Baptist Pastors in the News (Bad News)
What is it about Baptist pastors and their wives lately? Normally, it's the Charismatic and Pentecostal pastors who are cheating on their wives, stealing money, and engaging in generally unethical and immoral activity. But lately, between a Baptist pastor's wife shooting her husband, and a Baptist pastor arrested and hit with a taser after a police chase, our Baptist friends are getting their share of the news coverage. And it appears that although Pentecostal and Charismatic guys lie, cheat, and steal, Baptists are really serious. They shoot each other. Sure, I know, I know. These men and women are an aberration. They certainly don't represent a significant portion of the total number of incredible pastors and ministry leaders out there of all kinds. But after the Ted Haggard revelation and so many others recently, I'm starting to wonder about what's going wrong out there…
This is an extremely serious issue that goes beyond denominational affiliation. I still struggle to get at the root of why all of these things are happening. It breaks my heart when I hear about my Christian brothers and sisters who have fallen by the wayside for whatever reason. I believe: 1. that the global male population is facing a pandemic - spiritually, emotionally and physically. 2. Satan is on an all out attack against Christian leaders, as well as men (in order to destroy families, followers of Christ and credibility with the world). 2. The over-stimulation of our media-driven culture with sexual imagery makes the issue of pornography, infidelity and other struggles more difficult. 3. It has become easy to hide behind masks, and keep our real struggles unknown to the outside world; and without true support systems for conversation and accountability Christian leaders and men are being destroyed. 4. James says that when we are tempted and give into it we give into our own desires (that are contrary to God's) and are enticed away from the truth. Then this enticement gives way to sin and sin - when full grown - brings death. 5. We, as Christian leaders and as men (and women), need to truly fight to guard our hearts and minds through Christ Jesus... for out if them flow the issues of our life. Please, let us truly begin to pray for one another and not be afraid to speak the truth of Christ in love. Allen Paul Weaver III author, Transition: Breaking Through the Barriers www.allenpaulweaveriii.com
Great points Allen. I think both of you have exposed one of the dangers we face when we are trying to impact our secular culture - it can influence us and bring us down if we don't maintain a strong character in Christ Jesus and hold ourselves accountable to other strong believers. Part of what I appreciate about this blog is that it reminds me to pray for all of you in the "battle" and what some of the needs are.
Phil, this post actually came at a time when I have been asked similar questions by other leaders where I am. So I started a similar conversation on my site as well, with a link back here. I truly believe this is an issue that needs to be discussed with the intention of making some kind of positive turn around in the lives of both men and young boys. http://www.allenpaulweaveriii.com/2007/05/02/what-in-the-wor ld-is-going-... Allen Paul Weaver III author, Transition: Breaking Through the Barriers www.allenpaulweaveriii.com
I agree with you Brian. Your comments lead to the question, How was Jesus able to come and engage the culture of humanity and not be brought down by it? I know this seems like a no-brainer "Duh, he was God" But it's more than that. We see a lifestyle of intimacy with the Heavenly Father for one thing. This is often missing from those of us who, in various ways whether big or small, fall victim to fallen cultural pressure. What does anyone have to say about this? Allen Paul Weaver III author, Transition: Breaking Through the Barriers www.allenpaulweaveriii.com
I don't know if he's baptist, but he's a big name. What do you guys think of the latest issue with Pastor Rick Warren. He has strong ties to the world leading distributor of pornography Mr. Murdock..here's an interesting article I foundhttp://www.wnd.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=55616It seems many visible Christian leaders in the US are continually being discredited/targeted-whatever you want to call it...what's with all that? Is there a real issue with the Rick Warren situation?
The Baptist ministers article is interesting...What do you suppose is the true background of some of the online ministers that seem to frequent so many controversial websites? One I run into often as I do research for coursework on adolescent crime is Mike Ramey. He seems to be an expert on everything.
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