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Restored Fallen Pastors
- Thread starter AntiMegaChurch
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No. Only if things move towards divorce and one or both of the spouses refuses to sit down and receive help and godly counsel from the leadership of the Church. IMO, this is where it becomes sinful and where one (if not both) are potentially guilty of desertion and abandonment. If the marriage ended in divorce where one or the other was guilty of abandonment, I would consider it quite appropriate to regard that person as an unbeliever (1 Cor 7:15) and ask them to find another place to worship so the one who actually tried doing the right thing would find acceptance and support from the congregation rather than hostility coming from a former spouse who is trying to turn other members of the congregation against them!
From the article . . .
How Soon Can Fallen Pastors Be Restored?
If not never, when? Some say, citing Jesus’s restoration of Peter, immediately. I think not.
To discern from Peter’s restoration a “Jesus and me” approach to pastoral qualification is to miss the robust ecclesiology embedded in John 21 and provided throughout the rest of the Scriptures. There are two important elements in John 21 that are at the least necessary prerequisites for restoration of fallen pastors: (a) godly grief (21:7) and (b) the verdict of the congregation as representative of Christ on earth (Matthew 16:19).
To put it bluntly, Jesus is not here in person to tell us, “Yeah, this guy’s ready.” So what do we have? We have his word (the Bible), and we have his body (the church). The answer to the question, “How soon can a fallen pastor be restored?” cannot really be answered definitively in terms of time-frame. It may take some longer than others. Some may not ever be restored. The point is—it’s not really up to them. The restoration is performed, as in all discipline cases, by the church where the disqualification has taken place. There are too many factors that may be involved in different cases. But I think we can say “not immediately,” for these reasons:
And then he goes on, and makes an apt observation . . .3. Peter did not restore himself.
In listing the qualifications for office, Paul gives an instruction . . . And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless.
Proven to whom? In other words, if one who has committed an egregious sin has lived in a manner sufficiently long enough to have proven to the community that, despite past failures, he is now qualified, then the matter is resolved. We look in vain for something like saying three hail marys to wipe one's record clean.
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By “community” I assume you mean the church and not speaking of some stamp of approval from the world? And one other slight clarifying caveat… when you use the expression “a manner sufficiently long enough”, it has to be granted that the subjectivity inherent to an indeterminate amount of time is at the core of the debate about the restoration process, because some people would want to demand a pound of flesh perpetually and eternally.
Primarily, yes, but one's reputation is one's reputation regardless.
Quite so. That's why I said, 'proven to whom?' However, a universal maxim oft quoted is . . . 'trust is earned.' There will be some time.
Especially one's ex.
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Here is the latest case of a "restored" fallen celebrity pastor - former SBC president Johnny Hunt. Hunt temporarily dropped out of the ministry after it was revealed that he had sexually assaulted another pastor's wife, but after a short sabbatical, he's back in the pulpit. He will be preaching in March at the "Johnny Hunt Men's Conference" at New Season Church in Hiram, Georgia, with this message:
Here is the episode from which Hunt has now been "restored" (from Bart Barber's Praisegod Barebones web site) - "That report disclosed the details of a pastor’s wife’s account of an incident in which Johnny Hunt aggressively approached her for a sexual encounter, including his pulling down her pants, pinning her down, pulling up her shirt, and sexually assaulting her with his hands and his mouth. In relation to this episode, Guidepost Solutions stated in their report, 'our investigators found the pastor and his wife to be credible; their report was corroborated in part by a counseling minister and three other credible witnesses; and our investigators did not find Dr. Hunt’s statements related to the sexual assault allegation to be credible.' Guidepost identified and interviewed multiple witnesses who had first-hand knowledge of Hunt’s involvement in events that ensued after the assault.
"In response to the investigation and report, Hunt told a succession of contradicting accounts. Guidepost Solutions reported that Hunt denied ever being in the location where the assault took place and denied ever having had any contact with her. After the report was published, Hunt at first 'vigorously den[ied]' that he 'had abused anyone,' and then later admitted 'I chose to enter her condo' and he had a 'brief but improper' relationship with her."
