A True or False Confession...

Rev. Senior Pastor...begins speaking to congregation:

We're told in the book of James chapter 3 verse one that not many of you should presume to be teachers my brothers because you know that we who teach will be judge more strictly. The Bible has a sense that when individuals are given responsibility for leadership and life of the church that with that responsibility comes as well the accountability to hold that trust with faithfulness and with honor.

Three years I've been here and preceding my time, we have watch that kind of ministry in a precious kind of way through Rev. Criminal Child Sex Abuser throughout our College ministry. It is a ministry that has been growing and blessed by God, one of the largest ministry of it's type, anywhere in the nation.

So what we do tonight we do simply out of faithfulness to God's Word and out of desire to minister to a brother
and yet to deal with an issue openly. I think too often  the church particularly when we have dealt with
staff members in leadership in the past and in other churches. It has been dealt with in a way in which has been
so private that the person has slipped out the door and gone and all that's left is rumors. And God's word is so
clear that we don't believe that's the way in which it is to be handled and so we're here tonight.

Let me share, I believe as much information as you all will need. And as I share this information it is really for your ears only. It's for you to understand so you can pray. And you can lovingly be a part of the restoration. I'm calling for the best to be raised up in the midst of this body of believers. We don't need to talk about it. We don't need to speculate. We don't need to make it a topic of conversation. This is just for us as the family alone. And for us to bring before God and to be faithful to our calling, scripturally.

Sixteen months ago all of this process began, at least as far as our involvement in it. I received a phone call from the District Executive in another conference where Rev. Criminal Child Sex Abuser had ministered in the early years of his ministry very effectively at Xyz Baptist Church. And the District Executive shared with me that a counselor had contacted him and young college student had shared, because of a number of difficulty in her life, that she had an emotional and physical relationship with her Youth Pastor, in the church that she had grown up in. The physical relationship was short of sexual involvement. ' Short of sexual intercourse. But it did involve inappropriate touching and kissing. And then I was told that that individual was Rev. Criminal Child Sex Abuser. When I called Rev. Criminal Child Sex Abuser in to talk with him to hear from his perspective, Rev. Criminal Child Sex Abuser was open with me, every way. In a sense it was devastating but in another sense that fear of "Will anybody Know?" was finally broken and abled to be dealt with and Rev. Criminal Child Sex Abuser was wonderful in dealing with the process.

We shared it with the executive committee of our board and they weighed what they felt ought to be done. The young woman, and really counselor and those back in the other district felt that it needed to be handled personally, because it seems to be a very limited sphere of involvement and so Rev. Criminal Child Sex Abuser went back and his wife as well and met with the young woman, and the counselor and the district executive shared their hearts and confessed what had happened and Rev. Criminal Child Sex Abuser sought forgiveness and received it.

Some beautiful things came out of that sixteen months ago. So beautiful in the young woman's life that it really enabled her to finish her process of dealing with a painful experience in her high school years and she is being married really within this several day period of time. Fiancee as well, was involved in those talks, and God brought a beautiful healing work.

During that time the executive director and myself had asked Rev. Criminal Child Sex Abuser "Is this all? Is this an isolated instance?" And Rev. Criminal Child Sex Abuser made this statement that he had crossed the line with one other young woman and had kissed her. `And I think wanting to believe that the crossing the line was only a kiss, really just went so far as to talk with the Pastor of the home church and sought to have him in some way contact the young woman and find out if there was ministry that was needed there but did not think much more about it.

This last week I received a phone call again from the same executive of that same conference. And he gave me a number to call, and it was another counselor this time in Indiana and the counselor shared a story that was almost exactly the same as the first instance and it was the account of the second young woman that Rev. Criminal Child Sex Abuser had alluded to.

Because it was two individuals both executive directors in each region and the counselor dealing with the young woman felt that because often when this is the case there is a pattern involved that goes throughout ministry that it needed to be handled openly. And if there are others an opportunity to come forward and conversely that if indeed as I believe it was, with all my heart, set of events that took place during a three year period of time ten years ago that that would be demonstrated too by the lack of anyone coming forward.

