Pastors are flawed, sinful people, just like the rest of us. But those called to vocational ministry are and should be held to a high standard of personal holiness. Paul told Timothy that elders must be “above reproach” (1 Tim. 3:2). James warns, “Not many of you should become teachers . . . because you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness” (3:1).
This standard presents a difficult situation for pastors in dealing with their own temptations and sin. If they try to conceal their sin, they imperil their souls. If they confess their sin, they risk losing their jobs—even if what they confess doesn’t disqualify them from ministry according to Scripture. Healthy spirituality is only possible when sin can be openly confessed, but this is a tricky thing for pastors to do well.
To talk about these difficult questions, I’m joined on this podcast by Ray Ortlund.
Related Resources from TGC
- Dangerous Calling
- The Pattern Among Fallen Pastors
- Should Churches Offer Vocational Retraining for Fallen Pastors?
- When You Are No Longer a Pastor’s Wife
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