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| Q: | I have a couple of questions all related to this question; What should happen to a Pastor or Vicar (in WELS) who had sexual intercourse with someone other than his wife? What if it only happened once? What if it happened many times? Would the answer still be the same? Also what if you knew of this . . . should you tell? And whom? I mean if they (the Pastor/Vicar) were repentant would you need to? | ||||||
| A: | To avoid misunderstanding, let me begin by suggesting the parenthetical "in WELS" be removed from the question since Bible principles and their application do not apply to the WELS either exclusively or in a manner different from other Christian groups. Second, please understand that any evangelical application of general principles should be done when one is personally familiar with the people and events involved. It is normally poor pastoral practice to make decisions long-distance. I can only respond in somewhat general terms. The primary concern when dealing with someone guilty of sexual immorality (or any sin for that matter) is always his or her soul. We seek repentance, with sincere sorrow for the sin against God and a trust in the merits of Christ for full pardon. The frequency of occurrences (once or many times) might help us determine whether we are dealing with a sin of weakness or a sin better described as one of willfulness marked by a pattern of persistence. Personal conversation with the guilty party or parties will hopefully reveal much in this regard. Other specific circumstances may also be helpful in this. Nevertheless, as indicated in Matthew 18:15ff., the primary course of action will normally be private conversation to establish the reality of the sin and to urge godly repentance on the part of everyone involved. Assuming that there are expressions of repentance, the assurance of forgiveness for the sake of Christ will follow. In that regard there is no need to tell others; in fact, we dare not. But because we are dealing with someone who is functioning as a public minister of the gospel, consideration must also be given to the person's qualifications for such an office. The qualifications mentioned in 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 2 and other sections indicate personal integrity, respectability, and a generous measure of self-control in addition to a good reputation in the eyes of others. So it is normally doubtful that such a person will see himself as still possessing such qualifications after doing what he did -- even when the sin has not become public knowledge. Conversations and prayerful counseling with the man will address this issue and hopefully there will be an agreement on this. A voluntary resignation will likely follow in most cases. (It is impossible for me to conjecture about the probability of such a sin eventually being exposed publicly, but I would never discount that and would all the more encourage resignation for the sake of the office, 2 Cor 6:3.) It is conceivable, however, that the repentant man may see himself as able to retain and carry out the office of public minister in good conscience. It is incumbent on him to express or explain why this is the loving and fitting thing for him to do in the light of God's revealed standards for the ministry as well as with an awareness of the potential damage that could result if the matter ever became publicly known. If he ultimately insists on taking this course of action, would I have a right or the duty to tell someone else about this if I believe he should have resigned? Is there more I can or must do after repentance for the sin itself has been expressed and a plausible defense for his decision has been given? My conscience and judgment cannot bind his on this, and Scripture does not give me the freedom to reveal such secrets following his repentance. I may have to live with his decision despite my personal reservations. He might refer to how God called a murderous Saul or reinstated a shamed Peter, and that may give me some pause. Still, I will again point him to clear Bible statements on qualifications having to do with character rather than settling for precedents where the Lord himself allowed exceptions. But as long as he maintains that he retains integrity and character despite the sin repented of, I am limited in what I can do. Ultimately I will have to leave it in the Lord's hands and recognize that I dare not sin while striving to remedy what I consider ill-advised. I must give place to God to deal with his people in ways that go beyond my call or capability. | ||||||
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