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Youth Pastor & Pornography

Discussion in '2003 Archive' started by Gib, May 26, 2003.

  1. Gib

    Gib Active Member

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    There is a youth pastor in my area who has the habit ( problem ) of watching ppv's of playboy, spice and other erotic adult programming. It has been common knowledge to everyone I work with for years. Many co-workers have children who know the kids in his youth group. There have been times that their children have been invited to the youth activities at his church. Knowing what the mothers know, their children have been told no.

    Beside ruining his testimony with the ladies I work with, he is smutting up the church as a whole. It has been a burden in/on my heart for years. He does not know me. I pray for him.

    The problem I have is knowing what pornography can do to your walk with the Lord. And then, him being involved in hands on youth ministry really scares me. I wrote him a letter several years ago. It did not mention the ppv's, rather an encouragement regarding overcoming the things the devil hurls at us. I've never mailed it. It has recently surfaced again. Any thoughts?
     
  2. Ben W

    Ben W Active Member
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    Many years ago the church that I was involved in had a Youth Pastor with the same problem. Although the church was obviously not aware of it.

    One time we had a revival meeting at which the Youth Pastor was speaking. We ran up notices, invited people and placed notices in local shops including the local video store.

    We invited the lady at the video store to come to the meetings. As it happened one of the church knew her and her family. When she saw who was speaking, (he had a rather unusual recognisable name). She told us that he had hired out nearly every pornnographic video tape that the video store had.

    Inquires were made and he was given instant dismissal.

    Unfortunatley that is the only way to deal with that type of stuff. Sure everyone has sin in there life, but the bible makes it clear that he that aspires to be in leadership will be subject to judgement for it.

    The best thing that you could do is go and have a chat with the senior minister of the church, or write him a letter.
     
  3. blackbird

    blackbird Active Member

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    Brother Gib!

    Get your wife and you and ya'll go over to this youth minister and face to face tell him what you know---give him ample room for repentance, tell him you are watchin' him like a hawk, get honest with him and tell him that his ministry is going to be ruined if he doesn't turn and repent--if the fella has a family, the family will be ruined and the youth of the church will be ruined---then if you and your wife do not see any visable signs of repentance comin' from him--you march yourself into the pastor's office and you tell him what's goin' on---lots of times the pastor is the last one to find out---men can keep that stuff "cloaked" and can hide it and everybody at church will go on thinkin' that the youth pastor is going to be the next "Billy Graham!" When thats just not so!!

    The youth pastor is caught in a snare of the devil. Don't chop his leg off to get him out of the snare just yet. Work on releasin' the springs of the trap and try to pry the jaws of the trap from around the youth pastor's spiritual leg.

    You, Gib, are man enough not to dismiss this as some sort of game he's playin'! The fella needs help! And you can help him! He can be set free from the sin and go on with his career--and if you can and will help him be free--you can say way down the line---"I had a part in saving that man and his family and his career!" In all humility and with all selfishness gone from your life--go to the fella and help him be released.---

    BenW is right, too! If it goes on---there is whats called God's "Law of the Harvest!" He's gonna reap what he sows. But if you can help take away the deadly viral seeds he's sowin' and replace them with good seed---he won't have to see what evil will catch holt of him and his family way on down the line---and later on---he'll fall down at the feet of Brother Gib and thank you for helpin' him and not taking an opportunity to make him a public example--when all along he should have been!!

    James 5: 20 is speaking to you today, Brother Gib! "He which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins."

    Amen?? I'm with ya, Brother Gib. Help the fella out!

    Brother David
     
  4. dianetavegia

    dianetavegia Guest

    Our pastor had this problem in a previous church. The church secretary came in one morning and couldn't locate something she was working on. She went into her 'history' and found that every night, when no one was at church, her computer was being accessed to watch porn and view pictures. The pastor called a policeman in their church and they didn't find any sign of a break-in. The officer did find the sign-on name of the person using the computer in those 'web sites'. A staff meeting was called and the pastor asked for updated email addresses for his staff at home and the youth pastor gave his.... with the first half being the sign on name on all the porn sites.

    Pastor and the deacons confronted him and offered to get him help and he refused....... and was fired.

