Prominent Memphis Area Pastor Resigns

[MissBrattified]

Lucy...dear...

Take a breath.

First of all, it IS perfectly reasonable and expected for people to be upset--for various reasons. Secondly, it is also reasonable to expect that Christians can live relatively free from sin. We all have flaws and weaknesses, but those flaws don't necessarily constitute sin, particularly on a moral level. Also, prolonged engagement with sin isn't quite the same as an occasional stumble.

I'm not sitting in judgment, because first and foremost, it isn't my place to do so. I'm neither an authority over nor a peer of Bro. Black. Even if I was, I would be hard-pressed to judge him in any way. Let those who are spiritual restore such a person in a spirit of meekness, considering themselves, lest they also be tempted.

And I say "restore" loosely, since we don't even know if these allegations are true. Hearsay from an anonymous forum member doesn't constitute solid evidence of anything.

I hope that Bro. Black's family and church can survive whatever this is.

Praxeas' original statement really had nothing objectionable in it:

Originally Posted by Praxeas

Why this kind of stuff upsets people is these men were seemingly living double lives...or rather they were living a lie...and for years

Of course people will be upset if the man they look to for leadership spiritually and otherwise falls prey to some sin or weakness and they find out about it. Living a lie is subjective, since you can justify things to yourself or you can make up your mind to get past it and then you fail again...and again...and again. Also, I've known men who wanted to confess, but they didn't because it wasn't just about them--they didn't want to disappoint their families and their churches, and so they set themselves up for further failure by keeping sin in the dark. Confession is a scary thing; I completely understand that. On the flip side, it IS reasonable for people to interpret this as hypocrisy, if a preacher was preaching against something and practicing it at the same time. What else can you call it?

I will say one thing: There's not enough evidence to be calling things one way or the other on this thread.

[ttpaba]

I'd like to interject a reason why I think people get upset when they are the member of a congregation and it's discovered that there has been some serious immorality or err in judgement (any sin will do).
I think it's because we put our trust in pastors & leadership. We are aware they are human but in the same way you don't expect your spouse to have an affair, your child to be racist or your best friend to be a gossip but to a greater degree because they claim to have the congregation's best interest at heart. They claim to love us and pray for us. They counsel us and give us guidance. We look to them as an example of true Christianity but a level up since they have been called to lead!

Our home is having an ongoing conversation, here's the question we are batting around. Since pastors are human but held to a higher standard, at what level of sin are they to stay in the pulpit and handle the sin personally with God? When is the line crossed to be handled by a board, panel or other proper overseers? What line does a pastor have to cross to be "put out" of the pulpit or have a petition brought to the congregation?

[rgcraig]

Originally Posted by ttpaba

I'd like to interject a reason why I think people get upset when they are the member of a congregation and it's discovered that there has been some serious immorality or err in judgement (any sin will do).
I think it's because we put our trust in pastors & leadership. We are aware they are human but in the same way you don't expect your spouse to have an affair, your child to be racist or your best friend to be a gossip but to a greater degree because they claim to have the congregation's best interest at heart. They claim to love us and pray for us. They counsel us and give us guidance. We look to them as an example of true Christianity but a level up since they have been called to lead!

Our home is having an ongoing conversation, here's the question we are batting around. Since pastors are human but held to a higher standard, at what level of sin are they to stay in the pulpit and handle the sin personally with God? When is the line crossed to be handled by a board, panel or other proper overseers? What line does a pastor have to cross to be "put out" of the pulpit or have a petition brought to the congregation?

One good place to start might be the Ten Commandments?

[rgcraig]

And btw, good post!

[Tsakali024]

This is very unfortunate for the church congregation, but serves to highlight the effects one man's actions can have on others. TB's two sons-in-law (one served as Youth Pastor, the other as Evangelism/Outreach Pastor) both resigned from the church.

[Sam]

Originally Posted by houston

No. A bishop is supposed to be above reproach, not one who is struggling with sin.

why would he be held to a higher standard than anyone else in the church. He is as human, flawed, and frail as anyone else. If he committed adultery on Saturday night and repented afterward when he stepped into the pulpit a few hours later on Sunday morning he had been forgiven and cleansed from all unrighteousness.

[rgcraig]

Originally Posted by Sam

why would he be held to a higher standard than anyone else in the church. He is as human, flawed, and frail as anyone else. If he committed adultery on Saturday night and repented afterward when he stepped into the pulpit a few hours later on Sunday morning he had been forgiven and cleansed from all unrighteousness.

The key here is asking forgiveness.

[houston]

Originally Posted by Sam

why would he be held to a higher standard than anyone else in the church. He is as human, flawed, and frail as anyone else. If he committed adultery on Saturday night and repented afterward when he stepped into the pulpit a few hours later on Sunday morning he had been forgiven and cleansed from all unrighteousness.

Because the bible says so...

[ttpaba]

@ SAM,,, This is why he should be held to a higher standard. Forgiven? Definitely! But on a pew under a wise elder to restore him back from whatever condition he is in, to have fallen into the snare of the devil. A bishop?, deacon?!!! Not until the repented soul is in the condition it should be in to lead a congregation again.
I Tim 3
1 This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.

2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;

3 Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;

4 One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity;

5 (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)

6 Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.

7 Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.

8 Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre;

9 Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience.

10 And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless.

11 Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things.

12 Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well.

[ttpaba]

Originally Posted by Tsakali024

This is very unfortunate for the church congregation, but serves to highlight the effects one man's actions can have on others. TB's two sons-in-law (one served as Youth Pastor, the other as Evangelism/Outreach Pastor) both resigned from the church.

I'd like to add that the son in law that is/was the evangelism/outreach Pastor was so before he married TB's daughter.