Good Shepherd Lutheran Church

I've been having discussion with many people lately...from Dylan (youth) to Marjorie (office manager), and other random people in-between, about something that has happened in our town. It weighs heavy on me...and on the community...when a leader in the community (a pastor in this case, but it could be a councilman or business owner) needs to step down (read: resign) in a case of moral failure.

His family hurts. His friends hurt. His church (or business) hurts. His community...all are affected.

We have had pastors in recent situations we wish they would never be in. We wish that our leaders would be able to demonstrate for us what right living is all about. We wish we had an example to follow...but, it turns out that every pastor or leader...is human.

So, we mourn. We grieve the loss of a loved one when they die, and we grieve the loss of a leader to giving in when temptations come. But, this is where the analogy ends, because our loved ones don't choose to die. Our leaders, however, sometimes make choices unbecoming of their position.

There is no satisfaction in acknowledging humanity here. There IS a different level of righeousness expected, and there IS further to fall when these things happen! It's not acceptable to say, "I guess he's only human." Why? Because we, as Christians, are called to live DIFFERENTLY! Christians are SET-APART. Church Council members are SET-APART. Pastors are...that's right...SET-APART. All for doing something special in that time and place.

We aren't special on our own. We're special...holy...because God has called us to be such. And, Biblically speaking, Pastors have more expected of them. That's it.

I won't parade around in my robes. I won't talk snooty from the pulpit. I will not pretend I am infallible. But, I will call sin what it is. In my own life, I want to identify it, and have it snuffed out by God's Grace. In yours, I pray for conviction when you hear the Word read...preached...and taught. And, as we recognize our human-ness in need of God's forgiveness, we can walk together...work together...and grow together...to fend off temptation when it comes.

Please pray for our community leaders of all shapes and sizes. Major Wilson, Chief Cummins, Dan Ehrke, your local Pastors...Councilmen...School Board...all have need for your prayerful support.

Lord, by Your hand...protect and deliver Your saints whom you have called to a life of holiness. Amen.