    Gib, I would never let my child, of any age, be with this youth minister.
    Diane
     
  5. atestring

    atestring New Member

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    It is sad that there are these kind of problems in our society ,much less among ministers.
    If the person does not deal with this and get some help it will only get worse.
    In my town there was a sting operation because there had been instances in the city parks and park restrooms of indecent exposure and other things that I will not mention.
    In the sting operation about 25 men were caught. One was a Baptist Pastor.
    The names were not printed in the newspaper ecxept one. The Pastors name was printed becasuse printing his name sells papers since he is a Pastor. This also happened along the time that Priest on a national level were charged with sex crimes against childeren.
    Some people thought that it was unfair to print the Pastors name without printing the other names however there is a law of sewing and reaping and when a person sews to the flesh they will reap corruption.
    I hope the youth Pastor mentioned in this thread will wake up and deal with this and that he will find those who are spiritual to restore him.
     
  6. Larry in Tennessee

    Larry in Tennessee New Member

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    Gib, I agree with what everyone has said. If it is common knowledge in the area, it is seriously afftcting the ministry of the church. I would probably follow the steps of Matthew 18:15-17. Go to him in private at first. If that dosen't work, then go back with two or three others. If that still dosen't work, then go to the pastor.

    Love in Christ,
    Larry
     
  7. Major B

    Major B <img src=/6069.jpg>

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    If I was caught viewing porn, my church would have only two actions to take:
    (1) Schedule my funeral
    (2) Get my wife a good lawyer....
     
  8. Istherenotacause

    Istherenotacause New Member

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    Call the young man's pastor and let him handle it. Have you considered proof before you ask? Are you sure this isn't just another case where some one has an ought with this man and are just trying to mar his testimony and spreading lies?

    I didn't see where you said you had proof, Brother, so be real careful if you don't, gossip is perhaps the most vicious means of destroying a person's life.

    If you'rer asking if the young man needs help, sure, if you're asking if he needs discipline, most certainly if he's proven guilty or admits it, the latter resulting in less punishment, the least would be his stepping down voluntarily.

    Something similar happened with the pastor's son in the church we used to be members, the young man voluntarily stepped down, but later the other son was caught in adultry. Hmm? Makes you woinder.

    In His Holy Service,

    Brother Ricky
     
  9. Gib

    Gib Active Member

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    Your right about gossip and I wish this was a simple case of gossip. If it were I would be the first to squelch it. But it's not. I am bound by the FCC and Cable Privacy Act to not bring this issue to his attention. Doing so would be breaking the law. One man's privacy is another man's nightmare. I hope you understand our dilemma.
     
  10. dianetavegia

    dianetavegia Guest

    Ah... then an anonymous letter would be the only thing I can think of. I understand your delima now........

    Could you share with MY pastor anonymously and allow him to contact this man's pastor? Remember, my pastor went through this a few years ago.

    Diane
     
  11. Istherenotacause

    Istherenotacause New Member

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    Brother Gib, If you have the proof then I wouldn't be bound by the FCC in preventing some future mishap concerning this man. He is damaging the people in that particular church. I wouldn't talk to anyone else about it, I'd follow Diane's advice and send an anonymous letter to his pastor and a copy to him, telling the both of them that a private arrangement is being made with one other party to confront the situation; another person of degree in that church. Remain anonymous at all costs, even go to another town to mail the letter. Let them handle it as a private matter, it's obvious the parties informed about this man will be made aware of the outcome before long. I say all this in due respect of all involved as to not hurt anyone, but most of all, to remove the reproach from the Name of Christ.

    In Christ,

    Brother Ricky
     
  12. blackbird

    blackbird Active Member

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    Ole Blackbird dispises anonomous letters--would rather seek answers "face to face"--if they refuse to see me face to face--Proverbs teaches that "the wicked flee when noone pursues."

    Blackbird
     
  13. Istherenotacause

    Istherenotacause New Member

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    Maybe you ought to get a job like Gib then and take the iniative to confront the situation face to face so you could be prosecuted by a court of law for disclosure of private matters protected under the FCC rules. Have any second thoughts?

    I think Gib would be "pursuing" the matter within the guidelines set forth to avoid such a thing, especially since it's not his church.
     
