Everybody knows that sexual temptation is normal and everywhere, right? And can we agree that when we struggle with sexual purity, we need to be able to confess that struggle within safe community so that we can find healing and freedom? Yes? Great.
What about the one who works in ministry full-time? What are the expectations for someone who works as a pastor at your church? As youth pastor? Worship pastor? What happens when that person confesses that they are constantly tempted to look at pornography, and that they sometimes give in?
What should happen?
Many people for many years have felt that someone struggling with sexual temptation is disqualified according to the qualifications for an overseer found in Titus 1 and 1 Timothy 3. They believe that if a pastor struggles with lust and/or pornography, that he is not living “blameless” or “above reproach.”
Is this true?
What constitutes living a “blameless” life?
Is is a life completely free from sexual temptation and struggles?
Forever?
If so, that kind of seems like we’re asking our pastors to be perfect.
Obviously, we shouldn’t be OK with a pastor who is regularly turning to pornography or other expressions of sexual sin. But what do we do with the one who desires to be free and pure but who has a hard time breaking free from strong temptations?
Should the church be a place where it is safe for anyone to confess their struggles, even if they work there?
What should happen to a pastor who confesses a struggle with pornography?
These are some of the tough questions that the church faces every day. And if anyone tells you the answers are easy, I’d suggest you maybe not listen to them.
