics are looking for anyone to endorse them to legitimize their ministry of false prophets that deceive many.

Paul warned Timothy in 1 Timothy 5:21-22 (NKJV) "I charge you before God and the Lord Jesus Christ and the elect angels that you observe these things without prejudice, doing nothing with partiality. Do not lay hands on anyone hastily, nor share in other people’s sins; keep yourself pure."

Presence is endorsement.

You could read about Francis Chan here.