Posted on 08/04/2012 5:44:36 AM PDT by John Leland 1789
I think there is a strange, new virus going around that gravitates to church leadership that almost requires them to think immorality is normal, acceptable, and almost commendable.
Another Fundamentalist pastor has dishonored his family, damaged his church, disgraced his calling, disobeyed the Scriptures, destroyed his reputation, demeaned all Christians, and deflowered (do they still use that term) an unknown number of young girls. The deacon board of First Baptist Church of Hammond, Indiana quickly fired him and agreed to work with the authorities. The disgraced pastor is the son-in-law of former pastor, Dr. Jack Hyles, a deceased friend of mine.
First Baptist was an early megachurch and was considered by many fundamental Baptists to be their flagship church. There are hundreds of Independent Baptist Churches that still mention “Hyles” on their websites to give a message where they stand on various issues even though Hyles died in 2001. Moreover, he died under a dark cloud of accusation of immorality. Long before accusations against Hyles, I preached in his church in the late 70s while I was a member of the Indiana House of Representatives. Some church members and the pastor were very helpful in my legislative work helping with busloads of people for political rallies and finances. Hyles told me I could count on him to produce a thousand dollars and a thousand people whenever needed. While I was there, preaching in the church and in their college, I met his future son-in-law and his successor (now admitted adulterer), but he did not make much of an impression on me. Nor I on him evidently!
Why do so many men in responsible places of leadership succumb to illicit relationships? Some seem to think it goes with their other perks. I wrote in one of my early books that some pastors seem to think that sleeping with the church secretary is one of their perks like 401 K plans, gas allowance, and parsonage. A pastor got angry at me for writing that since it seemed to demean preachers. I told him he was living in a cave if he thought laymen did not know of all the immorality going on in the pulpits. Well, maybe not in the pulpit, but you know. Within a year, he was accused of improper relations.
It seems that power, position, and prestige are a strong aphrodisiac, far more powerful than the new drugs now available. Many pastors cultivate the image that they are different from normal men. They always have it together, never are unsure, always are in control, and never succumb to temptation–almost as if they are above temptation. But then, our Savior was tempted in all points as are all mortal men.
Furthermore, pastors have college and seminary training and are titled professionals. They are Rev. (a title that most evangelical and fundamental leaders shun), Doctor (usually honorary), Rabbi, Elder, Bishop, Archbishop, Monsignor, Cardinal, and Pope. Wow, those are impressive titles and almost convey upon the holder some unusual privilege. But not the privilege to engage in immorality.
All pastors should realize that they are capable of doing anything they preach against. Satan seems to target preachers knowing the bigger they are the bigger the fall and the more damage done to the churches, families, and society in general. No preacher should ever, I say ever, permit himself to be alone with the opposite sex. All church offices should be windowed so no accusation can be made and any temptation would be lessened. Of course, all religious denominations have an outrageous number of pathetic preachers who have zipper problems. While all people are susceptible, it is more egregious in the ministry because preachers deal with character, values, principles, godly living, and family while providing general and specific guidelines for right living. When a preacher falls, it is devastating to everyone because of his unique position of telling others how to live.
When a preacher serves in a large, influential church, his fall (or is it a jump?) is often catastrophic like a huge sequoia that falls in the northwest because of lightning or infestation. It never falls alone but takes a hundred smaller trees with it.
My Baptist critics will jump on me with hobnailed boots (are those things still around?) for being critical, taking the side of the enemy; however, I’m not on anyone’s side but Truth. As a young man, I promised God I would teach, preach, and write the truth if it led to my mother’s front door. Today, again, I am ashamed to be an Independent Baptist. But, I’ll get over it. (Not being a Baptist but being ashamed.)
With this latest case in Hammond, I wondered if maybe the water supply is contaminated but I’m afraid not. It is a world-wide problem. The contamination is in the human heart, for God told us that the heart is deceitful and desperately wicked. “Who can know it?” And out of the heart “come the issues of life.” Men break their marriage vows and destroy their homes and churches because it is in their hearts. They have not dealt with sin when it first raises its ugly head. That sin must be strangled in the cradle before it becomes a monster that destroys everything of value in one’s life.