For the full account of Hunt's shenanigans, see this link, pp. 149-160:
Four of Hunt's preacher friends have declared him to be "restored" and fit to return to ministry. Current SBC president Bart Barber disagrees with that: "I would permanently 'defrock' Johnny Hunt if I had the authority to do so. In a fellowship of autonomous churches, I do not have the authority to do so. Yet it must be said that neither do these four pastors have the authority to declare Johnny Hunt to be 'restored.' They do not speak for the Southern Baptist Convention. Indeed, it is not clear that they even speak for their own churches."
praisegodbarebones.blogspot.com
I realize that there are honest differences of opinion on whether or not these fallen preachers should be restored to the ministry. I tend to agree with Bart Barber's assessment of the situation. It seems to me that it is a bad testimony before the world, when preachers like Johnny Hunt are so quickly rehabilitated and recycled back into the pulpit. Paul said that a bishop must be "blameless" and "he must have a good report of them which are without" (outside the church), 1 Timothy 3:2, 7. Maybe there should be a serious discussion of what it means to be "blameless" before any notorious fallen preacher is invited back into the pulpit.
- "[God] will hear us. He will forgive us. He will restore us. That is the Word of God. As my friend, Dr. Mac Brunson, says 'God may sideline you for a while, but he does not put you on the shelf.'"
Here is the episode from which Hunt has now been "restored" (from Bart Barber's Praisegod Barebones web site) - "That report disclosed the details of a pastor’s wife’s account of an incident in which Johnny Hunt aggressively approached her for a sexual encounter, including his pulling down her pants, pinning her down, pulling up her shirt, and sexually assaulting her with his hands and his mouth. In relation to this episode, Guidepost Solutions stated in their report, 'our investigators found the pastor and his wife to be credible; their report was corroborated in part by a counseling minister and three other credible witnesses; and our investigators did not find Dr. Hunt’s statements related to the sexual assault allegation to be credible.' Guidepost identified and interviewed multiple witnesses who had first-hand knowledge of Hunt’s involvement in events that ensued after the assault.
"In response to the investigation and report, Hunt told a succession of contradicting accounts. Guidepost Solutions reported that Hunt denied ever being in the location where the assault took place and denied ever having had any contact with her. After the report was published, Hunt at first 'vigorously den[ied]' that he 'had abused anyone,' and then later admitted 'I chose to enter her condo' and he had a 'brief but improper' relationship with her."
For the full account of Hunt's shenanigans, see this link, pp. 149-160:
Four of Hunt's preacher friends have declared him to be "restored" and fit to return to ministry. Current SBC president Bart Barber disagrees with that: "I would permanently 'defrock' Johnny Hunt if I had the authority to do so. In a fellowship of autonomous churches, I do not have the authority to do so. Yet it must be said that neither do these four pastors have the authority to declare Johnny Hunt to be 'restored.' They do not speak for the Southern Baptist Convention. Indeed, it is not clear that they even speak for their own churches."
A Statement on Johnny Hunt's "Restoration"
For Immediate Release In 2021, the messengers of the Southern Baptist Convention Annual Meeting adopted a resolution “On Abuse and Pastora...
praisegodbarebones.blogspot.com
I realize that there are honest differences of opinion on whether or not these fallen preachers should be restored to the ministry. I tend to agree with Bart Barber's assessment of the situation. It seems to me that it is a bad testimony before the world, when preachers like Johnny Hunt are so quickly rehabilitated and recycled back into the pulpit. Paul said that a bishop must be "blameless" and "he must have a good report of them which are without" (outside the church), 1 Timothy 3:2, 7. Maybe there should be a serious discussion of what it means to be "blameless" before any notorious fallen preacher is invited back into the pulpit.
Do you ever wonder why this assault never went before the law?Here is the latest case of a "restored" fallen celebrity pastor - former SBC president Johnny Hunt. Hunt temporarily dropped out of the ministry after it was revealed that he had sexually assaulted another pastor's wife, but after a short sabbatical, he's back in the pulpit. He will be preaching in March at the "Johnny Hunt Men's Conference" at New Season Church in Hiram, Georgia, with this message:
- "[God] will hear us. He will forgive us. He will restore us. That is the Word of God. As my friend, Dr. Mac Brunson, says 'God may sideline you for a while, but he does not put you on the shelf.'"
