Wednesday Morning, October 3, 2007, Penn-Del Minister’s Enrichment – H.B. London

Moral Failure in the Pastor's Life
Why does pastoral moral failure occur?
· Fatigue and Burn-out. You are depleted of energy, and you need something to fill you up.
· Carelessness. You allow yourself to slip in very subtle areas.

Three things observed in every pastoral failure –
1. Very limited time alone with God.
2. Unresolved conflicts at home.
3. No one holding them accountable.

Other observations noted in pastoral failure -
· An over-abundance of pastoral counseling. Pastors must have a good referral system – people who you can refer your parishioners to who are better than you are at counseling. This is no indication of weakness on your part.
· Spiritual burn-out. When you see the same people, saying the same things, with the same problems, and you begin to wonder if anything ever will change. You keep getting beat down, and you spiritually burn out.
· Loneliness and isolation. Pastors and/or their spouses feel isolated and underappreciated. You seek affirmation in other places, and this leaves you vulnerable.

Ephesians 5:3 – let there not even be a hint of immorality. We need to put on the whole armor of God (Ephesians 6)

· The inability or unwillingness to identify areas of weakness. We need to do everything we can to avoid all areas of personal weakness. You need to have someone to whom you are personally accountable. Someone who you allow to ask you the hard questions. Build safeguards into your life.

If therer are unresolved issues from the past, they must be resolved, or they will come back to haunt us.

What is the solution to these things?
1. Intimacy with God
2. Right relationships
3. Adequate rest
4. Honest accountability
5. Meaningful ministry
6. An attitude of joy and thanksgiving
7. A vigilant spirit

Guard your heart, stay pure, love your family, stay very close to God.