I started hearing the news via Twitter Sunday afternoon. A well-known pastor of a large church had resigned via letter to his church on Sunday morning. The reason he was stepping aside was because "... 6 weeks ago, I entered into an emotional and physical affair with my personal assistant..." As I always am when this happens (and it happens) I was overcome with emotion.
I wanted to call his wife and children and ask her how I could serve them. I did send an email and still may call, but I wanted her to know that she was not alone. Because believe me, she feels alone right now. I would try to find a way to protect her from all of the well-meant "counsel" she would receive...from those who would use this time to carry out various agendas and prove various points. I would tell her that the sacrifice she made in her life to live a life committed to the work of God is not in vain, and that God cares for HER and loves HER. I would let her cry on me as long as she needed to. I tried to live in her shoes for just a few minutes, and the pain was overwhelming.
I wanted to drive down and find this man and hug him. Sure he deserves a smack and I'm sure he even deserves the consequences that God has for him. But rest assured there will be plenty others to take care of the discipline. I would just want to be there for him...in his present disaster of a life and standing by him as he progresses into a difficult future. I would tell him that he doesn't need to make excuses to me, that all I want to do is love him like God loves him. I would try to find a way to spare him all the self-righteous babble he would be hearing from "well-meaning" people and encourage him to instead concentrate on himself, his family and his God. I would encourage him to not retreat completely as he mourns but instead continue to reach out to those he KNOWS are his friends.
I wanted to stand in front of the church he pastored and tell them to pray for this man and his family...to love them through this situation. I would let them know that according to scripture the church is built on a rock and is literally an unstoppable force, that even though this hurts, God would use even this to make that local congregation stronger.
I was reminded of myself and reminded that it could be me...not because I am involved in any illicit relationship, but because I could be. Not because I deceived my wife and church, but because I could do so. Not because I sinned before God, but because I could.
...and because I do.
I am praying for you pastor...and your family...and your church.
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