When "Pastors" do Bad things
Q: What Should we consider when some "pastor" is in the news for bad behavior or shocking lifestyle?
Example: In 2024 a guy made the news for shoving a McD worker head in the deep fryer for "disrespecting" his wife(1)
A: There is actually a couple of things to remember and consider.
There the example given was not a Christian. So we have to discard that. But the idea of it around treating people properly as humans and in love as God love, is important to note. And no true Pastor would have such bad behavior or shocking lifestyle, since Christ is in him and thus he lives in love towards God and others.
Important distinction
There are false churches that masquerade as Christian, so we have to first identify that, and the wolves in power there. These are not to be included in the answer about "Pastors" because real pastors are not predators or do shocking lifestyle behaviors, so that basically answers your question. There are also those "churches" full of (if not totally full of) unsaved people, masquerading as Christian, so they too will behave as those in the world; unsaved. The truth will one day expose them.
Next we have questions that lead to topics of a pastor's fall.
About true churches. There's two distinctions of people here. Those saved and those not. This is different from totally false churches.
Jesus told us there will be unsaved among the Christian churches. This includes congregants, members, leaders and pastors. Pls understand "today" there are endless numbers of people who grew up in church who pew sit and are not saved, and others (for wrong reasons) just want a job that fits what they think they will gain from by being a pastor; one that gives a level of power, control over congregants, and who have greed for money. These are men who God did NOT "Call" to be a Pastor. They are highly likely not even saved. They are not men of God or not godly men of high character or integrity. They likely gather ear tickler kinds of people(2) to themselves & the ones unsaved -deceive their flock and the world - until fruit proof exposes them. [Same can be said of false churches & those in them, noted above]. There are many pastors in pulpits in Christian churches and either they expose themselves as frauds eventually, get caught doing something very disqualifying, or leave on their own. It could be a quick fall or take a very long time to fall into a disqualifying sin.
note: 4,000 "pastors" leave the career annually and a report 2023 recently indicated 48% will leave this year; but new ones come in [50/50 on whether they follow false beliefs or are biblical godly men]. This shows most of these shouldnt have even became a Pastor. And is why pastoral search committees need the highest mature godly believers on the panel for vetting a preacher via deep dive- it is vital today. We absolutely must have a very thorough check.
I've seen so called pastors who dont even know anything basic of the Bible [Example] who should never have been ordained to be a pastor, they're not even qualified to be a bible teacher. They should have no position of authority nor be a role model to any young men or any believer. They run around chasing all kinds of things, such as fame, when they should be in the Word (if they are saved).
Second, there are saved, born again, Pastors, who like you and me, sin. Believers are not perfect, nor are pastors, but They are held to a higher standard by God, which also means the things that Scripture lists that qualifies them, also disqualifies them. If they fall based on those criteria, such as sexual misconduct, they are forever disqualified from being a Pastor. It doesnt mean they cant have a ministry after they repent and get reconciled to God and to those whom they sinned against, including their congregation. There are pastors who as noted commit a sin that does disqualify them, and they have to bring it out in the open, confess it, repent, be reconciled to God and to the congregation. It may further be a situation where the other leaders there decide its best for him to move on to another church (for membership), for the good and preservation of the church, [and this is the reason there needs to be more than one pastor there, and churches should be elder led, vs one pastor having all the control]. Restoration of Membership and Leadership are two different things, which Scripture is clear on.
The goal of calling someone to repent (whether Matt 18 or due to global fall in modern times) is always focused on repentance, reconciliation, restoration, continued fellowship, with the goal of walking in holiness. But the difference for pastors is God holds them to a higher standard, and if they're disqualified, they can be a member but can never again be a Pastor. They cannot hold that position [anywhere, forever] because they have shown their character is far from the holy expectations and standard God has for those who shepherd His flock. There is no going back, no restoring to their position, but there is restoration to fellowship; they will always be in Christ [in the Church], and thus if reconciled they are to remain a part of the local church. The sin has been dealt with.
We are not to avoid church. Church is where believers are to be [in that local church community], as brethren, following what God's Word says on that. Church is as close to Heaven as a believer will get in this life, and we need to be there.
This addresses the pastoral fall topic well, and this gives a few other things to consider.
There are several verses in God's Word that address this and are related, so it would do you well, to research up on those, to get a good grasp.
Be discerning and do not let a scandal cause your faith to fail, because we all fail, fall, stumble and yet through Christ we can get back up, be restored, be loved, be in right relationship and fellowship with God and believers. The church isnt perfect. Humans arent perfect. So keep that in mind, ok.
Again this is why it is vital to ensure any church you go to is one that upholds the Essentials of biblical Christianity. And why you need to know what those essentials are.
Beware of False Preachers
Additional Resources
Should Fallen pastors be restored?
Important points for women
Pastors and Titles
Resources for Seekers
Resources for Believers
Footnotes
(1) news link
https://www.unilad.com/news/us-news/pastor-mcdonalds-worker-assault-deep-fryer-794877-20240102
(2) see 2 Tim 4:3
(3) Why Church membersip and active gathering is important for the Believer
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