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christian counseling today VOL. 22 NO. 1 67
poor control of sexual impulses; 4) lim-
ited education about the adverse effects
of transference and countertransfer-
ence; and 5) narcissism.3 Randy Alcorn
explains in Sexual Temptation: How
Christian Workers Can Win the Battle,
“Those in full-time ministry often set
their own schedules and lack the built-
in accountability of most secular jobs,
creating isolation and allowing consid-
erable freedom to pursue an unhealthy
relationship. Prime candidates for sexual
sin are those who keep long hours away
from home, are gone evenings and travel
frequently.”4
The Value of Self-care
Pastors and local church governing
bodies are encouraged to promote
the concept of clergy self-care among
church staff, and develop appropriate
training with the help of a Christian
counselor. Whitney Hopler, contribut-
ing writer for discusses
in her article, “10 Ways to Prevent
Failure in Your Ministry,” a number
of practical self-care ideas including:
1) don’t neglect your physical, men-
tal, emotional and spiritual health; 2)
manage stress wisely; 3) set boundaries;
and 4) remember it’s God’s ministry
and rely on His unlimited power to
work through you.5 H.B. London, Jr.,
former Pastor to Pastors with Focus on
the Family, advises, “For years, I have
been teaching there are at least three
things that lead to a failure, regardless
of the category… limited time with the
Lord, unresolved issues at home, and
inadequate accountability.”6 It is recom-
mended that Christian counseling be
made available as needed to pastors and
their families as an important self-care
resource.
The Importance of Accountabil-
ity and Legal Risk Management
Sexual misconduct liability can poten-
tially result in verdicts in the millions of
dollars for churches. Attorney Richard
Hammar reported that child sexual
abuse was the top reason churches went
to court in 2015.7 Some states make
sexual contact between clergy and a
counselee a crime.
Church leaders are encouraged
to develop policies and procedures
for accountability pertaining to sex-
ual integrity. Guidelines relating to
employee personal conduct, Inter-
net use, and church discipline can be
developed in accordance with relevant
law with the help of an attorney for
placement in a church employee hand-
book. In addition, an attorney can help
develop employment screening guide-
lines and application forms.
When there has been a reported
incident of clergy sexual misconduct,
church leaders are encouraged to con-
sult with the church’s attorney, as well
as its commercial liability insurance
company for relevant guidance. A help-
ful resource for local churches that are
navigating through issues pertaining to
a pastor’s spiritual or moral failure is the
2007 Focus on the Family publication
titled, “Pastoral Restoration: The Path
to Recovery,” by Chris Fabry. 8 ✠
The information is current as of the date that it is written.
This article is provided solely for general educational
purposes and does not constitute legal advice between an
attorney and a client. The law varies in different jurisdic-
tions. Consultation with an attorney is recommended if you
desire legal advice.
REV. JOHN SANDY, J.D.,
M.A.B.C., M.S.J., is a
licensed attorney in California
and Illinois. John is also an
ordained minister, a Board
Certified Pastoral Counselor,
and Board Certified Christian Counselor with
the Board of Christian Professional and Pastoral
Counselors and maintains a pastoral counseling
ministry that is a Ministry Partner of the Inland
Empire Southern Baptist Association in Ontario,
California.
Endnotes
1 Juniper Research. “250 million to access
adult content on their mobile or tablet by
2017, Juniper Report Finds.” (Sept. 2013).
Retrieved October 10, 2016, from https://
mobile-adult-pr1.
2 Reed, E. (2006). “Restoring Fallen Leaders.”
Retrieved September 27, 2016, from http://
winter/22.21.html.
3 Earle, R. and Wells, K. (2006). “Sex in the
pulpit: Why Christian leaders fall.” Christian
Counseling Connection, 2006, Iss. 4,
citing, in part, Benson, G. (1994). “Sexual
behavior by male clergy with adult female
counselees: Systematic and situational
themes. Sexual Addiction & Compulsivity
Journal, Vol. 1, No. 2, and Irons, R. and
Laaser, M. (1994). “The abduction of fidelity.
Sexual exploitation of clergy: Experiences
with inpatient assessment. Sexual Addiction
& Compulsivity Journal, Vol. 1, No. 2.
4 Alcorn, R. (1989). Sexual temptation:
How Christian workers can win the battle.
InterVarsity Press.
5 Hopler, W. (2011). “10 ways to prevent failure
in your ministry.” Adapted from M.T. Wilson
and B. Hoffman. (2007). Preventing ministry
failure: A shepherdcare guide for pastors,
ministers and other caregivers. InterVarsity
Press. Retrieved September 28, 2016, from
or-leadership/how-to-prevent-failure-in-your-
ministry.html.
6 London, Jr., H.B. (2010). “Living a life of love:
The defense against failure.” The Pastor’s
Weekly Briefing, Vol. 18, No. 16.
7 Hammar, R. (2016). “The top 5 reasons
religious organizations went to court
in 2015.” Retrieved October 4, 2016,
from
web/2016/july/top-5-reasons-churches-
went-to-court-in-2015.html.
8 Fabry, C. (2007). Pastoral restoration: The
path to recovery. Retrieved September 28.
2016 at
pastoral/pdf/PAS_PastoralRestoration.pdf.
Therefore an
overseer must be
above reproach, the
husband of one wife,
sober-minded,
self-controlled,
respectable, hospitable,
able to teach.…
— 1 Timothy 3:2 (ESV)