  14. blackbird

    blackbird Active Member

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    Who's afraid of the FCC?? Like askin', "Who's afraid of the Big, Bad Wolf?" when you live in a brick house!

    Ain't nobody gettin' hurt--except two people--1) The youth director 2)your son or another man's son when the youth director decides to expand his porn borders to include them--

    Blackbird doesn't have time to remain anonomous--the youth director's "House" is on fire and the firemen are out to lunch!!

    Gib---let Blackbird know--brother, I'll stand up without a paper bag over my head!

    Brother David
     
  15. InHim2002

    InHim2002 New Member

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    hang on a tick - Gib are you saying that you have access to confidential information and you are going to illegally disseminate it? If so you deserve to be fired.

    I can't believe that people on this board are encouraging illegal activity - the ends do not justify the means in this case.
     
  16. Sherrie

    Sherrie New Member

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    Well truthfully..I am sick of every thread having to do with pornography. There is more in life than dwelling on this.

    Do you ever exceed the speed limit? Did you ever say something about someone else? Well these sins are equal to that. They are forgivenable.

    Lets move on folks!

    Sherrie
     
  17. dianetavegia

    dianetavegia Guest

    I assume our brother works for or knows someone who works for the organization that would have proof this youth pastor is ordering PPV porn. Someone would lose their job over this disclosure. That is why I would recommend an anonymous letter.

    I'm sure this youth pastor has no idea he's been 'caught' and his testimony in town is ruined. He might just change towns if his minister is not notified and he doesn't receive discipline and help.

    Diane
     
  18. InHim2002

    InHim2002 New Member

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    I agree

    I agree

    I think it would be totally unethical to use this information in any way at all.

    If you can't be trusted with the information that you obtain confidentially then you should do the decent thing and quit your job - if you obtained this information from someone you know you should report them to their employer.
     
  19. Istherenotacause

    Istherenotacause New Member

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    Honestly, I can't believe you'd allow a man in such an esteemed position as youth pastor to remain in that position. Just because man has made a law restricting the freedom of reporting an offense to the required morality of anyone holding a position, doesn't mean one can't go around that man made law to insure justice is served!

    We're living in the day when that which is good is evil spoken of, and that which is evil is protected by law! Wonder who made the laws to cause that to be the norm? Evil, immoral, men!

    I understand the right to privacy act, but it's not to protect the guilty, it's there to protect the innocent. According to the information that Gib has, this man is guilty before the church. In separation of church and state, only the church has authority in this case. The state has no authority over such matters, not until this youth pastor breaks the law instituted by the state.

    The state doesn't have the right to legislate morality until an offense on one's person is made, but the church has the moral duty to maintain it's testimony of the God called institution of moral standards, this man is NOT helping maintain that and is in violation of his vows as a minister!

    To use the right to privacy act as a cloke for immorality is wicked!

    No doubt if this guy is even saved, that the Lord has dealt with his heart about this before, so now he must have just about seared his conscience over with a hot iron. What will we do now? Let him continue to destroy his life, while risking the chance of pulling others down with him? NO!

    If he wants to destroy his own life that's between him and God, but he does NOT have that same right to destroy other's lives in the process!

    Stand up for what's right! I don't care what laws are passed to to try and hinder what's right, go around it! God doesn't punish good with evil, or reward evil for good.

    Stinking liberals! I can't stand a stinking liberal!

    Excuse me, I'll get my faculties back in a moment.
     
  20. Tim too

    Tim too New Member

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    I AGREE!!! Why are we so eager to stone the youth minister for his sinful indulgence in pornography. Would the Church be so eager to send him an anonymous letter or fire him if his sinful indulgence was over eating or materialism?
    :eek: :eek: :eek:
    Why is it only the youth minister? :confused: We should be eager to help restore all of our brothers and sisters in Christ. I am sure the youth minister isn't the only one in the church with a problem with sinful indulgence. All of it is wrong and we should have an attitude of humility as we seek to RESTORE ALL CHRISTIANS who have been caught in sin.

    Galations 6:1
    Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently [​IMG] . But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted.

    In the love of Christ,
    Tim
     
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