I am increasingly concerned about the high number of Christian workers who are slipping into emotional, behavioral and ministerial troubles. Over the past few months I have personally and/or professionally asked to be involved in several cases where gifted, talented and well respected leaders have failed to guard their hearts and souls.
The price when a faith leaders slips into inappropriate behavior is high.
It costs the leader greatly in terms of self respect, emotional and spiritual anguish, loss of financial resources and even loss of a career and family. There is a loss of prestige, friendships, honor and the shame is overwhelming.
It costs the leader's family greatly. The spouse and children are devastated. She may have to work long hours at low wages while he works at a menial job and both must be away from home.
The church or para-church organizations is damaged in membership, finances, spiritual momentum, honor in the community and may be weakened for decades.
The Name of God is trashed and put to shame.
The effectiveness of Christian witness is weakened and even destroyed in the community and many weak believers are turned off for years. The effects of the Jimmy Swaggart and Jim Bakker scandals still reverberate negatively and unfairly throughout the nation.
The key is not just picking up the pieces but we must learn how to do a better job of prevention.
posted by Gary Sweeten @ Thursday, June 29, 2006
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