The Culture Of Biblical Restoration
My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father-Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only ours but also for the sins of the whole world. -1 John 2:1-2
What do we do if a pastor falls? What does the bible really say about restoration? What type of pattern or plan is presented through scripture? What is the ultimate goal of biblical restoration? These are just a few of the many questions facing the church as we see more and more ministers falling into the trap of some type of moral or character failure. In over 20 years of ministering to pastors, I have heard one statement over and over again, “If I ever did experience failure of any type, I could never go to anyone within my own denomination or fellowship, because I know If I did, I would be history.” This is a sad understanding of the truth behind the lack of fellowship and relationships within Christian organizations. A lack of communication and accountability has opened the door for ministers to become isolated and open targets for the enemy.
Moral failure is never ok. As ministers, it is especially damaging because it has a direct effect on the pastor, his family, a congregation, and a city that is often made aware of the transgression. The question then arises, “What happens now?”
The first step is to understand that moral sin is not accepted, but it is forgivable. Although pastors have an extra level of moral responsibility, we must understand that we have the same advocate with the Father as those we minister to on a daily basis. There is a biblical mandate placed upon the church to restore those who have suffered moral failure, equal to the call of one living a holy and moral life.
Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. Bear one another burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. - Galatians 6:1-3
The next question is, “What do we do now?” What is the plan of action in ministering to our brother or sister who is found in moral failure? The programs set in place by most religious organizations state the goal is to restore the fallen, but in reality, they are designed to remove the face of the individual from the ministry as a means of protecting the image of the church in the community. In other words, let’s remove one face to save face. Let’s let the church body and community see us punish the guilty as means to save the reputation of the organization, regardless of the cost to the fallen minister and their family. The reality is the church then loses in every way. Not only do we add humiliation and pain to the already broken and shamed family of the pastor, we also tell the community that if you are sinful, broken or hurting, do not attend here. If this is what they do to their own people, what will they do to me?
It is the God of grace, who will Himself restore you and make you strong, firm, and steadfast. To him be power forever amen. -1 Peter 5:10,11
Therefore if any man be in Christ he is a new creature. Old things are passed away: behold all things have become new. And all things are of God, who has reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and has given to us the ministry of reconciliation. - 2 Corinthians 5:17,18
The word restoration means, “to put back into use or service. To put back or bring back into a former or original state.” The key to all of this is that the church which goes to “restore one in the spirit of gentleness” simply releases upon the earth what God has already released in Heaven. We as the church cannot be more concerned about the reputation of the church than we are the full restoration of the soul of our ministers who has fallen captive to our true enemy, Satan. For years the church has been great at gathering assets, but it knows little about taking on liabilities. Together we can change this, but how? The motto of the military is, “No soldier left behind.” It’s time that the leaders in the body of Christ declare this among ourselves. It’s time we are willing to take upon ourselves the shame of our broken brothers and sisters as a means to embrace them during their darkest hour. It’s time we look at those that have fallen and invite them on a journey of healing, restoration, and renovation. We know that each pastor’s situation is different and each one will require prayer for wisdom and discernment. What I’m saying is, it’s time that we start looking for a plan for full restoration and healing, not isolation and punishment. The issue is not guilt or innocence. The issue is repentance and restoration.
Sometimes we don’t always connect the dots of the bigger picture because we look at certain situations through a microscope. So let me help you with a macro view of what could happen if we took this seriously. Save a pastor, save a soul. Save the soul, save a family. Save the family, save the congregation. Save the congregation, save the community. At Pastor to Pastor, we’ve made it our mission to rescue Pastors and restore them! What we know is that the gospel works when we, the body of Christ, work it.
