Instead of asking this blame question – why not warn people about the danger of isolation?

Bigger picture – how about examining our “need” to equate restoration with being a professional speaker again? This speaks to our (dangerous) culturally-influenced tendency to think that unless Ted is behind a pulpit, he is out of God’s will.

(The issue of money comes in here)

Peace,
Mike

Many people believe that they should be restored as an act of forgiveness, but just because I genuinely forgive you doesn’t mean that you remain qualified to be my pastor. Jack Hayford said it well a couple of years ago, he said “When a person has been disqualified from ministry they need to be requalified” – that is a powerful statement. None of us would continue to allow a child molester to babysit our children, it would be the height of irresponsibility and negligence, and open up their kids to potential harm.

I believe that there are still moral and ethical qualifications for ministers, and even though none of us are perfect there are certain boundaries that still need to maintained for someone to be my pastor or example. Even the Apostle Paul said to follow him as he follows Christ. Being an example means dealing with your stuff before it becomes public. Ted, by his own admission, had many opportunities to deal with his stuff just like all other fallen ministers have, but he either had no one around him to help him or he blew off their help in pride and arrogance.

Either way he has been forgiven, but he should not be restored to the pulpit until someone credible can requalify him, like a Jack Hayford, and say that he stands with him and will do all he can do to keep him on the straight and narrow way.

I am praying for Ted to be restored, I believe God could absolutely use him again in the pulpit in a very powerful way, but he must be accountable and requalifed, otherwise we will have another mess. And the body of Christ does not need that.

Enjoyed your visit to Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada on the weekend.