In this article the author said, “the youth ministry made them do it!” What is it? In this article, Kevin Miller discussed how his church had to make a lifestyle policy for leaders. How he was having some issues with youth leaders who were living a double standard life. Some of these leaders did not see the harm in sexual promiscuity, using pornography, and excessive drinking to name a few. He discussed how many leaders in church do not see anything wrong with leading kids and living a life of sin, he did.
The policy began with new volunteers and they were asked to sign a “lifestyle policy” which would begin to address several issues to the person who decided to lead. This policy was designed to ask questions of the leader and then if they needed to repent they would enter into a time of healing. He said in most cases if there was a desire to change the Pastors would enter into that process with them giving them goals and accountability. Only in cases where there was no desire for repentance and restoration were people not allowed to serve in areas where they would minister to those who were considered vulnerable.
Most people in church do not understand the doctrine of holiness and holding leaders accountable. I appreciate this stance on behaviors of leaders and I believe that he gives us some very good insight on helping our brothers and sisters in Christ become and remain holy.
http://www.christianitytoday.com/le/2010/spring/nomoredontask.html?start=1.
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ReplyDeleteTheresa, I appreciate you bringing up a sensitive subject that we are leaders within the context of churches will have to deal with: how do we set standards of leadership? Due to sin being at the core of the Gospel message, every church must in its own way figure out how they will handle cases of sin in leadership.
ReplyDeleteOne note of caution. It is quite easy for us to label “overt” sins as grounds for dismissal from leadership. It is another task altogether to recognize the true extent of sin in the life of the church and take all of it seriously. We label obvious sins such as pornography, drunkenness, drug abuse, or physical violence as serious breaches in a Christian lifestyle. If we are to take these behavior patterns as serious grounds for prohibition from taking leadership, we must not neglect other sinful behaviors: pride, envy, idolatry, deceit, gluttony…just to name a few. In reality, we all have sins we commit daily, myself included. Does this mean I am not striving on toward perfect love in Christ? Absolutely not. But in our attempt to protect followers and choose ethical leaders, let us not begin to draw lines in the sand that will exclude all of us.
Dan,
ReplyDeleteThe article was clear about not drawing lines in the sand and labeling, but there needs to be a starting point where the conversation can begin and help lead others. We all deal with sin, they do not exclude but in the small space it was hard to include everything. I recommend that you read the entire article and you will understand his approach. I just skimmed the surface. Blessings!