And so the process was set in motion at that point in time. You need to know when this all emerged sixteen months ago with the first young woman Rev. Criminal Child Sex Abuser was assigned really established a relationship with a Christian counselor that I had access to by Rev. Criminal Child Sex Abuser's permission and for twice a week, initially, he met with her and over an eight month period continued that counseling relationship. I talked with the counselor again yesterday and she shared with me that normally in the case of a perpetrator that counseling and what would need to take place to 'get to the root of the issue of the behavior would require probably twelve months to eighteen months but she said that Rev. Criminal Child Sex Abuser was so anxious to deal with this honestly and to get to the of it, and to address it and find out that would lead to those kinds of sins and offenses and she shared because of his hard work and willing to handle it not in denial as most do or attempting to cover it up as unfortunately as most do, but dealing with it openly right up front, that she felt that the eight months really accomplished what was needed in Rev. Criminal Child Sex Abuser's life. I believe that.

But there is a matter of when an Elder falls, the Bible says, that that needs to be handled in the context of the church. Part of the reason the Bible says that it serves as a warning to us. It carries the same sense of Philippians when it talks to us about restoring someone who is caught in sin but doing it with humility, and doing it with gentleness because we too can sin in that way. And so in the context of all that we've begun a process. I uh, the most difficult thing I've ever done in ministry asked Rev. Criminal Child Sex Abuser for his resignation for the restoration process and Rev. Criminal Child Sex Abuser gave it. The Board met and accepted that and voted that through the end of the year the salary would continue so that there could be time for the restoration process to take place. And, they voted as well asking Rev. Criminal Child Sex Abuser and his wife to remain as a part of our church family so we could minister to them, over the course of the next several months and wrapped them with our love and with our acceptance and demonstrate that while we do not cover up the seriousness of these offenses it is a betrayal of a relationship between a Pastor and flock members. Particularly a betrayal some that are vulnerable.

And our prayers need to be not only for Rev. Criminal Child Sex Abuser and his wife but need to be for the two young women who are experiencing God's healing in their lives and it will not be immediate or quick but long?term. And we need be as well praying for that Baptist church in the other district,  that just awhile ago met, because of a time change difference between here and there in their evening service and shared what we are sharing with you tonight. We need to pray for them especially because in our congregation our hearts are identifying with Rev. Criminal Child Sex Abuser and with his wife. So we feel a tremendous amount I suspect, looking at your faces I know it's true of compassion and concern for them. And while they have had the benefit of Rev. Criminal Child Sex Abuser's ministry their initial identification is going to be with the fact that the offense took place there, and with the young women and we need to pray for them as they process their anger and their confusion and their disappointment. Also need to be praying for the college ministry students that begins at seven O'clock. So many of them have not yet have put their personal faith in Jesus and many of them are brand new Christians, they've not watched someone they've respected go through an experience like this. And we want them to feel our congregations concern that when a teacher falls that we will not cover it up, but nor will we handle that person roughly. But will do it in grace, in love and we will determine to do what few churches will do and that is to bring about restoration to ministry. That's a hard goal. We believe that's what God desires for the outcome of the process in front of us.

I'm gonna have Rev. Criminal Child Sex Abuser come and just share a few words and then I want to talk with you about the restoration process and I want to talk with you about your part in it and what all of this says to our congregation because of we don't hear God in times like this, if we don't understand how the cross of Jesus enters into moments like this then I think we have lost why God's word calls us to handle difficult matters as a church family openly, instead of secretly. And I want you to join my hearts and pray right now because what Rev. Criminal Child Sex Abuser is about to do is the hardest thing God will ever ask him to do in his life.

[prayer]

Rev. Criminal Child Sex Abuser:

Gee. I welcome the opportunity to come (nervous laugh) to confess before you because that's what I believe the
church is all about. How come there is so many of you that's the only question I have? Ten years ago , seven
years ago at a weak and vulnerable time in my ministry the events that Rev. Senior Pastor alluded to took place. I vowed that when those ever became evident, if indeed they would, that I would admit to them. the question I've always struggled with is how could do you go for ten years knowing that that kind of sin is in your life. And I guess
you become a pro at denying it, You just stuff it So it didn't happen. People weren't really injured. So you really
haven't broken vows to other human being as well as to God. I came to serve five and a half years ago
that I carried the baggage with me. I guess that's the truth about sin that's there's consequences one form or
another until those dealt with in some kind of fashion, such as this, this is not cruel this is necessary life can't go
on. And somehow because so many of you ? specially those people that have been privy to this for the past few
days with God's help and your forgiveness and grace I just might rise from the ashes. I'm sorry.....

