Pastoral Affairs and God’s Independence

August 25, 2009 in COMMENTARY with 9 Comments

One of the attributes of God is “independence”—not one that gets preached on too much, because it cuts across the grain of human arrogance with a vengeance. The implication of God’s independence is that He doesn’t need us, that we can neither add nor take away anything from His existence. Additionally, He can carry out His plan of global redemption independent of our involvement.

How does this relate to pastors having affairs?

Consider the Orlando pastor (and father of four) who carried on a 1-year-long affair with an exotic dancer, leading his wife to divorce him and start a church of her own down the road. After a three-month period of “counseling” he was back in the pulpit. You would think the “restoration” process away from church leadership would be at least as long as the affair that led to it.

Or what about the church planter who was removed from his position after being caught carrying on an illicit relationship with his married personal assistant? Now, 11 weeks later, he and his wife are divorcing (he also has small children), but a quick perusal of his Twitter feed would indicate that the primary thing on his mind is planting another church.

Many would assume that these pastors are simply power-hungry reprobates, but I have a different theory. When I read interviews with them and posts from their blogs, I think they actually believe they are indispensable to God—that the ministry they have been called to cannot be carried out without them. Simply put, God needs them. Their motives for returning to ministry are noble: They want to reach people for Jesus, and they see themselves as possessing a unique gift for doing this—sometimes even more so after they have fallen into sin. It is the activity surrounding this “indispensable” ministry for God that gives them fulfillment, because they are convinced that they play a crucial role in God’s Kingdom.

I think it is this demonic codependency that leads to many being “called” into pastoral ministry who belong in a different field, and it leads many to stay in ministry long past the time they have disqualified themselves.

“The God who made the world and all things in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands; nor is He served by human hands, as though He needed anything, since He Himself gives to all people life and breath and all things.” – Acts 17:24-25

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  • Shaun

    Hey Matt,

    I do totally agree to God’s independence. I am going through the attributes of God on Sunday nights. It is one of the most beneficial things I have done. I think we need to be reminded exactly who it is that has created us and desires to glorify Himself in all things.

    Shaun

  • http://www.Mikeandkaren.blogspot.com Michael McDonald

    Matt – a great post and a sad commentary on the church in America today. We are so unbiblical in our thinking and our practice that it is frightening. These people ultimately have God as their judge but it is sad that they continue in “ministry”.

  • http://www.matthewdgreen.com Matt

    Shaun,
    Good on you for teaching the attributes. I heard once that Bill Bright was asked what he would teach every new believer first. He said he would teach them the attributes of God.
    Matt

  • http://www.maryrussell.wordpress.com Mary

    I way too often think God needs me. I’ll try so hard at something and say, “Look God! See how great I am. Don’t you need me?” He doesn’t. It’s humbling everytime.

  • http://www.fbcsouthberwick.org Travis

    Matt-
    Nailed it! Thanks for reminding (especially us pastors) that God doesn’t need us. He brings himself glory as his power works through us–that’s cool enough, and should keep us humble.

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  • George Taylor

    Just discovered your blog site via your excellent article in Charisma on church dropouts. Though not a dropout myself, I think probably 90+ percent of the reasons serious Christians drop out of the “visible” or “organized” Sunday morning “church” are legitimate. I’ve worked through many of them myself. Some of the alternatives you cite seem to be working well for many.

    I’m writing on this older blog message to point out a simple typo you may want to correct. In your sentence:

    “Or what about the church planter who was removed from his position after being caught carrying on an elicit relationship with his married personal assistant?”

    … you (or your “typist”) no doubt meant to write “illicit.” But I point it out for your sake, not my own — an otherwise important article with cogent observations.

    I look forward to reading and learning more from your posts. Thanks for caring about all this stuff enough to write.

    George Taylor

  • http://www.matthewdgreen.com Matt

    Thanks, George, for pointing out the typo. And thanks for reading the Charisma article.

  • Survivorgirl007

    The term “affair” as it applies to a sexual relationship between a pastor and someone in his/her congregation is a misnomer. It is ABUSE – an abuse of power, position and fiduciary responsibility. Clergy sexual abuse (CSA) and clergy sexual misconduct (CSM) occur in staggering numbers across all faiths. According to a recent study conducted by Baylor University, 1 in 30 adult women who regularly attend church are victims. (Seehttp://www.baylor.edu/clergysexualmisconduct/).If you are a member of the clergy who is involved in CSA or a victim of CSA, there’s help:http://www.thehopeofsurvivors.com.