Scandal (A Trilogy)

Todd Rhoades, over at Monday Morning Insights, has posted a few thoughts on the topic of church scandal. Interesting reads (both the original posts as well as the comments). I am highlighting these 3 posts because Serving Strong means never having to deal with scandal. Perhaps the more we know about it, the less inclined we are to do it.

 

Another scandal hits… how should we respond?

Why the media would love a scandal in your church

One church that handled scandal well and how they did it

 

Here's a resource that just may help you: Moral Integrity Covenant

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What are your thoughts on this subject?

Comments

[jasonS]

Thanks Scott. I really like the moral integrity covenant. I've been thinking about how to formalize an accountability and this looks excellent. Thanks again.

[Scott Couchenour]

Jason - Thanks. Whatever works for you, use it. The question isn't "should I have an accountability network?". The question is "What kind of accountability network works for my protection?"

Some of the things I use:

I use Covenant Eyes software (my wife reviews the reports)http://www.covenanteyes.com

Every Friday, I text an accountability partner whether I had a good week morally or not. Knowing I have to do this helps in the moments of temptation.

On a related note, I let my kids ask me anytime if I've ever text'd while driving.

[Bill (cycleguy)]

Thanks Scott. I used to say "it would never happen to me." Not any more. I realize that I am even more vulnerable with that mentality than saying, "God, keep my eyes from looking at things they shouldn't." I had to install Covenant Eyes on my computer because I realized i was too vulnerable and the shame wasn't worth it. Nor the guilt. Nor the fear. I have my reports sent to a Naz pastor in town who has the authority at any time to ask me what something is and I have been faithful. As for texting while driving: my wife is good at asking me that one. :) Thanks for sharing these blogs with us.

[Scott Couchenour]

"it would never happen to me" is what pride sounds like. And we all know what follows pride. Thanks, Bill, for joining in the conversation. When we pray "God, keep my eyes from looking..." He has given us tools like Covenant Eyes, a trusted mentor, etc. We just need to make use of them.

All in all, my firm belief is that moral failure is beaten one decision at a time. Some days there are dozens of decisions. Other days there are thousands. It all comes down to the walk.

[Tony Alicea]

My first reactions to this is that there wasn't true relationship with that leader in the first place. If they did, 1: they would have had some kind of accountability in place and 2: you don't fire someone when they are caught in sin.

Is firing someone really the message that the church has for fallen leaders? Now this all hinges on a repentant heart, sure but this just overwhelms me.

The most amazing "handling" of sin I've seen was a story told in a book called "Culture of Honor" by Danny Silk. Two leaders who were not yet married had sex and the woman became pregnant. They were riddled with shame and when they knew they couldn't hide it any longer they came to leadership. They addressed the root issues of why they decided to do what they did. They didn't punish them and they didn't make them feel guiltier than they already felt. They were in counseling for awhile to address root issues of insecurity and misplaced intimacy issues.

When the time came, they told the church and they called for forgiveness and asked for people to come pray for them. I'm not telling the story in its entireity but there was repentance, forgiveness and restoration to leadership after a season.

The biggest problem I see is that churches "hire" leaders. That is not based on relationship but skill and resume. Relationship is key in the body of Christ. We shouldn't continue to be blindsided by this craziness.

[Scott Couchenour]

Tony - I hear your heart, brother. It's craziness. I agree that the biggest problem is that we "hire" leaders based on skill and resume. I keep a running list of blog posts from various bloggers in my Google Reader. From time to time, I go through them and pick out posts that deal with the heart of the ministry leader (the BEING a leader as opposed to the DOING of leadership). Roughly, I'd say for every 8-10 posts on how to DO leadership, there is 1 post on how to BE a leader. Skill can become easily idolized at the expense of character.

Help me spread the word. Burnout (which includes moral failure) is totally avoidable. And you said it best. It's great when relationship is the focus.

Thanks for sharing from your heart.