Antipas Harris introduces the Norfolk Police Department Clergy Patrol.

Watch the story that was featured on national television. Norfolk pastors and the Norfolk Police Department discussed the Clergy Patrol on the 700 Club (CBN), Monday morning, Feb 12, at 9am EST.

Learn how pastors and clergy work together to engage Norfolk, Virginia residents.

Stanley J. Grenz, “We Dare Not Fall: Dealing With the Peril of Clergy Sexual Misconduct.” Enrichment (Fall 2004), pages 38-47, 51.

Sexual misconduct on the part of the clergy is fast becoming a national problem of epidemic proportions. In an over-sexed society, bombarded by sexual themes and images on all sides, increasing sexual misconduct on the part of trusted leaders (even spiritual leaders) should not come as a surprise; however, neither does it come with an excuse. In a very timely and necessary article, Stanley Grenz deals with the reasons behind this growing problem and how the tide can be stemmed. (For consistency of nomenclature in this review, the pastor will be referred to as “he,” while the congregant will be “she.”)

Sexual misconduct often involves someone “violating” another, but in the case of the clergy, that violation occurs on several different levels. It is a violation of the congregant’s trust (as she entrusts to her pastor the vulnerable areas of her life), a violation of the pastor’s power, a violation of sexual trust (as the congregant looks to the church as a place of safe and healthy relationships), a violation of the image of God (as the pastor is to reflect God’s character), a violation of the pastoral office, and a violation of the pastoral calling.

Oftentimes, when sexual misconduct occurs, the focus of victimization tends to fall on the congregant. However, Grenz makes the important point that she is not the only victim in this case, but one among many, including the families of both parties, the pastor’s wife and children, and the congregant’s children and spouse. (I would like to add two other groups of victims that Grenz did not specifically mention: the congregation (among whom may be some who may become disillusioned with the church or with God), and the unsaved (among whom may be some who may see this as just one more reason to reject Christ).)

What can be done to prevent sexual misconduct from occurring? In what is arguably the most important section in his article, Grenz explores nine concurrent lines of defense to lessen the chances of the pastor falling sexually:

1. Recognize your identity in Christ and your need for his help in overcoming temptation;

2. Avoid the urge to try to “fix everything”;

3. Realize that you are a healer who also needs healing like everyone else;

4. Take the necessary steps to help bring about that healing;

5. Set up support systems and accountability around you among people you trust;

6. Maintain proper boundaries in counseling settings;

7. Understand the dynamics of therapeutic relationships;

8. Watch for the warning signs and signals that proper boundaries are in danger of being crossed; and

9. Rely on the power and presence of the Holy Spirit for help.

The warning signs and effective support systems are described in detail in a helpful sidebar to the article, as well as a “Covenant of Clergy Sexual Ethics,” recommended by the Assemblies of God (thus providing another form of accountability).

Grenz presents us with a message of hope in the midst of a disturbing trend, showing us that the situation is not hopeless by any means. With discipline, common sense, a bit of work, and overall reliance on the Holy Spirit, the trend can be reversed, removing out of the way just one more obstacle in the quest to fulfill the Great Commission before our Lord comes again.

Reviewed by Michael J. Knowles

At the time of publication, this article was found online at: http://enrichmentjournal.ag.org/200404/200404_038_miscon.cfm

H. B. London Jr., “Stemming the Tide of Clergy Fallout: Lessons from a Marriage” Enrichment (Winter 2003), pages 42-51.

Dr. London and the pastoral ministry team at Focus on the Family take an insightful look at the contemporary problem of ministers leaving the ministry. They take the rich picture of marriage and compare it to the relationship between the church and those who lead the church.

As I read this article, I reflected on the 40 years I have been privileged to be in the ministry. I know from talking with many young ministers that they really have no idea what to expect or what may happen in the work of the ministry.

Theme from the Winter 2003 issue of Enrichment.

Though I had heard the statistics before, it is hard to read that 23 to 27 percent of pastors have experienced a forced termination at some time in their ministry. When I read in this article that the Southern Baptist Convention reported that 23 of their pastors are terminated each week; my heart was broken. What may be happening to these persons and their families, not to mention the repercussion that it would have on the congregation, is very painful. I have observed that when a pastor failed or the church leadership requested the pastor to resign that so many times the congregation floundered, and the next pastor coming in had to rebuild the congregation.

“To say the role of the pastor is a difficult assignment is a great understatement; but like all relationships, it can be very fulfilling when it functions well. It also can be hurtful when it is sabotaged. The bond between pastor and church is so much like a marriage that it would be appropriate to draw some comparisons to building strong families” (page 44). For example, if good communication does not exist between the pastor and the congregation, there will be much misunderstanding.

Congregations often have a tendency to expect unrealistic goals for a pastor. In the article is pointed out that George Barna has said that congregations expect the pastor to fulfill 17 to 20 roles, be available 24/7 and to perform all of the roles at a high level. Because of this pressure a pastor may leave a church or even drop out of the ministry entirely. It is when pastors think they are the only one doing anything in the ministry that mentally and emotionally they will feel alone and isolated.

I talked to a colleague recently who is now driving a truck to make a living. He commented to me that, “It is refreshing to have a job that is not stressful on me and my family.” I asked myself this question, “God, was he called into fulltime ministry?” If he was, how does he live with the fact of the call? Now I realize that he could be an effective witness in his occupation. However, this is an example of the importance of how all of the church needs to be equipped to do the work of the ministry so that so much is not expected of the pastor.