Can A Pastor Be Permanently Disqualified from Ministry?
Case Study: Pastor Mamba got involved in an improper relationship with the church secretary. After they were caught, he took ownership of his sin, publicly apologised and vowed to never do it again. He was given a temporary leave from his role, attended a few counselling sessions and within a month, he was back to full-time preaching. Just across the road, there is another church with Pastor Ben as the leader. After a long conflict with his wife, they decided to divorce. His church board, however, was not impressed with him. They felt like he had failed to be a godly example to members by failing to manage his own home. After a few meetings with the elders, he announced that he would be stepping down from his role and would, from here, focus on being a normal church member. He was no longer fit for ministry.
So which is which? Can a Pastor do something and be quickly restored, or once his reputation is damaged, it can never be sewed back? If I may use a real life example, some of you know the story of the late evangelist Jimmy Swaggart. What course would you have taken if you were a member of his church eldership?
If you ask me, when it comes to the sin of a leader, I strongly believe – subject to a certain context – that permanent disqualification is a good thing and the right way to go if the Church aims to uphold the integrity of the Gospel. Here is why...
Difference between forgiveness and trust
There is no greater news than the fact that Jesus Christ forgives any sin, no matter how horrible, by anyone, be it an elder or a regular member. The ground is level at the foot of the cross. However, never must we confuse forgiveness in Christ with the reputation among the people. The fact that I have repented my sin before the Lord does not mean that I have gained trust before the people of God. Especially if that sin became public knowledge. Being a forgiven sinner is not an automatic qualification to be a minister of the Gospel. Remember, Christian leadership is heavily dependent on integrity. And that is always something that is earned over time. Therefore, a Christian minister who falls into a scandal cannot, and must not, in the name of heaven and earth, be immediately restored into ministry. Another point, as much as all sin is the same in the eyes of the Lord, the sin of the leader is more serious and more injurious to the believers. Such sins often have consequences beyond this life. Hence, it would take something more than forgiveness for God’s people to get over such a traumatic event.
If ever we are to talk about ministry restoration, the first condition is that there must be a long time of evident walk of repentance on the part of that leader. Even his close family and church members must be fully convinced that he has completely regained godliness and integrity before the Lord. I mention the issue of a long time because as long as the people still struggle to hear his sermons without being reminded of what he did, he cannot come back to the pulpit because his sin would still carry greater weight than his reputation. His ministry becomes a hindrance. Remember, our goal is the honour of God and the protection of God’s people. It dishonours God and damages the faith of the innocent to have somebody lead them while still carrying the scandal of his immorality before their eyes.
I worry that oftentimes, as believers, we prioritise a man's gift over a man's godliness. It’s like we say, “I don't care about how he lives, as long as his messages are encouraging, as long as he prays for me, as long as he gives me this and that…” I honestly don't understand that mindset because how can one's gift be beneficial to any believer if it comes with a bad reputation? How can you effectively listen to that man without thinking, “but he failed to practice what he preaches”?
Perhaps I should veer off-road a bit and give you clear signs that your leader has still not genuinely repented for their sin.
1.) They judge you for their sin (scold you for judging them)
2.) They are defensive (talk a lot about not being perfect)
3.) They demand immediate acceptance
Conclusion
Am I saying that it is absolutely impossible to restore a fallen shepherd? Definitely not! Instead, I am saying that the conditions of restoration are so far-fetched that it would be better if he got a job as a petrol attendant than to ever call himself Pastor again. You see, we need to have a high view of sin, and to hold ourselves, especially our leaders, to such a standard. Accountability and integrity are priceless Christian virtues. As much as there are Biblical qualifications for ministry, there should also be a Biblical ground for disqualification. And I believe the Church would be far better if we started to implement this good practice of permanent disqualification from ministry. What do you think?
Sinothi Ncube
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