If a religous leader commits adultery, for 3 years, should he be a leader of a church again?

Answer 1

God will forgive him if he repents, but he has disqualified himself for the rest of his life to hold any type of church leadership position.

Pastor Art

Answer 2

Temptation is all around us. Sex sells, and advertisers know it.

Besides that, having an adulterous affair is not THE problem. While it is A problem, it is actually a symptom of a problem elsewhere - either with the individual, or his or her relationship with his or her spouse. It is like having a toothache. Sure, the toothache hurts, possibly to the point of impairing one's ability to concentrate, but it is really a symptom of something deeper, like a cavity, injury, etc.

IMHO, the religious leader needs to take a "vacation" from leading his or her flock. Especially if the wayward leader is a man, he (or she) needs to cut off the relationship 100% with the co-conspirator in the adulterous affair. They can never have any kind of relationship, ever! A man can resume a relationship after many years, virtually at the drop of a hat. Ideally, one of them needs to move away to another town or state.

During this "vacation," the errant leader needs some serious counseling and needs to repent. The problem(s) which led to the adultery need(s) to be addressed.

Where I'm from, counseling is not allowed mixed male on female nor vice-versa. Men counsel men, women counsel women, couples counsel couples, and sometimes couples counsel individuals - as a team. These rules even extend to car-pooling and other situations where people can spend time alone, unsupervised. It is a hard and fast rule with Deacons, Elders, and Preachers. It is also strongly suggested to the rest of the congregation.

If the Devil convinces a normal person, a person not in any position of authority, to commit adultery, typically, only one or two families are hurt or broken. However, if the person committing adultery is someone in some position of spiritual authority, it can potentially destroy an entire congregation, an entire community. If the Devil can cause one religious leader to falter, he can potentially score a lot of points in the war.

That's why we put rules in place regarding how church members interact with one another and with guests. The bigger the impact an individual's life can have on others, the more temptation Satan throws his or her way.

Conclusion: The guilty party needs a "time out" and some work before being allowed back into a position of authority. God is a forgiving God. We should forgive each other also. But make no mistake... we are in the midst of a war, a spiritual war. Precautions must be taken.

God bless y'all.
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Answer 3

That depends on the Church Board of Directors. The congregation should also have a say in this.

We all have sinned and caused heart ache to someone, somewhere. Remember when Jesus was in the Temple with the woman who had sinned this sin (adultery) with many men. Her accusers where the Pharisees and Sadducee's (high scholars in the Doctrine at that time) and Jesus told them, "He who has no sin, let him cast the first stone?" They all disappeared and Jesus ask the women where were her accusers? Jesus told her He forgave her and go and sin no more. Do you think she had power to do that on her own or did Jesus invest in her His Spirit to overcome this issue?

It will take the power of the Holy Spirit to infect people with a heart of forgiveness. The pastor also have to be repentant and be willing to go through whatever he need to, to be restored. Thank God for Jesus. He is a friend and a Redeemer for the sinner!

Answer 4

The fallibility of man verse the call to ministry and the piety and priestly responsibility therein has been in existence forever. I do believe a man or woman can be restored back to ministry but not after a lot of time off and sincere repentance takes place, after which a council of elders should review the ministers progress and deliverance from the bondage that he was subject to. I continue to pray that all men and women of God take the call of ministry seriously as we have a greater judgment than others, for we are called first and foremost as believers in Jesus Christ to walk uprightly before Him(God) and be living epistles so that others by seeing the Godly nature and authenticity of our walk would be set free.

Answer 5

It does show shortcomings.
First, he is a Christian, and is to be seen on that level.
As a leader, there is more responsibility given, more is required. A leader is to be an example for the people.
Again? Good question. I would think it would depend entirely upon the individual.
Everyone messes up. Care is urged in dealing with this.

Answer 6

The church is a hostel for sinners on their way to becoming saints.
We (Christians) are all on a pilgrimage, struggling with temptation.
Stuff happens to us along the way;-{ what doesn't kill us makes us strong.
So in your hypothetical case; the leader might learn a valuable lesson.

Answer 7

This is difficult to answer. if there was no such thing as redemption it would be easy and the answer would be no.

With redemption and God only knows how we can be certain the answer could and perhaps should be yes. But, he has shown a great weakness and will need to be shielded from his tendencies. That is therefore a can of worms

Answer 8

Scripturally, he should not be in any form of authority while he's in sin. This includes that he needs to repent of the sin and submit to church discipline and counseling. His ministry would be empty if he tried to continue without straightening things out.

Answer 9

No, there are other more suitable candidates that have self control 3 years is a long time to be habitually sinning and not feel some guilt about it.

Answer 10

If he is genuinely repentant (and his wife accepts him) then it may be at that some point in the future he can take up leadership again.
I do not believe there is any unforgiveable sin, except the sin of refusing to be forgiven.