Rev. Senior Pastor…And as the people of god do you receive this confession and return your forgiveness to Rev. Criminal Child Sex Abuser? If you do so say amen.

Congregation: AMEN

Rev. Senior Pastor: It's a good sound isn't it? Won't you sit down …singing of amazing grace begins  So where do we go from here? What happens next is not punishment. There is no long any condemnation for those who are in
Christ Jesus. It's restoration. It's dealing with consequences in a way that Christ would call us to do so. I've
been so close to Rev. Criminal Child Sex Abuser emotionally and all of this emotionally that I asked our district executive to be the one who would formally oversee the restoration process but I did recommend to him four individuals that have great creditability in our church and in this community that will help I believe restore Rev. Criminal Child Sex Abuser's credibility for ministry not just in our body but across our wider conference which is what we want to have happen. Those individuals, and I'd like to have you pray for them, will be Rev. Criminal Child Sex Abuser's advocate, their task is not to perform an inquisition, it is to be along side of him and like Barnabas along side Paul as his advocate to the Church in the early years that's the role and to make certain with Rev. Criminal Child Sex Abuser that truly all of this has been worked through.

The first person in representing our staff  is Man#1 The second person is Man#2, who while his membership is here is also is a part of the staff of  the District overseeing social ministries and he give direction to a counseling center. The third person is our Board Chairman, Man#3 and we felt that kind of went with the turf plus we kind of felt he's the man for the job. And then the last person outside of our body is Man #4, who is the Senior Pastor at another Baptist Church and  is so respected in our circles that he is a strong yet very compassionate person to bring into the process.

Rev. Criminal Child Sex Abuser and his wife will be leaving tomorrow morning to go to the Counseling Center which is a center that ministers to Pastor's in stress. Varity reason of reasons for stress, but one of them is what we're dealing with today. A dear man by the name of Dr. Man #5 is going to work with them intensely the next couple of weeks to attempt to kind of determine for us how long the restoration process should be and what should go into that process and his sense where Rev. Criminal Child Sex Abuser is at in all of this. Pray for the next two weeks for Dr. Man #5 and for this to be a good time for Rev. Criminal Child Sex Abuser and his wife away with each other and in the setting of renewal.

And as this process unfolds that is that restoration to me team that would bring back to us in the District, the other church and the other District minister and their recommendation for restoration to ministry of that point in time. And so we'll pray, we'll trust them with it. and we'll see God's hand do something. I know we will.

THE FACTS...These facts have been confirmed by more than two or three witnesses...The State these acts where committed in defines them as Criminal Sexual Abuse:Second degree...punishable up to 25 years in prison.

1. Adultery: Rev. Criminal Child Sex Abuser was newly married at the time of his Criminal Clergy Sexual Abuse.

2. Blasphemy: Rev. Criminal Child Sex Abuser was in the midst of his Ordination as a Minister while committing his Criminal Clergy Sexual Assaults and adultery.

3. Rev. Criminal Child Sex Abuser Committed Criminal Clergy Sexual Abuse against two (known) children. One's record is as follows (which was confirmed by more than two witnesses):

4. The adolescent was 15 years old in the summer of 19xx when Rev. Criminal Child Sex Abuser began attacking her by having her sit on his lap and French kissing her telling her God made her special in Rev. Criminal Child Sex Abuser's life. These attacks continued regularly for three years. Rev. Criminal Child Sex Abuser told her how when he first saw her he began thinking of wanting to kiss her and that God had given them a special love. Quite frequently Rev. Criminal Child Sex Abuser would leer at the adolescent during her aerobics classes.

5. Over the next three years until 19xx+3, Rev. Criminal Child Sex Abuser took obssessive amounts of  photographs of the female minor under the ruse of trying out his camera and films. He would often tell of he and his wife's sexual and marital problems in quite graphic details, and how God had given him the victim to care for his needs in a special way.

