TULLIAN TCHIVIDJIAN, RETRIBUTION, AND RESTORATION OF FALLEN PASTORS
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Churches are being divided over the question, “Should we forgive a fallen pastor once he confesses his sins?” This question is often complicated by the fact that some have had a long history of sexual abuse and have only confessed under duress, after the charges became undeniable.
I think that this issue can be resolved in light of a full biblical understanding of the nature of forgiveness and the qualifications for Christian leadership. Tullian Tchividjian (TT) resigned as pastor at Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church in 2015 after admitting to an extramarital affair. Along with his friend Chad Bird, he blogged that, although sin shouldn’t be minimized, the goal of the Church should be the restoration of fallen pastors:
∑ If God is who we say he is, then real sin is also met with real forgiveness. In fact, if what we know about the Gospel has any bearing on actual life, then redemption—not retribution—ought to be our deepest longing. It is the only thing that has a shot of making any difference, or bringing about genuine healing for everybody. The cross of Jesus shows us that God is serious about sin and we should therefore take sin seriously. But (and this is the part that often seems missing when scandal in church leadership happens) the cross also shows us that God is serious about redemption, restoration, and forgiving sins and we should take that seriously too. https://www.tullian.net/articles/grace-for-the-disgraced-showing-forgiving-mercy-to-former-ministers
This is no denying that real sin should be addressed with “real forgiveness.” Jesus warns us about the necessity to forgive:
∑ For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. (Matthew 6:14-15 ESV)
However, Jesus also bases forgiveness on repentance:
∑ “Pay attention to yourselves! If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him, and if he sins against you seven times in the day, and turns to you seven times, saying, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive him.” (Luke 17:3-4)
These verses point to the fact that there are different aspects of forgiveness. On the one hand, we must always forgive within our heart and prayers. We cannot hold grudges. However, on the other hand restoration to fellowship requires more – repentance. When we dis-fellowship a brother or sister (Matthew 18:15-19; 1 Corinthians 5:9-13, 2 Thessalonians 3:6, 14; 2 John 10-11), we must do so in the hope of restoration (1 Corinthians 5:5; 1 Timothy 1:19-20).
This brings us to the all-critical question which divides churches: “Should the pastor who sincerely repents be restored to leadership?” I appreciate what TT has written in this regard:
∑ To be clear, we’re not talking about Christian leaders being restored to his or her position of leadership. In each of the cases that we’re aware of, these leaders have needed to step down and step away from leadership in the church—maybe for a time, maybe forever. Again, we can’t say.
To immediately restore a fallen pastor to leadership goes against Scripture. Paul warned:
∑ Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands, nor take part in the sins of others; keep yourself pure. (1 Timothy 5:22)
Laying hands was the means of commissioning the brethren for service and to represent the church. If the church commissions someone they shouldn’t have, they partake of that brother’s sins.
Fortunately, the New Testament provides guidance about whom to commission:
∑ Therefore an overseer must be above reproach…Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil…And let them also be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless. (1 Timothy 3:2, 7, 10)
Paul added:
∑ He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it. (Titus 1:9)
I think that it should be obvious that a recently fallen pastor cannot fulfill these requirements. He has to first prove himself in regards to these qualifications. This would take time. Once trust is destroyed, it requires considerable time to truly restore it. To press the matter, is to lay our hands too hastily, to the disapproval of the Lord.
On the ground level, the fruit of our haste will be obvious. The church will remain divided to its great detriment and shame.
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