Here is the episode from which Hunt has now been "restored" (from Bart Barber's Praisegod Barebones web site) - "That report disclosed the details of a pastor’s wife’s account of an incident in which Johnny Hunt aggressively approached her for a sexual encounter, including his pulling down her pants, pinning her down, pulling up her shirt, and sexually assaulting her with his hands and his mouth. In relation to this episode, Guidepost Solutions stated in their report, 'our investigators found the pastor and his wife to be credible; their report was corroborated in part by a counseling minister and three other credible witnesses; and our investigators did not find Dr. Hunt’s statements related to the sexual assault allegation to be credible.' Guidepost identified and interviewed multiple witnesses who had first-hand knowledge of Hunt’s involvement in events that ensued after the assault.
"In response to the investigation and report, Hunt told a succession of contradicting accounts. Guidepost Solutions reported that Hunt denied ever being in the location where the assault took place and denied ever having had any contact with her. After the report was published, Hunt at first 'vigorously den[ied]' that he 'had abused anyone,' and then later admitted 'I chose to enter her condo' and he had a 'brief but improper' relationship with her."
For the full account of Hunt's shenanigans, see this link, pp. 149-160:
Four of Hunt's preacher friends have declared him to be "restored" and fit to return to ministry. Current SBC president Bart Barber disagrees with that: "I would permanently 'defrock' Johnny Hunt if I had the authority to do so. In a fellowship of autonomous churches, I do not have the authority to do so. Yet it must be said that neither do these four pastors have the authority to declare Johnny Hunt to be 'restored.' They do not speak for the Southern Baptist Convention. Indeed, it is not clear that they even speak for their own churches."
A Statement on Johnny Hunt's "Restoration"
For Immediate Release In 2021, the messengers of the Southern Baptist Convention Annual Meeting adopted a resolution “On Abuse and Pastora...
I realize that there are honest differences of opinion on whether or not these fallen preachers should be restored to the ministry. I tend to agree with Bart Barber's assessment of the situation. It seems to me that it is a bad testimony before the world, when preachers like Johnny Hunt are so quickly rehabilitated and recycled back into the pulpit. Paul said that a bishop must be "blameless" and "he must have a good report of them which are without" (outside the church), 1 Timothy 3:2, 7. Maybe there should be a serious discussion of what it means to be "blameless" before any notorious fallen preacher is invited back into the pulpit.
Is Johnny Hunt being "Restored" by those whom he is accountable to or is he simply "Restoring himself" to the ministry?Here is the latest case of a "restored" fallen celebrity pastor - former SBC president Johnny Hunt. Hunt temporarily dropped out of the ministry after it was revealed that he had sexually assaulted another pastor's wife, but after a short sabbatical, he's back in the pulpit. He will be preaching in March at the "Johnny Hunt Men's Conference" at New Season Church in Hiram, Georgia, with this message:
- "[God] will hear us. He will forgive us. He will restore us. That is the Word of God. As my friend, Dr. Mac Brunson, says 'God may sideline you for a while, but he does not put you on the shelf.'"
Here is the episode from which Hunt has now been "restored" (from Bart Barber's Praisegod Barebones web site) - "That report disclosed the details of a pastor’s wife’s account of an incident in which Johnny Hunt aggressively approached her for a sexual encounter, including his pulling down her pants, pinning her down, pulling up her shirt, and sexually assaulting her with his hands and his mouth. In relation to this episode, Guidepost Solutions stated in their report, 'our investigators found the pastor and his wife to be credible; their report was corroborated in part by a counseling minister and three other credible witnesses; and our investigators did not find Dr. Hunt’s statements related to the sexual assault allegation to be credible.' Guidepost identified and interviewed multiple witnesses who had first-hand knowledge of Hunt’s involvement in events that ensued after the assault.