6. The sexual assault progressed to forcing contact (rubbing against the victim) with his erect penis through clothes. Rev. Criminal Child Sex Abuser also attempted to place her hand (flesh to flesh) on his erect penis, which she fought off. On one occasion on his bed at home, Rev. Criminal Child Sex Abuser removed her clothing and fondled her breasts. There were multiple attacks that included fondling her breasts through her clothes. On one occasion Rev. Criminal Child Sex Abuser attempted to fondle her genitals which she stopped. These attacks would take place in his home, as well as the church office, and on retreats, mission trips, her home, and in cars, again over the span of three years.

7. On one mission trip the adolescent became ill and Rev. Criminal Child Sex Abuser took her to a doctor. Rev. Criminal Child Sex Abuser manipulated both the adolescent and doctor to allow him in the examining room during a full physical exam. The adolescent was asked to disrobe to her bra and panties while Rev. Criminal Child Sex Abuser stood by watching. Rev. Criminal Child Sex Abuser also watched while the doctor did the exam. After leaving the doctor's office Rev. Criminal Child Sex Abuser continued his abuse by forcing the adolescent to replay how she was touched by the doctor on different parts of her body. Rev. Criminal Child Sex Abuser twisted words of truth and safety into weapons of abuse causing the adolescent to feel disoriented, confused and worthless for not believing this abuse was OK by God

8. Rev. Criminal Child Sex Abuser continued his assaults with the first (known) victim while continuing as a youth pastor.

9. Rev. Criminal Child Sex Abuser continued his Criminal Clergy Sexual Abuse by abusing another victim(s).

10. Rev. Criminal Child Sex Abuser knowingly bore false witness against another teen: One teen in Rev. Criminal Child Sex Abuser's charge, came to him and confronted him about his ungodly behavior. Rev. Criminal Child Sex Abuser responded by manipulating his wife, and a volunteer youth helper, into claiming the confronting teen's charges were the lies of a very mentally disturbed girl.

11. Rev. Criminal Child Sex Abuser was fully aware of his Criminal Clergy Sexual Abuse by stating "He would admit it if it ever became known," and falsely "worshipped and ministered" enjoying the benefits of his deception all the while allowing his victims to suffer continually since abuse memories rarely surface until the victims late 20's or 30's if ever-unloved, believing they were crazy, filthy, unlovable-except by sex, alienated from family and friends, often suicidal, anorexic and self mutilating, damaged marriage and abusive parenting.

12. Rev. Criminal Child Sex Abuser deceptively gained other pastorates and continues in "ministry" while violating the Biblical qualifications of being an elder.

13. Rev. Criminal Child Sex Abuser lied to his friends and others  whom he was supposedly under spiritual accountability, about how he had Criminally Clergy Sexually Abused his first victim, when confronted by the second victim.

One Reader's response...

First, the story of the confession and then the listing of the offenses as criminally described to the state.  I call it a story because how could it be in the category of confession?  The minister who was "bringing it to the congregation"  did not even give true weight to the offense.  It seems if we are a brotherhood of believers and children of God, we would use our Father's definitions of these offenses and though loving the sinner and desiring his full restoration, we would want to be sure true brokeness was occurring.  I have not been spared a raw description of what my sin was and what it cost.  This minister did not even address the smallest amount of what the youth pastor did:  the state listed the offenses more clearly.  The youth pastor chuckled?  In embarrassment?  Stated that he would "admit" if confronted?  How was he even confessing?  He was not too sorry.

So much is missing,  I could write volumes about what he stole from these girls, his wife, and most importantly, God.  Where was falling on his face and begging God, the congregation, the families he had offended.  Where was "don't let me ever be a minister for a very long time....."  I don't know what God would have done for restoration,  but it doesn't seem like step 1 happened, let alone a full cycle of God's process.

I felt like God was mocked by people who didn't even have a clue as to what had happened.  Certainly, if I was one of the girls, I would feel like it was a small thing that had been done and dealt with, not a traumatic betrayal that might cost my life in healing.  Courts give thousands of dollars to victims of crimes that have left permanent damage.  Did the Church act as if there was such a high magnitude of damage?  It did not sound like it.  This youth pastor's deceptive ways had levels and levels and should have been addressed as such and he should have been treated like a criminal.........oh my heart aches.

I'm praying for the women who have had to endure their pain mostly on their own.  God is able to heal them, but woe on that pastor and the youth pastor for not scourging and cleaning with God's truth their hearts and giving the church the oppotunity to examine themselves before the Almighty Who Will judge what was not judged......
 
 

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