“A handful of disgraced pastors returned to public ministry within months, sometimes in other states. Others stayed out of church leadership for years. In some cases, facts are still being litigated, leaving survivors and faith communities without resolution.” - C.Leaders
“Hopefully we realize that if we get close to any of our spiritual heroes, we will begin to see cracks and flaws. But what happens when spiritual leaders fail in big ways, ways that ruin lives and bring dishonor to the name of Christ?” - P&D
“These collapses follow a pattern: identity fused with platform, isolation deepening behind a public persona, activity substituting for intimacy with God.” - Real Clear Religion
“…the elder board exercised deliberate and prayerful discretion regarding the timing, the manner of disclosing specific details throughout the restoration process. This was not done to conceal wrongdoing, but rather to uphold the integrity of the process, to protect the dignity of all involved, and prevent unnecessary speculation or sensationalism” - MinistryWatch
Also…
“After our conversation, he asked those counseling him if they felt it would be prudent to let him speak from the heart in a video interview at our church in Mobile. The idea is that I would interview him and release the video if, and only if, his family, his counselors, OnePassion’s board, and the elders at TBC were all in agreement.” - Clint Archer
“[T]he Lawson case reveals that the problem was deeper. Steve Lawson was not actually the pastor of the church where he was the lead preacher. He was not an elder at Trinity or even a member of the church!” - P&D
“If you’re a parent and you have a child, you discipline that child because you love that child. You discipline that child because you want what’s best for that child.” - Church Leaders
Related: “He fell today; I may fall tomorrow.” - Ref21
“1. Prepare for a crisis ahead of time…. 2. Get an attorney’s advice immediately…. 4. When a crisis happens, don’t cover it up.” - Phil Cooke
“A church congregation is more than just a group of people; they are a family. In times of crisis, it is crucial to communicate with them personally.” - Phil Cooke
“the Board has retained the law firm of Haynes & Boone, LLP, to conduct an independent, thorough, and professional review of the report of past abuse to ensure we have a complete understanding of the events from 1982-1987” - CPost