"In response to the investigation and report, Hunt told a succession of contradicting accounts. Guidepost Solutions reported that Hunt denied ever being in the location where the assault took place and denied ever having had any contact with her. After the report was published, Hunt at first 'vigorously den[ied]' that he 'had abused anyone,' and then later admitted 'I chose to enter her condo' and he had a 'brief but improper' relationship with her."
For the full account of Hunt's shenanigans, see this link, pp. 149-160:
Four of Hunt's preacher friends have declared him to be "restored" and fit to return to ministry. Current SBC president Bart Barber disagrees with that: "I would permanently 'defrock' Johnny Hunt if I had the authority to do so. In a fellowship of autonomous churches, I do not have the authority to do so. Yet it must be said that neither do these four pastors have the authority to declare Johnny Hunt to be 'restored.' They do not speak for the Southern Baptist Convention. Indeed, it is not clear that they even speak for their own churches."
A Statement on Johnny Hunt's "Restoration"
For Immediate Release In 2021, the messengers of the Southern Baptist Convention Annual Meeting adopted a resolution “On Abuse and Pastora...
I realize that there are honest differences of opinion on whether or not these fallen preachers should be restored to the ministry. I tend to agree with Bart Barber's assessment of the situation. It seems to me that it is a bad testimony before the world, when preachers like Johnny Hunt are so quickly rehabilitated and recycled back into the pulpit. Paul said that a bishop must be "blameless" and "he must have a good report of them which are without" (outside the church), 1 Timothy 3:2, 7. Maybe there should be a serious discussion of what it means to be "blameless" before any notorious fallen preacher is invited back into the pulpit.
Two reasons why he should step away from the ministry and away from the spotlight:
1. For the sake of the testimony and reputation of the Church.
2. For the sake of his family and his wife (had she chose to remain with him through everything).
Seriously, Go get a Real Estate license or something and consider yourself done with the ministry! And consider yourself lucky that God (or the husband of the lady you have assaulted) HAS NOT KILLED YOU!
Plan on being OUT FOR GOOD but should God decide to "restore you," (Yes, I believe he has this prerogative) it will be evident to EVERYONE AROUND YOU and there will be no lasting reproach or stigma placed upon you or the testimony of the Church. If you cannot say this to be true, STAY OUT OF THE MINISTRY!
Amen to that.
Why do you think that is?
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Johnny Hunt and things like that are just some of the reasons my wife and I are considering leaving the SBC and going back to the IFB churches or some other Biblically sound interdenominational church.
Can you imagine what Adrian Rogers would have to say if he was still around?
How about Proverbs 6:32-35 for starters?
I have already told my Pastor he has my full support should he and the Eldership choose to pull out of the SBC! If I end up on the elder board next year, I may be one that is pushing him towards this! We are not fans of the SBC but still see benefits remaining affiliated with the Texas Convention.
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Yep!
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Something like this….
"It is better to be divided by truth than to be united in error. It is better to speak the truth that hurts and then heals, than falsehood that comforts and then kills. Let me tell you something, friend, it is not love and it is not friendship if we fail to declare the whole counsel of God. It is better to be hated for telling the truth, than to be loved for telling a lie. It is impossible to find anyone in the Bible who was a power for God who did not have enemies and was not hated. It’s better to stand alone with the truth, than to be wrong with a multitude. It is better to ultimately succeed with the truth than to temporarily succeed with a lie.”
He always sugarcoated stuff when he spoke.
No, I mean why do you think they haven't gone to law, and why isn't 'Pastor,' as he is called in the report, enraged?
It's because there was no assault. They got the hots and felt each other up.
HUNT: (on his balcony adjacent to 'Survivor's') Man it's hot! (after reportedly complementing 'Survivor' on her appearance and perfumery)
SILLY WOMA—er, um, I mean—'SURVIVOR': My husband's not home. Why don't you come over and sit here with me in the shade of my balcony?
(Later, when being interviewed)
(Innocently) Why, Ah thought tha fam'ly were in the uhthuh condo the whole time and knew he was heah.
Puh-leeze!
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Talking to yourself on the forums? Puh-leeze! LOL
Sometimes it's the only way to face a worthy opponent.
But in this case I was stating the obvious answer to the question everyone wants to avoid. 