I want to be a warm and gentle pastor who comforts and the visionary leader who challenges.
— Jack Hayford
One Saturday years ago some stunning, painful news came to me. Through a counseling conversation, I discovered that a pastor in our church had fallen into adultery. Since I trusted the person giving me this information, I knew I had to act — but what should I do exactly? I didn't want to presume his guilt; then again, if he was at fault, I had to deal with him.
The following Tuesday, that same pastor snapped at another staff member, so I decided to call him into my office to talk about that. Meanwhile, I hoped he would acknowledge his immorality in the course of the conversation.
Having known and even been involved in the training of this young man for years, I could be direct. In fact, I was pretty hard on him about his snapping remark. "We don't treat each other like that," I stressed. Then, spontaneously, I added, "But that's not the only problem here, is it?"
He looked up at me, began ...
You have reached the end of this Article Preview
Support our work
Subscribe to CT and get one year free
