A minister on staff at the giant Prestonwood Baptist Church in north Texas got popped the other day in an Internet sex sting. Police say the minister -- married, with kids and grandkids -- showed up expecting to meet a 13-year-old girl for sex ... and instead found cops waiting to cuff his pervy self.
What did Prestonwood chief pastor Jack Graham do in response to this? Listen or watch to this statement on the church website to find out.
Did he defend the accused minister, Joe Barron? Did he speak of all the good things Barron had done in his ministry? Did he call for forgiveness and healing? Did he say that Pastor Barron was going off to an institute of some sort for counseling, and would be back in ministry soon? Did he blame the sleazy pop culture we all live in for Barron's fall? Did he lash out at the news media for reporting this story?
No, Pastor Graham did none of those things. He didn't dwell on what Pastor Barron allegedly did, but he did say that Barron had been asked to resign, and did. Graham acknowledged the pain of this scandal, but praised God for uncovering and removing sin from the church. He said that God, through this painful action, is preparing the church for greater things, and he called on the church to "raise a standard of righteousness in this community" -- in other words, to rise above it and uphold Christian standards of morality. And far from demonizing the media, Graham even thanked reporters for covering the scandal with sensitivity.
Clearly Jack Graham didn't get the memo.
Thank God.
I'll bet his parishioners have a lot more faith in their church's leadership over the way this was handled. I know I would. Because see, this is what clergy sex scandals are about. Sin we will always have with us, even serious sin like this. What counts is how our clergy and laity react when it's uncovered. I would imagine that if Barron is guilty, and not only pays his debt to society but convincingly repents, he will find a church home at Prestonwood, as he should. But I doubt he'll ever find his way back into the ministry. As he shouldn't.
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Texas is an at-will employment state, which theoretically means you can be fired for any reason, any time. Realistically, though, there are all kinds of factors that make it more difficult. This is especially true if you are a large employer with deep pockets such as PBC. There are also various federal laws and regulations. The fact that this case involves conduct outside of working hours makes it even more problematic. Not impossible, just problematic.
Note also: Barron is no longer on the PBC staff, but they did not revoke his ordination as a minister. I'm not sure the Baptists have any mechanism for doing such a thing. Since in their view each local congregation is independent, there is nothing (other than whatever jail time he gets) to prevent Barron from moving where no one knows him and entering the ministry again.
Any admission of the former pastor's wrongdoing will probably not be leapt upon by attorneys for a multi-multi-billion dollar lawsuit either. They don't have to watch their statements as closely as the RCC, whose dioceses are being swarmed upon and worn down by lawsuits too many of which turn out to be not credible.
And has been pointed out, his "ordination," whatever form it takes in that church, has not been revoked, if that's possible. Where are the editorials scorning that, as is seen against the RCC?
You're trying to compare what should be apples to apples, but because of media pressure and attorney greed is apples to great big huge towering angry hulking apples ready to fall on you and kill you....
I agree that this situation doesn't begin to compare to what the RCC is experiencing because this Baptist church didn't commit the despicable offense of covering for the pastor and permit him to go on and abuse more young girls.
This reminds me of a scandal that happened a church where I was formerly a member. It happened after I left and I know very few details. The dean of the Cathedral, who had been my mentor and confessor while I attended, embezzled about five figures. I know that much. There is a hint of possible sexual impropriety as well (no children involved). But I don't know the details, because they were not provided. The Dean was removed from his position and I believe the ministry altogether, agreed to pay back the money and do a couple of other things in exchange for avoiding criminal prosecution.
While I was pained to read about it, I was also curious for more details and very glad that they were not provided to me for the sake of all souls involved. I got the impression that everyone reacted appropriately, the problem was handled correctly, and the media didn't need to be involved. Hopefully, healing followed.
no mney here. move along
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