No Fishing Allowed

It grieves me when Christians post “exposés” of ministries that have been a blessing to me. I avoid reading and watching diatribes from critics who disagree with particular doctrines. Sometimes they are from former associates and congregation members who didn’t like things they saw. Keep in mind that no church or preacher is perfect. Every denomination and stream of ministry probably had defectors because of leaders and staff members that went astray. Even Jesus had one that became an apostate (Judas Iscariot). 

During almost four decades, Hillsong Church grew to a reported 150,000 members in 30 countries. Unfortunately, they have gone through questionable practices and recent scandals. The pastor of their New York City branch got fired in 2020 following an adulterous affair. Earlier this week, founder Brain Houston resigned as Global Senior Pastor for breaching the “Pastor's Code of Conduct” involving separate incidents with two women. One resulted from “the consumption of anti-anxiety medication beyond the prescribed dose, mixed with alcohol.” That reaffirmed my belief Christians should stay away from booze.


Don Henley’s classic rock song “Dirty Laundry” has the chorus “Kick ‘em when they're up/Kick ‘em when they're down.” That should never be the mindset of a Christian when they see another believer stumble. Whether it’s a famous preacher or a layperson, our goal should always be restoration. As Galatians 6:1 says, “Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted.”


Moral failures have consequences but do not disqualify individuals from ministry as long as they repent. Romans 11:29 says, “For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.” Moses, David, and Peter bounced back from sins they committed. God used these men to write parts of the Bible. Modern-day examples would include Jim Bakker and Jimmy Swaggart. I pray that Brian Houston will come clean from all wrongdoing and resume fulfilling the Great Commission.


Years ago, I came across a web page that listed reasons why Christians don’t get healed. One of which was “not honoring God’s ministers.” Yet on this same web page, the author criticized four well-known preachers. Three of whom had moral failures but since repented. I pointed out to this author he didn’t practice what he preached. How would he like it if someone publicly wrote about his sins? If God has forgiven these ministers, why can’t he? As Corrie ten Boom wrote in her book “Tramp for the Lord”, “When we confess our sins, God casts them into the deepest ocean, gone forever…God then places a sign out there that says ‘No Fishing Allowed.’”


“He will again have compassion on us, and will subdue our iniquities. You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea.” - Micah 7:19


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