I was discussing with my wife about how many pastors in the 3rd wave movement have fallen into sexual sin. My theory is that those who constantly seek after emotional spiritual experiences – sensations – manifestations – most easily are attracted to other sensual experiences such as sexual immorality (and in this case drugs, although like Clinton, he did not inhale).

My wife reads Tozer a lot and says that A.W. agrees. See his writings on spiritual gluttony.

I don’t think its all about what he have made our pastors. I think its more about what they have made their god.

Thanks for the thoughtful and compassionate comments regarding pastoral shenanigans. I have witnessed the kingmaking to which you refer and I was a member of a church that had something simliar happen to what we have seen with Ted Haggard.

I do have one brief comment and then I’ll go. While many of our congregations make idols of their pastors, pastors make choices too. Ted Haggard made a choice (most likely repeated choices) to sin. He wasn’t compelled. In the church to which I referred, the pastor made choices also and he wasn’t compelled. Was it the will to power? I don’t know.

But here’s perhaps one more angle, one more dimension to this. What role did shame play in Mr. Haggards’ demise? We are so inclined to make kings of our pastors, there’s seemingly no room to address temptation and even sin an then the trap is set. The result is simply to hide it because for Christians and all our proclamations of how much we want and love the Light, we fear it; or better yet, we are afraid of Him. Too bad.

In terms of the community about which you speak and in Ted’s case, the community missed an opportunity to help before it all started. I hope we don’t miss another one in helping restore a fallen brother.

The peace of Christ to you.