My son (a very successful pastor in Texas) sent me an email today with a link to an Indiana newspaper reporting on the Hammond scandal. I wrote him back, “Yes, I heard about it yesterday. At least the church acted quickly and unequivocally. Maybe all preachers should be castrated at their ordination service. I suppose we would have to "grandfather" present preachers. I hope so. Love you, Dad”
As I reflect on my message to my son, I realize that my tongue was placed firmly in cheek when I wrote that. However, as I relax my tongue slightly, I’m willing to consider the possibility as long as we “grandfather in” present preachers.
Copyright 2012, Don Boys, Ph.D.
(Dr. Don Boys is a former member of the Indiana House of Representatives, author of 14 books, frequent guest on television and radio talk shows, and wrote columns for USA Today for 8 years. Three years ago, the second edition of ISLAM: America's Trojan Horse! was published, and his new eBook, The God Haters is available for $9.99 from www.thegodhaters.com. These columns go to newspapers, magazines, television, and radio stations. His other web sites are www.cstnews.com and www.Muslimfact.com. Contact Don for an interview or talk show.)
Pass it on if you agree!
He doesn’t know his history. Eunuchs are the biggest troublemakers around, and do not have sex to distract them, so are obsessed with power and wealth. Every nation that has had eunuch bureaucrats and palace hangers-on soon had to put up strict limits on their political ambitions, which are boundless.
Even then, they conspire to work behind the scenes for their political faction, with utter, untiring ruthlessness.
You have described our President and the entire Congress.
Obviously eunuchs all.
Oh boy, maybe Doc Savage ain't so crazy after all, he has been calling them Geldings for eons....
“Maybe all preachers should be castrated at their ordination service.”
So maybe we should castrate/neuter all teachers, and all coaches. Politicians too. And all PhD’s. Makes sense to me.
The author is, himself, an ordained minister.
When citizens or laypeople leave the stewardship of either their faith or nation to “professionals” - without scrutinizing their activities and demanding accountability - such evils will happen.
Often taking the very house the laypeople and citizens reside in, down with them.
The polar logic is really disturbing coming from a member of the “clergy.”
I read the article...
“Why do so many men in responsible places of leadership succumb”
IMO they are not succumbing but intentionally planned a career where they would have respect along with plenty of easy prey.
If the one, then the other. In spades, doubled and redoubled.
Statistically, sexual immorality among public school employees (mostly teachers, coaches) is far, far greater than sexual immorality among clerics, including Roman ones.
The rate of sexual illegality (you have to use that term when speaking of public school employees, because morality is an alien concept in that environment) is a rampant epidemic that the mainline media simply ignores.
There is nothing new about servants of the Lord being subjected to greater temptation by Satan.
Nobody can get to my grey-haired age and not notice that so-called "great men" of all kinds --- pastors, politicians, men of literary distinction or business success --- are greatly tempted to see themselves naturally deserving of some sexual leeway. They don't all succumb to the temptation, but they're all pretty vehemently tempted.
There's also a class of women out there who ardently want to share the bed of a "great man." They'll ply the seductive wiles, or at the very least not resist when opportuned.
The tiniest spark of that, can roar up quickly into a fire where a LOT of people get hurt: spouses,families, congregations, the whole Church at large.
I'd guess the most prudent advice would be: No Sparkin' .
I know of more than a few teachers whose careers ended because they exhausted their ability to resist the continuous parade of co-eds who thought the easiest way to get an A was to give some A.
Funny you should mention about teachers. My nephew did his student teaching at a high school and decided he did not want to teach after all. The girls started wearing shorter shorts and skimpier tops to his class as the term went on. He figured it was just a matter of time before some girl went too far he got embroiled in a scandal. Basically a hostile work environment for a young, single guy.
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