Pastoral Failure

“These collapses follow a pattern: identity fused with platform, isolation deepening behind a public persona, activity substituting for intimacy with God.” - Real Clear Religion

“…the elder board exercised deliberate and prayerful discretion regarding the timing, the manner of disclosing specific details throughout the restoration process. This was not done to conceal wrongdoing, but rather to uphold the integrity of the process, to protect the dignity of all involved, and prevent unnecessary speculation or sensationalism” - MinistryWatch

Also…

“After our conversation, he asked those counseling him if they felt it would be prudent to let him speak from the heart in a video interview at our church in Mobile. The idea is that I would interview him and release the video if, and only if, his family, his counselors, OnePassion’s board, and the elders at TBC were all in agreement.” - Clint Archer

“[T]he Lawson case reveals that the problem was deeper. Steve Lawson was not actually the pastor of the church where he was the lead preacher. He was not an elder at Trinity or even a member of the church!” - P&D

“If you’re a parent and you have a child, you discipline that child because you love that child. You discipline that child because you want what’s best for that child.” - Church Leaders

Related: “He fell today; I may fall tomorrow.” - Ref21

“1. Prepare for a crisis ahead of time…. 2. Get an attorney’s advice immediately…. 4. When a crisis happens, don’t cover it up.” - Phil Cooke

“A church congregation is more than just a group of people; they are a family. In times of crisis, it is crucial to communicate with them personally.” - Phil Cooke

“the Board has retained the law firm of Haynes & Boone, LLP, to conduct an independent, thorough, and professional review of the report of past abuse to ensure we have a complete understanding of the events from 1982-1987” - CPost

“seven years after he was fired from NewSpring Church in South Carolina for alcohol abuse and other ‘unfortunate choices and decisions,’ Perry Noble is thanking God for allowing him back into the megachurch space” - CPost

“This post is not meant to be a poll on Johnny Hunt; rather, I want us to focus on revoking ordination. How is that done? What would justify revoking a pastor’s ordination?” - SBC Voices